A Symposium for counsellors and practitioners
Family breakdown: a focus on children

Sydney mediation Partnership is planning to hold a community symposium for all community, public and private sector counsellors and practitioners. The purpose of the symposium is to provide information and access to new and unique programs available for families, children and young people who are involved in and/or affected by family breakdown. Research consistently confirms that  family conflict is a predictor of the development of emotional issues and that appropriate intervention is effective. Sydney Mediation Partnership (www.sydneymediation.com.au) is made up of lawyer mediators, counsellors and psychologists who are all family dispute resolution practitioners registered with the Federal Attorney General’s Department.  We are committed to servicing the community with work in mediation, child-inclusive mediation, group work, counselling and also provision of resources. We would like to hold the Symposium in early November, the format being interactive with an informal structure of speakers.

Please email expressions of interest to: info@sydneymediation.com.au

DATE AND LOCATION TO BE ADVISED SOON

Title of Presentation: Enhancing the wellbeing of individuals involved in family separation: the therapeutic benefit of a narrative/visual communication approach

Abstract:
Sensory processing can be viewed as the foundation to a person’s development and understanding of reality. In particular, the narrative/visual legal communication approach can provide effective communication, support for individuals, and can assist in the development of children, who are involved in family separation. These types of resources aid lawyers, psychologists, parents and family members in communicating family separation and accompanying changes in the family’s situation by providing information and a context. An example of this narrative /visual communication approach is the self-help children’s series Two Birthday Cakespublished and written by lawyers /mediators Danielle Jaku-Greenfield and Nicky McWilliam . Recognising the interests of the children are paramount, this series focuses on the experience and perceptions of the children in a family separation scenario. The narrative/visual process of reading a picture storybook to young children about another family’s separation and situation legitimizes the experience and gives broader understanding of the situation to all participants who are reading, looking, and listening. The books promote family reliance as well as continuity of family relationships post separation by emphasizing a very broad definition of family. The central message is that regardless of the nature of, and changes to, the parents’ relationship, and physical surroundings, the children’s needs remain the same. Increased and constructive communication of feelings is highlighted. By endorsing alternative dispute resolution processes, the books underline the need for future plans to be nutted out collaboratively with an understanding of the uniqueness of each family situation.

Anne Hollonds – CEO Relationships Australia with the founders of Sydney Mediation Partnership, Nicky McWilliam and Danielle Jaku-Greenfield.

Nicky McWilliam, Anne Hollonds, Danielle Jaku-Greenfield after official speeches.

Anne Hollonds, CEO Relationships Australia, Officially Launching Two Birthday Cakes

Marilyn Hauptmann, Swaab Attorneys and Frances Edwards, Edwards Family Lawyers, listening to Anna Hollonds Official Launch Speech.

Lindi Greenfield, illustrator of Two Birthday Cakes series.

Elizabeth Rusiti, Family Lawyers, enjoying the Launch.

Jerry Greenfield and Danielle Jaku-Greenfield

Endorsed by child psychologists and relationship counsellors, this book for children of separated and divorced parents will reassure them that there is life after separation, and that there can be a positive side.

The book takes the reader through Bronte’s story of how she, and her brother Jeremy, came to have two homes, two toothbrushes, and among other things, Two Birthday Cakes. It is based on true stories and will hopefully help children in the same boat.

ORDER NOW
or visit www.sydneymediation.com.au