Just showing off my new signature block!!

Have finally added the `certified social enterprise` badge!!

Still feel so chuffed that Project 18 has been recognised in this way.

If you havent already checked out our certification story head to https://project18.com.au/social-enterprise/ and read all about it.

#project18port#wellbeingnook#portadelaide#socialenterprise

May is History Month here in SA!

We are already halfway through – where does time go?!

But we couldn’t let it pass entirely without celebrating just a little…

This year’s theme is ‘Decisions’ and I love how this is introduced by @festival.history
“Like life, history is full of decisions. Some lead to greatness – others to disaster. History is shaped by people who have been compelled to make difficult decisions – oftentimes while wedged between a rock and a hard place or fleeing the frying pan for the fire”.

How very true. We literally make decisions every single day, some are small, some are big, some may be inconsequential whilst others we know are important in some way. Not all decisions have big outcomes, and certainly not everything leads to ‘greatness or disaster’.

But our decisions do help ‘define our lives and make us who we are’ – and history is full of brave, interesting, radical, random and sometimes completely flawed decisions that have shaped the state we live in today!

So, if you’re interested in checking out some of this year’s History Festival events head to https://festival.history.sa.gov.au/events/

#project18port #wellbeingnook #portadelaide #historyfestival #historymonth

“Holding Space”
It is something that is referred to in many different contexts.
It is a concept that has been around for years.
It originated in therapeutic settings but is now more widely used and understood.

So, what does “holding space” actually mean. Like any broad term that can describe a concept, action or approach there are different definitions and explanations. It’s often described as ‘showing up’, ‘listening without judgement’ or ‘just being there’ for someone.

When I think about what holding space means to me as a counsellor, I think about being completely present - without distractions, genuinely hearing what someone is sharing – more than just listening and taking notice of what perhaps isn’t being said.

I also think about holding space as being an action without judgement and free of criticism. It’s about being curious and compassionate, supportive and empathetic with the intention of creating opportunities for processing and healing.

Deep listening, making room for emotion and trying not to ‘fix’ things are all important elements of holding space – and can sometimes be difficult to do, especially when our natural tendency may include a want to ‘help’ by offering solutions.

When working with young people, in particular, getting the balance right between listening and considering, validating and inquiring, reflecting and proposing, can be tricky. But it is important and, in my experience, so are being responsive and real, open and interested, thoughtful and insightful (and if it fits with your style) dynamic and energetic. I believe these are the essence to not just ‘holding’ space but to ‘creating’ space where young people feel safe, heard, understood, accepted and valued.

What does holding space mean to you?

Some further reading if you are interested:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/au/blog/between-the-generations/202305/what-does-it-mean-to-hold-space
https://psychhub.com/resources/articles/holding-space

#project18port #wellbeingnook #portadelaide #counselling #therapy #psychotherapy #children #youngpeople #mentalhealthmatters #holdingspace

📷 Taken during Illuminate Adelaide 2023

I always encourage others to share and celebrate their achievements so it`s only right that I sometimes do too - it`s a little belated I know, but in February this happened!

This was such a fun training, I mean it`s lego based so how could it not be.. and I still need to do some consolidating of my learning before I start implementing it in practice but I am really looking forward to it when I do!

Ongoing professional development is an important part of my counselling registration with the ACA (Australian Counselling Association) requiring annual accrual of a minimum number of hours of training and development.

It`s also important to me, to keep learning, building my skill set and adding more tools to my counselling toolbox!!

If you are interested in learning more about Lego Based Therapy head to the Progressive Play website: https://progressiveplay.com.au/

#project18port #wellbeingnook #portadelaide #counselling #childrenandyoungpeople #therapy #psychotherapy #mentalhealthsocialwork #mentalhealthmatters

Sometimes a counselling session might look like this ⭐

Interactive & Inquisitive ⭐

The client as the teacher and the counsellor as the student can be an opportunity to share knowledge, build confidence and practice patience ⭐

Sometimes the children I work with get immense joy from sharing something with me that they are good at and I am not..

… it can provide a chance for them to lead a learning experience - practicing leadership skills. They get to teach me something new - practicing communication skills. They get to `win` in a supportive and encouraging way - practicing kindness and compassion..

… there are also many opportunities for positive role modelling and chess, as an example, can provide some great metaphors for life. So the conversations flow and the connections to the day to day are made naturally and effortlessly..

…. just another example of how counselling can be so much more than ‘just’ talking - although we do love that too. Just sharing, Jodie ⭐

📷 shared with permission.

#project18port #wellbeingnook #counselling #psychotherapy #mentalhealthsocialwork #portadelaide

Well, it seems the sharing of some of my tips and tools has again been well received, so I thought I`d share a few more! This is one of my favourites:

What are your Superpowers?
This is a great question to ask and one we should be asking much more often than we do!

Every person has potential. Every person has skills, knowledge, capabilities, and talents. Every person has their own unique set of experiences. Every person has strengths, and these are our Superpowers!

A strengths-based approach focuses on identifying individual strengths, personal resources, and abilities. It avoids labelling and values personal stories and narratives.

A strengths-based approach is collaborative, trusting, empowering, and motivating. It focuses on hope, aspirations, and possibilities.

Learning to identify our strengths is good at any age. Discovering what is already there, what we are good at, the things we can do and have done before. It is also good to discover what strengths we might want to build upon or develop.

