At Heavy M.E.T.A.L we refer to anger management classes as a behaviour change program.

Learn the difference between Anger Management & Behavioural Change.

Violence is not just physcial. Other forms of violence can be just as dangerous and damaging as physcial acts of violence, 

Violence can also be:

Emotional
Withdrawal, moodiness, manipulation, put-downs, controlling using threats, criticism, fear and mind games.

Physical
Punching, strangulation, slapping, pushing, bumping, holding forcibly, grabbing, shaking, throwing, and breaking things, punching holes in walls and doors, damaging other items.

Verbal
Swearing, put-downs, threats, blaming, belittling, insults, shouting.

Sexual
Unwanted sexual contact such as touching, fondling, kissing, forcing someone to have sex, or to perfom sexual acts that your partner does not consent to.

Social
Controlling your partner's social activities, checking her phone, public humiliation, isolating her from friends or family.

Learn the difference between Anger Management & Behavioural Change.

The Heavy M.E.T.A.L. behavioural change program conists of a small group of men, generally around twelve per group, and two to three trained group therapists. One of the therapists is a woman. The purpose of having men and women as facilitators is to demonstrate an equality model for the participants. The woman is also able to shere her perspective on the issues raised in the group discussion. Both the men and women facilitators provide a safe place to challenge participants in their journey toward behavrioual change. Participants discuss their perceptions of one another and how others perceive them and their behaviour. These therapeutic groups are different from other group discussions in that everything that occurs in group remains confidential; nothing that is disclosed in group is discussed outside the session. 

Establishing a level of trust allows group members to talk openly and honestly. Therapists and group members work together to establish trust and commitment to the group.

Please note: Confidentiality is a primary foundation for group process; however we have a duty of care that put limits on that confidentiality. These limits pertain to information regarding women and children's safety, the participant's safety, other participants' safety, staff safety and criminal acts or breaches of court orders. 

Learn the difference between Anger Management & Behavioural Change.

The Heavy M.E.T.A.L program fosters active learning, a place to work on problems rather than just talk about them. Participants often experience the same issues in group that they have elsewhere. The group, with the help of the facilitators, is able to provide support and understanding, offer suggestions, or gently challenge the person. Groups offer opportunities to experiment with different ways of communicating and to try out new behaviours.

Those who benefit most are usually those who take an active part in the process and who allow themselves to give and receive honest, helpful feedback. group counselling also provides opportunities to see that others have similar difficulties and to learn about yourself as others work on their problems. In an atmosphere of mutual concern, participants can care about and support one another. For these and other reasons, group counselling is often more effective and efficient than individual therapy.

You can expect to talk about the issues that brought you to counselling in the first place. You can ask for both support and for feedback. It is important to let the group know what you want from them.

One of the major reasons men have relationship difficulties is that they have not learned how to express their feelings effectively. Self-disclosure of your feelings, thoughts and behaviour is important in-group and will affect how much you will change.

Most men are somewhat anxious about being able to talk in a group. It is important to realise that you control what, how much, and when you share with the group. It is also important to realise that group facilitators take the responsibility to provide a safe and supportive environment in which feedback is given and received. Almost without exception, within a few sessions all participants are sharing in the group.