Using ‘Paperworks’ in Strengths-based Practice

Posted: 31/08/2017

All of the tools published by Innovative Resources have grown out of, or are compatible with, strengths-based practice. Also known as the ‘strengths approach’, this is a way of working that focusses primarily on strengths and hopeful possibilities. It does not ignore difficulties or challenges but the …Read more

Journalling as a Therapeutic Tool

Posted: 31/08/2017

In 1990 James Pennebaker from the United States of America conducted some of the earliest and most significant research into the use of journalling as a therapeutic tool. He found that for journalling to have physical and emotional health benefits, people needed to not …Read more

Note to Self : Potential

Posted: 28/07/2017

Potential is commonly though of as one’s capacity for achievement. We’ve all heard talk of rising stars in the sporting arena; their limitless talent and ‘huge potential’ paving the way to unprecedented success. Note to Self invites us to think of potential more broadly …Read more

The Power of Symbols

Posted: 01/05/2017

‘We are surrounded by symbols. They are present in every facet of our existence. At a practical level, they point us in the right direction, they issue caution, they give us choices, and they limit our choices.     Symbols are necessary to navigate …Read more

Life is like a Patchwork Quilt

Posted: 27/10/2016

We may all know what a patchwork quilt is, even if we each hold a slightly different impression in our mind’s eye. But what is a patchwork life? A Patchwork Life is one made up of different parts of one’s self, all sewn together. …Read more

Preservation and Wellbeing

Posted: 14/10/2016

The word ‘preservation’ often brings to mind old-growth forests and endangered species. But do we ever stop to think about the preservation of our own sense of self? The busy-ness of life can take its toll. We are all juggling responsibilities, commitments and relationships, and often …Read more

Imagine

Posted: 26/07/2016

Imagine 250 senior students sitting in circles, all fully engaged in an activity.  Imagine glue sticks, fragments of papers … and then writing, writing, telling bits of their own stories.  This has been my experience for the past ten years. The magic carpet ride …Read more

Writers just wanna have fun: Literary therapy in action!

Posted: 26/07/2016

Over a three-year period Karen Masman Bedford ran a series of creative writing workshops with ‘Forgotten Australians’ in Melbourne and Bendigo. The term ‘Forgotten Australians’ refers to people whose childhoods were spent in orphanages and children’s homes. Many suffered abuse of every conceivable kind. …Read more

The Power of Stories

Posted: 26/07/2016

Whilst many opportunities emerge when a young adult turns 18 years of age, there still remains some symbolic meaning and celebration to turning 21. At this point we reminisce about the good times; the laughter and the challenges, and relive the journey of his …Read more

The Simplicity of a Paper Tool

Posted: 19/05/2016

Even though the word for paper comes from papyros, Ancient Greek for the Cyperus papyrus plant, the invention of the paper industry is most often credited to a Chinese court official, Ts’ai Lun, in 105 AD. Now all these many centuries later, we still …Read more

The therapeutic power of stories and storying

Posted: 15/01/2016

Narratives, metaphors and storytelling have become an important part of counselling and social work practice, and the term ‘restorying’ has entered the language of therapy. Restorying helps people think differently about themselves and the problems they are facing. It is about exploring alternative ways …Read more

Work in Progress: getting stuck!

Posted: 01/05/2015

I once discovered a little card in a little card set called Affirmation Cards for the Bored Cynic. This particular card read: ‘I am a work in progress. I hope I don’t get bored and stop.’ I like the sentiment greatly because we are …Read more

Six-Word Stories: Speaking Volumes in Only Six Words

Posted: 10/04/2015

Six-word stories are just that; stories in six words—not five or seven but exactly six. This potent and simple method of storytelling was pioneered by Earnest Hemmingway who wrote the following poignant six-word story: For sale, children’s shoes, never worn. What happened? Why were …Read more