The Break the Cycle Programme

Would you like to come out from under the shadow of your past? Did you grow up in a household where alcohol or other substances were abused? Did you endure other difficult family relationships during your childhood? Are these experiences impacting on your ability to fully enjoy living your life today? If so, then join us on the Break the Cycle programme.

This programme takes place during the evening time Monday to Thursday at the centre. Please view the events page or contact the centre for start dates.

Break the Cycle Level One

Level One helps you identify and understand the impact on you that living in a family where alcohol abuse and/or difficult family relationships were the norm. The programme informs you in a gentle way about family systems and behaviour patterns in childhood and the affects they may be having on you today. As an adult you may be dealing with relationship difficulties, ongoing feelings of low self-esteem, anger, shame and loss. If you have children you may feel fearful about being a good enough parent. Level one is the first step for you to transform how you live your life and assist you come out from under the shadow of past experiences.

Read Our Break the Cycle Level One Questions Online to help you decide if The Break the Cycle Programme might be useful for you.

Break the Cycle Level Two

Here you begin working in facilitated small groups. Working in the group helps you develop awareness of your own behaviours, responses and coping mechanisms in the safety and security of the Hanly Centre with your fellow group members. Level Two is a very important step on the road to building trust with others, something you may have lost as a result of your childhood experiences. You will be gently facilitated in unlearning unhelpful behaviours and emotional responses that do not serve you in your life today. Level Two is core to being prepared for the work you will do for yourself on Level Three.

Break the Cycle Level Three

Level Three is a time of great change for you and requires courage and strength, qualities you will have developed over Level One and Two. Level Three uses a 12 step framework. Again like Level Two you will be working in small groups which are called your 'family'. The groups now work independently as a unit. The facilitators are not in the room with you, but are available to the group if it needs help or guidance.

You are encouraged to communicate with the group as openly and honestly as you can as this bonds the group together allowing you and your fellow participants experience a level of support and acceptance that might be quite unfamiliar to you as dysfunctional homes are places of secrecy, turmoil, hidden emotions, lies and broken promises.

For many, change comes from discarding blaming, judgmental attitudes to developing an awareness and acceptance of their own realities and their power to make changes to their lives. Level Three facilitates the development of positive attitudes, values, behaviours and responses. It is the catalyst for real and sustained change for you in your life and in the lives of those around you through your self development.

Break the Cycle Level Four

Level 4 is about consolidating all you have learned thus far. We are interested in sustained change through the regular practice of newly acquired attitudes, values, behaviours and responses.

Level Four is facilitated group work. At this stage of your growth in change, you and the group can move within your own goals and direction. The facilitators gently guide or inform as necessary. You continue to work in a trusting and supportive environment towards living your life authentically, with hope and love of yourself and significant others.