Grounded support for young men aged 16–21.
Real-world coaching that meets young men where they are — building confidence, clarity, and the skills to move forward on their own terms.
Redgum Youth Coaching & Mentoring supports young men who feel lost, overwhelmed, disconnected, or unsure where they fit. It's about walking alongside them as they find their feet, rebuild self-belief, and navigate life with clarity and strength.
Over 15 years across Youth AOD, Youth Justice, School Wellbeing, Homelessness, and Mental Health has shaped a practical, steady approach built on genuine human connection.
Everyday moments — sitting by the river, kicking the footy, therapeutic drives, walk-and-talk sessions — create the space for real conversation and lasting change.
No referral needed. No diagnosis required. Redgum provides holistic support — alongside school wellbeing teams, therapists, and clinical services, never instead of them. In my experience, just a willingness to take the first step is enough — the rest follows from there.
Struggling with identity, unsure of the future, or feeling the weight of pressure from every direction with no clear path forward.
Stress, anxiety, or complete emotional withdrawal — finding it impossible to open up or ask for help from anyone.
Alcohol or drug use affecting daily life. With 10+ years of specialist AOD experience behind me, this is a genuinely non-judgmental space.
Checked out, written off, or simply not built for traditional structures. Real support, real alternatives, real momentum.
Navigating identity, relationships, family change, the justice system, housing instability, or simply not knowing what comes next.
Cut off from support networks, dealing with family breakdown, or finding it near-impossible to communicate with the people who matter most.
At the heart of every engagement is a specialised psychosocial coaching model — designed to build emotional awareness, self-confidence, and practical life skills, without the clinical pressure that puts most young men off asking for help.
Trust, safety, and genuine rapport come first. No scripts, no rush, no agenda beyond understanding him and what's actually going on.
Using the Four Pillar Approach, together we map strengths, challenges, and what real support looks like for this individual — not a template, not a checklist.
Grounded emotional tools and practical strategies — the kind that actually hold up in day-to-day life, not just in the session.
Confidence and independence built over time, so he's making decisions from a place of clarity and self-belief — not survival mode.
Finding community, a genuine sense of place, and people who actually get him — breaking isolation without forcing it.
Real self-belief and the power to make his own choices — on his terms, not under pressure from the people or systems around him.
Practical communication and relationship skills so the important conversations stop feeling impossible or pointless.
A total foundation of health, habits, and mindset — steady enough to hold when life feels unpredictable or overwhelming.
Tailored sessions focused on emotional regulation, mindset, and life direction. Whether that's at school, out in the community, or at the coaching room in Yarraville — wherever he feels most at ease is where we start.
EnquireThe coaching room in Yarraville sits right next to a local park — the best of both worlds. Goals mapped on the whiteboard indoors, or outside for a walk, a kick, or a chat in the shade. Whatever feels right on the day.
EnquireFlexible outreach for young men who prefer connecting outside an office — school grounds, local parks, the beach, or wherever feels most natural for him.
EnquireFull coaching sessions via secure video call — available anywhere in Australia. No travel, no waiting room, no clinical setting.
And here's something different: using AirPods and a live video call, we can both be walking while we talk — beach, path, open space, wherever feels right. Connection starts on the move. The rest unfolds from there.
After 15 years working with young men across diverse coaching contexts, I understand something most don't: genuine transformation isn't built through surface-level mentoring. It's built through being truly seen and understood by someone grounded in real specialist practice.
My foundation spans youth coaching, school partnerships, and ten years as a specialist AOD practitioner—which trained me to see what's often invisible: the gap between who a young man is and who he believes he can become. That's where real work happens.
This is premium coaching: evidence-based, psychosocially grounded, and entirely focused on him becoming the best version of himself.
Flexible, school-based support developed in genuine collaboration with wellbeing teams — shaped around your students, your culture, and your priorities. Redgum integrates into your existing support structure as another layer in holistic care, working collaboratively with your teams to complement counselling, clinical support, and school wellbeing initiatives. Every program is built with the school, not just for it.
Professional referrals are also welcome from Youth Justice case managers and community corrections, for young men at a point of stability and readiness for coaching and mentoring support.
No young man should be turned away because of money — full stop. The Resilience Fund exists to make sure that doesn't happen. Every contribution goes directly to subsidised sessions for young men facing genuine financial hardship.
Support the FundFirsthand, I've seen what happens when a young man finally gets the right support at the right time. A small contribution can be what makes that possible for someone who'd otherwise miss out.
Donate Now →Every coaching journey starts with a free, no-obligation meeting — just an honest conversation to see if this is the right fit. From there, three structured programs are available depending on where he is and how much support he needs.
No cost · No obligation · approx. 60 minutes
Every journey starts here. A relaxed, informal meeting — usually at a park, cafe, or wherever feels comfortable — where the young person, parent or carer, and I can connect face to face.
There's no clinical vibe, no pressure, and no obligation. It's simply a conversation to understand what's going on, get a feel for each other, and explore how I can best support him moving forward.
Weekly sessions · Custom scoping
Specialist coaching at $150 per hour. Most young men benefit from weekly sessions — typically 8–12 weeks for initial engagement, then ongoing as his life evolves. No fixed packages. Custom support built around his complexity, goals, and pace.
Youth Justice & Community Service: Redgum works with young men referred through Youth Justice, Community Service Brokerage, and community corrections. Due to the complexity of contracted work, timelines, and scope variations, pricing and engagement models are discussed individually. Contact us for an Expression of Interest to explore what support looks like for your cohort.
Whether you're a parent, a young person, or a professional making a referral — reach out and we'll take it from there. No pressure, no obligation, just an honest conversation.
Note: Redgum Youth Coaching is not a crisis service. If you're in immediate danger or experiencing a mental health crisis, please contact emergency services (000), Lifeline (13 11 14), or Beyond Blue (1300 22 4636).
Scope of Practice: Redgum Youth Coaching operates within the scope of youth coaching and mentoring, not clinical therapy or psychological treatment. We work collaboratively with clinical services, mental health professionals, and school wellbeing teams — never instead of them. If clinical support is needed, we support appropriate referrals to qualified professionals.
Complete the form below and we'll reach out to discuss next steps — no pressure, no obligation.
I was with Dan for about a year. At one point I thought it wasn't working. Then one day everything clicked. I started using what he'd taught me and things got better quick. The Four Pillars were fun to work through on the whiteboard. When I was going through something and called him, even though he was on holidays interstate, he still answered and walked me through it. I see myself differently now — my relationship with myself has changed. I understand myself better and get other people too.
As a school wellbeing leader I'm always looking for practitioners who genuinely get young men. Dan is the real deal — experienced, consistent, and our students actually want to see him. That's rare and it makes all the difference.
Thank you for looking after our boy. We really appreciate all of the support you have given him and us.
* Client names have been changed to protect privacy and confidentiality.
