Thinking Healthy and Stress Reduction

11/12/2025

Counselling with Care — Affordable, Compassionate, Evidence-Based Support
With John Julian & Joanna Walz
Are you feeling overwhelmed, stuck, anxious, or carrying more than you can manage alone?
We offer gentle, effective, and research-informed counselling for individuals and couples — with no out-of-pocket costs for people with limited disposable income. Cost should never be a barrier to healing.
A Unique Two-Therapist Model
We are unusual in that we see all clients together.
This two-therapist approach offers:
• deeper perspective and balance
• real-time interpersonal reflection
• compassionate co-regulation
• a stronger sense of being held and understood
You are always welcome to see just one of us if you prefer.
Online Only (with a Local Option)
We work online only, unless you live in South West Gippsland, where in-person sessions may be arranged.
Medicare Support
John is Medicare-registered. If you choose to see us together, you can access 10 annual Medicare-supported sessions.
And if you have limited disposable income, we do not charge out-of-pocket fees — your sessions remain free.
Our Integrative Approach
Our work brings together five decades of combined experience in:
• Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
• Interpersonal Neurobiology (Dan Siegel)
• Compassion Focused Therapy (Paul Gilbert)
• Mindfulness practices (sitting, walking, Qigong)
• Nature-informed wellbeing grounded in decades of environmental and community activism
We support people who are navigating:
• anxiety, stress, or overwhelm
• low mood or depression
• relationship difficulty
• climate distress
• empathy fatigue or burnout
• grief, transitions, and inner turbulence
• a desire for clarity, connection, and emotional steadiness
Our Values
Our practice is environmentally responsible, community-minded, and grounded in kindness.
We live the values we teach — simplicity, compassion, and care for land and people.
Sessions
• Online (Australia-wide)
• In-person only for South West Gippsland
• Individuals or couples
• Two-therapist or single-therapist option
• Flexible hours
Get in Touch
If you'd like to ask questions or book a session:
📧 john.julian56@gmail.com II joannawalz80@gmail.com
📞 (61) 0439 901 795 II (61) 0439 069 190
If you ring, leave a message as due to the high number of spam calls, John blocks many calls with no message left.

Send a message to learn more

14/10/2024

A Restful and Mindful Day in Nature

Saturday 19th of October
10AM (AEST) 3:00PM

(PST Time Zone – 18/10 at 4 pm for 2 hours PST Friday)
Approx. 5hrs - Includes at least two nature meditations, nature activities/exercises and mindful walking, etc.

BYO food to share for lunch in a shelter (and maybe BYO chair)
Location: Maroondah Reservoir Park, Maroondah Hwy, Healesville VIC 3777

Facilitator: John Julian

MANA Annual General Meeting

12.30pm 19 October at above location

Note: if weather is difficult the day will be held at Krowera, Sheepways Road.



Cup Weekend!

Join Our Four-Day Workshop on Mindful Nature Connectedness!
Rest and reconnect with nature and rediscover your ecological identity in this transformative four-day workshop. You'll deepen your connection to the natural world by enhancing your physical and environmental well-being through personal reflection, mindful reflective exercises, and practical skills inspired by ecological thinkers like Mitchell Thomashow and Tristan Gooley.

You'll engage your senses meaningfully through nature walks and ecological meals based on Blue Zones principles and by creating personal environmental timelines. Each day brings new insights into ecological identity, ethical actions, and sustainable living, empowering you to build a more harmonious relationship with nature.

Spaces are limited—sign up today and start your journey toward a deeper connection with the Earth!

Facilitators: John Julian & Joanna Walz

When: Cup Weekend, 2nd - 5th November

Where: Private Residence, Corinella

Cost: - $800 per person (includes all accommodation and food.) People can come as day visitors and organize their accommodation with negotiable meals.

It is planned to eat out for one night.

Contact: John at john.julian56@gmail.com or 0439 901795

Mindfulness and Nature Association (MANA)A not-for-profit organisation. MANA is a community group located in Australia, concerned about the state of nature and the health of the people and the planet. Founded with a profound sense of purpose, MANA provides meditation support groups, ecology, gardeni...

27/08/2024

Frank Zappa once said that USA politics are the entertainment division of miltary techno-industrial consumerist culture.

I suspect, sadly, that may be the case in order to distract us from our own sense of peace, community and conviviality.

