Gabriela Byrne
PO Box 406, Mont Albert Vic 3127
Tel: 0414 844 398
Website: www.freeyourself.com.au
Email: gabi.byrne@freeyourself.com.au
Speaking Fees are available upon request.
Speaking Topics
"My Hot Passionate Affair with the Poker Machines"
Gabriela Byrne was addicted poker machine gambling for more than four years. Besides losing more than $40,000 gambling, she also lost many friends, 2 jobs and nearly ruined her marriage. She even contemplated suicide as being the only way out.
After trying unsuccessfully during that time to break up her "hot, passionate love-affair" with the poker machines using conventional therapy methods, she started to develop her own methods.
She studied psychology, nutrition, exercise and meditation. Gradually the Free Yourself Program (FYP) was born. Gabriela continued to improve and to refine FYP over a period of several years and has now successfully counselled 100's of people in the process.
The Free Yourself Program was officially launched in October 1997 by the Reverend Tim Costello (Spokesperson of the Interchurch Anti-Gaming Taskforce) and he described it as: "A fresh, positive approach in dealing with gambling addiction"
In November 1997 Gabriela published a book outlining the unique Free Yourself Program strategies. A revised edition was published in May 1999 and a third edition in 2000. On 20 March 2000 the Rev. Tim Costello launched the "Free Yourself Program", a self-help guide consisting of an Audiotape and the Free Yourself Program book. In 2001 she published two videos "My hot passionate affair with the Poker Machines" and "The Free Yourself Program -Strategies".
In September 2001 she founded an organisation called Chrysalis Insight Inc. and opened the "Chrysalis Gallery", a problem gambling resource centre adjacent to "The Chapel Restaurant" at Lilydale, near Melbourne. Chrysalis Insight Inc. is a not-for-profit organisation that has been formed specifically to put "fun" back into people's life. Its' purpose is to provide a place where people can get back to enjoying a night out with a good meal and entertainment, without having to pay homage to the pagan electronic gaming God. Her long-term goal is to provide people in all problem gambling areas with a recreational alternative, so that their legitimate desire to escape reality for a little while can be satisfied but not exploited.
Gabriela's story from being "totally hooked"to "complete freedom"", the development of the Free Yourself Program, and her courageous attempt to fight the gaming industry with the ground-breaking "Chrysalis-Concept" has been published and talked about on National TV, Radio, Women's Weekly, New Idea, Good Medicine, For Me, Alive, She and many other publications. Her openness, warmth and excellent communications skills make her a sought after workshop leader and public speaker on gambling issues.
Free Yourself Program
A step by step guide to controlled, responsible gambling
The "Free Yourself Program" is not a magical cure but it can be a life-changing tool
for people who apply these strategies on a regular basis. It represents a much
needed "new model" of gambling addiction therapy where the main responsibility
is given back to the person directly aff ected to work on changing "attitude" and
"behaviour". Once the behavioral pattern is broken, the void that people used to
fill with gambling needs to be addressed and worked on with the help of qualified
professionals. This will make recovery complete.
Mental Training Module
Teaches awareness and control of the internal "war" that precedes the problem gambling behaviour; provides strategies to increase flexibility in "general change" and how to actively and passively train the "will muscle", "decision-making muscle", etc.
A lot of these skills and techniques used in the program are based on "Neuro Linguistic Programming" (NLP) and Cognitive-Behavioural therapy. They provide people with "shortcuts" to specified outcomes, like "stop gambling".
The "Free Yourself Program" teaches how to use "outcome specific meditation" /quiet time and/or prayer to facilitate change at the subconscious level.
Physical Training Module
Teaches how changes in diet and exercise routines will support the controlled, responsible gaming behaviour.
Every behaviour produces a "cocktail" of different chemicals in the brain. People experience a "high" due to a massive increase of "arousal chemicals". Over a period of time the initial "kick" is experienced as normal. To experience a chemical "high" they have to increase activity or money spend, etc. The "Free Yourself Program" teaches how a healthier lifestyle will enable the body to detoxify and re-balance the brain chemistry. When people feel better they are better equipped to work on their mental strategies to stop gambling.
