Richard Appleton

Kids' Club Letters provides an innovative approach to group psychotherapy for school-aged children who experience a range of social and emotional problems. A narrative therapy approach is adapted, taking the form of letters written by the therapist in the voice of a child who is asking for advice about interpersonal or emotional problems. The child in the letter is asking for guidance from the participants in the group. These letters were devised and written for the purpose of structuring responses in group psychotherapy, allowing the participants to address relevant issues for them individually and at the group level. The children in the groups had previously experienced difficulty discussing these issues spontaneously. Hence the 'Dear Group' letter format was born. The children did not know that the therapist had written the letters.

As a poet, editor and author, Richard Appleton was driven by a love of language and ideas, and a desire that Australians might better understand their country and themselves. He wrote an incisive, accurate prose interspersed with a telling humour. This book provides fresh and valuable insights into Australia’s evolving society, politics and culture over the second half of the 20th century.“Recollections of a Member of the Sydney Push is full of revelations for a Melbourne person, reminding me of a time when most Australians lived in parallel universes. Richard and I were born in the same year but he operated inside the milieu of Sydney libertarianism, far removed from the prim Methodism and Fabian socialism which existed, without flourishing, in Melbourne. As a Labor Party activist, Richard became increasingly frustrated by the way factions operated, and his experiences had an eerie resemblance to my own. He worked creatively in editing new editions of The Australian Encyclopaedia in which I played a tiny role as contributor, and his chapters on this project are hilarious. Richard has left a valuable and provoking memoir which I encourage you to read.” – Barry Jones“Philosopher and encyclopaedist Richard Appleton was a doyen of the Sydney Push, our most original Bohemia. For forty years, he was famed there for his debonair ways, his cigarette-holders and his dramatic Parisian car, but also for his gift of sharing friendship. The Navy’s loss was a clear gain for our culture.” – Les Murray

Kids' Club Letters provides an innovative approach to group psychotherapy for school-aged children who experience a range of social and emotional problems. A narrative therapy approach is adapted, taking the form of letters written by the therapist in the voice of a child who is asking for advice about interpersonal or emotional problems. The child in the letter is asking for guidance from the participants in the group. These letters were devised and written for the purpose of structuring responses in group psychotherapy, allowing the participants to address relevant issues for them individually and at the group level. The children in the groups had previously experienced difficulty discussing these issues spontaneously. Hence the 'Dear Group' letter format was born. The children did not know that the therapist had written the letters.

Epilepsy: The Facts is written specifically for sufferers of epilepsy and their friends and families. This easy-to-understand, evidence-based guide to epilepsy explains everything about the causes and effects of the disease, clearly and simply. The book addresses all aspects of epilepsy, at all ages. It begins with basic descriptions and definitions of seizures, through the classification of seizures and epilepsy syndromes. The different forms of investigation are described in detail including drug and non-drug treatment options. Further chapters discuss the effects of epilepsy on lifestyle, education and career choice and future developments. Positive, constructive advice is presented by the authors throughout the book to help sufferers manage their condition and cope with problems as and when they arise, especially in relation to many aspects of normal life such as schooling, pregnancy, driving, and work. This new edition represents a unique approach to the group of conditions known as 'epilepsy' and is the only publication of its kind in the UK.

Here is the definitive listing of Australia's communities: the country's thousands of suburbs, towns and Local Government Areas. The dictionary also covers Australia's External Territories, significant geographical features, places of historical interest, national parks and other heritage areas. From Sandringham to Smithfield and from Bli Bli to Buninyong, authors Richard and Barbara Appleton reveal the places behind the names, and provide much previously unrecorded information.