Give your Teenager a LIFELONG advantage
Equip them with the skills to effectively navigate life and succeed as an adult
CounterPunch™ Workshops For Teens
Group Workshops For Adolescents (11yrs+)
(email: merc@counterpunch.com.au)
You know your child could be achieving more.
But for some reason, you just can't seem to get them motivated.
On top of that, you're trying your best to help them, but instead of listening to your words of advice, they:
- Hide in their bedroom and never come out
- Give you the silent treatment
- Express random bursts of emotion
- Exhibit passive-aggressive behaviour
- Make snarky, sarcastic comments
- Seem to zone out while you're talking with them
- Consciously choose to rebel against you by doing the wrong thing
- (Or sometimes, all of the above)
As a parent, it can be tough to deal with these kinds of behaviour. Sometimes impossible.
You love your child dearly, but end up feeling unheard and under-appreciated despite your good intentions.
It's not your fault.
They're simply going through a period of rapid transformation and identification, and part of that is learning how to recognise, manage and express emotions in a healthy manner – skills that if teenagers don't learn, can affect the quality of their lives in adulthood.
You Want to Help Your Teen, But There’s Only So Much You Can Do…
As a parent, you see the challenges your teen is facing: the stress, the anxiety, the outbursts, or the quiet withdrawal. You want to help. You’ve tried to offer advice, guidance, or reassurance—but it feels like no matter what you say or do, it’s not getting through.
And it’s not your fault.
Teenagers are at an age where they naturally pull away from their parents, striving for independence while still struggling to manage their emotions.
Even if you know what they need, the dynamic between you can make it hard for them to listen. They may perceive your well-meaning advice as criticism or control, leaving you feeling shut out and unsure of how to reach them.
Schools Don't Help Either...
What makes it worse is most schools don’t teach the emotional and social skills teens desperately need. While schools focus on academics, they rarely equip teens with practical tools for:
- Managing stress and anxiety.
- Regulating emotions like anger and frustration.
- Building confidence and resilience to face life’s challenges.
- Communicating effectively and forming healthy relationships.
In some cases, schools can even make things worse. Without understanding the root causes of a teen’s behaviour, they may mislabel teens as “troublesome” or “difficult,” when in reality, these teens are struggling to process their emotions and navigate the challenges of adolescence. This mislabeling can erode a teen’s confidence, deepen their frustration, and leave them feeling misunderstood and unsupported.
This leaves teens struggling to figure it out on their own—often leading to negative coping mechanisms like avoidance, shutting down, or acting out.
And without the right support, these struggles can escalate:
- Stress and anxiety can turn into unhealthy behaviors that limit their potential.
- Anger and frustration can damage their relationships with family and friends.
- A lack of confidence and resilience can leave them unprepared for adulthood, robbing them of opportunities and independence.
Talk Therapy Can Make Things Worse (Sometimes)
When parents see their teen struggling, they often turn to talk therapy. It seems like the right solution—a safe space for teens to open up and work through their challenges.
But for many teenagers, traditional talk therapy doesn’t just fall short—it can actually make things worse.
Here’s why:
1. It’s Reactive, Not Preventative
Talk therapy is usually introduced only after problems have escalated, leaving teens feeling overwhelmed and stuck in negative patterns.
2. It Can Feel Stigmatizing
Teens often see therapy as a sign that something is “wrong” with them, creating embarrassment or isolation that makes it harder for them to engage.
3. It Doesn’t Resonate with Teens
Sitting and talking face-to-face often feels awkward, boring, or intimidating for teens. Many shut down or avoid sessions altogether.
4. It Reinforces Resentment towards Parents
Therapy can feel like being “sent to be fixed,” making teens resentful toward both their parents and the process itself.
When talk therapy doesn’t connect, it can leave teens feeling more misunderstood and stuck than before.
That’s why CounterPunch takes a different approach—one that’s action-based, relatable, and designed to meet teens where they are.
What Your Teen Needs...
