ConnectEd Counselling and Consultancy

13/11/2025

💬 What would you have done?

Something tricky happened the other day with my daughter, and I’ve been turning it over in my mind since.

We were at the park and had left her scooter near the edge while we played. As we were heading back, I spotted a group of teenagers across the road who seemed to be throwing something. My heart sank. It was her scooter — and they’d broken it.

As we got closer, my daughter realised it was missing. She could see the group and guessed what had happened. She was hesitant about approaching them. And truthfully, I was too.

But I walked over with her.

🔹 So many thoughts ran through my head:
• I didn’t want her to feel scared or unsafe
• I didn’t want to ignore what had happened — it wasn’t ok
• I wanted to model staying calm — even in anger or distress
• I wondered: what’s the “best consequence” I can offer that still keeps us safe

✨ In the end?
When they saw us coming, the group of teens quickly pieced it together. I asked calmly:
“Did you take the scooter?” — Yes
“Was it a good idea to take something that didn’t belong to you?” — No, they thought it was rubbish
“How do you feel now?” — The one who spoke said he felt really bad. He offered to pay for it.
I said to leave it. And we walked off.

On the way home, my daughter and I talked:
🔸 Why would someone take something that wasn’t theirs?
🔸 Shouldn’t they get in trouble?

And I was left wondering too.

I was furious. I wanted to shout. I wanted her to see there are consequences for doing something wrong.
But more than that — I didn’t want her to see me lose it. I didn’t want her to think the only way to be strong is to be loud.

🌱 I hope what she saw instead was this:
A version of strength that doesn’t need to shout.
One that holds calm and firmness in the same hand.
Maybe that’s something we’ll both remember.

(Written by Dr Matt O'Connor)

30/10/2025

✨ This week, we’re connecting with two groups of passionate educators — those supporting students at the edges of visibility and those holding space for complex conversations.

📌 First up: Understanding and Supporting Autistic Girls in Schools.
Many autistic girls fly under the radar — not because they aren’t struggling, but because they’ve learned to camouflage. This session (for school psychologists and counsellors) dives into the unique presentations, challenges, and strengths of autistic girls, and how we can provide better support through accurate understanding and relational safety.

📌 Then: Helping Students Develop Healthy Relationships.
Pastoral carers are so often the adults students turn to when things feel messy. Whether it’s about friendships, romantic connections, or self-worth, this session explores how we can guide young people toward connection, boundaries, and mutual respect — without the fear-based messaging that rarely lands.

💬 These topics might seem different on the surface, but at the heart of both is this question:
🔹 How can we support young people to feel safe enough to be themselves, and strong enough to navigate their relationships with others?

You can see more about our PD sessions:
School Psychologists and Counsellors: https://connectedcc.com.au/connected-school-pd-school-psychologists-and-counsellors/
Pastoral Care staff (e.g. year level leader, head of house, form class): https://connectedcc.com.au/connected-school-pd-pastoral-carers/

26/10/2025

💨 Wild weather has just swept through Brisbane, and it’s left a bit of chaos in its wake — fallen trees, no power, and potential damage to homes, businesses, and schools.

And tomorrow? Year 12 external exams begin.

So, if you’re feeling the tension in your household — or noticing it in your community — you’re not alone. There are likely a lot of young people (and their parents) who are feeling overwhelmed right now.

📌 If this storm has affected your ability to prepare or attend your exam, it’s worth knowing about the QCAA’s ‘Illness and Misadventure’ process. This can be used when unexpected circumstances impact your ability to perform on the day. You can find more info here:
👉 https://www.qcaa.qld.edu.au/senior/certificates-and-qualifications/qce-qcia-handbook/6-aara/6.5-illness-misadventure

✨ But even more importantly — bring your focus to the things you can control right now:

• Eat something nourishing
• Get some sleep
• Have a plan in place for tomorrow

Whether your plan includes sitting the exam, contacting your school, or just taking a moment to regroup — find the balance of acknowledging that this is stressful and that you can do the next steps

You've got this.

21/10/2025

✨ A BIG DAY for ConnectEd ✨
Today, our team is out connecting with educators and psychologists across Queensland and beyond!

📍 In Rockhampton, Emily is delivering a full-day workshop supporting school psychologists to sharpen their assessment skills — ensuring that the evaluations we do truly meet the needs of young people, not just on paper, but in practice.

🧠 And down south at the Australian Psychologists and Counsellors in Schools (APACS) Conference, we're proud to be contributing to a national conversation — connecting with professionals from all over Australia who share a passion for evidence-based, student-focused care.

