The Hard Cuddles organisation is an innovative mental health service that specialises in counselling, forensic counselling, life navigation, and peer support facilitated in an outdoor environment. Our focus is building trust and an emotional connection with our clients through sharing and understanding the power of our stories. The Hard Cuddles team harnesses our lived experiences and personal growth to provide workshops, presentations and keynote speaking designed to navigate the intricacies of mental health, emotional wellbeing, self-worth and leadership. Put simply; anyone can get caught up from time to time, Hard Cuddles delivers the support you need to find your way back home.

Where the Hard Cuddles team works:

• Anxiety, depression, addiction, autism, behavioural disorders, ADHD, PTSD, ABI

• DFFH, Department of Justice, Child Protection, Corrections Victoria

• Forensic, complex mental health & intellectual disability

• Prison system, Education Victoria, Sporting organisations

• Relationship & family counselling, group therapy

Our team connects with our clients through empathy, compassion and lived experience. Life navigation and sharing life’s load. It’s much easier to go into uncomfortable places with someone you know has been there themselves.

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We pride ourselves on delivering the truth about mental health from a front line perspective. Conveying simple but effective strategies that compel audiences to ask themselves hard questions and understand one another from a compassionate lens.

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Everything to do with Hard Cuddles is based on outdoor therapy. Getting back to nature and experiencing the elements has proven to be the catalyst for undeniable change. Into the Wild retreat is a jewel in the crown of the Hard Cuddles journey.

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A graphic, authentic and often humorous autobiography of a young man’s journey into Melbourne’s underworld and nightclub scene in recent past. The “Hammer” was determined to carve out a career in a world of treachery, and intimidation.

This story gives the reader a rare insight into addiction, the dark art of violence and ego in the world of a drug dealer, debt collector and stand over man in Melbourne’s under-world scene.

An embracing family background and unwavering ability to believe he was destined for redemption allowed “The Hammer” to claw his way back from the darkness and use his hard-earned experience to assist men to break the cycle of addiction and crime to re-discover their own power and spirit.

“Nice work mate! Proud of you and glad to call you my friend.”

-Trevor Hendy AM