What your teen needs is a space where they can feel empowered—not judged. A program that understands how to meet them where they are, using tools and strategies that resonate with them. That’s where CounterPunch™ comes in – it's the easiest way for your child to acquire these skills.
CounterPunch bridges the gap between what schools don’t teach and what traditional methods often fail to address. Through a unique blend of boxing and performance psychology, CounterPunch equips teens with the emotional and social skills they need to thrive.
Because even if there’s only so much you can do as a parent, you can still give them what they need to succeed.
What is CounterPunch™?
CounterPunch™ is a unique 24-week program that empowers teens to navigate the pressures of growing up with confidence, resilience, and emotional strength.
By combining the physical intensity of boxing with proven performance psychology techniques, CounterPunch gives teens the practical tools they need to:
- Manage stress and anxiety before it becomes overwhelming.
- Build confidence and resilience to overcome life’s challenges.
- Improve communication and strengthen relationships.
- Channel emotions like anger and frustration into focus and self-control.
But CounterPunch isn’t just about helping teens today—it’s about equipping them with the life skills they’ll carry into adulthood.
How CounterPunch Works
CounterPunch™ is designed to meet your teen exactly where they are, offering a step-by-step process that feels engaging, relatable, and impactful.
Here’s how it works for your teen:
1. Welcoming Them Into a Safe, Supportive Space
From day one, your teen enters a non-judgmental environment where they can feel comfortable and included. Through group workshops, they connect with peers facing similar challenges, building trust and camaraderie in a space designed just for them.
2. Teaching Practical Tools Through Action-Based Learning
CounterPunch combines boxing with evidence-based performance psychology techniques, teaching teens how to:
- Manage stress and anxiety.
- Recognize and regulate their emotions.
- Communicate effectively in difficult situations.
- By using physical activity as the foundation, teens learn by doing—making it easier for them to retain and apply what they’ve learned in real-life situations.
3. Helping Them Build Confidence and Resilience
Each session is designed to challenge your teen in a way that feels empowering, not overwhelming. As they see their progress—both physically and emotionally—they start to build a sense of confidence and resilience that carries into every area of their life.
4. Guiding Them to Channel Emotions Positively
Teens are taught how to channel emotions like frustration and anger into focus and control through the discipline of boxing. This gives them an outlet for their emotions while teaching them how to respond, rather than react, to life’s challenges.
5. Equipping Them With Lifelong Skills
By the end of the 24-week program, your teen will walk away with:
- Tools to handle stress and challenges.
- Confidence to pursue their goals and dreams.
- Improved communication skills to strengthen relationships.
- The ability to take ownership of their emotions and choices.
- These are skills they’ll carry with them for life—helping them navigate not just their teenage years, but also their future as adults.
Why CounterPunch™ Works
CounterPunch works because it’s not about forcing teens to change—it’s about empowering them to grow in a way that feels natural and engaging. Parents have called it “transformative,” and teens love it because it resonates with how they think, feel, and learn.
Your teen has everything they need to thrive inside of them. CounterPunch simply helps them unlock it.
The CounterPunch™ Difference
Unlike traditional approaches that often fail to connect with teenagers, CounterPunch bridges the gap between what schools don’t teach and what talk therapy often misses.
Here’s how CounterPunch stands out:
- Action-Based Learning Teens Love: Teens learn by doing. Through boxing and group activities, they develop emotional and social skills in a way that feels engaging and relatable.
- Prevention Over Cure: CounterPunch doesn’t wait until teens are in crisis. It gives them the tools to manage challenges early, building confidence and resilience before problems escalate.
- A Holistic Approach: By addressing the mind-body connection, CounterPunch teaches teens to strengthen their mental and emotional health while building physical fitness.
CounterPunch is more than a program—it’s a transformation.
Who is it for?
Adolescents (11yrs +)
What happens during a session?
In this program, teenagers will gain an understanding of how they can switch from external to internal control and take charge of their own emotions. It is a mix of physical activity and discussion to understand how “emotion” works and learn strategies to connect, relate and communicate more effectively with themselves, their peers and the adults in their lives to reach their full potential.
