MyStrengths

Get to know MyStrengths

From MyStrengths's website.

• Our approach

  MyStrengths uses a strengths-based approach grounded in positive psychology, helping young people discover and develop their top 5 character strengths rather than focusing on weaknesses or deficits. Sessions are interactive and engaging, featuring compelling presentations, one-on-one coaching, small group discussions, role-plays, and games tailored to each age group. Students complete a quick strengths assessment (under 10 minutes) that forms the foundation for personalized coaching and group work. The approach emphasises building self-acceptance, confidence, and genuine self-worth by helping teens reframe how they see themselves. Beautiful take-home strength cards and resources reinforce learning, while schools receive complete strength and wellbeing profiles for data-driven decision-making.

• Working with families

  Parents play an important role in the MyStrengths model and are supported through dedicated parenting resources, seminars, and short parenting courses covering topics like overcoming anxiety, regulating anger and big emotions, and family conflict. Schools provide parents with take-home strength cards and parent packs alongside student results, and the complete strengths and wellbeing data is made available to share with families. The organisation emphasises that parents need calm, steady voices to help their teens through challenges, and equips them with practical strategies around managing emotions and big decisions. Parent support is woven throughout the framework as an essential part of helping teens discover and live their strengths.

• Meet the team

  The MyStrengths team is led by founder Dan Hardie, a counsellor with a Master of Applied Positive Psychology from Melbourne University's Centre for Wellbeing Science who has spent two decades working with teenagers. The wider team includes Ebony Basher as Schools Director, several Strengths Coaches and Team Leaders (including Enid Macias and Diego Luna), school booking managers, and support staff. Team members are selected for their strengths and expertise in connecting with teens, coaching, understanding, and facilitating positive wellbeing. The organisation also trains and certifies external Strengths Facilitators—including SSOs, social workers, therapists, and life coaches—to deliver programs in their own settings.

• Your first visit

  Initial sessions begin with completion of the MyStrengths Assessment, a quick online survey (under 10 minutes) where students discover their top 5 character strengths. The facilitator then leads an engaging presentation introducing the strengths-based approach, followed by one-on-one coaching sessions where students explore what their strengths mean and how they apply to their lives. Small group discussions allow students to work through practical strategies and hear from peers, while interactive activities like role-plays and games help consolidate learning. By the end of the workshop (typically 80-120 minutes depending on year level), students leave with beautiful strength cards and take-home resources to continue the journey, and schools receive complete individual and group data.