Resources for Wellbeing, Connection & Support
There are many ways we can care for ourselves, and not all of them involve talking about how we feel.
Time in nature, making something with our hands, listening to music, reading, cooking or connecting with others can all offer opportunities for nourishment, pleasure and meaning.
I've gathered a few resources that I often draw upon in my work, or that may inspire you to explore new ways of caring for yourself.
This isn't a list of things you should be doing. Simply an invitation to discover what feels supportive for you.
Nature & the Outdoors
Spending time outdoors can help us slow down, engage our senses and reconnect with the world around us.
Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne – Beautiful spaces for walking, reflection and simply being.
Parks Victoria – Discover parks, coastal walks and forests across Victoria.
CERES Community Environment Park – Gardening, sustainability, food and community.
Creativity, Art & Music
Making, creating and experiencing art can help us connect with ourselves in ways that words sometimes cannot.
Laneway Learning – Accessible classes in craft, creativity and everyday skills.
National Gallery of Victoria – Art, exhibitions and inspiration.
Melbourne Recital Centre – Live music and community programs.
Community Music Victoria – Opportunities to sing and make music with others.
The Wheeler Centre – Writing gatherings, literary events and opportunities to connect with others through words.
Cooking, Gardening & Community
Sometimes the simplest activities bring the greatest pleasure. Growing something, preparing a meal or sharing an interest with others can offer a sense of connection and belonging.
Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation – Inspiration for growing, cooking and sharing food.
Neighbourhood Houses Victoria – Local cooking, gardening, craft and community activities.
Volunteering Victoria – Opportunities to contribute and connect with others.
Books I Recommend
Books can help us understand ourselves, see the world through another person's eyes and discover new perspectives. These are a few that reflect my approach to therapy and the mind–body connection.
IFS, Focusing & Mindfulness
No Bad Parts – Richard C. Schwartz. Understanding our different parts with curiosity and compassion.
The Power of Focusing – Ann Weiser Cornell. Learning to listen to our body's felt experience.
Wherever You Go, There You Are – Jon Kabat-Zinn. Mindfulness meditation for everyday life.
Trauma & Embodiment
The Wisdom of Your Body – Hillary L. McBride. Reconnecting with our bodies and developing a more compassionate relationship with ourselves.
The Body Keeps the Score – Bessel van der Kolk. Exploring the impact of trauma on the mind and body. Contains confronting material.
Grief & Relationships
It's OK That You're Not OK – Megan Devine. A compassionate perspective on grief and loss.
Hold Me Tight – Sue Johnson. Understanding attachment and emotional connection in relationships.
The Dance of Intimacy – Harriet Lerner. Exploring boundaries, closeness and staying connected to ourselves in relationships.
While books can offer valuable insights, meaningful change often involves more than understanding something intellectually. It can also involve becoming curious about what we experience emotionally, physically and in our relationships.
You may also enjoy my Letters, where I share reflections on therapy, relationships and everyday life.
Mental Health Information & Support
For more specific information or professional support:
Beyond Blue – Anxiety, depression and mental wellbeing.
Blue Knot Foundation – Childhood and complex trauma.
Grief Australia – Grief, bereavement and loss.
Carer Gateway – Support for carers.
Amaze – Autism information and resources.
Immediate Help & Crisis Support
If you or someone you care about needs urgent support:
In an emergency, call 000.
Lifeline: 13 11 14 – 24-hour crisis support.
Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 – Mental health support.
Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467 – 24-hour suicide-related counselling.
1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732 – Domestic, family and sexual violence support.
13YARN: 13 92 76 – Crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
A Final Thought
Caring for ourselves isn't always about doing more, understanding more or trying harder. Sometimes it's about rediscovering what helps us feel connected, curious and alive. I hope these resources encourage you to explore what brings nourishment and meaning into your life.
And sometimes, the most important resource is another person. If you'd like support exploring what's happening in your life, you can learn more about my Individual Therapy services.
These resources are shared for information and inspiration, rather than as clinical endorsements. Services and programs may change. They are not a substitute for professional or emergency care.