Renate's Social Work Counselling & Consultancy

07/09/2025

Negotiating feelings can feel such a lonelyplace to be. RAIN is a good call to action to manage well on our own better.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BS4eUry4f/

06/09/2025

19 years ago - I didn't really know who Steve Irwin was, but my 4 year old son and his peers did. Steve and his legacy became such an important part of our lives from that point on.

19 years the world lost an iconic legend 🐊💔

Steve Irwin wasn’t just a wildlife warrior — he was the ultimate Aussie spirit. Big heart, bigger energy, and a passion that made the whole world fall in love with our animals and embodied what it meant to be Australian.

Forever an Aussie legend. Crikey, we miss ya Steve 🇦🇺❤️

06/09/2025

Thanks Rae Sabine of Creative Wellbeing Melbourne for pointing this out so succinctly.

DISTRESS TOLERANCE

FOCUS
Focus on something with fine detail, like wood grain, a textured artwork, or leaf veins. Slowly zoom your attention in and notice the smallest details you can see. Drawing what you observe can help you stay present and notice more.

ENERGY RELEASE
Let your energy move through you by scribbling hard with crayons or pastels, tearing up old drawings, stomping to music, slapping paint on cardboard, twisting pipe cleaners into knots, or dancing until something shifts.

SEEK COMFORT
Find comfort by drawing or collaging a safe place you imagine. Write a few lines or a poem about what you find comforting. Share your feelings with someone who understands. Cuddle a plush toy while listening to music that matches your mood.

ORGANISE
Organise and sort objects. You might arrange buttons, beads or collage pieces into patterns, tidy up your art supplies, or clear out materials you no longer use.
Consider donating or repurposing what you don’t need.

DISTRACT
Give your brain something to sink into. Make detailed art, try a tricky puzzle, or get absorbed in a fast-paced game. You could also map out your week, brainstorm creative projects, or come up with fun things to look forward to.

FIND HUMOUR
Lighten the mood by looking for moments of humour. Make up absurd replies to everyday questions, doodle a silly scene, or imagine a goofy twist to something serious. Notice the awkward, loveable parts of being human.

OBSERVE
Shift your focus away from yourself by observing the world around you.
Notice Who looks excited or bored, and what interesting things are happening nearby. Imagine you’re an alien researcher seeing everything for the first time.

DISTANCE
Create some distance by stepping away from your current space. Take a long walk or explore quiet corners nearby. If you can’t leave physically, imagine a comforting, familiar place or wander through a calming world in your mind.

Distress Tolerance Menu from Rae Sabine

Email: creatingwellbeingmelbourne@gmail.com

06/09/2025

This is a difficult but very helpful article to read about grief and trauma in young children's lives. The story is about parental su***de and a 4 year girl. If you are working with children or want to learn more about how to support children, this article by Maggie Dent is for you.

Trigger warning: this article talks about su***de and childhood trauma. Please take care in reading it and, if you need support, reach out to one of the services listed on ...

06/09/2025

Going to therapy used to be something that was off the table for most. Nedra Tawwab's 5 reasons shared below are a good starting checklist of when to go to seek counselling and therapy support.

https://www.facebook.com/share/171LTPYmmi/

Going to therapy is a way to have a level of support in your life not offered in other relationships.

01/09/2025

Just the subtlest shift in language avoids the polarisation and the hardening of perspective that forms breeches and festers resentment. https://www.facebook.com/share/1CWNMApwno/

Do you ever worry about your worry or get angry at your anger?

If so, try your best Spock impression. Seriously—you can often cut an emotional downward spiral short if you learn to observe your thoughts and emotions with a gently removed Spock-like objectivity.

Instead of "I can't believe my teenager just said that...they don’t respect me...our relationship is so fraught..." and so on and so forth, try:

"It appears that my teenager has been rude to me. This is uncomfortable. I am feeling upset. It seems I really value being a patient parent and mutual respect, and those values are being challenged right now."

Even the subtlest shift in internal language can sometimes mean the difference between an impulsive reaction and a carefully meditated response.

11/08/2025

A handy visual of prompts have how to ask, "How was school today?"

https://www.facebook.com/share/19aWht2W5f/

The Everymom ❤️

07/08/2025

A great news initiative by Mind Australia.

Applications are now open for the 2025 Pilot Student Placement Program – an opportunity for students who are studying a Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work to start their career in the lived experience workforce in Victoria.

07/08/2025

I am really appreciating the work that the South Eastern Su***de Prevention Network are doing. Posts like these about Bullying are extremely powerful in helping others understand how to manage situations

This month, let's turn our focus onto bullying - why it happens, how it happens and much more! Familiarising yourself with it can help you, the people you love, and society as a whole 🩷😊🥲

07/08/2025

Homelessness and housing insecurity is one of the most significant issues that we confront as a society and for Social Workers and Therapists in the work we do. Glad to be sharing Emerald Tree Consulting"s post recognising Homelessness Week

This week is Homelessness Week.

Homelessness affects many in our community. It isn't just those who are sleeping on the streets. It's those who are couch surfing, living in tents and cars, in temporary accommodation and refugees.

All Australians deserve a safe place to call home.

As a practice that supports people who experience domestic violence, disability, veterans and vulnerable populations, we are committed to raising awareness and action for this growing community issues.

07/08/2025

Cheltenham Community Centre has many great initiatives included this Next Gen art class for thoae aged 18 - 25.

https://www.facebook.com/share/1B3eXAafrf/

Next Gen Art Studio – Your Creative Escape!

A welcoming space for young adults (18–25) to relax, meet like-minded people, and express themselves through art.

🖌 Wednesdays, 6:30–7:30 PM
📍 Cheltenham Community Centre
📅 Starting Wednesday 20th August

We’re kicking off with a hands-on 5-week clay series — perfect for experimenting, learning new techniques, and bringing your ideas to life. Future blocks will explore exciting art styles and materials, so there’s always something new to discover!
Spots are limited — book now and get creative!

www.trybooking.com/DDAKR

12/05/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/192U9LxWxC/

This event presented by Mortgage Stress Victoria is for Carers who are struggling to pay their mortgage.

Check out Mortgage Sress Victoria, a unique organisation, who assists those experiencing financial stress in paying their mortgage

https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/carers-ask-an-expert-help-to-manage-mortgage-stress-10590-registration-1344944157179?aff=efbevent