CategoryNews
comment Add Comment
Posted on by Shane SmithLast updated

Leonie Nolan: Couple counsellor, relationship educator, director PREPARE/ENRICH…. see her at the Marriage and Relationship Educators National Conference (MARENC) 2019, East Melbourne, August 2-3, 2019

Leonie Nolan cites her finest achievement as a 43 year old marriage that has been 90% fabulous with about 10% a bit Crazy.

Leonie is married to Michael. They have three adult children, two are married and five beautiful grandchildren.

When Leonie is not travelling to visit her family, or working with Michael on their farm, she is engaged in working with couples at Catholic Care Melbourne as a FOCCUS Facilitator. She has been doing this for the last ten years.

For the last sixteen years Leonie has also worked at Open Doors Counselling in Ringwood, Melbourne. Here she works with clients who are struggling to comes to terms with the Grief around Pregnancy Loss as well as Relationship Issues.

Leonie came to Counselling after being in the Aged Care Industry for many years owning and managing her Aged Care Facility.

Leonie thoroughly enjoys working with couples and loves those “Light Bulb” moments when they discover new insights about their relationship.

Leonie’s academic achievements include a Graduate Diploma in Counselling from Victoria University and a Batchelor of Economics from Monash University.

She endeavours to stay abreast of the latest developments in Relationship Counselling.

Hosted by the MAREAA Victorian State Committee and National Committee we are thrilled to have Danielle join our wonderful line up of great topics and sensational speakers.

Marriage and Relationship Educators National Conference (MARENC) 2019, to be held at the Cardinal Knox Centre, East Melbourne, August 2-3 2019.

With topics ranging from Wellbeing and Happiness, Internal Family Systems and Grief and Loss and Stress, the 2019 MARENC promises to bring new thinking and ideas for professional development for both professional and voluntary practitioners interested in the field of marriage, relationship and family education.
$159 Members
$199 Non-Members

$60 Annual membership special

Great speakers on topics such as Internal Family Systems, Grief and Loss and Stress and Changes in couples over the decades.

Registration is available now. Click here to register for this exciting educators’ conference.

comment Add Comment
Posted on by Shane SmithLast updated

Mandi Smith: Couple Counsellor, Relationship Educator, Director PREPARE/ENRICH…. see her at the Marriage and Relationship Educators National Conference (MARENC) 2019, East Melbourne, August 2-3, 2019

Mandi Smith is a relationship counsellor specialising in work with couples in the areas of relationship education, relationship enrichment and counselling. Strong relationships between couples brings many benefits to families and society in general. Mandi believes all relationships are a work in progress and have untapped potential, we just need to help them along the way.

Hosted by the MAREAA Victorian State Committee and National Committee we are thrilled to have Mandi join our wonderful line up of great topics and sensational speakers.

Marriage and Relationship Educators National Conference (MARENC) 2019, to be held at the Cardinal Knox Centre, East Melbourne, August 2-3 2019.

Hosted by the MAREAA Victorian State Committee and National Committee we are thrilled to have Danielle join our wonderful line up of great topics and sensational speakers.

Marriage and Relationship Educators National Conference (MARENC) 2019, to be held at the Cardinal Knox Centre, East Melbourne, August 2-3 2019.

With topics ranging from Wellbeing and Happiness, Internal Family Systems and Grief and Loss and Stress, the 2019 MARENC promises to bring new thinking and ideas for professional development for both professional and voluntary practitioners interested in the field of marriage, relationship and family education.

$159 Members
$199 Non-Members

$60 Special Annual Membership

Great speakers on topics such as Internal Family Systems, Grief and Loss and Stress and Changes in couples over the decades.

Registration is available now. Click here to register for this exciting educators’ conference.

comment Add Comment
Posted on by Shane SmithLast updated

Amanda Lambros: beyond passionate and biased on relationships, Mental Health and Grief and Loss…. see her at the Marriage and Relationship Educators National Conference (MARENC) 2019, East Melbourne, August 2-3, 2019

Director of The Grief Recovery Institute (AUS/NZ) – The only evidence-based program in the world which directly addresses grief and loss and helps grievers move beyond the pain caused by loss.

Amanda is an Author, TEDx Speaker, Relationship Educator and Clinical Supervisor. She’s also a wife to her complete opposite and a mother to two young boys who have more energy than the sun! She is beyond passionate and biased on the topics of relationships, Mental Health and Grief and Loss.

