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Best Cultural Psychology & Coaching Company 2020 - Australia Award by ghp Health & Pharmaceutical Awards 2020

EVIDENCE

WISDOM in your Life – Program Evidence

Practice Based Evidence over 25 years.

13 independent evaluations and one Doctoral thesis support and recommend our programs.

Consistent feedback from Aboriginal participants is that our programs need to be made available for anyone in the Aboriginal community and they need to be integrated across the state, flexible in the delivery, and must be sustainable.

2022 – 2022

Stillaware National Aboriginal program for stillbirth in Aboriginal Communities

  • Six remote/regional Aboriginal communities across Australia. Started in Karratha.

2022

City of Melville – A vision from the Heart

  • 109 participants Law of the Land
  • 17 self -selected to participate in an Aboriginal way of Collective, Circular Collaboration with Council workforce, Aboriginal people and residents.
  • Total immersion int Aboriginal ways for strategic planning

2018 – 2022

WIYL – Monthly Healing workshops

  • 3 x 2-day program run 8 times a year
  • Open for anyone requiring healing

2022

WIYL – Monthly Professional training

  • A range of 5 hour programs

2004 – 2022

WIYL – Mental Health Professionals training

  • 3 x 2-day program series run twice yearly
  • Psychologists, social workers, Aboriginal health workers, GP’s, nurses, counsellors
  • Teaching theory and applications of WIYL’s programs and how to use WIYL programs in workplaces, clinical practice and for self-care

2020 Best Cultural Psychology and Coaching Company in Australia 2020

  • Health and Pharmaceutical Award from Global Health and Pharma

2018 – 2022 Various contracts with various agencies

  • Woodside – Three workshops with Aboriginal staff
  • Dept of Communities – families attending healing workshops;
  • Water Corporation – Aboriginal Employees healing workshops
  • Wesfarmers – Aboriginal Employees healing workshops
  • North Metro TAFE – Aboriginal Cultural Competencies
  • AIDS council – Aboriginal Cultural learning
  • BSS – training 17 Psychologists

2018  Sustainable Indigenous Employment Program with Bankwest/Commonwealth Bank

  • Empowerment (1 week) for 30 Aboriginal people
  • Capacity building for 10 Aboriginal people
  • 1 year support for 6 Aboriginal workers employed by the bank
  • Bank employees undertaking 4 hr Law of the land – cultural connections
  • 12 Bank cultural ambassadors 5 days of nature, place, purpose, anchor and source

2018 – 2019 Introduction to hidden patterns for senior leadership

  • Several groups from Western Power

2016 – 2017

Youth Justice Innovation fund

  • 3 day program in Banksia Hill Detention Centre for detainees
  • 138 young offenders voluntarily completed the program
  • Followed by community workshops in Collie, Roebourne, Newman, Karratha and Port Hedland

2012 – 2019

various contracts with a variety of agencies

  • Heart Foundation; 2 workshops in Karratha and Roebourne
  • Injury Control Council; 2 one day programs
  • Injury Matters; 2 workshops in Kellerberrin for families and workers
  • Connect Groups; numerous Healing programs
  • Graylands Hospital; Department of Health Aboriginal workers training

2013 – 2019

South West Aboriginal Medical Service (SWAMS) – camps

  • SWAMS Bunbury, Healthy Lives team – empowering their workers and women’s healing camps
  • Initially funded for one program, evaluation by SWAMS led to subsequent programs over 6 years
  • Limited funds meant camps were limited to annual however, the workers and community support and recommend monthly workshops/camps

2014

Quitline Aboriginal Alcohol & Drug Training

  • Four workshops for workers
  • Evaluated by The Drug and Alcohol Office

 

 

2012

Great Southern Aboriginal Medical Corporation – Prison Healing programs

  • Four workshops in Albany’s maximum security prison
  • Funded and evaluated by the Great Southern Aboriginal Medical Corporation
  • Prisoners insisted if they knew this when they were 16 they wouldn’t have had kept offending. And recommended we work with juveniles.

