Justine O'Malley Counselling and Therapy Services

05/07/2025

https://justineomalleycounselling.com/justines-books

Helping children cope with life's ups and downs

30/06/2025

I was sent this photo from the Australian Counselling Association this week - taken at the inaugural ACA National Counselling Awards Gala night. I was lucky to spend some time with these amazing women - Jodie McKenzie -CEO of Australian Counselling Association, Jade Lawless -Chair of the Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy and Lisa Molloy -CEO of the Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy.
Looking forward to some future collaborations!

13/06/2025

This week I presented at the Australian Counselling Association National Conference in Adelaide.

My workshop was titled: 'Changing the landscape: integrating protective behaviours and consent psychoeducation with children's counselling.'

Here is some feedback from the session...

➡️'Great content- highlighted how much I need to learn about this topic. Great session. Highlight of today!'

➡️ 'Amazing knowledge and such a passionate presenter. Thankyou so much for sharing this with us.'

➡️ 'Amazing- Justine's knowledge and expertise really inspired us with so many resources and ideas.'

➡️ 'Justine presents solid valuable information on protective behaviours that is absolutely essential for anyone working or supporting children and adolescent to know and pass on to help educate and keep children safe- thank you.'

If you would like to find out more about the Protective Behaviours Program register for a WA Child Safety Services workshop delivered by Justine O'Malley.

2 upcoming online 2.5 hour workshops
✅ Monday 23rd June (daytime option)
✅ Thursday 3rd July (evening option)

Register at WA Child Safety Services - WACSS

11/06/2025

Day 1 of the Australian Counselling Association Conference in Adelaide.
Looking forward to presenting tomorrow!

06/06/2025

First classroom reading of my new book!

Available from :
https://shop.wacss.com.au/products/little-wallabys-safe-place-an-introduction-to-the-protective-behaviours-program

05/06/2025

BOOK OF THE MONTH 📚🌟

Little Wallaby's Safe Place is the newest release from Justine O'Malley!

When Little Wallaby gets his warning signs and feels unsafe during a storm he runs to find Aunty Roo.

Little Wallaby isn’t sure where his safe place is. He searches through the Australian bush – a hollow log, a bubbling creek, even a deep cave – but none of these places are his safe place!
Feeling sad and unsafe, Little Wallaby returns to Aunty Roo, only to find that his safe place is much closer to home than expected!

It’s never too early to start the conversation about safety with young children, and ‘Little Wallaby’s Safe Place’ provides a gentle way to explore these important topics together. This heartwarming story encourages discussions about:

Emotions – Helping children identify and express how they feel.

Feeling safe and feeling unsafe – Understanding what safety means and feels like. Recognising the difference between feeling comfortable, happy and secure and feeling uneasy, worried and scared.

Warning signs – Noticing physical signals, like a racing heart or butterflies in their tummy - that tells them something isn’t right.

Asking for help – Building confidence in seeking support from trusted adults.

Consent – Asking for permission and respecting boundaries.

By reading ‘Little Wallaby’s Safe Place’ and discussing these topics, parents, caregivers, educators, and teachers can help children feel empowered, protected, and confident in the world around them.

Written by Justine O'Malley Counselling and Therapy Services

Available now! 👉 https://shop.wacss.com.au/products/little-wallabys-safe-place-an-introduction-to-the-protective-behaviours-program?_pos=4&_sid=6b2bfcae8&_ss=r

30/05/2025

'Little Wallaby's Safe Place' is now available!
Justine O'Malley's latest children's story book.

When Little Wallaby gets his warning signs and feels unsafe during a storm he runs to find Aunty Roo.
Little Wallaby isn’t sure where his safe place is. He searches through the Australian bush – a hollow log, a bubbling creek, even a deep cave – but none of these places are his safe place!
Feeling sad and unsafe, Little Wallaby returns to Aunty Roo, only to find that his safe place is much closer to home than expected!

It’s never too early to start the conversation about safety with young children, and ‘Little Wallaby’s Safe Place’ provides a gentle way to explore these important topics together. This heartwarming story encourages discussions about:
*Emotions – Helping children identify and express how they feel.
*Feeling safe and feeling unsafe – Understanding what safety means and feels like. Recognising the difference between feeling comfortable, happy and secure and feeling uneasy, worried and scared.
*Warning signs – Noticing physical signals, like a racing heart or butterflies in their tummy - that tells them something isn’t right.
*Asking for help – Building confidence in seeking support from trusted adults.
*Consent – Asking for permission and respecting boundaries.

By reading ‘Little Wallaby’s Safe Place’ and discussing these topics, parents, caregivers, educators, and teachers can help children feel empowered, protected, and confident in the world around them.

3 Ways to access this new book

Hard Copy - available for purchase and delivery from the WA Child Safety Services - WACSS Website (link below)
https://shop.wacss.com.au/search?type=product&options%5Bprefix%5D=last&q=little+wallaby%27s

Digital e-book - available for purchase on Amazon (link below)
https://www.amazon.com.au/Little-Wallabys-Safe-Place-introduction-ebook/dp/B0F9Q1KCSB/ref=sr_1_1?crid=25V2TVC9JU2LO&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.JuD5LAfAzp7U2co4lLo2FQ.AocxUcN6DGnFBwaqfC3QJ4NHDIfR6m7eSG2XMh-2yMQ&dib_tag=se&keywords=little+wallaby%27s+safe+place&qid=1748588179&sprefix=Little+wallaby%2Caps%2C298&sr=8-1

PDF version with black line master activity sheets - available for purchase on Teachers Pay Teachers (link below)
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Little-Wallabys-Safe-Place-Book-An-introduction-to-Protective-Behaviours-13594560

26/05/2025

Monday night sunset from my counselling window!

22/05/2025

'Little Wallaby's Safe Place' and accompanying resources have gone live on TPT today, Amazon tomorrow and hard copy next week.
Resources to assist parents, teachers and educators start the conversation with children about safety, warning signs, networks and consent.
Check them out and love you to leave a review! :)

Browse educational resources created by Justine O'Malley Counselling in the official Teachers Pay Teachers store.

17/05/2025

Did you know Justine is the author of 3 Protective Behaviours children's books?
*Jasmine's Butterflies
*Michael's Bubbles
*God gave Elizabeth Grace the right to feel safe

I'm very excited to announce that the next book is in final draft and will be released soon. Who do you think the main character might be...

13/05/2025

Looking forward to presenting and networking at the Australian Counselling Association Conference in Adelaide next month.

10/05/2025

Today I had the privilege of attending Starick’s 40th anniversary Mother’s Day High Tea fundraiser at the Pagoda in Como.

Starick has provided critical support to women and children escaping domestic violence for four decades, and their work continues to change lives.

I couldn't think of a better person to share this lovely afternoon with, championing such an important cause, than my own Mum!