Hosted by the MAREAA Victorian State Committee and National Committee we are thrilled to have Danielle join our wonderful line up of great topics and sensational speakers.

Marriage and Relationship Educators National Conference (MARENC) 2019, to be held at the Cardinal Knox Centre, East Melbourne, August 2-3 2019.

With topics ranging from Wellbeing and Happiness, Internal Family Systems and Grief and Loss and Stress, the 2019 MARENC promises to bring new thinking and ideas for professional development for both professional and voluntary practitioners interested in the field of marriage, relationship and family education.
$159 Members
$199 Non-Members

Great speakers on topics such as Internal Family Systems, Grief and Loss and Stress and Changes in couples over the decades.

Registration is available now. Click here to register for this exciting educators’ conference.

comment Add Comment
Posted on by Shane SmithLast updated

David Eckel, passionate about trauma treatment… see him at the Marriage and Relationship Educators National Conference (MARENC) 2019, East Melbourne, August 2-3, 2019

Mr. David Eckel is an accredited mental health social worker with over 13 years experience counselling adults in community health, specializing in the areas of PTSD & complex trauma, GLBTIQ mental health and alcohol & other drugs. David has worked in counselling, project work and clinical supervision roles at IPC Health, VIC AIDS Council and Access Health and Community.

He is passionate about trauma treatment and is an EMDR practitioner, Level One and Two trained Internal Family Systems Therapist. David is also a trained creative arts therapist and experienced in supervision and training, having previously taught at the Australian College of Applied Psychology (ACAP).

Hosted by the MAREAA Victorian State Committee and National Committee we are thrilled to have Danielle join our wonderful line up of great topics and sensational speakers.

Marriage and Relationship Educators National Conference (MARENC) 2019, to be held at the Cardinal Knox Centre, East Melbourne, August 2-3 2019.

With topics ranging from Wellbeing and Happiness, Internal Family Systems and Grief and Loss and Stress, the 2019 MARENC promises to bring new thinking and ideas for professional development for both professional and voluntary practitioners interested in the field of marriage, relationship and family education.
$159 Members
$199 Non-Members

Great speakers on topics such as Internal Family Systems, Grief and Loss and Stress and Changes in couples over the decades.

Registration is available now. Click here to register for this exciting educators’ conference.

comment Add Comment
Posted on by Shane SmithLast updated

Dr. Danielle Williamson, Clinical Psychologist and co-founder of the Womens Trauma Recovery Program… see her at the Marriage and Relationship Educators National Conference (MARENC) 2019, East Melbourne, August 2-3, 2019

A registered clinical psychologist, an approved supervisor and lecturer at Swinburne University in both the Counselling & Clinical psychology programs. She has a particular interest in treating trauma-related issues in adults, and has co-founded the Women’s Trauma Recovery Program in partnership with David Eckel.

Danielle works in private practice at Parkside Psychology, seeing adolescents, adults & couples with a wide range of presenting issues. Internal Family Systems therapy resonates for Danielle as it provides a way to listen deeply and be present with her own parts, and the parts and Self of others. It’s exciting to share this approach and explore the different applications for people across therapy and non-therapy settings.

Hosted by the MAREAA Victorian State Committee and National Committee we are thrilled to have Danielle join our wonderful line up of great topics and sensational speakers.

Marriage and Relationship Educators National Conference (MARENC) 2019, to be held at the Cardinal Knox Centre, East Melbourne, August 2-3 2019.

With topics ranging from Wellbeing and Happiness, Internal Family Systems and Grief and Loss and Stress, the 2019 MARENC promises to bring new thinking and ideas for professional development for both professional and voluntary practitioners interested in the field of marriage, relationship and family education.
$159 Members
$199 Non-Members

Great speakers on topics such as Internal Family Systems, Grief and Loss and Stress and Changes in couples over the decades.

Registration is available now. Click here to register for this exciting educators’ conference.

comment Add Comment
Posted on by Shane SmithLast updated

Toni Powell, Speaker & Educator… see her at the Marriage and Relationship Educators National Conference (MARENC) 2019, East Melbourne, August 2-3, 2019

Toni is an author, TEDx speaker, mentor, mother, relationship buff, recovering worrywart, social entrepreneur and wife…Toni is a passionate researcher and communicator about the wisdom behind enduring relationships, what makes people tick and the how-to of wellbeing and happiness.

