FAQ’s
It’s important you commit to showing up each week. This is not a passive program – the transformation comes through doing the exercises, reflecting on the between-session activities and being part of the group process in real-time.
That being said, we know life can happen. If you miss a session, we ask you to let us and the group know.
The two in-person groups will meet at The Courageous Man Space overlooking Terrigal Beach: Suite 1, 58 Terrigal Esplanade, Terrigal Beach
Terrigal Beach is about an hours’ drive from northern suburbs of Sydney, and 90 minutes from the Sydney CBD. It is just over an hour’s drive from Newcastle.
Yes — relational skills are relational skills. This group is for men who want to grow, heal, and build better, healthier relationships in every area of life whether that’s with yourself, your friends, family, or coworkers.
If you’re single, dating, and looking to enjoy more fulfilling and connected relationships, these skills will 100% be beneficial.
Yes. At The Courageous Man we welcome people of all genders and sexual orientations into our groups.
Self-awareness and relational skills are self-awareness & relational skills regardless of gender & sexual orientations.
As facilitators, we will never force you to share anything. We also understand it may take being in the group a while before you feel comfortable sharing – this is normal.
That being said, the more you have the courage to share in the group, the more you’ll
get out of it. There will be small break-out groups which you may feel more comfortable sharing, especially in the first few weeks.
We will support you along the way.
Full payment is required upfront.
We offer a 100% money-back guarantee if, for whatever reason you’re not completely satisfied within 48 hours of your first group and we’ll issue you a full refund, no questions asked.
After this 48-hour period, expect that no refunds will be offered.
If you miss a group – you still pay.
Confidentiality is vital to ensure the group is safe and you can share whatever you want. All group members must commit to never discussing what another group member has said. You can talk about your personal experience being in the group to friends & partners but never talk about what another man has shared. We discuss this in more detail when the group first meets.
As professionals, we offer complete confidentiality except in the following instances:
• If we believe you are at serious risk of harming yourself or others. We would only do this in imminent circumstances, and we will try and discuss it with you first.
• Like all mental health professionals, we are mandatory reporters under NSW child protection law, which means that in a case where a child is at risk, we must report to the relevant authorities.
• We may sometimes discuss client work with a clinical supervisor. The same code of ethics and confidentiality binds our supervisors.
• Absolute confidentiality cannot be guaranteed in a group context, and participants acknowledge shared responsibility for maintaining confidentiality.
We do not keep case notes from the group.
No. What men share is personal and private so will not record the zoom group sessions.
No, we do not offer any rebates, and we do not bulk bill.
No, not usually, however if you really want to join a group, and the cost is stopping you from doing so, please reach out and connect@thecouraegousman.com.au
No, it’s not an official RLT group nor is it endorsed by the RLT Institute. It is informed and inspired by the RLT model and the men’s coaching program created by Terry Real. Helen holds certification as an RLT Couple’s Therapist and RLT Bootcamp Facilitator.
We acknowledge the RLT Institute and Terry Real for their content we will share with you.
Jon and Helen are two highly experienced and qualified men’s group facilitators. We both also have extensive personal experience being members of groups as part of our healing and growth journeys.
Helen brings over seven years of experience as a Men’s Behaviour Change group facilitator. She has completed a ‘Graduate Certificate in Men’s Behaviour Change – Individual and Group-work Interventions through NSW Health. She is also a trained and experienced group facilitator of the Caring Dad’s group program developed in Canada. She has also trained in the Gestalt psychotherapeutic approach to groups, emphasising working in the ‘here and now’. In addition, Helen has completed training in “Yalom Group Psychotherapy: Leadership and Facilitation skills”.
Jon has been facilitating groups for the past six years that include Men’s Behaviour Change, Engage, and psychoeducational programs, and has received extensive training in motivational interviewing, behavioural change strategies, and groupwork-specific techniques. The various programs that Jon has delivered include a broad range of topics, such as: Addiction and Recovery and Other Dependencies, Family Systems, Emotions, Anger, Conflict Resolution, Resentments, Stress Management, Managing Sadness, Depression and Loneliness, Self Esteem, Relationships, Shame and Guilt, and Self-Awareness.
