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About Pete

Peter's history

Many years ago when universities first opened, I did a couple of degrees in ‘People Studies’. I thoroughly enjoyed my time at uni and even learned things. I also think I’ve learned a lot more from the young people, the families, carers, communities and other workers I’ve met over the last 35 years. I think particularly my most profound learning has come from the young people I’ve worked with who are having a hard time of life. I owe you a lot.

I live in Sydney, and work throughout Australia with the occasional jaunts to other parts of the world. I am delighted to have produced a number of books and other resources for both the ‘real’ and the e worlds. I really enjoy writing them, the latest being an interactive book: ‘FRAMES 12 Fabulous ways of talking with young people.’ I continue to work with young people in all the places you expect to find them, and with their families/carers and important others in their lives. And because I’ve been doing this work for a few years now, I train and supervise/mentor workers, and am always chuffed that I am asked to speak at events like conferences.

I really do strive constantly to find or develop new, exciting and ever more useful ways of helping people explore what troubles or concerns them, what inspires them, and to pursue their hopes and dreams. In this forever and thoroughly enjoyable search, I will call on anything that might be helpful; physical movement, ‘theatre’, storytelling, drawing, conversation, silence and what I might call ‘humour’; really, anything at all that might add something to this process. All this for me is a privilege, a welcome challenge and a joy. I cannot imagine myself doing anything else.

Shorter version

I’ve worked with individuals, families and communities for 35+ years; particularly those having a hard time of life. Years ago I did a couple of degrees in ‘people studies’, which I really enjoyed and I hope even learned something. But I have no doubt that it’s been from the hundreds of young people I have worked with over the years that I have learned the most. I am indebted to you. I live in Sydney, and work throughout Australia with occasional jaunts into other parts of the world. I now also have the privilege of training and mentoring workers, speaking at conferences and writing for both the e and the ‘real’ worlds.  In trying to help young people find their way in life I will call on anything that might be helpful; physical movement, theatre, storytelling, drawing, what might be called ‘humour’ and really, anything at all that might add something to this process. For me, this is all a privilege, a welcome challenge and a joy.

Publications

  • Frames: 12 Fabulous ways of talking with teens.’
  • Youthworks.’ A practical book about working with young people
  • Questions of Choice.’ A DVD about group work with young people
  • Conversations with young people.’ Online videos about ‘therapy’
  • THOUGHTPICS.’ An audio-visual group work resource
  • ‘A Wide Lens.’ Holistic work with children and young people. An online resource
  • ‘Group work in Australia.’ (Contributing chapters on young people)

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