Family and Child Consultants

I want to bring something into the light today, something raw, uncomfortable, yet undeniably important. There exists a lingering belief that the effects of colonisation on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities have faded into the annals of history. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. I’ve been honoured to hear deeply personal, harrowing yet resilient stories from individuals who bear the echoes of a painful past and a challenging present. Among them is a family whose generations have been marked by the haunting legacy of the Stolen Generations. An elder shared with me the pain of her great-grandmother’s forced removal as a child, a wound that seeped through generations, inflicting a painful disconnection from family, culture, and identity. In another encounter, a mother’s eyes told a story of unfathomable loss. Her son, a young man with a life ahead of him, became another statistic - another Aboriginal death in custody. He was not just a number. He was someone...

Hey, lovely people! So, we've all been there – you’re caught in a conversation that’s about as comfortable as a sweater made of sandpaper. It’s awkward, it’s tough, and suddenly, your shoes become the most interesting thing in the world. But fear not! We’re diving into the magical world of turning those cringe-worthy convos into opportunities for connection, no armor necessary! Communication Skills: The Wizardry of Words The Art of Listening: Listening. We’ve all heard of it, but let’s be honest, it’s easier said than done, especially when you’re itching to jump in with your two cents. But trust us, zip the lip, open those ears, and you might just find a pot of gold in understanding the other person’s perspective. Speak with Sweetness: Now, when it’s your turn to talk, remember – it’s not what you say, but how you say it. A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down, as a wise woman (thanks, Mary Poppins!) once said. Emotional Intelligence: Your Secret Weapon EQ > IQ (Sometime...

 Life, in its unpredictable nature, sometimes thrusts families into the abyss of crises. In these moments of darkness, despair, and disarray, the Family and Child Consultants Crisis Intervention Support Service (CISS) emerges as a beacon of hope, comfort, and resilience. Today, we share stories of healing from the hearts of families who have endured, triumphed, and found solace in the midst of life-altering crises. A Teen’s Hidden Life Unveiled For The Thompsons: When Alex’s secret life was unveiled, the initial shock and disarray engulfed the family. CISS's immediate response was a mix of professional support and personalized care. We initiated one-on-one counselling sessions for Alex, exploring the underlying issues leading to his nocturnal criminal activities. Family therapy sessions were an integral part of the healing journey. They became spaces of open conversations, facilitated by our experienced counsellors, where emotions, questions, and revelations were shared and process...

In the quiet spaces where heartbeats resonate and emotions flow unbridled, there lies a sanctuary of unuttered words and silent prayers for the mothers whose arms are achingly empty and whose hearts are burdened with an insurmountable weight of loss. This is a tribute, not defined by blood or biology but etched in the eternal echoes of a love profound and unwavering, to foster mothers who have loved and lost. When a child, not born of your body but unquestionably born of your heart, graces your life, an unspoken covenant of love is forged. In the tender moments where smiles are exchanged, and in the silence of nights rocked by soft breaths and dreams untold, love in its purest form emerges - relentless and unyielding. This love is not quantified by time. It doesn’t measure the journey in days or years but in the unuttered words, the silent laughs, the tears unshed, and the silent yet profound echoes of a soul connection. Foster mothers know this love, a love that transcends paperwork, ...

Hey there, fellow warriors of the parenting world! Today, I want to take you on a whimsical journey through the land of sticky fingers, sleepless nights, and unpredictable, yet endearing, little humans we call our children. Ah, the joys of parenting, where every day is an eclectic mix of emotions – a cocktail of laughter and tears! Episode 1: The Great Paint Fiasco Imagine walking into your living room, expecting to find your darling angel quietly playing with blocks. But no, today they’ve decided to channel their inner Picasso, and your pristine white walls are the canvas. A rainbow explosion of paint everywhere - and I mean, everywhere. A mix of horror and awe fills you, but then, those innocent, gleeful eyes look up at you, and all you can do is laugh (while scheduling an emergency visit from the cleaners). Episode 2: Sleep? What’s That? Ah, the mythical, elusive concept of a “good night’s sleep.” Remember those peaceful nights of uninterrupted slumber? Me neither. Last night, our y...

Today, I'm peeling back the curtains and inviting you into the whimsical, tear-jerking world of a mum with four adult children. Now, one might think the words 'adult' and 'children' stitched together would grant this mum a one-way ticket to a worry-free paradise. Spoiler alert: they don’t. Meet my brood. Four spectacular souls; three boys who have mastered the art of giving their mum heart palpitations, and one girl, the cherry on top, who’s equally adept at turning my grey hairs greyer. Bless them. The Eldest: Mr. "I’ve Got This, Mum" My firstborn thinks he's Superman. "Mum, I’ve got this!" is his mantra. Yet, every time he’s up for a promotion or facing life’s curveballs, who do you think is pacing the floor at 2 am? Yours truly. Second in Line: The Wanderer Then there’s my second son, the world wanderer. He’s got a heart as vast as the oceans he’s crossed and a spirit as free as the wind. Every Instagram update of his latest adventure is a...

Hey there, fabulous humans! Today, we’re stepping into a world where wisdom drips from the edges of a stripy red and white hat and cats juggle life’s quandaries with a quirky grin. Yep, you guessed it, we're drawing life lessons from none other than the grand wizard of whimsy, The Cat in the Hat! In the divine chaos of community service, where every day is a delightful mix of unpredictable, unforgettable, and unscripted, Dr. Seuss’s golden nuggets of wisdom fit right in - or shall we say, stand right out! Juggling Act Extraordinaire First things first, let’s address the juggling act. If balancing tasks was an Olympic sport, community service workers would be clutching gold medals with grace. Client meetings, paperwork, outreach programs – it’s like juggling jelly, with every wobble, a giggle, and every slip, a slide into another adventure. A Hat of Many Colors Now, back to that iconic hat. Imagine if each stripe represented a role we play. Counselor, listener, problem solver - ever...