This is very intentional on our part; we believe it makes our group different from men’s groups. We are committed to showing up as two whole and equal human beings relating respectfully. This is one the core values of The Courageous Man.
We are pro-man, pro-woman, pro-fathers & mothers, pro-respect, and pro-equality.
By ‘walking our talk’ in the group, we hope to offer you an example of how two whole individuals relate in a respectful way. What we intend to model applies to all kinds of relationships – intimate, parent-child relationship, co-parenting, and professional relationships – as is the case for Jon and Helen.
Having two facilitators also means you get an added bonus of two different people’s perspectives and expertise.
This is a therapeutic men’s group consisting of eight in-person sessions, each of two hours in duration. The group is facilitated by registered Australian Counselling Association (ACA) members and is conducted in accordance with ACA guidelines, relevant ethical frameworks, and applicable Australian and New South Wales legislation.
In joining a group, you are agreeing to the following Terms & Conditions which will also be presented on your ticket/receipt.
No, it’s not an official RLT group nor is it endorsed by the RLT Institute. It is informed and inspired by the RLT model and the men’s coaching program created by Terry Real. Helen holds certification as an RLT Couple’s Therapist and Facilitator.
We acknowledge and pay our respects the RLT Institute and Terry Real for this.
We are usually busy seeing clients during the day so if you have any questions email us at connect@thecourageousman.com.au
Addiction is not a moral failing but rather a disease with sometimes complex origins that require effort to understand and manage.
Look after you as the number one priority. Addiction affects many people, including the sufferer, and by looking after yourself, you will be able to support yourself and others.
Educating yourself about Addiction is essential; engage in a self-care regime, including your therapy, and surround yourself with positive and supportive others.
It is tough to change something without understanding it. For the person suffering from Addiction, through developing a deeper understanding of themselves, their triggers, emotions and coping mechanisms – change can occur. For the person wanting to support the person in Addiction, it is about understanding, not to rescue or save but assisting the sufferer in their Recovery journey.
- The first step is to educate yourself about Addiction.
- Engage in your own counselling.
- Develop a personal support network.
- Do not enable the person in Addiction.
- Manage your expectations and your expectations of the person suffering from the Addiction.
- Develop a self-care programme.
Couples therapy sessions are currently held on the Central Coast of NSW (Terrigal).
If you live on the North Shore or Northern suburbs of Sydney, you may find it quicker to get to the Central Coast than it is to drive into the city.
You will receive details of the location when you book with Helen. While there is plenty of street parking in both locations, we recommend you allow extra time for parking.
Yes, we do. The 2-hour Relationship Assessment, on-going therapy and the 1-Day Relationship Intensive are all offered online.
Yes, you can. Please email Helen if you’d like to talk organising a short conversation before making a booking. My time is limited so we can’t guarantee we’ll have time to talk in a timely manner. I do recommend you go ahead and book a 2-hour Relationship Asessment on-line. I do not need to speak to you first.
For the 1-Day Relationship Intensive, I will 100% want to talk to you first to see if it’s a good fit for you. Email me directly at helen@thecourageousman.com.au
Yes, we sometimes can. If you can’t see availability on our online booking system, please contact Helen directly, and we’ll see if we can fit you in. In the case of an emergency, please get in touch with the emergency line, 000, or contact a 24-hour telephone counselling service such as Lifeline: 13 11 14.
For Relationship Assessments, on-going Relationship Therapy, and individual Relationship Therapy you book online. You will be asked to put in your credit card details upon booking. The amount will automatically be taken from your credit card at the time of the appointment.
You cannot book a 1-Day Relationship Intensive on-line. Please contact Helen directly.
