Something needs to change, but you don't know where to start.
You may be keeping up with work and responsibilities, but it’s taking more out of you than it used to. Maybe you’re pulling away from people you care about or finding little enjoyment in the routine. Something feels off, even if you can’t explain it.
Counseling can help you understand what’s happening and find a way forward. You don’t need to be in crisis or know exactly what to say.
What if you were never taught?
“Man up.” “Suck it up.” “Figure it out.”
For some men, those messages took the place of learning how to handle difficult feelings, communicate needs, or ask for support.
It isn’t your fault if no one taught you these skills. Like learning to drive, use a tool, or do a job, they take guidance and practice. Counseling offers a place to build them and put them to work in everyday life.
Telehealth Therapy Available
Explore the convenience of flexible mental health care with Mertens Counseling in Kearney. Our Telehealth services are just a click away wherever you are. Receive compassionate, expert care for anxiety, depression, trauma, and more—all from the comfort and privacy of your choice. Mertens' Counseling delivers the perfect blend of convenience and quality, with in-person and online sessions available. Embrace therapy that adapts to your life, offering relief and guidance exactly when and where you need it.
Anger and Stress Are Information, Not Character Flaws
Irritability gets a bad reputation. In practice it is one of the most useful signals a body sends. Anger usually shows up second. Underneath is often something quieter: chronic stress, poor sleep, grief, burnout, untreated ADHD, or a memory that never settled. Counseling can help you understand what contributes to your anger and build practical skills for responding differently.
What most people call anger management therapy is really two things stacked: regulation skills you can use this week, and processing later if something underneath keeps reloading. Skills look like catching the build-up before it becomes a reaction, slowing your breathing, and naming what you feel instead of only what you show. Processing can include EMDR, when old material keeps getting triggered by present-day events.
The goal is not to make you calmer on the surface. It is to make the signal useful again.
Fatherhood and What Kids Learn by Watching
If you are a dad, your kids are already studying you. Not your advice, your behavior: what you do when you are frustrated, whether you repair things after you snap, whether getting help looks normal in your house. That is one of the most common reasons men finally book.
Therapy for dads at Mertens usually runs on two tracks. Your own sleep, stress, and reactivity get attention. Separately, we work on the household side: routines, transitions, how to talk with a kid about big feelings, and how caregiver involvement changes child therapy outcomes.
Kids do not need a perfect parent. They need one who comes back after a hard moment and shows them what repair looks like.
What Therapy Actually Looks Like Here
Your first appointment lasts about an hour. It’s a chance to talk about what brought you in, ask questions, and identify what you’d like to change. Your therapist will ask about your background and current concerns to better understand your needs.
You don’t need a prepared explanation. “I don’t know where to start” is enough.After the first appointment, sessions are typically scheduled weekly, or sometimes every other week, depending on your needs and goals. Together, you’ll develop a plan that may include understanding patterns, practicing communication and coping skills, and addressing past experiences when they’re relevant to what you’re facing now.
Who You'd Work With:
Andrew (Drew) Fritson
Andrew (Drew) Fritson, PLMHP, currently has immediate openings for new clients, with Monday through Thursday mornings and afternoons available in Kearney or by telehealth. He works with adults on anxiety, stress, trauma, emotional and anger regulation, ADHD- and autism-related concerns, and parenting challenges, and he has additional training in EMDR and short-term behavioral therapy. Drew accepts BCBS, private pay, and COMHT vouchers.
Appointments & Scheduling
Choose a location and scheduling option that works for you.
Ways to meet
Meet in person at 124 W 46th Street #207 in Kearney, or online through telehealth from anywhere in Nebraska.
Session availability
Drew offers sessions between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM, Monday through Thursday, depending on availability. Regular sessions last approximately 55 minutes.
Insurance & payment
Drew accepts Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) and private pay. Through the Rural Response COMHT program, eligible Nebraska residents may qualify for up to five sessions at no cost. We verify insurance benefits and provide an estimated out-of-pocket cost before your first appointment.
Ready to schedule?
Book online anytime, or contact our office for assistance.
Call: 308-270-4988
Email: admin@mertenscounseling.com
Front desk availability
Our front desk is available to answer calls and assist with scheduling Monday through Thursday, 8:45 AM–4:00 PM. These are front desk hours; Drew’s session times extend beyond these hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to know exactly what’s wrong?
No. You might only know that you feel stressed, disconnected, frustrated, or unlike yourself. Your therapist can help you explore what’s happening and identify where to start.
What if I’m not comfortable talking about feelings?
You don’t have to arrive knowing how. Learning to recognize and communicate feelings can be part of the work. You can start with everyday experiences—what happens at work, at home, or during an argument.
Do I have to talk about my childhood?
You can begin with current concerns and goals. If past experiences seem relevant, your therapist can discuss that with you. You can ask questions and share concerns about what you feel ready to explore.
Is counseling only for men who are in crisis?
No. Counseling can also help when life feels harder than it needs to, relationships feel strained, or you want to change patterns before they become bigger problems.
Can I meet online?
Yes. We offer telehealth for clients located in Nebraska, as well as in-person appointments at our Kearney office.
How much does it cost, and do you take insurance?
Drew accepts Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) and private pay, and participates in the Rural Response COMHT program, through which eligible Nebraska residents may qualify for up to five sessions at no cost. Other therapists at Mertens Counseling accept additional insurance plans. Our office can help you find a provider who accepts your plan and explain your estimated out-of-pocket costs.
How soon can I be seen?
Drew has immediate openings Monday through Thursday, mornings and afternoons. Call 308-270-4988 or book online and we will confirm your first session.
Is this only for men?
This page focuses on men’s experiences, but Mertens Counseling serves women, men, children, teens, and families. Visit our booking page to explore providers and find support that fits your needs.