Join Quirky Kid in Canada from June 25-28, 2013 the first ever Child and Youth Care World Conference, Connecting at the Crossroads that will be held in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador – home of Icebergs, Whales, Puffins, great people and great times!

Touch base with Richard Dubras, Quirky Kid’s representative in Canada. You will also locate some our our flyers on each of the delegates bags.

We all have relationships – with our partners, children, parents, friends, colleagues and many others. According to a new book being launched in Sydney, the quality of these relationships is critically important for our overall wellbeing.

As you may recall, Kimberley has co-authored  a book chapter discussing Positive Parent-Child Relationships. The paperback edition of Positive Relationships: Evidence Based Practice across the World (Springer 2012) will be launched in Sydney on Friday May 3rd at Gleebooks: 6 for 6.30pm.  Professor Ann Brewer, deputy vice-chancellor at Sydney University – who is one of the authors – will be officiating.

Gleeb books have agreed to discount the price to $50 – a significant reduction from the original. Quirky Kid Shoppe will also stock the title and will be made available soon.

More information and reviews on http://amzn.to/Y8Ew58  (scroll to the bottom of the page).Several people involved with Wellbeing Australia have contributed to this volume which has 17 chapters on different aspects of relationships.

Adjunct Associate Professor Sue Roffey, from the University of Western Sydney and Director of Wellbeing Australia, is the editor of Positive Relationships: Evidence Based Practice across the World.

The book brings together the views of a range of international experts, to explore the ways that we can “promote the positive” in various aspects of our lives – including in our roles as a leader, professional, mentor, teacher or parent.

“Our relationships all have a significant impact on our daily lives, including the way we perceive ourselves and others and the feelings we experience,” says Dr Roffey.

“A positive relationship can enrich our lives while a negative one can be the cause of deep distress. Unfortunately, much of the time we only give attention to relationships when things go wrong. That is why it is so important to understand in some depth how relationships might be enhanced in all areas of our lives.”

Dr Roffey, from the UWS School of Education and Centre for Positive Psychology and Education (CPPE), says Positive Relationships is firmly grounded in the science of positive psychology and has been written to appeal to a wide audience.

“Positive psychology has much to offer to enhance everyday living”, says Dr Roffey. “Healthy relationships can offer real meaning and sustainable fulfilment in our lives. Knowing what promotes the positive is the first step to authentic wellbeing.”

Professor Felicia Huppert, Director of the Well-Being Institute at the University of Cambridge says in the Foreword of Positive Relationships that this “seminal book moves beyond a focus on the individual, putting relationships at the heart of life going well.”

The chapters are authored by academics and practitioners from a range of disciplines and from across the world, each addressing positive relationships in the contexts of family, work, school and community.

The authors, and their respective chapters, include:

• Professor Ann Brewer, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, University of Sydney – Positive Mentoring Relationships: Nurturing potential.
• Associate Professor Stephanie Jones and Dr Gretchen Brion-Meisels, Harvard Graduate School of Education, USA – Learning about Relationships.
• Professor Margaret Vickers and Associate Professor Florence McCarthy at the School of Education, University of Western Sydney – Positive Community Relations.
• Adjunct Professor Toni Noble, at Australian Catholic University (ACU), and Adjunct Professor Helen McGrath, at RMIT University – Wellbeing and Resilience in Young People and the Role of Positive Relationships.
• Adjunct Associate Professor Sue Roffey at the University of Western Sydney – Introduction and Developing Positive Relationships in Schools.
• Associate Professor Vagdevi Meunier, St Edwards University, Austin, Texas, USA and Wayne Baker, professional counsellor – Positive Couple Relationships: The evidence for long lasting relationship satisfaction and happiness.
• Dr Karen Majors, educational psychologist and professional tutor at the Institute of Education, London University – Friendships: the Power of Positive Alliance.
• Kimberly O’Brien, child psychologist and Director of the Quirky Kid Clinic, and Jane Mosco, educational psychologist – Positive Parent-child Relationships.
• Emilia Dowling, previously Head of Child Psychology at the Tavistock Clinic and visiting professor at Birkbeck College, London, and Di Elliot, systemic psychotherapist – Promoting Positive Outcomes for Children Experiencing Change in Family Relationships.
• Sue Langley, CEO of Emotional intelligence Worldwide – Positive Relationships at Work.
• Elizabeth Gillies, educational psychologist and previously Vice-President of International Mental Health Professionals in Japan – Positive Professional Relationships.
• Dr Hilary Armstrong, Director of Education at the Institute of Executive Coaching, Sydney – Spirited Leadership: Growing leaders for the future.
• Zalman Kastel, Director of the Together for Humanity Foundation – Positive Relations between Members of Groups with Divergent Beliefs and Cultures.
• Associate Professor Lois Edmund, Centre for Conflict Resolution Studies at the University of Winnipeg, Canada – Conflict and Confrontation.
• Peta Blood, Co-founder of Restorative Practices International – The repair and restoration of relationships.
• Robyn Hromek, Educational psychologist and Honorary Associate at the University of Sydney and Angela Walsh, Director of the Love Bites educational program for NAPCAN (National Association for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect) – Peaceful and compassionate futures: positive relationships as an antidote to violence.