Well regarded as both a thought leader and an entertaining speaker frequently interviewed on ABC radio on programs such as ‘Life Matters’ and ‘Focus’. Toni was guest lecturer at The Positive Education Institute’s renowned ‘Insight Series’, the opening Keynote at Positive Schools Conference and is a much loved regular at Happiness & Its Causes Conference.

Hosted by the MAREAA Victorian State Committee and National Committee we are thrilled to have Toni join our wonderful line up of great topics and sensational speakers.

Marriage and Relationship Educators National Conference (MARENC) 2019, to be held at the Cardinal Knox Centre, East Melbourne, August 2-3 2019.

With topics ranging from Wellbeing and Happiness, Internal Family Systems and Grief and Loss and Stress, the 2019 MARENC promises to bring new thinking and ideas for professional development for both professional and voluntary practitioners interested in the field of marriage, relationship and family education.
$159 Members
$199 Non-Members

Great speakers on topics such as Internal Family Systems, Grief and Loss and Stress and Changes in couples over the decades.

Registration is available now. Click here to register for this exciting educators’ conference.

comment Add Comment
Posted on by Shane SmithLast updated

When life hands you lemons… Managing the unexpected occurrences in relationships!

The Victorian State Committee and National Committee is thrilled to introduce a wonderful line up of great topics and sensational speakers at the upcoming Marriage and Relationship Educators National Conference (MARENC) 2019, to be held at the Cardinal Knox Centre, East Melbourne, August 2-3 2019.

With topics ranging from Wellbeing and Happiness, Internal Family Systems and Grief and Loss and Stress, the 2019 MARENC promises to bring new thinking and ideas for professional development for both professional and voluntary practitioners interested in the field of marriage, relationship and family education.
$159 Members
$199 Non-Members

Great speakers on topics such as Internal Family Systems, Grief and Loss and Stress and Changes in couples over the decades.

Registration is available now. Click here to register for this exciting educators’ conference.

Register Now

comment Add Comment
Posted on by Shane SmithLast updated

5 small ways to celebrate your relationship today – bonus: Discover the hidden treasures of your relationship

Here are five small ways to celebrate your relationship today (or any day of the year), because your relationship is worth a little extra effort today.

Bonus: 6. Discover the hidden treasures of your relationship: People are always growing and relationships are constantly changing. Almost all relationships begin in a honeymoon phase, where couples see their relationship through rose-colored glasses, but most do not remain there. The problem is that, much like a river, a relationship may look relatively stable, but a deeper examination reveals undercurrents that change from moment to moment.

Take some time today to explore your relationship, the ups and the downs, the strengths and the growth areas.

Couple Checkup is a fun, easy way to provide insights into your relationship which will generate deep and productive conversations that you may not otherwise have about your relationship. This will renew your understanding of one another, and it can help revive a relationship and increase intimacy. Take Couple Checkup today  and begin the journey of a stronger, healthier relationship.  And that’s really the best way to celebrate your relationship, right?

More tips at www.couplecheckup.com.au, tune in next week…

Material used with permission of PREPARE/ENRICH.

Marriage and Relationship Education is a learning opportunity, much like you would do in any other important life event. Check out the new video for couples on YouTube: https://youtu.be/xyuUl-JnIhM

Keep up with the latest from the MAREAA online:

Join us at www.mareaa.asn.au or sign up to our Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/bRigGf

comment Add Comment
Posted on by Shane SmithLast updated

5 ways to celebrate your relationship: Really listen to each other

Here are five small ways to celebrate your relationship today (or any day of the year), because your relationship is worth a little extra effort today.

5.  Listen to each other: Active listening is the ability to let your partner know you understand what they have said by restating their message. Practice really listening to what your partner is saying. Best put by Jeff Daly, “Two monologues do not make a dialogue.”

Take some time today to explore your relationship, the ups and the downs, the strengths and the growth areas.

Couple Checkup is a fun, easy way to provide insights into your relationship which will generate deep and productive conversations that you may not otherwise have about your relationship. This will renew your understanding of one another, and it can help revive a relationship and increase intimacy. Take Couple Checkup today  and begin the journey of a stronger, healthier relationship.  And that’s really the best way to celebrate your relationship, right?

More tips at www.couplecheckup.com.au, tune in next week…

Material used with permission of PREPARE/ENRICH.

Marriage and Relationship Education is a learning opportunity, much like you would do in any other important life event. Check out the new video for couples on YouTube: https://youtu.be/xyuUl-JnIhM

Keep up with the latest from the MAREAA online:

Join us at www.mareaa.asn.au or sign up to our Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/bRigGf

comment Add Comment
Posted on by Shane SmithLast updated

5 ways to celebrate your relationship: Leave a surprise note

Here are five small ways to celebrate your relationship today (or any day of the year), because your relationship is worth a little extra effort today.