18/07/2024

Unlock the Power of Compassionate Communication
Join us for an enlightening one-day workshop on Nonviolent Communication (NVC) with compassion exercises from Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT), led by experienced facilitators John Julian and Joanna Walz.
Date & Time: Saturday 20 July, 10:00 AM - 3:30 PM (AEST
Location: St Stephans Church, in the café at 111 North Road, Brighton
Reply to committeemanainc@gmail.com t confirm attendance please (but feel free to drop in).

BYO Healthy Food/Lunch to Share
In today's fast-paced world, effective and empathetic communication is more crucial than ever. This workshop is designed to provide you with the tools and techniques to transform your interactions and build deeper, more meaningful connections.
What You'll Learn:
• Principles of Nonviolent Communication: Understand the core elements of NVC—observations, feelings, needs, and requests—and how to apply them in everyday conversations.
• Empathy and Compassion: Engage in powerful compassion exercises from CFT to enhance your ability to empathize and connect with others.
• Practical Communication Skills: Participate in role-playing and real-life scenarios to practice and refine your new communication skills.
• Personal Growth and Reflection: Develop a deeper understanding of your own feelings and needs, and learn how to express them effectively and compassionately.
Workshop Highlights:
• Interactive Sessions: Experience hands-on activities and group discussions to solidify your understanding of NVC and CFT principles.
• Guided Meditations: Participate in compassion-focused breathing and imagery exercises to cultivate a sense of inner peace and empathy.
• Actionable Strategies: Leave with a personal action plan to integrate compassionate communication into your daily life.
About the Facilitators:
John Julian and Joanna Walz are experienced facilitators passionate about fostering compassionate communication and emotional well-being. With extensive Mindfulness, NVC and CFT backgrounds, they bring a wealth of knowledge and a warm, engaging teaching style to their workshops.
Don't miss this opportunity to transform your communication skills and build more empathetic, compassionate relationships.
Register Now: committemanainc@gmail.com" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?fs=1&tf=cm&source=mailto&su=July+20th+Attending&to=committemanainc@gmail.com
Cost: Donation to MANA
Join us for a day of learning, growth, and connection. We look forward to seeing you there!

14/07/2024

Unlock the Power of Compassionate Communication

Join us for an enlightening one-day workshop on Nonviolent Communication (NVC) with compassion exercises from Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT), led by experienced facilitators

John Julian and Joanna Walz.
Date & Time: Saturday 20 July, 10:00 AM - 3:30 PM (AEST
Location: St Stephans Church, in the café at 111 North Road, Brighton
BYO Healthy Food/Lunch to Share

In today's fast-paced world, effective and empathetic communication is more crucial than ever. This workshop is designed to provide you with the tools and techniques to transform your interactions and build deeper, more meaningful connections.

What You'll Learn:
• Principles of Nonviolent Communication: Understand the core elements of NVC—observations, feelings, needs, and requests—and how to apply them in everyday conversations.
• Empathy and Compassion: Engage in powerful compassion exercises from CFT to enhance your ability to empathize and connect with others.
• Practical Communication Skills: Participate in role-playing and real-life scenarios to practice and refine your new communication skills.
• Personal Growth and Reflection: Develop a deeper understanding of your own feelings and needs, and learn how to express them effectively and compassionately.
Workshop Highlights:
• Interactive Sessions: Experience hands-on activities and group discussions to solidify your understanding of NVC and CFT principles.
• Guided Meditations: Participate in compassion-focused breathing and imagery exercises to cultivate a sense of inner peace and empathy.
• Actionable Strategies: Leave with a personal action plan to integrate compassionate communication into your daily life.

About the Facilitators:
John Julian and Joanna Walz are experienced facilitators passionate about fostering compassionate communication and emotional well-being. With extensive Mindfulness, NVC and CFT backgrounds, they bring a wealth of knowledge and a warm, engaging teaching style to their workshops.
Don't miss this opportunity to transform your communication skills and build more empathetic, compassionate relationships.
Register Now: committemanainc@gmail.com" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?fs=1&tf=cm&source=mailto&su=July+20th+Attending&to=committemanainc@gmail.com

Cost: Donation to MANA
Join us for a day of learning, growth, and connection. We look forward to seeing you there!

