Renee Mills 

Renee is the mud (or the mind?) behind muddy mind matters, born through a deep commitment to social justice, human rights and working alongside those most marginalised in our community 

Emerging from the mud

Muddy Minds Matter grew from an unexpected lesson.

After more than 25 years working as a social worker and community development practitioner, I realised I needed to build in some non-work focus during my weeks.  To keep showing up I needed ways to switch off. So I began spending time playing with clay.

What started as a creative outlet quickly became something more. As my hands worked the clay, my mind slowed down. Problems that once felt overwhelming became clearer, new ideas emerged, and my energy returned.  It made me think differently about mud.  We often see it as something we get stuck in, yet mud is also where creativity, growth and possibility begin. It is messy, imperfect and full of potential.

This idea sits at the heart of Muddy Minds Matter

Initially trained as a community development worker,  I worked  as a community member alongside newly arrived asylum seekers as part of a local community action group.  Since these early days, I attained a Masters in Social Work Studies and have had the privilege of a diverse range of practice, all of which has been centred in the community sector in Magadjin (Brisbane).  This has included individual case work and general therapeutic work with young people, families and people with intellectual disabilities, individual and systems advocacy, group work design and facilitation, research, grant writing, program/project design, creating and delivering professional development, leadership and professional supervision.

As I transition into Higher Degree Research, I am excited to continue a small practice for general counselling and therapy, professional supervision and small consultancy projects. 

Knowledge Areas 

I believe we all hold knowledges in our lives and our practice.  while I may have specific knowledge, skills and experiences to contribute, I believe in inclusive, participatory processes where knowledge is co-created. My practice background includes: 

  • Leadership roles
  • Developing and delivering professional development trains and workshops
  • Working alongside young people experiencing life complexities including homelessness, educational disengagement, mental health issues, criminalisation and/or child protection.
  • community development and community sector
  • Creative therapies
  • Family work
  • Parenting support - Circle of Security Parenting™ Program
  • Specialised therapeutic support for people with intellectual disabilities

My practice is person centred, collaborative and grounded in social justice, human rights and anti-oppressive practice.  I am committed to fostering passionate, ethical and quality practice in emerging and seasoned social workers while always holding the people and communities we serve at the heart of all I do.