Background: The need for PNG counsellors to develop and master their counselling skills and competencies is vital (DFAT, 2017; Fowler, Lynch, & Larsen, 2021). Research aims: (1) to identify culturally appropriate means of facilitating the development of counselling skills and competencies for PNG nationals and (2) apply Kolb’s (1984) experiential learning cycle to the ongoing development of those skills and competencies. Our research was informed by literature on cultural competence (e.g., Change et al., 2012; Tervalon & Murray-Garcia, 1998), gaps in PNG counsellors’ knowledge and skills (e.g., Fowler et al., 2021), and models of experiential and adult learning (Knowles, 1980; Kolb, 1984).

Contribution: The first work designed specifically for PNG counsellors to enhance their counselling skills and competencies. A creative workbook was produced that presented an effective means of developing and working toward mastery of counselling skills, through the process of experiential learning – making clear links between theory and practice. The workbook has been designed to be culturally, literarily, and visually engaging to Papua New Guineans by utilising the colours and artwork of PNG and the Pacific. A key outcome was the dissemination of our creative work to a population without access to professional development opportunities, academic and popular journals and internet resources, and whose reading skills are limited.

Evidence of excellence: The creative work is used by counsellors, counselling organisations and associations, and government departments in PNG. It has been lauded by the Australian High Commission and Australia Awards PNG. It has been disseminated across all provinces in PNG and was considered such high standard across the sector that I was subsequently funded to do additional research and practice work for ChildFund and UNICEF.