“Each chapter of this book provides evidence on how healthy relationships enable both individuals and communities to flourish, what we can do to ensure these are the best they can be and what to do when difficulties arise,” says Dr Roffey.

“The evidence sometimes challenges current beliefs, for example what constitutes good leadership and how emotionally intelligent relationships make all the difference to effective work environments.

“The book predominately focuses on our shared humanity – what we all have in common, rather than what divides us. The overarching themes are fostering positive communication practices, treating each other with respect and building social capital.”

Positive Relationships: Evidence Based Practice across the World, published by Springer, is now available for purchase with five star reviews on Amazon.

Professor Ann Brewer will speak at the Official Launch, to be held at Gleebooks in Sydney.

From UWS Wedbsite

We have recently welcomed a new graphic designer here at Quirky Kid.

Lisa Diebold  has been a much awaited member of our team and will head our new publishing creatives. There are lots of projects Lisa is currently working on and she will soon show us a bit more – watch this space.

Here is, however, our firs infographic about eating disorders. This project has been developed in partnership with Dr Kathryn Berry, a Clinical Psychologist based at our office in Austinmer and Lisa.

Watch our Info graphic on Eating Disorders

The full article can be found here: http://childpsychologist.com.au/resources/eating-disorders-among-children

I’ve recently joined the Quirky Kid team, here in Austinmer, as a Clinical Psychologist. I completed my Doctorate in Clinical Psychology/Master of Science at Sydney University in 2006 and have worked in both community and school settings. I have always had a keen interest in helping children and families, and started off by volunteering on a young offender program and as a tutor for disadvantaged children at the University of Sydney. From there, my studies provided me with expertise in assisting children, adults and families with a range of mental-health related presentations.

During the Doctorate in Clinical Psychology/Master of Science degree I gained theoretical and practical knowledge in the assessment and treatment of mental health disorders and enjoyed placements within hospital and community settings, using a variety of evidence-based psychological interventions, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. Some of my experiences included working in an acute inpatient setting for children, working within a family-therapy context and working with adults with clinical Anxiety and Depression. My doctoral thesis examined the efficacy of a resilience-building program for anxious-bullied adolescents and yielded promising results which have been published in the Journal of Adolescent Health (2009). I have enjoyed working in the school system as a School Psychologist prior to my move to the Quirky Kid Clinic, which really consolidated my keen interest in working with children and their families.

Why have I moved to Quirky Kid Clinic?

My move to the Quirky Kid Clinic was motivated by personal reasons, to build a better work-life balance for my family, and professional reasons, to work in an environment which fosters the unique qualities of children while providing cutting edge, evidence-based, psychological care. The Quirky Kid Clinic speaks to my ideals of helping children overcome life’s hurdles in a fun, creative and child-centred way. The Quirky Kid Clinic is a fun and exciting space to work from and I am enjoying working within a supportive, creative and caring team environment.

What are my skills?

As a Clinical Psychologist, I have specific and unique skills in the assessment and treatment of mental-health issues in children and families. I have expertise in formulating and diagnosing mental illnesses and psychological problems and work from an evidence-based approach. I have qualifications in conducting a range of behavioural, psychological and cognitive assessments and as a consequence, tailoring the treatment to be relevant, engaging, productive and solution-focused with children and families.

What will my role be at QK?

My role is essentially to provide sound, evidence-based psychological care for children and their families. This often involves me consulting with teachers and other health professionals and may involve family-based sessions as well as individual therapy with the child.

In addition to seeing families, my role is also to participate in the development of Quirky Kid programs and resources such as an anxiety-management program called ‘Why Worry?’ and a social skills-based program called ‘The Best of Friends’. I will also be writing resources for our corporate clients like Fairfax media’s website, Essential Kids, and plan to publish resources on the Quirky Kid Website, www.childpsychologist.com.au.

It really has been a wonderful start for me at the Quirky Kid Clinic and I very much look forward to meeting with you and working with you as a client or colleague in the future.

Please feel free to contact our reception on 02 9362 9297 for any enquiries or further information,

The Quirky Kid clinic is pleased to announce our Melbourne workshops. We are bringing our most experienced psychologists, Principal Kimberley O’Brien and Dr. Kathryn Berry to facilitate this school holidays workshops.

Book now for

• The Best of Friends  – (Social Skills and Communication)
• Why Worry?  – (Worry and Anxiety)
• Doing the Splits  – (Separation and Divorce)
• Power Up!  – (Performance Psychology)

Book early to avoid disappointment. If you do not find a suitable date and time, register on our reminder mail-list below so we can contact you to possibly arrange another group.

Kimberley O’Brien, our principal child psychologist was invited to discuss bullying and how parents can best manage when this difficult situation appears.

