A Country Mind

25/02/2026

Couldn't of said it better myself! 👏

It’s seven weeks or so since the disaster.

From the outside, people think everything is “back to normal.”

The cameras are gone.
The headlines have dried up.
The politicians aren’t walking the streets.

But here’s what I’m seeing:

Recovery isn’t linear. Some are moving forward. Some have gone backwards. Some are steady. Some are barely holding it together, smiling in public, falling apart at home.

Resilience? Don’t get me started. Resilience can f*&k off.

What matters is capacity before crisis. Emotional, financial, social, and community capacity. If that was thin before, the disaster exposes it.

Low capacity? That’s not failure. It can be rebuilt, slowly, deliberately, with support. Honest conversations, asking for help, reconnecting with your community. Small steps. That’s where hope lies.

The cameras may leave. The world may assume it’s over.
But the real work? That’s only just beginning.

If you know someone impacted, check in again. Recovery doesn’t follow a news cycle.

17/02/2026

It has been an absolute pleasure welcoming new clients into our little practice over the last few weeks and connecting with our wonderful community here in Bacchus Marsh!

We provide mental health support to individuals aged 5+ years & are still accepting new referrals via:

🌿Mental Health Care Plans

🌿NDIS

🌿Private/ Self-referrals

Currently, there is NO WAIT LIST, though our books are filling up quickly!
Appointments can be booked online via our website or by calling 0440 126 887 to secure your session today.

- Bonnie

15/02/2026

Anxiety is normal but when does it become a problem?
The best thing you can do to help your child cope is to foster self-advocacy skills 🗣️ 💪 🧩
Anxiety can show up anytime throughout their life, so teaching them how to manage it and speak up for their own needs is essential at every age.
Swipe through for a parent’s guide to signs, causes, and support 👇

13/02/2026

Heading into the weekend, let's be sure to fill our cup with a little self-care! Try this Self-Care Bingo and see how many boxes you can tick off over the weekend. 💖📝 Make time for YOU!

11/02/2026

10/02/2026

NDIS-Funded Mental Health Support Tailored to You! 🌟

At A Country Mind, we help children, teens, and adults build confidence, independence, self-advocacy, and practical life skills to ensure mental health and wellbeing is fostered far beyond the therapy space.

We take a collaborative approach, working closely with families, schools, support coordinators, and care teams to ensure continuity of care. After all, it takes a village!

✅ Flexible sessions: in-clinic, online, or Via community outreach
✅ Currently only accepting self-managed & plan-managed NDIS participants

05/02/2026

Being connected to others is one of the biggest protective factors for our mental health, but we so often over look this.

Many of us enjoy and genuinely need alone time...I, for one THRIVE in my alone time - it’s good for my soul!
And you know what, it's actually super healthy to be selective about who we share our time and energy with.

But loneliness is different. I truly believe it is a public health issue.
Feeling disconnected, isolated, or unsupported is something many people experience, and over time it quietly chips away at mood, self-esteem, motivation, sleep, and even physical health.

As humans, our nervous systems are wired for connection at every age. We heal, evolve, regulate, and cope better in safe relationships.
Connection doesn't need to be big or complicated. Small moments like chatting with with a mate or a friendly little word with someone at the supermarket is sometimes all it can take.

04/02/2026

Here are some things that I implemented for both my little one and myself in making the transition back to routine as seamless as possible this week...

✨️ Authenticity over perfection: As much as I wanted the perfect first day back photo. It wasn't happening and looking back, honestly my daughter swinging off the tree instead of standing still with a forced smile is so beautifully her...I'm so happy I'll have that to look back on for years to come. Sounds crazy, but sometimes us big kids get wrapped up in things that just are so not important....like perfect pics for the gram, and it just adds pressure to our already really full mental load. Swipe to see my little monkey doing her thing 👉🙈

✨️ Established a nightime routine and consistent bed time as best as possible 2 weeks before returning: Did this look perfect every night? Absolutely not!! We tried though... and absolutely insisted on bedtime happening from about 5 days out. Big Feelings are so much worse when there's tiredness involved.

✨️ Offered as much choice over as possible: From lunch box choices, to outfit, to hair style.... I had my little one involved and in the driver's seat as much as possible. All within reason... control over what can be controlled helps foster independence, build confidence and meet the core psychological need of autonomy.

✨️ Party car or Calm car on the way to kindy: I'm known to have little dance parties with the kids in the car. It always helps set the energy for the day...but sometimes, everyone isn't on that level. I asked if my daughter wanted the music on or if she wanted a quiet space. She opted for quiet....which for me as mum let me know that we were in our feels a little because normally she's all about the party. I said yes without drawing attention to it, and then after 5 minutes of quiet and calm I asked her to name 2 things she was most excited for. Then 1 thing she was worried about. Time and space to talk without pressure allowed for at least one worry to be made to seem not so bad and managed before the day even begun 💪

*All steps were adapted to meet the needs of my Miss 4... All points are transferable dependent on age.

03/02/2026

Breathing exercises are often suggested as a “go-to” for stress, but the truth is they work best at the right time.

They are most effective when your nervous system is alert but not overwhelmed. That’s when tension is just starting to build...those first tiny bubbles of stress. Pausing, noticing your breath, and taking a few slow inhales and exhales can soften your system and help you feel grounded before things escalate.

Some ways breathing exercises help:

✨Bring your attention to the present

✨Anchor your body when your mind is racing

✨Reduce the early signs of tension before overwhelm takes over

Think of it like watering dry soil...a few gentle breaths early on can prevent cracks later.

Remember: breathing exercises are just one tool in your nervous system toolkit. Use them early, gently, and often they can be a simple, effective way to reset and regulate your system before stress spirals.

01/02/2026

5 things ALL parents, caregivers, and teachers need to watch out for this term!
When I was a school counsellor, I saw these warning signs missed over and over again. Catching them early can truly make the world of difference!
If you are in need of any extra support, my books at A Country Mind are open to new clients while spots last. I’m currently accepting:

✨Mental Health Care Plans

✨Self-referrals

✨NDIS participants (plan-managed and self-managed)

30/01/2026

As a therapist, I have a love/hate relationship with the whole “take a breath” thing and here’s why.

Breathing exercises can be a fantastic circuit breaker for your nervous system. When you feel the first bubbling of unease, a deep breath can squish the bubbles before pressure builds, helping you settle before things get overwhelming.
But here’s the truth: once the fizz is already there, once the pressure has built… a deep breath won’t stop it. Trying to force calm at that point can sometimes make everything feel 100 times worse.

So what can you actually do when the fizz is high? Here are some strategies I share with clients:
✨️ Move your body: stretch, shake your arms, walk, or sprint on the spot for a minute. The goal is to shift the energy.
✨️Change temperature: sip a cold drink, hold or suck on an ice cube, hold a warm mug, or step into sunlight.
✨️Ground your senses: press your feet into the floor, touch textured objects, or suck on a sour lolly or lemon.
✨️Connect: hug, sit with someone you trust, or even send a supportive text/call.
✨️Engage your senses: smell something soothing, listen to calming sounds, or taste something grounding.

Regulation isn’t about forcing a breath, it’s about meeting your nervous system where it is at the time. Relief comes with space, grounding, and gentle support, easing the pressure of the fizz rather then trying to get rid of it all at once. That will come with time.