2010 – 2012

ICCWA – Suicide Prevention Project

  • 3 year project
  • Funded by the Department of Health and Ageing
  • Suicide prevention in Aboriginal communities (Albany, Broome, Perth, and multiple South West towns in WA)
  • 2012 Finalist – John da Silva Award for Improved Outcomes in Aboriginal social and emotional wellbeing
  • Evaluated by Rebecca Cotton, program met best practice guidelines for Aboriginal mental health

2009 – 2010

Bunbury Pathways – Mental Health Program

  • Funded by the Department of Education and Training
  • Evaluated by Bunbury Pathways

2009

ICCWA – Health Professionals Capacity Building

  • 1 year project
  • Capacity Building in Health Professionals in the South West of WA
  • Evaluated by ICCWA
  • Average ratings of 9.6/10 as self-care

2009

ICCWA – Aboriginal men’s and women’s healing camps

  • Injury Control Council of WA and Southwest Aboriginal Health groups
  • Evaluated by ICCWA and this resulted in the 2010-2012 Aboriginal Healing projects

2009

Bunbury WA – Aboriginal Healing Camp

  • For young Aboriginal people identified as future leaders
  • Evaluated by The Bunbury Aboriginal Healing Centre

2004 – 2009

Various contracts with various agents

  • Weekly group sessions for families of alcohol and drug abusers – Palmerston
  • One off camp for women. Peel Bingee Busters – healing women’s issues. (Evaluated by Peel South West Division of General Practice)
  • Pastoral Care Conference in Geraldton WA

Feb 2007 – May 2009

ICCWA – Building Resilience in the South West

  • Contracted to run short weekly workshops as well as multiple longer programs across the South West of WA
  • Evaluated by ICCWA
  • Won the Suicide Prevention Australia 2009 LIFE Award – Healthy Communities

2007

Doctoral thesis by Dr Beth Jackson

  • Community psychology
  • The way of connection: Journeys with the Map of Loss

2002 – 2003 Division of GP

Collie Chronic disease project

  • 2-year project funded by the Federal Department of Health and Aboriginal Affairs.
  • Evaluation by Peel South West Division of General Practice

2001 – 2004

MercyCare Mirrabooka – Mental health program

  • Personal support program for long term unemployed with mental health concerns
  • Evaluated by MercyCare
  • 90-95% improvement on functionality (drug use, alcohol, social engagement, depression, anxiety)

2001 – 2003

Midland Brick and Hills Community Support Group – Aboriginal Employment Program

  • 2 year project extended by 1 year
  • Funded by the Department of Training
  • Aboriginal employment program between Hills Community Support Group and Midland Brick
  • 26 out of 27 (95%) repeat offenders did not re-offend for 7 years
  • Won the Prime Minister’s Community Business Partnership Award in 2005

1997 – 1999

Peel Youth Suicide Prevention

  • 2 year project in the Peel region of Western Australia
  • Funded by the Federal Dept of Health, in conjunction with Winjan and Murray Districts Aboriginal Corporations
  • Evaluated by UWA Social Work and Social Policy Department
  • Community went from despair to hope
  • 67 young Aboriginal people engaged
  • This program then formed the basis of the Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS) best practice guidelines for youth mental health

 

Our Science

Our work is based on Realm Theory,

Realm Theory is a meta-pattern. Three Realms (frames of reference) interconnect to show how everything has a Place (Realm One), is dual (Realm Two) and exists as an infinite web of possibility (Realm Three). The purpose is evolution, the process is quantum chaos and the structure is basic set theory. We describe the quantum chaotic pattern of these three Realms using eight phase spaces. The relationships and connections of these eight phase spaces create ‘all the intricate order we see about us and the order we have yet to envision’ (Goerner, 1995a, p17). Once the pattern is understood, the consequent paradigm shifts will spark a revolution of science.

To explore more see https://wisdominyourlife.com.au/quantum-chaotic-consciousness/

To read the scientific Paper or to view the Poster that Roslyn presented at the International Congress of Psychology in Berlin.