Tips for parents when your child is being bullied:

5. Develop your child’s out-of-school friendships

Recently we told you about Power Up! during the Football United Camp. This time, was Gymnastics Australia turn.

Video of Session one of Power Up!

Quirky Kid was invited to facilitate two sessions of Power Up! during the The Australian Youth Olympic Festival (AYOF) preparation camp for Rhythmic Gymnastics young athletes and their coaches. They are preparing for the sixth edition of the AYOF will be held from 16 – 20 January 2013, once again in Sydney. This will be the biggest and best AYOF to date providing an Olympic like experience for 1700 athletes from 30 nations.

The Sport Program Manager for Gymnastics Australia,Emily Rennes who commissioned the workshop, is determined to offer these young athletes with the required Performance Psychology skills required to take each one to the next level.

We were impressed with the determination and focus of each of these young athletes during the session one of the Power Up Program held at L’Elfin Gymnastics Club which is in Sutherland during the 15/16th of December.

Psychologist Belinda Jones and Quirky Kid will return, this time to State Sport Centre in Sydney Olympic Park to complete session two of the Power Up! program.

We will post another update once it is completed.

If you could like to find out more about Power Up!, please visit our workshop page where you can download a brochure. You can give us a call on 02 9362 9297 to schedule an intro session as well.

Below is our Media Wrap-up for the last few months. Kimberley O’Brien and the Quirky Kid contributed with the following publications to explore topics of interest of parents and their families.2GB Radio and  The Ray Hadley Morning Show spoken with Kimberley O’Brien on how to talk to kids about a disaster

• 2GB Radio and  The Ray Hadley Morning Show spoken with Kimberley O’Brien on how to talk to kids about a disaster
• 2sm FM Radio in Sydney also contacted us about the US shooting.
• SMH Reporter Stephanie Gardiner spoken with us regarding the possible trauma experience children and adolescents may experience when attending to court following a particular event.
• The Daily Telegraph and News.com.au report Richard Noone spoke with us regarding children and trauma following the US Shottig
  
• ABC 3 contacted us to gain some insight into Kids and stress for they series : My Big Adventure. Check out this great resource with videos and interviews
• The Morning Show invited us into the studios to talk about Gifted Children
• The Australian Associated Press discussed with us ” How to raise a culture child?”
• Kate Walsh from The Illawara Mercury contact us to write a story about Social Skills inspired on our Social Skills program, The Best of Friends.
• 2UE radio presenter Martine Drewe also contacted us to talk bout parent-child relationship
• Women’s Weekly reporter discussed with Kimberley how to manage step-parenting
• WIN News in the Illawarra visited our Austinmer office to interview Kimberley on children and obesity.
• Practical Parenting parenting sent us a very long questionnaire on Toddler and changes
• ABC Radio Sydney had a chat with Kimberley about Kids and Social media
• more to come….

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.

Not so long ago, we launched the Power Up! program during the Football United Camp – The 2012 Challenge Camp. The Quirky Kid Team was honored to be part of this event and to share with participants our new program.

The video below shows a bit more of the event and the activities we completed.

Power Up! workshop by Quirky Kid from Quirky Kid on Vimeo.

Participants eagerly completed a range of paper-based and activity-based exercises to explore the key principals of performance psychology, like goal setting, imagery, self-talk, etc. Our team, including Psychologist Belinda Jones, Psychologist Kimberley O’Brien, Social Developer Leonardo Rocker all completed multiple activities with individual groups.

Soon you will also have the opportunity to listen to inspiring stories by young people we interviewed during the event, so stay tuned!

As you may already know, Football United has recently released a research demonstrating the positive personal, social and community benefits of participating in regular training, leadership opportunities and educational opportunities with Football United. The report was presented by UNSW Chancellor, Mr David Gonski AC. The research was undertaken by Sally Nathan, Anne Bunde-Birouste, Lynn Kemp, Clifton Evers, Julie McKenzie and Tun Shwe.

The Football United team sent us a big thank you certificate – thank you guys – Quirky Kid is trilled to have had the opportunity to play a small part.

Recently, the Quirky Kid Clinic worked with school staff and students at the Illawarra Grammar School in Wollonong  to facilitate the popular ‘The Best of Friends™’ in the classroom settingtting.

The 6 weeks program covered areas such as Making Friends, Social Skills, Empathy, Compromise, and Peacemaking in friendships. 

Students participated in a range of activities including painting, play dough, role play, and presentations while discussing the finer points of friendship and playground issues.

Each child was given a “Quirky Kid Tool Kit” including materials for the day as well as making use of the Quirky Kid Resources. We are very satisfied with parental and school feedback on the positive outcomes the workshop has achieved so far.

Illawarra Grammar School in Wollonong  staff were incredible supportive and showed great commitment toward students social development.

• If you would like some information on ‘The Best of Friends™ workshop for your child’s classroom, please contact us on 02 9362-9297
• This program has been present in many school around Sydney like, Moriah College, St Thomas, St Catherine’s School and others. We also run our workshops in in Sydney, Wollongong, and Melbourne.