What is Marte Meo?

The Marte Meo method is designed to support powerful impacts in connection, development, and cooperation.

Marte Meo is a globally recognised method developed by Maria Aarts that focuses on building an individual’s strengths through meaningful connections. Originating in Holland in 1976, Marte Meo has been implemented in over 50 countries and is used in various settings, including homes, hospitals, childcare, education (Kindergartens and Schools), and aged care facilities. The term ‘Marte Meo’ translates from Latin as ‘on one’s own strengths,’ emphasizing the development of personal capabilities and confidence.

Benefits of Marte Meo – The Golden Gift

Maria Aarts asks you to imagine that everybody has an inner goldmine. A person can use Marte Meo supports to nurture and grow that goldmine by providing connection and support – known as the Golden Gifts. Marte Meo offers strategies designed to:

• Build strong connections and relationships
• Support a child’s play, communication, and cooperation skills
• Foster in-the-moment connections to help a person go further with their development
• Build a person’s confidence in their own skills and self-worth
• Ensure a person feels safe and regulated
• Support success and predictability in routines
• Develop a person’s skills in participation and cooperation
• Encourage people to connect with each other and develop successful play/life skills and social connections
• Develop a person’s capacity and independence

Marte Meo Training options

Marte Meo training is designed for anyone interested in supporting others in their development and connections. Whether you are an educator, allied health or medical professional, support worker, parent or caregiver, you can learn to integrate Marte Meo strategies into everyday moments.

Training options include:

• One day Introduction to Marte Meo: enjoy an introduction to the impact and benefits of Marte Meo. Participants will be introduced to strategies that support connection and cooperation.
• Practitioner Training: An accredited, comprehensive 6-day program that covers skills in free play, structured routines, supporting small groups and utilising developmental checklists. Participants will learn to embed Marte Meo strategies into their daily routines, making tasks more effective and enjoyable.
• Further Training Opportunities: After completing the Practitioner Training, participants can pursue advanced levels such as Therapist Level and Trainer, which involve more in-depth training and the ability to provide Marte Meo therapy and training to others.
• Customised Training: Please contact us to discuss options that can suit your organisation.

Marte Meo Consulting for Educational Settings

Marte Meo consults can be provided on your site.

Childcare, ELC and School environments can be challenging for some children. Marte Meo consults can be provided with observation visits to your environment and/or Marte Meo video clips, to develop targeted and meaningful strategies to support specific children and their needs. Please contact us to discuss options that can support your organisation.

About Bec Pontifex

Bec has international accreditation as a Marte Meo Therapist and Colleague Trainer. She is currently undertaking the highest level of Marte Meo training with Joy Elford (Licensed Marte Meo Supervisor).

Bec is an Adelaide based physiotherapist with extensive experience in supporting children and families. She graduated with Honours in 1997 and has worked in both hospital and community settings in Australia and the UK.

Bec is passionate about helping children reach their potential and lead fun, active lives. She is a strong advocate of inclusion for everyone and knows how critical it is to support families, carers, and educators to feel confident in their capacity to support meaningful outcomes.

Marte Meo has been a ‘game-changer’ in her career, and she passionately believes it can bring meaningful impact and joy in the most challenging moments.

Bec’s History with Marte Meo

Bec Pontifex began her formal training in Marte Meo in 2020. She uses these skills daily in all her interactions with clients and their families, carers, and educators to support improved outcomes in their goals, make moments more meaningful, and develop the strengths of the child for their future.

As a Marte Meo therapist, she uses video to provide meaningful, positive, and practical information to adults so they can build their own Marte Meo skills. The power is in the pictures – adults can see themselves providing helpful supports, which builds their confidence and skills that can be replicated in future moments to make big impacts over time. As a Marte Meo trainer, she can provide Practitioner, Therapist, and Trainer levels of Marte Meo accreditation.