Our Awards

To see a list of our Awards https://wisdominyourlife.com.au/awards/

 

Whenever we run a program or workshop we undertake evaluations. We use tri-integration techniques, which include collecting poems, banners or a sculpture and more formal questions. Some of these have been included throughout the website. We have had nine externally evaluated programs, including a doctoral thesis in community psychology (available on this website), extracts from these are below.

Click the links below to download/view

2014 to 2017

Here are some stories from participants

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Stories from prison

Poetry from health professionals

More young people's stories

Young people's stories

People's stories

Five case studies WIYL

Some evaluations from professionals.

Map program 2016

Compass 2015

Kellerberrin

4 hour conference 2015

Nov 2014

Compass 2014

1 day map 2016

Healing Abuse and Trauma

Healing Abuse and Trama 2018

2011 Aboriginal Group

The Aboriginal People Healing Through the Map Project (referred to from here on as ‘the Project’) focuses on the delivery of The Map of Loss workshops to Aboriginal people within their communities, and to Aboriginal health workers and other health professionals who work within Aboriginal communities. The project was delivered in the South West, Great Southern and Kimberley regions of Western Australia. The ‘ultimate difference’ to which the project was intended to contribute was the building of the capacity of Aboriginal communities to recognise and respond appropriately to Aboriginal people at risk of suicide. The key means by which this project would contribute to this ultimate goal was by providing Aboriginal people and their communities with opportunities to experience healing through the delivery of the Map of Loss group workshops.

The Map of Loss is a simple, practical visual tool that develops coping skills, builds resilience, helps increase self-awareness and promotes self-care in those who apply it. It has been the subject of four independent evaluations and a doctoral thesis, and has been used for over a decade in such programs as the Youth Suicide Prevention Initiative in Peel and the South West District (Snyder, 2011).

Research findings indicate that The Map of Loss:

  • is adaptable and useful across a broad range of populations, sectors, and settings;
  • has provided positive, transforming experiences in several areas of application;
  • facilitates the integration of knowledge, skills and abilities;
  • offers opportunities for participants to create effective change;
  • helps participants recognise and appreciate the connections between and consequences of their thought and behaviours patterns for themselves, each other, and their communities; and,
  • enables people to consider ways of moving forward with renewed hope and vision for the future (Jackson, 2007).

The Map of Loss workshops focus on the total person – on body, mind, spirit and culture, which is why the Map is assumed to be particularly effective in Aboriginal communities.

Rebecca Cotton 2011

2009 People With Mental Illness

The initial aims of the workshops were met with most participants reporting developing an awareness of emotions, learning positive coping strategies and awareness of support groups and education and employment opportunities. Friendships have been developed and the members of the group continue to meet informally.

The attendance and completion rate of the workshops was high. It is significant to note that there were no reported decompensations of illness or relapse issues from participants, clinicians or case managers during the workshops, which certainly evolved into explorations of in-depth past and current emotional issues, trauma and losses, some of which had not been previously disclosed. These workshops therefore provided a safe space, the understanding, support and therapeutic process required to work through and manage certain past and current emotional issues.

Concerns from some clinicians in the past have been in relation to ‘opening a can of worms’ for participants in therapeutic group work and that participants may ‘fall apart’ and require extra counselling/support. There is a sense in this group that the ‘can is already open’ and whatever ‘strategies learned to cope’ will only help in the recovery journey – in a very positive way.

Paula Edwards 2009

2009 Capacity Building in Health Professionals Executive Summary

The Map of Loss is a tool through which to understand and address mental health issues. The Compassis a tool for understanding individuals, the world around us and the interactions and relationships between the two.

This training is being delivered in two, two day format with the option of attending another day for theory and applications of the model dependant on organisational need.

The models provide professional development and capacity building opportunities to health professionals, along with skills to engage with consumers and communities on mental health issues. The focus of these training workshops has been on developing professionals’ capacity for self care and wellbeing to better support health professionals working in rural WA.

The workshops have attracted a broad range of stakeholders. Those participating have included Aboriginal workers from the community drug service team and the Aboriginal healing project in Bunbury. Other participants have included School Psychologists and Chaplains, youth workers, disability service workers, mental health workers, staff from counselling support services, teachers and community service program managers.

