When: Tuesday, 16th March

Where: Zest Waterfront Venues, 21 Wunulla Rd Point Piper

Time: 6:15pm – 9:30pm

The Mental Health Professionals Network (MHPN) is an Australian Government funded collaboration between the Australian Psychological Society (APS), The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists and the Australian College of Mental Health Nurses. It aims to promote the quality of patient care by strengthening collaboration between mental health professionals in the primary care sector.

WORKSHOP OUTLINE

• Informal networking over a 2-course meal with mental health care colleagues from your local area.
• A case study is used as a basis to discuss the role of collaborative care in the treatment of mental health.
• Explore the model of collaborative care from each practitioner’s particular expertise.
• Discuss meeting again as a multidisciplinary network.

AIM OF THE WORKSHOPS

• Meet other mental health providers working locally and build referral pathways.
• Build relationships with other practitioners for support and information sharing.
• Be part of a collaborative care model which focuses on improved client outcomes
• Increase your profile in the provision of mental health services delivered under Better Access.

For more information  or to register, please visit the MHPN website

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Furthermore, parents also may also  feel as though they have done something wrong, that their way of parenting was inappropriate or that they have failed in some way.  Some feel embarrassed about other people finding out, or worried about how others will react.

On the other hand, parents may feel joy, proud and contentment with  the good communication with the family.

Below are answers to common questions we are asked about  parenting gay children:

Why did my child choose to be gay?

• Being gay is not a simply a choice. Sexual orientation comes from within a person, and is part of a person’s whole being. It is not caused by anything parents have done, and can’t be changed by anything parents do. The choice your child has made to come out means that he is ready to accept who he is and live happily.

Is it a phase?

• It is a normal part of development for a child or teenager to feel unsure about their sexuality. However, if your child tells you he or she is gay, then he or she  is usually sure that is how he or  she is. When they  tell you ‘I am sure’, they  need you to believe and support them.

Why didn’t our child tell us earlier?

• For a child to tell his parent that he is gay takes great courage. He may feel worried about hurting you or feeling guilty about you losing some of your dreams, such as natural grandchildren. The main reason young people withhold this information for so long is  fear of rejection by parents, or other family and friends. The longer it takes to come out, the more this fear grows.

Is my child different now?

• Your child has not changed just because she has told you about her sexuality. There are many parts to your child that you know and love that have not changed, such as what she does, what she likes, and the many things that make up the person that she is.

Coming to terms with these changes

• Whatever your response is, you will be grieving in some way because every change involves some loss (as well as some gain).

• You might find it helpful to talk it over with people who understand what you are going through.

• Coming to grips with this information and accepting it takes time and there are no hard and fast rules as to how long it will take. It is different for everyone and there is no one right way.

The number one thing is to make sure that your kids are safe and accepted no matter what they do – it’s that unconditional love that they need.  Try not to become too attached to the future in terms of the fulfilment of your own hopes and dreams.  Be supportive of the individual choices your children make, and just see what happens.

The Quirky Kid Clinic can help parents and families with communication strategies as well as dealing with common issues that may  arise when a family member communicates his sexuality.   For more information, book to our ‘Sort it out’ workshop or please contact us for more information or to schedule an appointment.

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Influenced by  Dr Eliana Gil’s approach to improving communication in the family, this workshop offers an overview of effective techniques to address common family issues in dealing with sexuality.

We offer practical workshops for young people and parents addressing specific child and family issues in a relaxed, non-judgemental setting. All workshops are run by experienced child psychologists and guest speakers. Participants will be treated to an abundance of strategies for immediate implementation.

When: Saturday, 10th of April 2010 – 12: 2pm

Issues: Positive Parenting, Common issues

Ages: Parents, step-parents, grandparents and their kids

Cost: $140 for 2 family members

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• Saturday, 20th March 2010 – 12-2pm

Issues: Positive Parenting, Common issues

Ages: Parents, step-parents and grandparents

Based on Dr Eliana Gil’s approach to improving communication in the family, this workshop is an overview of the most effective techniques to address common family issues with an emphasis on play.

