Mr Derek Ebbs1
1Fully Human Fully Alive Psychology And Counselling Relationship Centre, Sydney, Australia
Biography:
Derek is a Clinical Relationship Psychotherapist specialising in the Attachment bond between parent and child and the implications for adult relationships – the attachment bond between couples.
His Masters research 'Intimate Passionate Marriage' was in the area of Intimacy in Relationships.
Derek specialises working with men and dads who struggle to express feelings in their intimate relationships and who choose to use control and violence as their first option. He has facilitated many Men's Behaviour Change Programs and now leads a MBCP in private practice. He facilitates Dads parenting groups and he developed Parenting in Partnership for the Gidget Foundation.
Why:
To create a space for dads and men to openly discuss the challenges of navigating family court, of parenting solo for the first time, of co-parenting in a high conflict relationship.
Who:
The groups are open to all men and dads who are going through family court or have engaged in intimate partner control or abuse or are struggling with solo parenting or co-parenting.
How:
A 12-week process group therapy pyscho-education program for Dads/Men modelling kind and strong relationships with equality.
Applying therapeutic factors of safety and universality the group members experience support which will encourage them to give support to their ex-partners. It can change the trajectory of the Family Court matter.
Impact:
83% of Men felt comfortable in the safe sharing space with like experiences.
83% of Men had increased understanding of their partners’ experience of his Control and Abuse reducing isolation or intrusion on her and are better able to support her in how she wanted to be supported.
83% of Fathers had increased understanding of their children’s experience of his Control and Abuse increasing connection between child and father.
83% of Men and Fathers increased understanding of their own experience, becoming aware of how their patterned
behaviour
keeps them stuck in their own attachment style which they saw modelled to them.
100% of participants would recommend this program to other Men and Dads.