Background of the book:

Shortly after taking on the position as manager of counselling services at the University of the Western Cape (UWC) midway through 2008, I initiated a culture and practice of group psychotherapy. The start of a new group at the beginning of 2009 saw only young men arriving. After that accidental men’s group I began to purposefully target young men who sought individual therapy at the counselling centre to join men’s groups. In 2010 I extended the male-focused psychotherapy to my small private practice offering individual, couples, family therapy, father-son psychotherapy and men’s groups for boys and men aged 14 years upwards.

Location of the book launch:

Unisa campus in Parow, 15 Jean Simonis Street, Parow.

Preliminary date of the launch:

To Be Announced

Contact person:

The Marketing & Communications Officer of Unisa Western Cape, Ms Vicky Lee Shew email: Leesvlvt@unisa.ac.za

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One-on-one psychotherapy with boys as young as 14 years old. I receive referrals from other therapists, and some men self-refer, having accessed my details in their social networks. These are usually brief-term sessions from as few as one session to twenty and beyond. Most clients attend roughly 6 sessions as many graduate to a men’s group

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A men’s group is constituted by six to eight men usually ranging in age from late twenties to late forties or early fifties. Most of the participants have been in individual therapy with myself. Sometimes they are referred by other clinicians. I persuade individual therapy clients to join the men’s group because the men’s group is often more dynamic (quicker) in helping one work through concerns including that of relationship issues (mostly with spouse or partner), addictions (pornagraphy, sex, substance abuse, gambling) or problems with aggression or violence. It can be life-changing for participants to discover they are not alone in their wretchedness. Sharing stories of pain and joy with others is also very therapeutic.

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In these dyadic therapy sessions, fathers are coached how to develop and nurture a relationship with the son. Sometimes fathers are so alienated from their sons, coupled with their own poor father-son relationship history, that assistance with the basics of father-son relationship building is needed.

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Following a few bouts of individual therapy, a man may realise that his romantic relationship requires special attention. These couple sessions are strictly to assist the two parties to improve their relationship with themselves, which in turn has a positive knock on effect on the relationship. Each participant are put in touch with aspects of their own personal history that plays out in the couple arena. Hence couple’s therapy cannot work unless both parties are open to engage with their shadows

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Sometimes there are complicated layers of interpersonal dynamics that require unpacking in the wider system like the whole family. This could involve three generations of family members. Family therapy operates on a similar principle as couple’s therapy. Key family members may be assisted with transforming practices that keep the family from engaging more harmoniously

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Introduction to sameness first approach to diversity. Only once sameness has been firmly established, can we begin to approach difference. The point of departure is the universal divine principle of unity/oneness. Facilitate coming together, identify commonalities. Create a culture of social cohesion. Appreciate diversity as a derivative of sameness. Common humanity and diversity are on a continuum. We can only understand the one in relation to the other.

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Introduction to the centrality of the body in human experiences. Understand certain risks related to human embodiment and how to mitigate its impact. Like the risk of online work for employees. How to maximise technology without forgetting the human element.

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Understanding the primary role of women in the construction of manhood. To end GVB we need to heal both women and men. Which requires that we review our understanding of female power/vulnerability. Insight into female relational power - Women as the dominant organisers of relational spaces. Female power of informal authority. Female approval critical to manhood. Women as the gatekeepers of children’s access to father. Fatherhood by consent of mothers

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Strategic and practical management of challenging personalities in the workplace

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Trauma support in response to a traumatic incident in the workplace. Training managers how to mobilize and manage an effective post-trauma response in the workplace

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Identity and self-esteem sessions. Small groups of men in personal/ corporate spaces are introduced to an adapted model of African humanity as relational – ethical personhood.

An African identity has little to do with skin colour, but is based on two fundamental pillars, belonging and ethics. The minute we belong, we are accountable to that which we perceive ourselves to belong to. Getting a deeper understanding of the true nature of personhood is itself therapeutic for men who suffer low self-esteem, self-doubt and sometimes self-hatred

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Explore the link between kindness and creativity in the workplace

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