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THE MAD HATTERS UNIVERSITY

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You have arrived at a very special place
A dedicated space
For people who see the world differently
For curious minds
For wide open hearts
For those who believe
That madness is only
A thing that is misunderstood.

"There is a place, like no place on earth. A land full of wonder, mystery, and danger. Some say, to survive it, you need to be as mad as a hatter. Which, luckily, I am."

— Mad Hatter, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, Lewis Carroll

about
The Mad Hatters Uni

Now you may think that universities are dry and dusty, but not the Mad Hatters University. We love to learn about the mind, which is always a peculiar and fascinating subject.

 

We weave together subjects like biology, psychology, art, anthropology, literature, music and maths. Everything is connected, so when you learn about the harmonics of a musical note, you also learn about how the cells in your body respond to sound. Amazing!   

 

And even though we love books, in our view, there is nothing so worthy of study as the study of Oneself.

 

The Mad Hatters University provides a space where you can learn about yourself, be inspired by peers, have fun, and remember what an amazing human you truly are. There are no tests or things you have to do to prove your worthiness, and if you leave the course with a happy heart, then we will have done our job.

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ESSENTIAL INFO

WHEN

2025

Monday 3rd Feb (1:30 - 4:30 pm) 

Monday 10th Feb (1:30 - 4:30 pm) 

Monday 17th Feb (1:30 - 4:30 pm) 

Monday 24th Feb (1:30 - 4:30 pm) 

Monday 3rd March (1:30 - 4:30 pm) 

Monday 10th March (1:30 - 4:30 pm) 

Monday 17th March (10 am - 4:30 pm) 

WHERE

The House of Hope, Woombye West

Sunshine Coast QLD

WHO 

People who hear voices and/or experience a sense of inner conflict, negative self-talk, or dissociated parts of self.

 

Support people are welcome upon request.  

COSTS

This course can be funded by NDIS (capacity building) depending on your plan. 

Solo participation 

$220 x 7 sessions

Total cost: $1,540

Supported participation (bringing a support person who is also doing the course)

$360 x 7 sessions

Total cost: $2,520

Finding Your Voice
A skill-building course for voice-hearers  
3rd Feb - 17th March 2025

Empower yourself,  have fun & make friends

The program teaches coping and empowerment skills based on CBT for psychosis and the peer-led Hearing Voices Approach. We help you identify and strengthen your own unique voice, and overcome the things that are getting in the way of your own authentic expression, such as:

 

  • Parts of yourself that criticise you

  • Judgments of others 

  • Voices that control or hinder you

  • Lack of confidence or fear of taking action

 

Working weekly in a small group with other peers, you will gain knowledge, skills and create friendships.

CURRICULUM

WEEK 1: Welcome to the Tea Party! 

Getting to know each other, activating your imagination and exploring your intentions and hopes for the future

WEEK 2: Self-care and lifestyle

Understanding the links between your happiness and your environment and habits. 

Identifying your own unique ways to soothe, centre, ground, rest and feel safe and joyful.  

WEEK 3: My voice/other voices

Learning about different types of voices and parts. Identifying which ones are worth listening to. Drawing a “voices map” of your own experience.

WEEK 4: Your story

Thinking about different layers to your story. Understanding where your story came from. Knowing how to change it.

 

WEEK 5: Learning to be me

How to assert boundaries with voices, people and life! 

How to take back your power and feel worthy.

WEEK 6: Feeling is healing 

Developing emotional awareness and self-compassion. Honouring your feelings as guides and messages. Learning how to process your emotions with less distress.

WEEK 7: Finding your voice

Reflections and sharing with the group. Plus our break-up Mad Hatters tea-party!

Note: The schedule is a guide only and is subject to change on the whim of a Mad Hatter! Expect the unexpected…   

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Alice: This is impossible.
Mad Hatter: Only if you believe it is.

— Mad Hatter, Alice, Alice in Wonderland 

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about
Your Mad Teachers

​The best teacher you have is yourself! At the Mad Hatters University, we are all teachers and we are all students. 

 

Of course, it can help to have some guidance. And someone to organise the afternoon tea. Here are a couple of mad people happy to do that job!

Louisa D Pearce

Louisa is a Social Worker, Peer Specialist and author. She has recovered from multiple diagnoses (her “PhD’s in madness”), including schizophrenia. This helped her gain direct insight into psycho-spiritual distress and healing.

Paul McKessy 

​Having managed to live through his own mental health challenges 40 years ago, Paul is trained in Mental Health, Counselling and Community Development. He has committed his life to walking alongside and assisting others to do the same. Paul is a gifted communicator with an amazing capacity to see the potential in others and help them take the practical steps to realize it as he walks alongside them in their journeys of recovery.

Interested in enrolling?
Or just want to know more? 

That's awesome! 

Follow the steps as indicated, and we'll be in touch with more info and to arrange a chat on the phone or video-link-up. 

If you have any questions in the meantime, feel free to contact us! 

Step 1: Download and read the Course Guide 

Step 2: Fill in the enrolment form 

Step 3: We'll send you a service agreement 

Step 4: We'll meet you on the phone or video link-up

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