About Us

Our vision

The Change Strategies Toolbox aims to support individual decision making, build skills and respect autonomy. We believe people have the capacity to set goals which are in the best interests of themselves and their family and community. For this reason, the toolbox offers innovative goal setting which is supported by information on how to transform goals into concrete plans.   

How does it work

This toolbox has multiple modules to make sure that everyone is able find something that works for them. Each person that uses the toolbox has the right to make their own plans. This personalisation means that you only do work that is relevant. The tools (also known as strategies) can be mixed and matched, discarded, replaced, and upgraded. These tools come with a lifetime guarantee. Once you become a master, the skills will be with you for the rest of your life.

Where our knowledge comes from

We believe that knowledge comes from people – people who are experts in the field. This includes people who have had first-hand experience of gambling harm. This lived experience knowledge is extended by our other experts who are clinicians, psychologists, counsellors, and academic researchers.

Why this toolbox is so special

The uniqueness of this toolbox is that it brings common sense and the knowledge of gambling experts together. The content of this toolbox comes from the real-life experiences of people who gamble, as well as the experiences of their families and friends. We unpacked thousands of stories and then brought them together as one voice. As a result, this toolbox is easy to understand and follow. You may find that some strategies bring up an ‘aha!’ moment or are things that have been tried in the past.

The secret ingredient

The secret ingredient that makes this toolbox different from just a bunch of good ideas is the planning tool - My plans. The planning tool is part of the toolbox and is integral in moving from “I wish I did it” to “I did it!”. It is based on research in the field of action and coping planning. This research found that having a well thought out plan increases the success of behaviour change.

Families need support too

Families often have to silently experience gambling harm. Not anymore. We recognise the stress and strain families experience through other people’s gambling. We also note with gratitude how many people took control over their gambling with the help of their families. The toolbox offers two special modules for families with a range of strategies. The strategies can be focused on family or on the person who gambles. 

The Toolbox creator

Dr Simone Rodda is a leading gambling expert in New Zealand and Australia. She has over 25 years of experience working on both the frontline and in academia. She works with many renown international gambling experts. Her research aims to take the same people-orientated approach to other areas of behaviour change like online gaming, online shopping, pornography, sugar, caffeine, alcohol, and overeating.

Our coaches

Our team of coaches is here to support people using the toolbox. All coaches are postgraduate students, many with counselling experience. Our coaches can help to navigate around the toolbox and provide feedback on the use of the planning tool. They will also provide support for personal choices and help with developing individual skills.

Contact information

Dr Simone Rodda

Phone: +64 9 923 6573

Email: s.rodda@auckland.ac.nz

Building 507, University of Auckland, Grafton Campus

Grafton, Auckland 1023

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