A strengths-based approach supports a person to see themselves at their best by supporting them to discover and embrace their Superpowers.

📷 Special thanks to one of my very own Superhero`s for this gem.
.

Tips and Tools – Curiosity?!
I’ve been sharing some of the many different approaches I utilise to help engage children and young people in counselling. I often get asked for ideas and suggestions and about what works.

I spend a lot of my time with children and young people and have done for many years and in lots of different roles. So, some of these suggestions aren’t limited to counselling!

They aren’t about theories or methodologies, and they aren’t always about the physical tools I have already mentions, cards, fidgets and colouring in. Sometimes the tools I use are concepts, a ‘way’ of approaching something and a ‘style’ of engagement.

CURIOSITY for example
It’s a great tool!
It can be described as a search for new knowledge or a desire to understand. It can imply a ‘curious mind’ or a sense of wonder. It can be sparked by what is rare, unusual, unexpected, or interesting

But best of all it is a great approach to use when engaging people, working with others in a support role and of course in counselling, especially with children and young people.

Curiosity allows for playful and non-critical exploration and discovery. It provides an opportunity to ask ‘curious’ questions and approach topics with a genuine ‘interest’

Curiosity has been linked to “healthier social outcomes”. It’s a way of engaging more intentionally with the world around us, showing an interest in others and can sometimes help us endure anxious thoughts and feelings.

Being curious can encourage us to try new things and it can be a great, gentle, client led approach to the process of therapeutic inquiry.
Curious isn’t it?! Jodie 😄

For more info go to www.project18.com.au.

#project18port #wellbeingnook #portadelaide

Tips and Tools – Colouring in!

Yep, it’s a simple one but it is a consistently reliable, effective and much-loved engagement tool – plus it has lots of other benefits too that many may not know about.

Colouring in can be used in several different ways during counselling. I find it can help provide an alternative focus to support talking, it can be a calming strategy, or it may assist a client to be more mindful, enabling them to stay focused and more present during the session.

Many of us also find colouring in fun, not everyone of course, I know some people simply do not enjoy it at all! So once again it is important to be directed by what suits the individual child or young person – be client-led.

In recent years colouring in has become a popular mindfulness activity and is being used as a tool for practicing good mental health – so I will often introduce it as something to ‘test and see’ in terms of strategies to address anxiety or help a young person to find their ‘zen’.

What works for one may not work for others – but colouring in is definitely a personal favourite of mine so it really is easy to share the benefits including relaxing the brain, reducing stress and encouraging relaxation time.

Stay tuned for some more of my tips and tools for engaging children and young people in counselling over the coming weeks.

Happy colouring, Jodie 🌼

#project18port #wellbeingnook #portadelaide #counselling #psychotherapy #therapy #childrenandyoungpeople #adolescents #mentalhealthmatters #engagementfirst

Tips and Tools – Fidgets aren’t just for fidgeting!

I am sharing a few of my approaches to engaging children and young people in counselling – it is something I am often asked about.

My overall style is creative and a little playful but always purposeful.

Fidgets are one of my most favourite tools – you will find them everywhere, even on my desk and at home!
They aren’t just for fidgeting. They aren’t just a craze, and they certainly aren’t, just a toy.
There are many different types of fidgets. Often referred to as sensory toys but I prefer to describe them as ‘tools’.

They are tools that can be used in therapy, classrooms, at home and during social situations. They can help with calming, maintaining focus, managing anxious feelings, nervousness and more. They can be stretchy, spiky, spinny or squishy and so much more!

And they aren’t just for children – like I said you will find a collection of my very own on my desk.
Fidgets can help us process sensory information. They can help children and adults filter out excess sensory input and help calm the body and the mind, without having to ‘think’ about it.

We all have different sensory processing preferences so the type of fidget that works for you will be different to what works for others. And it can be a bit of fun testing them all out to discover which types you prefer!

If you would like to learn more about sensory processing there is a lot of information out there, here’s a link to start https://childdevelopment.com.au/areas-of-concern/sensory-processing/

#project18port #wellbeingnook #portadelaide #counselling #therapy #children #youngpeople #adolescence #youth #mentalhealthmatters

Tips and Tools 🌟

I often get asked for ideas, suggestions, and recommendations on how best to engage children and young people in counselling.

This isn’t about what modalities I use, or which theories underpin my practice it is more about the creative, engaging and often playful ways in which I create curiosity, comfort and connection.

There are so many ways - we all do things differently. The key, I would say, for me, is to individualise your approach, always be person-centred and client directed. But there are some tools that I do like to use, when they are suitable, timely or are just a good fit for some other reason.

Sets of Cards are one!

There are so many sets you can choose from.
There are strengths cards, emotions cards, mindfulness cards, body signals cards and life story cards.

They are good for conversation starters, exploring values, understanding identity, recognising emotions and just for mixing things up a little.

When used well... thoughtfully, purposefully and of course tailored entirely to the individual - you don`t even have to use them in the way they were created to be used, you can create your own.... cards can be a great addition to your counselling tool kit.

I find cards are great little helpers for so many things, and some of my favourites are from @innovativeresources so here’s a this little shout out to them for this collection!
Thanks for the Inspo, Jodie 🌼

If you would like some more information about the work I do with children and young people head to www.project18.com.au

#project18port