An opportunity for men to share and explore their personal issues, family harmony and relationship situations in a safe and engaging group setting.
Men's groups are becoming the most powerful forum for individual men to examine their lives, relationships and work-related activities.
Groups are facilitated by Geoff Paull - psychologist, lifeskills coach and family & relationships counsellor. Geoff's skills, personal history and qualifications provide a unique set of skills and knowledge for ‘men's work'.
Program for 2012:
About BlokesMen's group For men of all ages who seek a greater understanding of themselves; want to improve their management of issues around relationships, parenting and families; are looking to improve their self-care around health and wellbeing; and to learn more about how we function, maintain ourselves and strive for fulfillment in the 21st Century.
The topics that are handled are defined by the needs of members, and are tackled from both a mutual help forum of sharing and developing together, and also group processes and change strategies facilitated by Geoff.
Wednesday nights, 6.30 to 9.00 pm.
$60 for 5 sessions pre-paid.
*Private health insurance rebates are available from some providers and there may be a rebate available via Medicare with a relevant referral from a GP.
Group formats
The group covers topics that are important to participants from time to time. Therefore, there are no formal start and end periods, and members can join a group at any time to begin their exploration of themselves and masculinity in general.
Various empowerment and group therapy methods are used in sessions – always solution oriented to those issues on which participants seek skills and guidance.
Confidentiality is required from all participants to ensure that trust and the emotional safety of everyone is maintained.
Geoff's professional practice follows guidelines and principles from organisations such as the Australian Psychological Society, the Psychologists Board of WA and the Psychotherapists and Counsellors Federation of Australia .
Contact Geoff to register your interest and reserve a place. Group size is limited to ensure quality participation for all members (email Geoff).
Men's Groups: Some principles that guide us
The group provides an opportunity for men seeking such things as personal understanding of themself; insight into feelings that arise around their families and relationships; exploration of their beliefs about work, recreation and pleasure; and perhaps comparison of their processes and attitudes with those of other men. The topics covered are flexible, depending on the needs and ideas generated by the group. These will generally fall into the realm of 'manhood', and be explored through confidential sharing, challenge and empathy.
Activities within sessions are based on mutual respect among members; integrity in contributing to any man's exploration of his situations; honesty in the giving and receiving of information; and absolute confidentiality of any matter shared between group members.
The overarching purpose of the group is to find knowledge, answers and solutions, not to position blame or seek victory in any man Vs woman or sexual orientation debate. Sessions are conducted in a semi-formal way that allows the values of men of all types to be expressed and assimilated into our understanding and day to day processes.
The goal is for us to know ourselves and each other better to enhance our lives in the future.
These principles establish a space where men can feel safe to examine their ‘self'. In this, the group facilitates exploration and potential for change through the chance to:
visit emotions
examine why certain things are present in our day to day lives
to disclose and examine deeply held attitudes, secrets and perhaps shame
celebrate maleness in all of its forms and manifestations
In this light, the outcomes we seek can be therapeutic in helping us grow and be more functional. However, this is not a deliberately ‘facilitated' process and any skills in this area are available in whatever form and usefulness they arise.
From time to time your personal experiences in the group may be intense, confronting or worrying. Advise us if you're unsure about your readiness to leave the group situation when a session is finishing. Debriefing and social support are very important parts of successful therapy outcomes, so it is quite normal for you to want comfort and validation before you move beyond the group's supporting environment.
Men's Group Guidelines
We meet to explore and share what it is to be a man. We exclude nothing - and in so doing examine the relationship we have with our self and with the other men, women and children in our lives.
These guidelines are designed to help us develop a better understanding of the mysteries, possibilities, responsibilities and the beauty of manhood.
BE PRESENT IN THE MOMENT - The "here and now" is the only place where awareness can grow and personal change can be chosen - so share your thoughts and feelings as they are "right now".
CHALLENGE YOURSELF - Reach for your true goodness and greatness. To be whole you need to face and challenge that part of you that holds you to conditioned thoughts and ways. You need also to accept your true beauty, pleasure and ecstasy as being normal parts of a man.
COMMITMENT - Commit to regularly attend and be an active part of the group – to accept, challenge and be open in the quest for your true ‘self'. Make a commitment not to harm yourself, others or the environment in either a physical, mental or verbal way.
CONFIDENTIALITY - What happens and is said in the group must stay in the group. Without confidentiality there is little trust or intimacy, and ultimately little personal growth.
DO WHAT'S RIGHT FOR YOU - Make sure you are getting what you want from the group. You are the only one who has the "inner knowing" to take full responsibility for your personal journey in search of your own truth.
DON'T BLAME OR SHAME - Criticism of yourself or others is hurtful and dumping on others is not acceptable. Take responsibility for the health and effectiveness of the group so that relationships can flourish and be nurtured. We are invited to treat each other with complete acceptance and respect.
GIVE AND RECEIVE - Freely ask for what you want and fearlessly respond to the call of others - often what you feel is missing from what's happening at any time is what you alone can provide or lead us into.
GIVE YOURSELF PERMISSION TO MAKE MISTAKES - Feel free to laugh at yourself - laughter is great medicine. Know the difference between guilt (I made a mistake) and shame (I am a mistake) and forgive yourself and others freely for the mistakes that will happen in a challenging environment.
HONOUR YOURSELF AS A MAN - Honour your masculine heritage that arises from both your male and female lineage. Treat others as equals regardless of gender, age, race, sexual preference or spiritual practice.
OWN YOUR FEELINGS – Don't blame others for how you are feeling - you alone are responsible for your internal experience of joy or pain at any time. Avoid taking responsibility for the feelings of others.
RESPECT THE SHARING CIRCLE - acknowledge and reinforce others' time by staying in the circle while someone is telling their story unless absolutely unavoidable. And interruptions such as farting are not useful in a sharing situation.
SPEAK YOUR TRUTH FROM THE HEART - Make "I" statements, not generalisations or "we" and "you" statements. Talk about immediate experiences (e.g., “I am hurt by…..”) rather than personalities (“you are hurtful….”)
STAY AROUND WHEN TIMES GET TOUGH - This is the moment for insight and personal growth. Sit with your discomfort in order to better understand your process - accepting, not avoiding, deep or unfamiliar feelings. Also, another man might find that the use of relevant strong language and other potentially inflammatory terms might be necessary in the telling of a story. If this annoys you, persist and discuss rather than criticise, withdraw or compromise your own beliefs and standards.
TALK LESS AND LISTEN MORE - Learn from periods of silence and the spaces between words and actions. If you don't wish to speak, you may pass. Use active listening skills - "hear" what the other is saying and "feel" what's happening in them - but it's not about fixing or solving others' problems.
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