Navigating Depression – a tool for the journey

Posted: 02/05/2023

Our latest card set, Navigating Depression, is due to hit the shelves in the next few months so we invited the author of this beautiful and engaging resource to tell us a bit about herself. We also asked her to share a bit about …Read more

How ‘awe’ can improve our health and wellbeing

Posted: 07/03/2023

When our jaw drops, our eyes widen and we are filled with a sense of wonder, we are probably experiencing awe. Awe is often defined as a feeling of amazement in response to something vast, inspiring, overwhelming or beyond our understanding. In those moments, …Read more

Helping children negotiate play spaces

Posted: 07/02/2023

As we all know, transitions can be hard. Starting a new job, leaving a relationship, going to university or moving to a new place can all create feelings of uncertainty and anxiety. Funnily, it isn’t always the steep learning curve that inevitably comes with …Read more

Exciting new resources for 2023!

Posted: 06/12/2022

We have lots of new offerings coming in 2023 – here’s a sneak peak at just a few. Navigating Depression cards Our long awaited Navigating Depression cards will be available mid-year. As the author of Navigating Depression, psychologist Kate Skilbeck, says: ‘There are countless …Read more

Introducing Strength Cards Unlimited!

Posted: 05/09/2022

Introducing the latest edition to our suite of strengths-based tools and resources—Strength Cards Unlimited!  Everyone has strengths. But did you know that strengths are more than just personal qualities? They also include your relationships, culture, health, community, the natural world and access to supports. …Read more

Mental Illness Does NOT Have a Size

Posted: 04/09/2022

Eating Disorders, and mental illnesses come in all shapes, sizes, colours, ages, race and social economic levels. Throughout my lived eating disorder experience I have had to deal with weight stigma and being told things like “you don’t look that sick or underweight”, “your …Read more

Big emotions and the 5 Bears

Posted: 08/07/2022

When it comes to dealing with big emotions, not everyone has the language to describe how they’re feeling. Today we talk with one school counsellor, Judith, who co-created a story to accompany the tactile Bears. What began as a story to help one young …Read more

Exploring Shame in schools

Posted: 31/05/2022

Feelings of shame can be heightened as children and young adults start to compare themselves to others. As children grow, they become more aware of what is considered normal—if their experiences and feelings don’t fit into this version of ‘normal’, this may result in …Read more

Supervision and the art of questioning

Posted: 31/05/2022

At any given moment in a supervision session, we may find ourselves wondering, ‘What is the most useful question I could ask right now?’ This, however, begs another question: ‘What do we mean by a useful question?’ Questions are fundamental in constructing—and changing—social realities. …Read more

Exploring Shame with Michael Derby – an interview

Posted: 10/05/2022

This month we launch our latest resource – Exploring Shame – a game changer for therapists, counsellors, carers and teachers. We talk with lead author Michael Derby on his motivation for producing the resource.   1. Can you tell us a bit about yourself …Read more

Exploring Shame – a preview

Posted: 12/04/2022

Shame is a common emotion experienced by almost everyone at some point, it can feel painful and uncomfortable. Shame can erode our sense of self, creating feelings of humiliation, embarrassment or unworthiness. It can also lead to harmful or destructive behaviours and yet we …Read more

The Ideas Bank

Posted: 18/03/2022

Getting the most out of your card set? Many of the Innovative Resources card sets have an accompanying Ideas Bank – a quick list of things to try in different settings. So whether you need a handy quick reference, a nudge or some inspiration, …Read more

Steal like an artist…or a social worker, or a teacher?

Posted: 15/03/2022

Over the weekend I read Austin Kleon’s book, Steal like an artist, in which he says that creative people are excellent burglars. He reckons they steal everything—ideas, structures, techniques and inspiration. This is not plagiarism because they take the ideas of others and remix …Read more

Creating happy families with 3Cs and everywhere learning

Posted: 15/02/2022

What can parents and carers do to create a strengths-based, nurturing environment for their children to play, learn and grow? The team from the Bendigo Home Interaction Program for Parents and Youngsters (HIPPY) have a few tips and tricks. Here are their top three …Read more

How to create a team self-care plan

Posted: 25/01/2022

The importance of self-care Even the most experienced and skilled professionals can feel overwhelmed and heartbroken when hearing people’s stories of trauma and loss. When you work in a role that involves supporting other people—like social work, teaching, healthcare, childcare or counselling—self-care is fundamentally …Read more