Wombat Youth Service

17/04/2026

15/04/2026

Healing isn't always comfortable, but that doesn't mean you're doing it 'wrong' or going backwards.

10/04/2026

Some light reading for the weekend. I am currently studying a Masters in Counselling & Psychotherapy. I really enjoy learning new modalities and theories. This new knowledge is adding value to every appointment I have with a young person.

15/03/2026

Hi my name is Nat, I am a Benalla local who has found a gap in youth specific support services for young people in Benalla and surrounding areas. I have chosen to offer an outreach service which means I can visit your home or meet you at your local park, library or school. Wombat Youth Service understands talking to professionals in a small consulting room can be quite intimidating. Please call or email for enquiries and bookings.

03/03/2026

One appointment left this sunday. Phone or email to book. Thank you so much to everyone who has supported my little business so far this year. 🥰🥰

01/03/2026

Appointments available 7th & 8th March

28/02/2026

What if a simple habit could physically reshape your brain for the better? Research in neuroscience shows that practicing gratitude can create measurable changes in brain activity linked to positivity and emotional strength.

Gratitude activates regions such as the prefrontal cortex and anterior cingulate cortex, areas involved in emotion regulation and decision making. Studies using brain imaging have found that regularly reflecting on things you are thankful for strengthens neural pathways associated with positive thinking. Over time, repeated activation of these circuits can make them more efficient. This is neuroplasticity in action, the brain’s ability to reorganize itself through repeated experience.

Gratitude also influences stress response systems. Research suggests that people who consistently practice gratitude tend to show lower levels of stress markers and improved psychological resilience. By shifting attention toward positive experiences, the brain gradually reduces its bias toward threat detection and negative rumination.

This does not mean gratitude eliminates hardship. Instead, it builds stronger emotional regulation networks that help individuals cope more effectively. Small daily practices, such as writing down three things you appreciate, can contribute to long term mental wellbeing.

Sources: Journal of Positive Psychology; Frontiers in Psychology; Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley; National Institutes of Health.

18/02/2026

Appointments available this weekend.