We offer practical parenting workshops addressing specific child and family issues in a relaxed, non-judgemental setting. All workshops are run by experienced child psychologists and guest speakers. Parents will be treated to an abundance of strategies for immediate implementation.

Location: level 1, 105 Queen Street, Woollahra, NSW 2025

Cost: $140 pp
** There are two places left in this workshop **

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• Tuesday 9th March 2010, 4-5pm (4 consecutive Tuesday afternoons)

Issues: Study, Concentration, Time Management

Ages: 8-12 | 13-17

This workshop aims to activate students prone to procrastination by teaching the finer points of study. Participants learn to block MSN, email and internet distractions by practicing self-control and thought-stopping. We also explore issues such as goal setting and preparing for exams, as well as practicing time management techniques and strategies to enhance concentration.

Location: Quirky Kid Clinic, Level 1, 105 Queen Street, Woollahra

Cost: $280

*8-12yrs – There are two positions available

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You can watch the segment below. Please wait until the end of the segment. The video contains advertising and some strong images.

The Quirky Kid clinic runs a great program called  ‘The Best of Friends’™ that playfully address social issues within the school setting

You can read the full article at  ‘Essential Baby website.’

If you have a story and would like to discuss it with us, please contact us to schedule a time. Kimberley O’Brien enjoys sharing the best of her therapeutic moments with the media. View our media appearances to-date.

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• Saturday 13th March 2010

Issues: Anxiety, Worry, Fears

This solution-focused workshop will help anxious children & adolescents to manage their own symptoms of stress and worry. Participants will learn to identify personal triggers for anxiety and practice coping strategies to reduce any impact on the family. Through participation in activity-based solutions, kids learn  to deal with anxious behaviour in a playful way.  Participants also learn from each other and normalize some types of anxiety.

This program has been developed in the clinical setting over a 15 year period by child psychologist Kimberley O’Brien. It is highly acclaimed by parents, teachers, health and educational professionals as a means of addressing anxiety in a effective way.

The final program also incorporates research through Monash University relating to school based worries and transitions. The “Why Worry” workshop is supported by extensive pre-school and school observations, parent and school counsellor feedback and field research in more than 52 different schools around the world as part of the “School Days” Project.

Playful approaches to planning will prepare young participants for a stress-free 2010 at home and at school.

Where: 105 Queen Street, Woollahra

Cost: $140 p.p

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• Saturday, 27th March 2010

Issues: Social Skills, Communication, Friendship

Ages: 5-7 | 8-10 | 10-13

Duration: 2 hours

“The Best of Friends ™”workshop is an innovative social skills and self-esteem program for children aged 3 to 13 delivered in  a specialised clinical setting in Melbourne.

This activity-based workshop encourages Melbourne children to make to most of their friendships by developing good communication skills while recognizing the difference between friends and ‘frenemies’. Toddlers learn about ‘first friends’ and conversation starters as they progress from pre-school and beyond.

This program has been developed in the clinical setting over a 15 year period by child psychologist Kimberley O’Brien. It is highly acclaimed by parents, teachers, health and educational professionals as a mean of solving and improving social skills.

The final program also incorporates research through Monash University relating to the transition from primary to secondary school. “The Best of Friends ™” workshop is supported by extensive pre-school and school observations, parents and school counsellor feedback and field research in more than 52 different schools around the world as part of the “School Days” Project.

Location: Northcote Town hall: 189 High Street,  Northcote

Cost: $140 pp

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• Saturday, 27th March 2010

Issues: Positive Parenting, Common issues

Ages: Parents, step-parents and grandparents

Duration: 2 hours

Based on Dr Eliana Gil’s approach to improving communication in the family, this workshop is an overview of the most effective techniques to address common family issues with an emphasis on play.

We offer practical parenting workshops addressing specific child and family issues in a relaxed, non-judgemental setting. All workshops are run by experienced child psychologists and guest speakers. Parents will be treated to an abundance of strategies for immediate implementation.

Location: Northcote Town Hall, 189 High St Northcote.

Cost: $140 pp

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