Join me today as I discuss the power of stories with prominent Slovenian story coach  and book blogger Alenka Štrukelj, to heal us and transform us for the better. We also talk about her work on a fascinating European project called the European Library of Emotions as well as a whole host of book projects that she is working on including some exciting Slovenian travel books that also incorporate fairy tale hikes, that are perfect for kids in and around the country as well as in neighbouring Italy, Hungary and Austria.

Alenka Štrukelj is a PR expert, story coach and author of the literary blog Literarna lekarna (Literary Pharmacy). She is also a collaborator of the Slovenian Reading Badge Association in the project National Month of Shared Reading, and of Slovenian Institute of Adult Education as an editor of the Family Literacy web site. She writes articles for several magazines and e-magazines of literature and culture. In Slovenia (ex. AirBeletrina) She loves contemporary art and dance as well as travelling and good coffee. Instead of artworks, she collects children's picture books.

You can find out more about Lucy's work on her website: LiterarnaLekarna

If you're interested in how Bibliotherapy can help you, please don't hesitate to check out our online course Bibliotherapy, Literature & Mental Health and receive 10% off with discount code PODCAST.

Join us today on this conversation with Lucy Sloan on using Animal Bibliotherapy to help children manage anxiety. 

Lucy is a Professional Registered Counsellor through the Canadian Professional Counselling Association. She is a Professional Member of the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA).  Lucy is excited to be a certified Mental Health First Aid Instructor through the Mental Health Commission of Canada.  She is also in the final stages of completing certification through Equine Facilitated Wellness - Canada (Formally the National Association of Equine Facilitated Wellness (NAEFW).  She will be working on obtaining a dual certification as a Mental Health Professional and Equine Learning Professional. Lucy has also completed the Animal Assisted Therapy Program through The Animal Behavioural Institute to become a Certified Animal Therapy Professional.  She is also a member of The Manitoba Horse Council.

Through her career history, she has obtained various training in the areas of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, depression, anxiety, and other various mental health areas.  Lucy worked for 11 years with the Department of Justice in helping to rehabilitate people with criminal backgrounds.  She then moved into working in the Community Mental Health field and has been there for the past four years.  As well, she presently provides mental health support, programming, and consultation in various school divisions. 

Throughout her careers, Lucy has identified a need for alternative approaches for children and youth.  Lil' Steps has been created to provide a service for children and youth to gain skills, insight, self-confidence, and other tools to foster and promote positive mental well-being.   

Lucy has a strong passion for animals. Through her counselling experience and the natural healing of horses, she is excited to be able to provide an alternative therapeutic benefit for children.  

Lucy has recently written a children's story book that assists children with identifying anxiety and learning how to manage it more effectively. It is based on real animals at her animal farm in Manitoba Canada. Lucy teaches children how to address mental health concerns  through the use of stories. The book is called Cindy and Cristabelle's Big Scare. 

You can find out more about Lucy's work on her website: LilStepsWellnessFarm

If you're interested in how Bibliotherapy can help you, please don't hesitate to check out our online course Bibliotherapy, Literature & Mental Health and receive 10% off with discount code PODCAST.

Rachel Brace talks to Bijal Shah, Bibliotherapist and Founder of Book Therapy, about her two books, ‘Max’s Divorce Earthquake’ and 'Harriet's Expanding Heart'. 

Max’s Divorce Earthquake helps parents, family members and professionals support young children through the emotional journey of their parents’ divorce.

Harriet’s Expanding Heart helps children talk about their emotional experiences of becoming part of a stepfamily.

The books encourage awareness in children and in adults of the various emotions that children might feel when their parents separate and when a parent re-marries following separation/divorce. Both books were written to spark conversations between children and parents with the goal of leading to improved emotional expression, adjustment and resilience.

Rachel Brace is an experienced psychologist, children’s book author and co-founder of SteppingThrough - an online educational and support resource for stepparents and their partners. She has published two picture books to assist children’s emotional adjustment to divorce and changed family circumstances Originally from New Zealand, Rachel now lives in Sydney with her family. She currently consults privately to children, parents and families on issues relating to separation and divorce, post separation parenting, co-parenting and stepfamily living. You can find Rachel on Facebook and Instagram @kinshipbooks and via her website www.kinshipbooks.com

If you're interested in how Bibliotherapy can help you, please don't hesitate to check out our online course Bibliotherapy, Literature & Mental Health and receive 10% off with discount code PODCAST.