In group psychotherapy, individuals gather in a supportive environment to explore and address their psychological concerns. This group draws on Irvin Yalom's existential approach, adapted here specifically for queer men, many of whom learned early to read a room before entering it, and to keep something in reserve even among friends. Through interpersonal interaction, feedback, and shared experience, members develop self-awareness, empathy and new ways of relating. For queer men in particular, being seen and still accepted by other men can interrupt patterns of hiding that have often been in place since childhood, reducing isolation and building a felt sense of belonging. Guided by skilled therapists, participants challenge patterns that no longer serve them, build resilience, and deepen their understanding of themselves and each other.

Read more about group psychotherapy on our blog here.

This group is for queer men who have ideally undertaken at least one year of personal psychotherapy (though this isn't a requirement), and who are seeking to:

• Understand how growing up different, visibly or invisibly, has shaped the way you connect, trust and protect yourself.

• Explore the gap between how you connect with men online or in the moment, and the kind of closeness you actually want.

• Examine your relationship to masculinity, inherited, rejected, performed or still being worked out, and what it costs you.

• Practise being direct, vulnerable and honest with other men, without the armour.

• Build friendships and chosen family that can hold real weight, not just good times.

• Learn to stay in connection through difference and disagreement, rather than defaulting to withdrawal or conflict.

Within this weekly time together, the focus is on creating the conditions for sharing honestly what's happening in the 'here-and-now' — within yourself, and in response to each other.

With an interpersonal focus, the facilitators will hold the conditions for both difference and collaboration to exist. For many queer men, this is unfamiliar ground: a room of men where hiding isn't required. Each session becomes an opportunity to make contact with how your history, with fathers, brothers, mentors, first loves, rejections, show up live, in these relationships, in a deeply supportive way.

At any given time, there will be between 6 and 10 people in this group to support both intimacy and diversity. Intimacy supports us in each having sufficient time to explore our own lives and minds, and diversity allows there to be a rich representation of life experiences in our space to be in relationship to.

This is an ongoing group that meets once per week for 90 minutes. Attendance is required at each of the meetings, unless, of course, for agreed-upon circumstances.

As a new member, you will join for an initial 12-week term, after which you will discuss your experiences in the group with Al and Chris, and, if you both agree that there is an alignment, you will be invited to join the group as an ongoing member.

• Apply to join the next intake period for a brief conversation with Al or Chris to assess alignment;

• Sliding scale pricing: $120-$140 per session (excl GST), billed monthly for ongoing members.
  New members: $1,320 - $1,680 for your initial 12-week term.

• Some alternative payment plans/arrangements are available.

• If the group feels like a good fit for you and finances pose a barrier, we can discuss options.