Yes, you need to complete a Relationship Assessment first. Once this is completed, we will discuss your needs going forward and you may choose on-going couple’s therapy.
We suggest you book an individual therapy session. There is a lot you can do to change your relationship dynamic without your partner coming along. We will also explore what you might need to encourage your partner to come and what it means to you.
Yes, we most certainly do. We believe infidelities – in there many forms – can be an opportunity for personal and relationship transformation. More than half of couples who come to couples therapy come because of infidelity.
If the infidelity is recent and you’re in the ‘acute phase’ we recommend you consider an all-day intensive, possibly with follow-up therapy afterwards. This is especially recommended if you have children. Contact Helen to discuss your options.
Of course. We work with couples of all genders and sexual orientation.
Helen is a certified couple’s therapist with the Relational Life Therapy (RLT) Institute. She is currently only one of three people in Australian fully certified using this innovative approach to working with couples.
She has also studied and informed by Emotionally Focused Therapy for Couples, the Gottman Method for Couples Therapy, Gestalt psychotherapeutic approach to relationships, as well as a long list of professional development courses with Esther Perel and other international relationship experts.
Helen ‘walks the talk’ and applies what she teaches in her own life.
The Relational Life Therapy (RLT) approach breaks many of the rules of traditional therapy to deliver lasting change. The RLT model is different in many ways, including:
We take sides: Often, couples therapists are trained to remain neutral, but in RLT, we explicitly side with the disempowered partner (if there is one) to restore balance in the relationship.
We heal trauma in the presence of the partner: In traditional therapy, trauma work is done individually. But opening up such levels of vulnerability in their partner’s presence helps people go much deeper for more remarkable transformations.
Therapists and clients are equal: Therapists aren’t above clients as experts, nor are we simply facilitators. We’re right there in the thick of it with you, sharing our own experiences of relational living to inspire, motivate, and build trust.
We’re direct (but compassionate): We’re upfront in telling clients what they’re doing to harm their relationships. We tell them what to do in certain situations so they can have a corrective emotional experience with their partner over and over.
We educate: The nurture that traditional therapy offers isn’t sufficient on its own to provoke lasting change. We focus on educating our clients so they can continue forging authentic connections for life.
The cost of the 1-Day Intensive is AUD995 (including GST). The day normally runs from 10am to 4pm.
If you’re doing the intensive in person, this does not include any food or accommodation. I can provide great recommendations for places to stay nearby – AirBNB’s and a range of accommodation options. There is a Crowne Plaza hotel less than a minutes’ walk from my office. Terrigal is a popular holiday destination and there is a range of restaurants and cafes to choose from.
Please get in touch directly with Helen if you’re interested in 1-Day Relationship Intensive.
Our relationship services are appropriate for any relationship that is important to you. We see couples, family members, and friends – each wanting to improve their relationship.
However, we will not work with couples/relationships where one or both parties behave in harmful, abusive or controlling ways and where it is unsafe for one person to speak their truth.
If you’re in this situation, we offer specialised individual therapy.
No, you don’t. But I do need to talk to you before booking a 1-Day intensive to see if it’s a good option for you.
If you do a 2-hour Relationship Assessment first and then decide spending a day with me if a good idea, we can talk about a possible discount to the AUD1,295 intensive rate.
Our therapy rooms are located on the Central Coast of NSW –Terrigal and Wamberal.
Both these locations are an approximate 50-minute drive from Hornsby, Sydney. If you live on the North Shore or Northern suburbs of Sydney, you may find it quicker to get to the Central Coast than driving into the city.
You will receive location details when you book with Helen or Jon.
While there is plenty of street parking in both locations, we recommend you allow extra time for parking.
Yes, we do. We provide all our services on-line and offer services to people anywhere in the world. Simply book on-line and we’ll set up an appointment in zoom. The only service you can’t book on-line are our intensives. We will talk to you before booking an intensive.
Once booked, the 1-Day Relationship Assessment by Helen can also be done on-line.