How is it different?
CounterPunch Psychology is unique in that it uses physical activity as a medium of therapeutic intervention combined with a reality therapy / choice theory and performance psychology framework.
The CounterPunch program also aligns with school well-being policies and programs including
- Health and physical education year 7 & 8
- SACE Integrated Learning Stage 1 & 2
- Community studies
CounterPunch can also be delivered as an intensive two-day workshop training for parents, teachers, youth workers or service providers who want to learn the CounterPunch method for their own personal or professional well-being. Contact us at 0411 533 004 for more details
Why Parents Send Their Children
Because you want your child to make the most of their opportunities in life.
Because you want them to have the very best education possible.
Because you want them to have every means at their disposal to live a happy, successful and rewarding life.
Because you want to enjoy a close, caring and loving relationship with your child for years to come.
Because you want your child to realize their full potential.
Because you never, ever want your child to say the words: "if only I'd known these things when I was younger"
“I love the evidence based nature of this program and the ease with which it can be built into student’s educational programs. The individual benefit for participants far exceeded my expectations. As a school, we have seen reduced suspensions, increased attendance, improved social and emotional wellbeing and improved interpersonal relationships both at home and at school. Counterpunch has become a core element of our school wide wellbeing program that has proven effective in all aspects of student’s lives”
Beth (School Psychologist)
“As a parent, I highly recommend CounterPunch. As an Army member, my son has had to change schools and peer groups regularly as we have moved from post to post. Meeting Mercedas came at a great time for my son. CounterPunch was a great boost for him and reinforced his respect for self and others. His fitness, strength and self-confidence grew weekly and this transferred into other areas in his life. My son accredits CounterPunch with having set him up for his current school and sporting endeavours and life in general”
Scott (Parent)
(email: merc@counterpunch.com.au)
The Program Curriculum
Phase #1 – Stepping Into The Ring
- Learn the basics of physical preparation, physiology and Boxing technique.
- What should I eat, lifestyle education.
- How to set and achieve value linked goals.
- Problem solving and have fun doing it!
Phase #2 – Mastering Your Ring Craft
- Develop your CV!
- What is the Performance Jigsaw?
- The 4 C's of Mental Fitness
- Techniques and tactics of boxing
- Techniques and tactics for life
- How to use values to change behaviour
Phase #3 – Master Your Self
- How to feel good by changing your physiology
- Clean the windscreen and change your perspective
- What motivates me? What do I need?
- What's important to me?
- Who's the boss?
- Make the change!
“Mercedas and her program changed my son’s life completely. CounterPunch has increased his self-esteem hugely, helped him overcome anxiety and fear, now exhibiting tolerance and empathy. He has ceased all medications and counselling, obtained his driver’s license and become one of the programs young leaders."
Keith, Parent
I learnt a lot about myself in the months I was there, Merc you taught me a lot about who I could be. When I started I wasn’t trying to achieve anything but now I am. I believed in the program from the start and will use my voice to show what this program did for me”
Matt (Client, 16 years)
Interested In Enrolling Your Teenager?
Register For A CounterPunch™ Program Near You
Mount Barker, SA
Accepting Enrolments for Term 3, 2025
Phone: 0411 533 004
Address: 10 Wilson Court, Mount Barker SA 5251
Facilitator(s): Mercedas Taaffe-Cooper & Jalen Bonilla
Norwood, SA
Accepting Enrolments for 2025
Phone: 0420 362 917
Address: 15c Charles St, Norwood SA 5067
Facilitator(s): Mike Bedford & Sam Gligora
Para Hills, SA
Accepting Enrolments for 2025
Phone: 0420 362 917
Address: 5/18 Beafield Rd, Para Hills West SA 5096
Facilitator(s): Damien Barrett
South Coast, SA
Accepting Enrolments for 2025
Phone: 0420 873 762
Address: South Adelaide
Facilitator(s): James Brunker & Mary-Anne Caught