‘Adolescents are grouped together by adults and defined as a problem, yet we must ask ourselves whether this problem refers to something in the adolescent, or whether it is making a statement about our society.’

E.Z. Friedenberg.

Ric Colclough Bachelor of Applied Social Sciences (Counselling) is EncourageMen.

Are you dealing with family problems; want to be a better parent … want to improve all your relationships? Are you angry, feeling disempowered, possibly struggling with grief and the loss of a loved one. Maybe you are having difficulty getting a happy medium between what’s OK for you and for the important ‘other’ people in your life. Sometimes our lives just do not seem to add up; we ask ourselves what is happening and how are we going to manage. Ric at Encouragemen is professional counsellor who has passion for his vocation. He will encourage and support you to find solutions to these and many more issues which arise from living day to day.

Ric specialises in counselling and group work  He offers a flexible mobile service delivery utilising client friendly consultation venues. Ric’s counselling style draws on a number of ‘client-centred’, heart based and complementary modalities which are tailored to your needs. You can be assured you are honoured for the uniqueness of your being, treated with respect and with the utmost of confidentiality.

Congruence Mandala

Relationship with self and others is of paramount importance and I believe a vital key to opening the door to our own unique human nature and potential. To be successful in relationship with others is first to be reasonably successful in relationship with self.  My aim is to support client in finding their own keys to self awareness and then to support them in relating to important others in their lives in an honest, open and fruitful way.

My interest and subsequent passion in men’s well-being began over thirty years ago, when I was in my twenties, with the advent of the feminist movement. This ‘movement’ challenged my beliefs about how it was for me to be a contemporary male and the traditional roles I had so rigidly adopted from my fore-fathers.

Vociferous feminists challenged a western society steeped in a paternalistic tradition. Germaine Greer, in her book, The Female Eunuch, literally threw a cat amongst the pigeons … some of us faced these challenges openly and with trepidation, others preferred to stay with what was, while others were open to a mix of both options which suited their particular style or brand of courage. Few would argue that this change was not needed. I am still facing my challenges and I support and encourage other males to face theirs as well. In a largely reactionary move, some men decided it was safer to face change by huddling together, much as we did back in the days of the caveman, seeking a common ground while we ‘worked’ on survival strategies. Inevitably a men’s movement emerged, fostering gatherings of men for mutual support to tackle this new and challenging paradigm. I am a part of this movement.

“Can freedom become a burden to heavy for a man to bear, something he tries to escape from? Why is it then that freedom is for many a cherished goal and for others a threat”.  ‘

The Fear of Freedom’. E. Fromm 1960

I reckon we are instinctively collaborative; on building sites, in office towers and Mens’ gatherings.  We are able to build bridges crossing mighty chasms, we fight fires with fearless tenacity, we literally move mountains …. and we work tirelessly for the welfare of our families. We are most often inspired and ‘driven’ when our aspirations go beyond what is needed by us personally. We males have basic needs and an innate sense of purpose associated with nurturing and protection of  our community. We can do this because we are endowed with hugely collaborative and intuitive spirit. I believe our contentment lies in the recognition of this; our genetic heritage.

GROUPWORK

“Relationship Skills for Ordinary Blokes” Program. My program is specifically designed to develop a greater self awareness amongst participants. We discuss communication skills, masculinity and stereotypes, emotional intelligence, responsibility etc.  This process is interactive and fun.

“Getting a Handle on Anger” Program. My program is specifically designed to empower participants with the knowledge of physiological and biological processes associated with heightened emotion and provides tools for a greater self awareness and a greater understanding of all facets relating to and dealing with these often difficult feelings.

Both these programmes are conducted over a seven week period, one night per week for 2.5 hours.

Caboolture Men’s Group (CMG) and Maleny Men’s Group (MMG). Both groups are places where we blokes get real and honest about issues that may arise on a day to day basis in our lives. The CMG is an open group where new attendees are welcomed. Please call me for details of attendance. The CMG get together on Monday nights from 6.30 to 9pm. We request a gold coin which is donated to the Caboolture Neighbourhood Centre for their generous gesture in providing the space for our meetings. The MMG is convened on Thursday night, 6.30 to 9.30pm, in Maleny and is by invitation ( a group decision). Please ring me for further details.

With all these gatherings I provide a safe, confidential and non-judgemental space where participants decide on the rules of conduct and we join together in an environment of camaraderie and trust … while learning and having fun.

Contact Ric … 07 54999 552 mob. 0418 298 506 or riccolclough@gmail.com

For face to face, couple and family counselling and groupwork.

A core belief I hold is that life is a question of balance as depicted in my mandala. Yin/Yang, the two primal opposing and complementary forces found in all things in our universe.

Yin, the darker element, is passive, dark, feminine and corresponds to the night … while Yang, the brighter element, is active, light, masculine and corresponds to the day.

Congruence Mandala: Congruence; agreeing in character, accordant, harmonious, consistent. The Mandala is an ancient and sacred symbol of the universe. Classically in the form of a circle (the cosmos) enclosing a square (Earthbound matter).

Congruence Mandala LXXXVIII for Ric by Sandra Joran. www.mandalasaustralia.com