Meet Dr Carol
For more than thirty years, I've worked beside children, young people, and families — in classrooms, on street outreach, in alternative education settings, and in community programs. As a teacher, Guidance Officer, university academic, and researcher, I kept asking the same question:
What helps people flourish?
That question led to my doctoral research, the Schultz Human Flourishing Model™, and eventually to this practice. I built it because I believe every person deserves to be understood through the lens of their strengths — not their struggles.
Dr Carol Schultz
Founder · Researcher · 30+ years with families
Experience informing the practice
Dr Carol Schultz brings more than 30 years of experience across special education, guidance counselling, community practice and leadership. Her career includes extensive work supporting children and young people with intellectual impairment, autism, disability, complex needs and experiences of marginalisation, as well as work alongside families, schools, service providers and multidisciplinary teams.
The Schultz Human Flourishing Model™ emerged from Dr Carol's doctoral thesis for the award of Doctor of Professional Studies at the University of Southern Queensland and is grounded in research, professional practice and a commitment to practical, respectful collaboration.
What I Believe
The values that shape every conversation, every assessment, every plan.
"Walking the Camino de Santiago taught me that flourishing is not a destination. It is the journey. It requires preparation, purpose, the right strategies, and the resilience to keep moving forward when things become difficult.
I bring this same perspective to every family and organisation I work with."
— Dr Carol Schultz
Strengths Before Deficits
Every person has strengths. We start there.
People Before Systems
You are more than a file number or a diagnosis.
Evidence Before Assumption
I draw on research, professional experience and careful listening in every engagement.
Understanding Before Judgement
We listen first. Always.
Partnership Before Prescription
We work with you, not on you.
Flourishing Before Fixing
The goal is growth, not just repair.
30 Years of Working With Real People
Before the research, before the model — there were the young people, families, classrooms and communities who shaped everything.
On the ground: MADYACA, outreach, and socialisation
I co-founded MADYACA (Making A Difference Youth Alliance Community of Australia Inc.) in response to needs I was seeing in the community: young people disengaged from school, experiencing family adversity, homelessness, neglect, isolation, or limited access to mainstream support.
Through street outreach, adventure-based learning, life-skills groups and alternative education, I worked alongside young people and families to build connection, confidence, practical capability and a sense of belonging. This work included engagement with Indigenous young people and families and collaboration with local schools and community services.
Why socialisation matters
One young person I supported had grown up in a home where significant family challenges meant that many everyday routines and social expectations had not been consistently taught. By adolescence, they had missed opportunities to learn basic practical and social skills that many people take for granted — including how to use a knife and fork at a meal.
This experience reinforced an important lesson: children and young people learn through their relationships, homes, schools, peer groups and communities. When those early opportunities for socialisation are disrupted, a young person can be left behind — not because they lack potential, but because they have not had the same opportunities to learn, practise and belong.
This is why my work looks beyond labels or behaviour alone. It focuses on understanding the systems around a young person and strengthening the conditions that support connection, capability and flourishing.
Sharing the Research
The Schultz Human Flourishing Model™ grew from doctoral research and decades of practice with young people, families, schools and communities.
Dr Carol's doctoral research was presented at the Australian Association for Research in Education (AARE) conference — one of Australia's respected academic forums. The Schultz Human Flourishing Model™ continues to be applied and developed through practice, reflection and collaboration with practitioners and researchers.
Dr Carol Schultz presenting doctoral research at the Australian Association for Research in Education (AARE) Conference.
Where the Model Was Born
Years of doctoral research, right here in Warwick, Queensland.
The desk in Warwick where the Schultz Human Flourishing Model™ was developed through years of doctoral research.
After decades of working with young people, I realised something important. Most assessments could tell you what was wrong — but very few could explain what helps people flourish.
That question became the focus of my doctoral thesis, completed for the award of Doctor of Professional Studies at the University of Southern Queensland. Years of study, analysis and reflection on professional practice led to the Schultz Human Flourishing Model™ — an original framework that looks at the whole person.
This framework is now the foundation of every Human Flourishing Profile™, report and plan I create.
Qualifications That Matter
My qualifications are real and hard-earned. They represent decades of study, practice and commitment to helping people flourish.
Doctor of Professional Studies
University of Southern Queensland, 2018
Master of Education
Guidance Counselling & Special Education, 2005
Bachelor of Teaching
Special Education, 1990
Former Queensland Guidance Officer
Department of Education
University Academic
University of Southern Queensland
Developer of the Schultz Human Flourishing Model™
Original doctoral research framework
Registered Teacher
Queensland College of Teachers
Dr Carol Schultz at her doctoral graduation, University of Southern Queensland. Doctor of Professional Studies.
Professional Memberships & Affiliations
IICT
International Institute for Complementary Therapists
Professional membership body for Counselling and Counselling Supervision
AARE
Australian Association for Research in Education
Research association membership
QCT
Queensland College of Teachers
Registered Teacher
I built this practice because I believe every person deserves to be understood through the lens of their strengths — not their struggles.
— Dr Carol Schultz