PATHWAYS TO MEN’S WELLNESS

The Men’s Wellness Program is designed to address the emotional, relational and spiritual struggles that are specific to men. This program is sensitive to the changing roles and expectations of men, recognizes the problems associated with traditional male socialization, and is attuned to the stresses that can come from current societal expectations. Some men are able to negotiate and manage these changes and transitions. Other men experience difficulties which are often manifested in a range of feelings and behaviours, such as anger, guilt, shame, stress, depression, relationship conflicts and abusive behaviours. The Men’s Wellness Program promotes personal change through psycho-educational and therapy groups, as well as through individual counselling.

OBJECTIVES:

The Program promotes the principles of health and wellness. For men wishing to change and grow, we offer an opportunity to do so in an environment that is respectful, non-judgmental and compassionate. The program invites men to seek new pathways to live fully authentic lives and fosters life-giving, healthy relationships.

The following are specific objectives of the Programme:

• to identify men’s restraints to personal and relational change, and to develop a new pathway that is consistent with the individual man’s preferred vision;
• to assist men to examine the influences of gender socialization on their behaviours, feelings, attitudes, choices and relationships, and to work toward an embracing concept of their masculinity where there is congruence among feelings, thoughts and behaviours;
• to offer a therapeutic environment where men can heal from the pain in their lives and learn how to care and feel compassion for themselves and others;
• to support men to become emotionally in tune, aware and expressive of their needs and feelings in healthy, non-abusive ways;
• to offer learning opportunities through programs on anger management, depression, self-esteem, stress management and spirituality.

SERVICES:

• Wellness seminars on selected topics.
• Counselling services to men and their spouses/families.

GROUP DESCRIPTIONS

The following provides brief descriptions of various groups provided by the Agency:

TALKING MAN TO MAN: A JOURNEY OF SELF-DISCOVERY:
In these workshops men will have the opportunity to: understand the various forces that have shaped their lives; explore and dismantle unhelpful myths that tell them how to think and behave as a man; develop a personal value system that will lead to positive self-esteem, greater happiness and intimacy.

MEN AND ANGER:
In these workshops participants will gain knowledge and skills to tune into the sources of their anger and the behaviour it brings and learn proven strategies for solving specific anger problems. Pre-screening for the group is pre-requisite.

FATHERS FOREVER:
The programme is specifically designed for separated or divorced men who wish to preserve, build and nourish a positive, stable, and continuing presence in their children’s lives.

OVERCOMING DEPRESSION: Group therapy for men.
This is a 12-session therapy group for men. Participants must identify a desire to change those thoughts, beliefs, and behaviours that contribute to feelings of depression, irritability, social isolation, and difficulties with intimacy. The group leaders meet with each applicant to determine the participant's suitability for group counselling.

Check our current groups page for meeting dates and times.