All participants have gained inspiration and techniques for continuing their self-care. The skills gained in the training will assist health professionals and other individuals in their day-to-day work, personally and professionally and also provides them with a model for working effectively with their respective client base.

The models provide people with skills and techniques that are simple, inclusive and integrative. Health professionals around the country would benefit from the self-care aspects, along with the benefits of having a simple and highly effective model for working with the client base. Both the Map and Compass models have applications that would provide significant benefits for individuals, workplaces, businesses and communities.

2004 - 2006 People With Mental Health Issues

Over three years I worked with Mercycare running an annual program with collaboration with two other professionals, with people who could no longer work due to mental health problems. The evaluation was not published, but a pre-test and post-test on functionality was undertaken on each participant. Functionality included drug and alcohol use, social measures, involvement in family/friends/work, lifestyle changes etc. For participants that completed the 13 week program (5 weeks were of ‘the map’, 3 weeks on journal writing and 5 weeks on the Hero’s journey) 90 – 95% of them improved functionality across the board. The drop out rate was about 20%.

Roslyn Snyder 2011

2004 - 2006 Young men 'at risk'

Over three years I worked with Hills Community Care Support Group, to run a work readiness program with young men who had the following risk factors, Aboriginality, incarceration, alcohol, drugs, violence, homelessness, most had all the risk factors. This program won the Prime Minister’s Award for Community/business partnership. This has been documented in Beth Jackson’s thesis.

Roslyn Snyder 2011

2000 Book Review Journey to the Centre of your Life - The Map

“Whether we face the challenges of change, or teach other people about how to respond to them, we will find here the nearest thing available to a handbook for life.”

Professor Michael Clinton, Director, Centre for Nursing Research and Development, Curtin University of Technology, Perth, Western Australia for Australian and New Zealand Journal of Mental Health NursingVolume 9, Number 3, September 2000

2000 Youth for Life

This holistic non-judgemental approach meant that a number of ‘high-risk’ young people were able to be assisted – many with aggressive coping styles, criminal offending, low educational attainment, lack of personal support services, confusion over cultural identity, trauma, and depression and alienation.

Maria Harries and Paul Murphy, The Department of Social Work and Social Policy, The University of Western Australia July 2000

The way of connection: Journeys with the map of loss Beth Jackson, 2007

This thesis is presented in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Psychology (Community) Faculty of Computing, Health and Science Edith Cowan University, Joondalup Western Australia

This thesis primarily looks at the work in relation to the map and the map’s workshops/training. This thesis also demonstrates a way of evaluation using a research framework different from the traditional psychology models. As part of her final chapter (page 131) Beth writes: “The Map of Loss is a simple, visual practical model that facilitates communication, inclusiveness and integration. Creating connection on many levels with individuals, with young people, with older people, a model of skill development, a model for our schools, our government departments, a model that has the potential to change the often-dysfunctional cultures of our systemic bureaucracies. It has the potential to connect on a very real level with people, groups or organisations and throughout that connection bring about lasting, healthful change. Within The Map you find connections and pathways, made possible through the metaphor and recognition of patterns. You realise that it is not about the issue or the behaviour, it is about connection or disconnection, it is about the whole system, not one aspect of it. This journey addresses all of you, and you realise the chaos is an opportunity to create anew, an opportunity to create a whole. The Map of Loss is about creating whole human beings

Click here to read Beth Jackson’s thesis

Tri-integration Techniques for evaluation Beth Jackson, 2011

Tri-Integration technique: a unique blend which enables individuals organisations and communities to effectively gather evidence, evaluate programs and projects with a range of variables many of which are unknown at the outset of such projects. This may include any or all of the following; quantitative and qualitative data, case studies, descriptive data, evidence based triangulation, and story-telling to maintain integrity and context by highlighting the interrelationships between all things.

Tri-Integration technique allows for the gathering of information that can be shared in varying formats relevant to any audience providing an effective overall picture of achievements and an indepth understanding of the very real challenges involved.

This technique ensures that evaluation information and reporting remains relevant for future policy and program development addressing issues within systems and across communities. 

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