Finding the Missing Piece in the Jigsaw
The "Free Yourself Program" teaches how to use "outcome specific meditation" /quiet time and/or prayer to facilitate change at the subconscious level and to identify the missing piece(s) of the puzzle.
The Third Place - Recreational alternative to Gaming Venues
The "Third Place" is a concept explored by sociologist Ray Oldenburg and is defined as the many public places where people can gather, temporarily throw off the weight of the world and put aside the concerns of home and work (their first and second places). They are places where you can hang out simply for the pleasures of good company and lively conversation.
Funding from the Community Support Fund in 2004 enabled Chrysalis Insight Inc., in partnership with Swinburne University of Technology Lilydale, the Yarra Ranges Shire
Council, Gamblers Help Eastern, Rivendell (EACH) and Know the Odds, to develop the "Third Place" project.
In the context of the "Third Place" project, the hypothesis that there is a need within local communities for "safe" informal social gathering places became a focus for project organisers. The demise of the traditional pub/club and the assimilation
of these "third places" by the gaming industry has dramatically limited, the choices available for social activity within the established infrastructure ofthe local environment. The Pokie Venue for many becomes the "Third Place" the "Home away from Home" which, whilst entertainment for some, can lead to devastating consequences for many individuals, their families and the wider community.
The presentation will include a brief summary of the "Chapel Restaurant" venture (the first pilot recreational alternative to gaming venues) and the findings of the 'Third Place' project. The significant results of these two projects lead Chrysalis Inc to propose steps to further develop and explore "The 3rd Place" concept. With a view to reducing gambling's negative social impact it aims to connect individuals, decrease social isolation and re-build strong, healthy, vibrant and interactive communities.
The full "Third Place" project report is available on www.ld.swin.edu.au/crd.
Testimonials
"Your ability to communicate the process of being caught in the cycle of
problem gambling was both personal yet very easy to understand and
empathise. It was also an "easy to listen to" appealing presentation because
of the courage, humour and passion that you bring to the topic and your
audience."
Narelle Nichelson, Training Officer at Wesley Mission Health
& Counselling Services, Sydney NSW Nov. 2004
"Gabriela presents her story with passion and power. But the message doesn't stop with the pain of the harm. Her vision for safe third places, after the demonstrated success of the pilot restaurant, gives hope and inspiration for all working on this important contemporary issue."
Lois Glass (Educator after presentation at NZ Gambling Conference July 2005)
"It was wonderful that you could finally visit our college yesterday to address the students
...the students listened attentively and I am sure that they will remember you sharing with them. God has given you a gift in communication and he is using you to share your testimony. "
Mrs. Jeanette Woods, Head of Campus - Tuabb, Flinders Christian Community College, Sept. 2002
"You know from the spontaneous reception accorded your talk this morning that it was received very well indeed. The members comments reflected their great admiration for you and your story"
Ron Foskett, Secretary Mens' Probus Club of Surrey Hills Inc. Feb 2003
"Thank you so much for your inspiring address at our Probus Club meeting yesterday.
The response from the large group in attendance was unanimously positive.
Many, including myself, were deeply moved by your story and we all hope you and
your organisation will go on from strength to strength."
Geary L. Israel, speakers convener May 2005
Comments from participants at Relationships Australia (SA) Workshop October 2005
- "Gabriella presents well - a good educator as well as presenter."
- "Content very relevant and it has re-energised me professionally and personally."
- "Really enjoyed Gabriela's style and approach."
- "Dealt with core issues of problem gambling."
- "The highlights of the program for me were Gabriela's honesty re her personal story. Small group brainstorming."
- "Excellent guest speaker"
- "The highlight of the program for me was the concept of the 3rd place - very interested in getting this happening in our local community."
Relationships Australia (SA) Workshop October 2005 |