11/07/2024

Unlock the Power of Compassionate Communication
Join us for an enlightening one-day workshop on Nonviolent Communication (NVC) with compassion exercises from Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT), led by experienced facilitators John Julian and Joanna Walz.
Date & Time: 10:00 AM - 3:30 PM (AEST
Location: St Stephans Church, in the café at 111 North Road, Brighton
BYO Healthy Food/Lunch to Share
In today's fast-paced world, effective and empathetic communication is more crucial than ever. This workshop is designed to provide you with the tools and techniques to transform your interactions and build deeper, more meaningful connections.
What You'll Learn:
• Principles of Nonviolent Communication: Understand the core elements of NVC—observations, feelings, needs, and requests—and how to apply them in everyday conversations.
• Empathy and Compassion: Engage in powerful compassion exercises from CFT to enhance your ability to empathize and connect with others.
• Practical Communication Skills: Participate in role-playing and real-life scenarios to practice and refine your new communication skills.
• Personal Growth and Reflection: Develop a deeper understanding of your own feelings and needs, and learn how to express them effectively and compassionately.
Workshop Highlights:
• Interactive Sessions: Experience hands-on activities and group discussions to solidify your understanding of NVC and CFT principles.
• Guided Meditations: Participate in compassion-focused breathing and imagery exercises to cultivate a sense of inner peace and empathy.
• Actionable Strategies: Leave with a personal action plan to integrate compassionate communication into your daily life.
About the Facilitators:
John Julian and Joanna Walz are experienced facilitators passionate about fostering compassionate communication and emotional well-being. With extensive Mindfulness, NVC and CFT backgrounds, they bring a wealth of knowledge and a warm, engaging teaching style to their workshops.
Don't miss this opportunity to transform your communication skills and build more empathetic, compassionate relationships.
Register Now: committemanainc@gmail.com" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?fs=1&tf=cm&source=mailto&su=July+20th+Attending&to=committemanainc@gmail.com
Cost: Donation to MANA
Join us for a day of learning, growth, and connection. We look forward to seeing you there!

20/03/2024

An answer

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has released a new report that backs up Jim Hansen's ideas and suggests that the rate at which Earth is heating may be accelerating (Climate change indicators reached record levels in 2023: WMO ). Several indicators of global heating, including sea-level rise, glacier retreat, Antarctic sea ice loss and ocean heat, smashed the records in 2023, the hottest year on record by a considerable margin. While it is still too early to provide a definite answer, it is now not the time to continue denying the science.
The scientists are in a nightmare of seeing the signs that the current poly-crisis is worsening while at the same time being ignored, with everyone unable to control their behaviours in the culture of the techno-industrial consumerist (TIC) world.

Yes, let's check our phones now to avoid this message.

It's simple.
What we can do is slow down. That is how we start.
Learn that we are okay just as we are, and slow down. TIC is based on the premise of profit at all costs (the Earth and Nature), and to do this, it sells us the idea that we are not okay as we are – we need this, and this – and this – all at the bargain base price, to be a better person.
The reality is we are okay, and we have forgotten how to value true individuality. It's simple: stand a while in nature, sit in a chair and remember a joyous occasion with friends, or a friend, learn again how to celebrate our life.
Each time we do not buy something, we save a life of – an insect, a worm, a valuable bacteria, a bird or a mammal – each time we do not buy a TICC product or use a jumper instead of turning the heater up, or the air conditioner down (within reason of course), we save a life in nature.
That's where it's at.
You can attend a day of Mindfulness this Saturday online or in person
See https://www.facebook.com/mindfulnessandnature/

A new Australian body regarding people, mindfulness, compassion and our interbeing with nature.

20/03/2024

Days of Mindfulness –
Will be held at St Stephens Anglican Church Gardenvale/North Brighton 111 North Road Brighton:
• March 23rd
All Days of Mindfulness are offered directly in a small hall and online using the MANA Zoom room. Cost is a donation to MANA either online (donation), by bank transfer (details on the webpage – “Support Us”) through the webpage or by cash on the day.
When: Saturday 23rd of March 2024

Commences: 10:00 AM (AEST) or 4:00 PM (PST Friday)
Finishes: 4:00 PM (AEST) and 10:00 PM (PST Friday)

Location: St. Stephens Anglican Church Café
111 North Road, Gardenvale/North Brighton

These are run by MANA, the Mindfulness and Nature Association (MANA) Inc., and the facilitators are Joanna and John

02/04/2023

02/04/2023

Whale Rock

02/04/2023

Now