Little Black Duck Therapy

03/03/2026

Sometimes when we talk about the fight, flight, freeze response, it can sound abstract.
This is how we often explain it in session.
The thinking brain (prefrontal cortex) helps with reasoning, planning and perspective.
The amygdala is the smoke detector of the brain.
It scans the environment for signs of danger and uses our previous experiences to decide how big the threat might be.
If you’ve experienced trauma, chronic stress, or repeated overwhelm, that smoke detector can become extra sensitive.
When it goes off, the nervous system activates quickly —
and the thinking brain goes offline.
That’s why:
• You say things you don’t mean
• You shut down and can’t respond
• You feel flooded and overwhelmed
• You can’t “just calm down”
Many of our clients will recognise this drawing from early sessions when we talk about anxiety, trauma and neurodiversity.
It’s not a character flaw.
It’s a nervous system doing its job.
The work isn’t about forcing logic.
It’s about helping the nervous system feel safe enough for the thinking brain to come back online.
Nervous systems can learn safety again.
If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. 🖤

26/02/2026

We sometimes meet people who say,
“I’ve tried therapy before and it didn’t help.”
That doesn’t mean therapy can’t work.
Therapy isn’t just about choosing the right modality.
It’s also about pacing, relational safety, environment, empathy, and understanding how the brain responds to past experiences.
At Little Black Duck Therapy, safety starts from the first contact —
with Emma’s warm welcome,
an inviting and grounded space,
and a team who work relationally and at your pace.
Approach matters.
But how the work is done matters just as much. Check out our team via our website (linked in our profile)

24/02/2026

Starting therapy can feel like a big step — especially if you’re already stressed, burnt out, or carrying a lot.

Here’s what the first appointment usually looks like at Little Black Duck Therapy:

• We take time to understand what’s been happening and what’s feeling hard.
• We work together to make sense of it — at your pace, in your own words.
• We check that the relationship feels like a good fit, because safety matters.
• We shape a clear plan together, so you leave knowing what the next steps are.

You don’t need to have it all figured out before you come in.
You don’t need the “right” words.

We’ll work through it — together.

You can see us with or without a GP referral.
A referral may allow access to a Medicare rebate in some circumstances, but it isn’t required to get started.

📍 Based in the Bega Valley

📩 Enquiries via website, or call 0475399349

20/02/2026

Starting therapy can feel overwhelming.
We aim to make the first step clear, simple and safe.
You don’t need to wait for a crisis to reach out.
📍 Based in the Bega Valley
📩 Contact us via our website littleblackducktherapy.com or send us a message to learn more.

13/01/2026

We hope 2026 has started well for you all. We’re back in full swing at Little Black Duck, and we currently have appointments available with Colin and Rachel.

✨ No waitlist
✨ No referral needed
✨ No mental health care plan required

Colin works Thursday and Friday
Rachel works Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday

If you’ve been thinking about reaching out for support, now might be the right time.

📞 0475 399 349
📧 info@littleblackducktherapy.com

Little Black Duck Therapy offers mental health counselling for all ages specialising in trauma and attachment, children, young people and families, perinatal mental health and professional supervision in the Bega Valley NSW Australia

24/11/2025

The 1000 Piece Puzzle is Complete!
A big thank-you to everyone who added a piece, whether it was one or many.
Together, you helped bring this puzzle to life.

We loved seeing our clients pause, connect, and contribute. Stay tuned… another puzzle may be on the way! 🧩

22/10/2025

📢 Update to Our Concession Fee Structure – Effective 1 December 2025

Hi everyone,

We’d like to let you know about an upcoming change to our concession session fees.
From 1 December 2025, the fee for clients seeing Kate, Brianna, or Julia will increase from $115 to $165 per appointment.
The fee for non-concession card holders will remain the same.

This update helps ensure our fees stay in line with current industry standards and the recommended schedule for the Bega Valley region. It also allows us to continue providing high-quality, compassionate care while supporting the sustainability of our practice and team.

As a small practice, Little Black Duck Therapy doesn’t receive external funding or incentives to offer concession rates — this is something we choose to provide to help maintain accessibility to those who would otherwise find therapy difficult to afford

Please remember that Medicare rebates remain available in eligible situations, and our team is always happy to help if you’d like support understanding how these apply to your sessions.

We’re grateful for your understanding and continued support as we make this necessary adjustment.
If you have any questions or would like to chat about your options, our team is here to help.

Thank you for being part of our Little Black Duck Therapy community.

