First Steps Psychology

02/02/2026

Welcome Sarah 👋

We are excited to welcome Sarah to the First Steps Psychology team.

Sarah brings experience working with children, adolescents, and adults across private and public settings, including forensic disability and psycho-legal services. She takes a warm, non-judgemental and neuro-affirming approach, helping clients feel safe, respected, and supported.

Sarah uses an integrative, strengths-based approach, tailoring therapy to each individual while building a strong and trusting therapeutic relationship. She holds a Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) and a Master of Professional Psychology, with specialist training in Forensic Disability.

Outside of work, Sarah enjoys travelling, yoga, and food-related adventures.

We’re delighted to have Sarah as part of our team. Sarah has capacity to see children, adolescents and adults.

www.firststepspsychology.com.au

01/02/2026

🐹 Meet Noughart & Marshmallow! 🐹

We’re excited to welcome our two new guinea pigs to First Steps Psychology. These gentle little friends are already bringing lots of calm and smiles, and will be part of our warm, animal-friendly therapy space.

We can’t wait for our clients to meet them 🧡

25/01/2026

🌸 From tiny fairy gardens to big smiles! In our school holiday program, kids explored creativity, mindfulness, and friendship — making fairy gardens and fidgets, practising relaxation, and even doing goat yoga! 💫

09/11/2025

🐣 Big excitement here today, our baby chicks are hatching! 🌱

Watching them slowly peck their way out of their shells reminds us that growth takes time, patience, and the right environment.

Just like these little chicks, children thrive when they feel safe, supported, and surrounded by warmth 💛

29/09/2025

🐐 We’re excited to share that these cuties will soon be joining us at First Steps Psychology as part of therapy sessions. Animals can bring calm and connection, and we look forward to welcoming them into our space.

02/09/2025

📚Free Autism Webinar: How We Talk About It

Ever feel unsure about the 'right' way to talk about autism?

Join Belongside Families for this free webinar with me. We’ll unpack how language shapes our understanding of autism and why the words we choose matter.

In this 45-minute session, we’ll explore::

🔸 The shift from person-first to identity-first language
🔸What ‘neuro-affirming’ actually means
🔸Why functioning labels don’t tell the whole story
🔸Reframing traditional advice with a fresh, neuro-affirming view

It's a little bit of education, a little bit of community, and a fresh perspective that will help guide parents and caregivers in understanding current Autism narratives with a neuroaffirming lens. It's ideal for those people who are newer to the paradigm and would like to be engaged in these conversations.

Join me!

🗓 Thu, 11 Sep, 8:00pm AEST
📍 Online via Zoom (and yes, recordings will be sent out!)
🔗 Register now via https://events.humanitix.com/auwebinar1109

04/06/2025

🌟 Welcome Lauren to First Steps Psychology! 🌟

We’re excited to introduce Lauren a registered Psychologist who has recently joined our team. Lauren brings experience working with children, adolescents, and adults across school settings, private practice, and public health.

She has a warm, compassionate approach and is passionate about using evidence-based therapies to support her clients in reaching their goals.

Lauren is currently available for:
Autism, ADHD, and Learning Disability Assessments
A limited number of ongoing therapy spots

Lauren holds a Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) and a Master of Psychology (Clinical) and is registered with AHPRA.

Outside of work, Lauren enjoys travelling and spending time with her loved ones.

📞 Get in touch to secure an appointment with Lauren – spots are filling quickly!

06/05/2025

Let’s Redefine What It Means to Be a “Good Listener”

At First Steps Psychology, we know that listening doesn’t need to look a certain way to be meaningful or respectful. For many neurodivergent children, the expectations of "Whole Body Listening" can be anxiety-inducing, unrealistic, and exclusionary.

This petition is calling for schools to move away from outdated listening models and adopt more inclusive approaches that honour diverse neurotypes and sensory needs. It's a small shift that can make a big difference in helping all children feel safe, respected, and understood in the classroom.

If you believe that children shouldn’t be told they’re “not listening” just because they’re not making eye contact or sitting still, please consider adding your name and sharing this petition.

**Sign here:** [https://www.change.org/p/require-schools-to-replace-whole-body-listening-with-inclusive-listening-methods](https://www.change.org/p/require-schools-to-replace-whole-body-listening-with-inclusive-listening-methods)

Require Schools to Replace Whole Body Listening with Inclusive Listening Methods

02/05/2025

Work with humans (and horses) in a neuroaffirming allied health team on a peaceful farm. Flexible, kind, and no corporate fluff.

02/05/2025

https://www.seek.com.au/job/83934427?type=standard&ref=search-standalone =6959daeae3a2df2b78c04f553638fc9cbdcfcdbe

Work with humans (and horses) in a neuroaffirming allied health team on a peaceful farm. Flexible, kind, and no corporate fluff.

28/03/2025

Imagine a world that actually accepted neurodiversity and the variation of human brains and bodies. One where kids are celebrated and not just when they fit in a box. When they are distressed or the system is not working, it’s the system that’s tweaked and changed.

The child is not excluded.
The child is not blamed.
The child is not taught to suppress their needs.
The child’s emotions are not ignored.
Their sparkle is not dulled.

Behaviour modification is not needed in a world where it’s okay to communicate differently, move differently, and have different strengths.

I need to share this message further. Hence the tshirt!

27/02/2025

First Steps Psychology is growing! Kintara is joining our team and still has some availability. Contact us if you would like more info on beginning psychology sessions with us.
Provisional Psychologist

Kintara Phillips

Kintara spent over two decades as a teacher before becoming a provisional psychologist. With a Masters in Gifted Education, she is passionate about supporting gifted and 2e learners to thrive. She works with children, adolescents and their families, drawing on lived experience and evidence based practice to provide strength based, neuroaffirming supports.

Kintara’s approach is grounded in connection, curiosity and compassion. Recognising the need for deep understanding and individualised support to assist young people work through challenges.

Additionally, Kintara has a special interest in supporting neurodivergent teachers, particularly late-diagnosed ADHD women.

Psychology service where people are recognised, supported and celebrated.