Whilst working with my clients, I have found time and time again that the Paradoxical Theory of Change – wherein change happens as you accept who you are, as opposed to forcing change to be someone else – to be foundational in my work. I was introduced to this concept early on in the course, but the adventures of a little blue cartoon heeler dog and her family helped me crystallise this concept.

Bluey is an Australian cartoon aimed ostensibly at pre-school and school-aged children, whilst being useful for parents. It was created by Joe Brumm, who took inspiration from imaginative play with his children. Episodes are around seven-minutes long – perfect for a graduate student who appreciated a little break or noise in the background whilst studying. Two episodes in particular, however, grabbed my attention. [spoilers below] 

The episode Octopus starts with Bluey and her friend Chloe playing a game with Bluey’s dad, Bandit, pretending to be the octopus, with the kids (puppies) using their imagination to trick him so they can get his “treasure” (a hairbrush). Chloe for instance, points and exclaims, “a cockatoo!”, to distract Bandit. Chloe returns home and tries to play the same game with her father, Frank, but unfortunately, loses heart as Frank finds it difficult to match Chloe’s playfulness and unrealistic scenarios (how would an octopus see a cockatoo from underneath the water, after all). After a defeated Chloe mutters that “Bluey’s dad is more fun than you”, Frank leaves the game similarly dejected and returns to his computer. Instead of giving up, however, Frank starts researching octopi, discovering more facts about them to allow him to play ‘better’ with his daughter; introducing electric eels and octopi shooting ink allow the pair to improve their game. Frank did not change to become more like Bandit (even if, as he admits, “he probably is [more fun]”), but leaned on his strengths and his own areas of expertise to improve play with his daughter.  

In the episode Granny Mobile, Bluey, sister Bingo, and cousin Muffin dress up like “grannies” during neighbour Doreen’s garage sale, with Muffin being a “Grouchy Granny” — somewhat matching her actual character in the show (much as you can say ‘grouchy’ about a toddler learning the ways of the world). Whilst Muffin’s abrasive behaviour sometimes presents challenges for her family in the series, this stubbornness becomes unshakeable determination when encountering an equally-grouchy granny taking advantage of Doreen’s reluctance to charge a fair price for her items. Standing her ground (her accepted playtime role mirroring her true self), Muffin ends up negotiating a better-than-fair price for the titular “granny mobile” with the buyer, to everyone’s delight. Muffin stayed true to herself, was in a situation where she would be appreciated, and was rewarded for it. As Doreen delightfully thanks Muffin, “you are one in a million.” 

I look forward to being myself as a humanistic counsellor “for real life” as Bluey might say, and staying true to myself as Frank and Muffin have.  

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