Helping Your Teenager Build Real Confidence, Resilience and Self Esteem
Practical programs, mentoring and camps for young people aged 10–24 and the whole family around them. In person across Queensland, or digitally worldwide.
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OUR GOAL
We help families across Southeast Queensland raise emotionally strong, resilient young people and grow together in the process.
- For your young person:Â Practical character education and life skills through mentoring, camps, workshops and action-based programs.
- For your family: The environment, tools and guiding principles to support your children to thrive at home — not just in a program.
- For every member: Real, lasting change — so your whole family grows, heals, and moves forward together.
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Why Authentic Steps Is Different
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Most youth programs focus on the young person alone.
We don't.
What sets Authentic Steps apart is that we work with the whole family. Because lasting change in your teenager doesn't happen in isolation, it happens when the environment around them changes too.
That means we support you as a parent, not just your child. We help you understand what's happening, give you the tools to respond, and walk alongside your family not just your teenager.
Whether you're looking for one-on-one mentoring, a structured group program, or a life-changing camp experience — we have something for your family.
ONLINEÂ COURSES & RESOURCES
IN-PERSON PROGRAMS
Hands-on, relationship-based programs designed to build character, confidence and life skills in your young person — with a parent component built in so the whole family moves forward together.
CAMPS
A life-changing few days away from the everyday. Our camps give young people real challenges, real connection, and real growth — in a safe, structured environment led by experienced youth workers.
Hi,  I'm John Rutter
I'm a father of three teenagers, a qualified youth worker, and someone who's spent years walking alongside families going through exactly what you might be going through right now.
I started Authentic Steps because I saw too many young people struggling and too many parents feeling stuck, alone, and unsure where to turn.
I know what it feels like to watch your child shut down, lose confidence, or pull away. And I know what's possible when the right support is in place not just for your teenager, but for your whole family.
Everything I do is built around one belief: that with the right environment, the right guidance, and the right relationships, every young person can develop into someone who is emotionally strong, confident, and ready for life.
I'd love to help your family take that next step.
OUR PARENT TESTIMONIALS
JO
John from Authentic STEPS gave my daughter what no program ever has—belief in herself. They didn’t just support her, they supported us as a family. The change has been real, and it’s lasting."
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 CASSIE
"This was a great program of my son (Rock Solid Boys). So happy we found this. My son went for his first job interview only a few weeks after finishing the program, he looked calm and confident. After the interview, he told me that he starts work next week. Absolutely amazing to see him grow in such a short time, and now has confidence that will get him not only through his teen years but the start of adulthood. His confidence will just keep growing from there.
Thank you John and Nathan."
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MEGAN
Before we found Authentic STEPS, we felt stuck. Our son had no routine, no confidence, and we were just going in circles trying to find the right support. From the very first meeting, John just got him. He saw past the behaviours and focused on his strengths.
Now, he’s learning to manage his own routines, he’s done work experience for the first time, and—most importantly—he believes in himself.
John has supported our whole family, not just our son. We finally feel like we’re moving forward, together."
SHERIDAN
"Highly recommend the Rock Solid Boys Program. My Son has been a changed boy thanks to this program. The Adult/Parenting component is fantastic, totally fabulous program. We are 100% happy with how the steps he learned in the program has turned ours and his life around."
BRONWYN
"John, we can't speak more highly of the work you do; it's just so important for families.
You were someone our son could connect with (other than his Mum and Dad) that really understood what he was going through and helped him from your own life experience, training and passion. It was great how you got alongside M through coming to our home, shooting hoops with him and just being there for him. You also helped Mike and I immensely by listening to what was happening from our perspective as parents and helped us with strategies and insight to help us navigate parenting situations and reset things in our home."
 MATT
As a dad, I was struggling to connect with my teenage son. He was shutting down, angry, and I didn’t know how to reach him. John stepped in and made a way where I couldn’t. He connected with him, helped him open up, and slowly we started rebuilding our relationship. I’ll always be grateful for the role John played in bringing us back together and changing the way I relate to my son."
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