No, we do not offer any rebates, and we do not bulk bill.
No, you do not. If you are working with another mental health professional, we may ask your permission to contact this person. We will not contact another practitioner without your consent and only if we believe it may help provide a better service to you.
No, not usually, however, we can offer you referrals to low-cost counselling services.
We can work with clients from the age of 12 and older. We can offer referral options for clients under the age of 12 years.
Yes, you can. Contact us by phone or email, and we will do our best to get back to you within one business day. If urgent, we recommend you email your question in case we cannot connect with you by phone.
Yes, we sometimes can. If you can’t see availability on our online booking system, please contact us directly, and we’ll see if we can fit you in. In the case of an emergency, please get in touch with the emergency line, 000, or contact a 24-hour telephone counselling service such as Lifeline: 13 11 14.
For individual sessions, relationship assessments and relationship therapy sessions you can book on-line.
Please email Helen or Jon directly if you’d like to talk organising a short conversation with us before making a booking. Our time is limited so we can’t guarantee we’ll have time to talk in a timely manner.
Yes, you need to pay for the total cost of the session when you make your booking online. This is because we have allocated time for you, and if sufficient notice is provided, we can use the time to see another client.
If you cannot make the appointment for a reason beyond your control, please let us know, providing 24hrs notice.
Please note that an online booking fee applies (currently $1) as do applicable credit card surcharges (currently 1.9%).
No problem. If you wish to change, reschedule, or cancel an appointment, you can do so online within 24 hours of the start of your session through your booking confirmation link. This will be emailed to your preferred email address immediately after you make your booking. Look out for the ‘manage my appointment’ link in your booking confirmation email. If you have any problem, please contact your practitioner directly.
Cancellations or rescheduling with more than 24hrs notice can still be made yourself using your booking confirmation email with no charge.
If you need to cancel with less than 24hrs notice for any reason, the cancellation fee will be 50% of the usual session cost. We will refund the 50% within 2-3 business days.
No shows/cancellations that occur after the start of the session time are charged at the full session rate.
Yes, we do. Check our availability on the on-line booking system. Or contact us directly.
You offer one-hour and 2-hour individual therapy sessions. Do I need to book a 2-hour session first?
A 2-hour intensive is also a great option if you’re experiencing a major upset or life crisis. A 2-hour session is great because it provides time to develop a more in-depth understanding of your unique needs and what you might need going forward. We understand if you book an hour-long session to see if we are a good fit for you.
Yes, the sessions are completely confidential except in the following instances:
- If we believe you are at serious risk of harming yourself or others. We would only do this in imminent circumstances, and we will try and discuss it with you first.
- Like all mental health professionals, we are mandatory reporters under NSW child protection law, and this means that in a case where a child is at risk, we are required to make a report to the relevant authorities.
- We may sometimes discuss client work with a clinical supervisor. The same code of ethics and confidentiality binds our supervisors.
- On rare occasions, we may be required by a court of law to give evidence. This would only happen after consultation with our clinical supervisors and speaking with you.
Yes, we keep brief notes after the session. The notes are not identified and are stored securely.
Yes, we are clinical members of the Australian Counselling Association (ACA), a peak regulatory body for psychotherapists and counsellors. We abide by the Code of Ethics of ACA, which is available on their website. Download PDF here
Yes please. After you have completed your online booking, you will be emailed a short online Intake form. Please complete this form prior to coming to the session.
We understand that Addiction affects not only the person suffering from the disease but loved ones. We aim to provide support to all those involved through education about Addiction so that they can develop an understanding and strategies to support themselves and one another in an informed and caring way. Please get in touch with Jon to discuss your needs and how we can assist you and your loved ones.
CONTACT US
We are happy to answer any of your additional questions, please contact us directly:
Helen Brereton
helen@thecourageousman.com.au
M: 0404 153 592
Jon Farham
jon@thecourageousman.com.au
M: 0493 607 815