2.  Leave a note: Leave a note on the bathroom mirror. Tuck a piece of paper with a thoughtful message in your partner’s coat pocket. Scribble a note down on the back of the electric bill and leave it next to the tea pot.

These notes don’t have to be long love letters, just a simple note to make your partner smile.

Take some time today to explore your relationship, the ups and the downs, the strengths and the growth areas.

Couple Checkup is a fun, easy way to provide insights into your relationship which will generate deep and productive conversations that you may not otherwise have about your relationship. This will renew your understanding of one another, and it can help revive a relationship and increase intimacy. Take Couple Checkup today  and begin the journey of a stronger, healthier relationship.  And that’s really the best way to celebrate your relationship, right?

Material used with permission of PREPARE/ENRICH.

Marriage and Relationship Education is a learning opportunity, much like you would do in any other important life event. Check out the new video for couples on YouTube: https://youtu.be/xyuUl-JnIhM

Keep up with the latest from the MAREAA online:

Join us at www.mareaa.asn.au or sign up to our Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/bRigGf

comment Add Comment
Posted on by Shane SmithLast updated

5 ways to celebrate your relationship: Capturing moments together

Here are five small ways to celebrate your relationship today (or any day of the year), because your relationship is worth a little extra effort today.

1.  Take pictures: Throughout most moments of the day, you probably have your phone, ready to snap a quick photo to share on Instagram. Remember to take a few photos of just you and your partner for just you and your partner. Capturing moments together gives you a visual reminder of love and reinforces “togetherness.” Bonus: Later down the road, you can make a photo album of you and your partner to remember those past moments you shared.

Take some time today to explore your relationship, the ups and the downs, the strengths and the growth areas.

Couple Checkup is a fun, easy way to provide insights into your relationship which will generate deep and productive conversations that you may not otherwise have about your relationship. This will renew your understanding of one another, and it can help revive a relationship and increase intimacy. Take Couple Checkup today  and begin the journey of a stronger, healthier relationship.  And that’s really the best way to celebrate your relationship, right?

Material used with permission of PREPARE/ENRICH.

Marriage and Relationship Education is a learning opportunity, much like you would do in any other important life event. Check out the new video for couples on YouTube: https://youtu.be/xyuUl-JnIhM

Keep up with the latest from the MAREAA online:

Join us at www.mareaa.asn.au or sign up to our Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/bRigGf

comment Add Comment
Posted on by Shane SmithLast updated

Granting Forgiveness: Taking time to grant forgiveness can play a powerful role in healing and restoring your relationship

All couples eventually experience times of conflict, hurt, and letting each other down. Sometimes the offense is as minor as forgetting a date or failing to run an errand. For some couples, the offense might involve a major betrayal such as infidelity, addiction, or abuse. Either way, taking time to seek and grant forgiveness can play a powerful role in healing and restoring the relationship.

Forgiveness is the decision or choice to give up the right for vengeance, retribution and negative thoughts toward an offender in order to be free from anger and resentment. This process promotes healing and restoration of inner peace, and it can allow reconciliation to take place in the relationship.

It is important to be clear about what forgiveness is not. Forgiveness is not forgetting, condoning or perpetuating injustice. Since it is sometimes unsafe or impossible, forgiveness does not always involve reconciliation. Forgiveness is not always quick; it is a process that can take time to unfold. Don’t rush your partner if they need to spend days or weeks working through the process of granting forgiveness.

Six Steps for Granting Forgiveness:

  1. Acknowledge your pain and anger. Allow yourself to feel disrespected.
  2. Be specific about your future expectations and limits.
  3. Give up your right to “get even,” but insist on being treated better in the future.
  4. Let go of blame, resentment, and negativity toward your partner.
  5. Communicate your act of forgiveness to your partner.
  6. Work toward reconciliation (when safe).
  • Tune in for more tips and ideas next week…

    • Material used with permission of PREPARE/ENRICH.

    Marriage and Relationship Education is a learning opportunity, much like you would do in any other important life event. Check out the new video for couples on YouTube: https://youtu.be/xyuUl-JnIhM

    Keep up with the latest from the MAREAA online:

    Join us at www.mareaa.asn.au or sign up to our Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/bRigGf