If you are looking for fulfilment and balance in your life then Illawarra author Deborah Devaal’s debut book, ‘Social Freedom: The Path to Wellbeing’ is for you.

Deborah, an accredited art therapist and wellbeing coach, says true freedom is found in our ability to understand and regulate our emotions and allows us to make connections with people to live a fulfilling life.

“My book focuses on emotional identification and looks at why we feel certain things, what certain emotions mean and how we can use those emotions to guide us to make positive changes in our lives,” explains Deborah, who is also an artist.  

The book came about after Deborah began drawing sketches and writing notes for her clients to take home at the end of their art therapy and wellbeing sessions. 

“I work with a range of clients who need some extra support to navigate their emotions and build resilience,” explains Deborah. “I found that giving them a visual representation of what they have worked on during their sessions was very helpful.

“Sometimes I work with teenagers struggling with mental health issues, mums who are juggling to balance everything that is going on in their life, or retirees who are making big life changes. But after each session I would provide sketches and notes of things to work on and so one day I thought I should put it together as a guide so I can print it and give it to them.”

Deborah realised that many people outside of her client base would also benefit from her handwritten notes and sketches. So she reached out to a local illustrator who helped bring her art and easy-to-read content to life. 

“The idea was to put something together for my clients,” says Deborah. “Then it just grew and grew and after three years it turned into a book. Those who have read it say there’s something in it for everyone. Writing this book was a beautiful process for me, it was so nice to get everything out of my head and onto paper and have it all in one place.

“Younger people in particular, those in their teens and early 20s, are really interested in understanding their emotions, way more than the older population. It has been really refreshing to see that they want to know how to navigate their emotions and this book gives people the tools to understand how to do this.”

Deborah will officially launch her book later this month. It can be purchased at www.devaaldesign.com.au