21/10/2025

🌿 Understanding NDIS Therapy Supports 🌿

There have been lots of recent changes to the NDIS — both nationally and locally — which can make it confusing to understand what’s funded and how to navigate your plan. Therapy supports are one area that often causes questions, so here’s a simple overview.

Therapy supports help you build or maintain skills so you can live more independently and take part in everyday life — at home, school, work, or in the community.

Here’s what you need to know 👇
✅ Funded therapies include occupational therapy, psychology, speech therapy, physiotherapy, social work, counselling, art or music therapy, dietetics, exercise physiology, and more.
✅ Therapies must be evidence-based and delivered by qualified allied health professionals.
✅ NDIS may fund supports that help you build new skills (capacity building) or maintain existing ones (maintenance).
✅ Families and carers can also receive training to help apply therapy strategies at home.

💡 What does “stated support” mean?
When therapy supports are listed as stated supports in your NDIS plan, it means the funding is set aside specifically for therapy and must be used for that purpose only.
You can choose your therapist, the format (individual, group, or intensive), and how therapy is delivered — but the money can’t be moved to other categories like core supports or community participation.

NDIS therapy supports are all about helping you grow, participate, and stay connected.
At Little Black Duck Therapy, we have qualified social workers, a psychologist and counsellor who can support you to meet your goals or maintain your progress through evidence-based, person-centred therapy. You can find the new therapy support guidelines here:

Our guidelines set out some of the NDIA’s operational information about what we consider when we

10/09/2025

🌿 EMDRAA-Approved EMDR Therapist 🌿
We’re proud to have Colin as part of our Little Black Duck Therapy team. As an EMDRAA-approved EMDR therapist, Colin offers a highly specialised approach to working with trauma and distressing memories.
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) is an effective, evidence-based therapy that helps people process traumatic experiences that may feel “stuck” in the body or mind. Using bilateral stimulation (like guided eye movements), EMDR supports the brain’s natural ability to heal from trauma, reducing distress and allowing for new, more helpful perspectives to emerge.
Whether you're dealing with recent events or long-standing memories, EMDR can be a powerful tool in finding relief, rebuilding safety, and moving forward.
If you’d like to know more about how EMDR therapy might support you or someone you care about, feel free to reach out💛

04/09/2025

📢 Client Update – LITTLE BLACK DUCK 🖤 Therapy

Our admin officer Emma will be on leave from the 8th of September to 29th of September. During this time, it may take us a little longer to return calls, texts, and emails. We’ll do our very best to reply as quickly as possible, but please allow 24–48 hours for a response. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

✨ Bookings for returning clients:
• Book online via our website.
• Use your phone or the iPad in the clinic (scan the QR code to go straight to Halaxy). There are booking links in reception
• Ask your therapist to rebook you at the end of your session.

✨ New clients:
The best way to make an appointment is via our online booking system or get in contact by calling or emailing your details through to info@littleblackducktherapy.com

✨ Cancellations/changes:
If you need to cancel or change an appointment, please give us as much notice as possible. We understand life happens and late changes can’t always be avoided.

Thank you so much for your support,
The Team at LITTLE BLACK DUCK 🖤 Therapy

Little Black Duck Therapy offers mental health counselling for all ages specialising in trauma and attachment, children, young people and families, perinatal mental health and professional supervision in the Bega Valley NSW Australia

12/06/2025

🌿 Therapy Spaces Available Next Week with Kate and Colin 🌿

Therapy isn’t just for moments of crisis. It can be a place of gentle discovery—a space to explore self-compassion, reconnect with parts of yourself you’ve pushed away, and feel deeply seen and accepted.

At Little Black Duck Therapy you’re invited into a therapeutic relationship where you are never too much or not enough—exactly as you are.

Limited sessions are available next week and can be booked online now via this link https://www.halaxy.com/book/appointment/little-black-duck-therapy/location/1029561
Whether you're seeking support, reflection, or simply a space to breathe, we're here to walk alongside you.

15/05/2025

Our new team members are now available for online bookings!

Whether you’re new to our service or continuing your journey with us, it’s now even easier to find a time that works for you. Appointments with our newest therapists are live and ready to book — with or without a referral.

Follow the link below to view availability and make a booking: https://www.halaxy.com/book/appointment/little-black-duck-therapy/location/1029561

You’re also welcome to call or email if you’d prefer to speak to someone directly.

Little Black Duck Therapy offers mental health counselling for all ages specialising in trauma and attachment, children, young people and families, perinatal mental health and professional supervision in the Bega Valley NSW Australia