💬 These events are such an important reminder:
🔹 When we equip those supporting young people with the right tools and insight,
🔹 When we reflect on what “best practice” looks like in the real world,
🔹 When we share, learn, and grow together...
…we move closer to a system that works better for everyone.

20/10/2025

✨ A brilliant first day at the Australian Psychologists and Counsellors in Schools conference in Tasmania!

Today marked the start of the Australian Psychologists and Counsellors in Schools conference here in beautiful Tassie — and what a start it was! With 200 attendees from across Australia, we’ve come together to reflect on the work we do to support the wellbeing of young people in our schools.

💬 We’ve heard powerful insights about:
• The role of schools in building community
• How to better support young people experiencing high levels of distress
• Why learning and wellbeing aren’t separate — because kids who feel well, learn well… and kids who learn well, feel well

📍We’ve also been lucky to have a ConnectEd stall at the event — and it’s been such a pleasure to meet people who’ve been supervised by one of our team, attended a workshop, or crossed paths with us over the years. It’s always heartening to hear the ripple effects of this work.

Looking forward to Day 2 — where Dr Matt will be presenting in the final session (last on the last day — always a spicy time slot!). Got a song recommendation to help get the room energised? Let us know below! 👇

📷 Sunrise from the conference hotel this morning. Tasmania, you’re really putting on a show Tasmanian School Psychology Association - TSPA and APACS - Australian Psychologists and Counsellors in Schools Association

19/10/2025

Cassie is one of our amazing presenters for our ConnectEd School PD - but we’ve never met in person! 3 years of working on line together and we were definitely due for an in person hang out!

About time!!! We finally get to meet IRL! Matt and I have been working together for the past few years now - bringing our brains and passion for School Psychology together! ConnectEd Counselling and Consultancy it was great to have a welcome drink with you here in beautiful Hobart for the Tasmanian School Psychology Association - TSPA Conference! Thanks APACS - Australian Psychologists and Counsellors in Schools Association for supporting such an important group of humans - all working together for the right reasons 🥰
Bring on the next 2 days 🙌🫶

18/10/2025

We’re in beautiful Tasmania for the Australian Psychologists and Counsellors in Schools (APACS - Australian Psychologists and Counsellors in Schools Association) conference, organised by the amazing Tasmanian School Psychology Association - TSPA team

It has been wonderful spending a few days exploring this beautiful part of Australia before the conference kicks off on Monday! We’re really excited about the chance to connect with school pastoral staff from around the country, and to share and learn

And Dr Matt will be giving a presentation at the conference on how counselling and pastoral care teams can most effectively work together. A huge part of our work at ConnecEd is supporting our school staff to find ways of working that look after them as professionals, and to provide the best support to our millions of young Australians

Highlight of the trip was definitely the incidental highland cow encounter! Lions are not roaming the wild - these were at the tas zoo

06/10/2025

🚸 School’s back – and so are school speed zones. Let’s take care. As we settle back into term time routines, it’s a timely reminder that school zones are active again – and the responsibility for road safety rests with us adults.

Children and young people often don't have fully developed skills in judging speed, distance, or how long it takes a car to stop. Children under 10 often lack the cognitive maturity to judge traffic speeds and safe gaps. Until at least age 12, many still need guidance and supervision when crossing roads. In fact, research suggests that these skills – especially things like impulse control, situational awareness, and decision-making – continue developing into the mid-teens.

That means kids might:

• step out unexpectedly

• misread a situation

• or be distracted

They’re learning – and they need us to lead the way.

👉 So please: slow down around schools. Stick to the speed limit. Take extra care at crossings.
👉 And model the kind of safe, calm behaviour you want your kids to copy.

While we’re at it – these moments are also a great opportunity to support your child’s own road safety skills:

✔️ Pause and talk through what’s happening at a crossing
✔️ Narrate your choices as a pedestrian
✔️ Let them see that being cautious is smart, not fearful

It takes a village – and every bit of patience, presence and predictability helps.

—
(Written by: Dr Matt O’Connor)
🔗 www.connectedcc.com.au

02/10/2025

✨ New Free Resource for Parents & Carers ✨

Starting counselling can feel like a big step — for kids and their grown-ups. That’s why we’ve created a free resource to help make the process a little easier:
📌 "Supporting a Child to See a Psychologist"
Download here 👉 https://connectedcc.com.au/free-parenting-resources/

💬 Inside, you'll find:
• What to expect when your child begins therapy
• How to explain counselling to your child in an age-appropriate way
• Strategies to help reduce anxiety about the first appointment
• Ideas for how YOU can be involved in the process, without taking it over

Whether you're supporting a child who’s nervous, curious, resistant or unsure — this resource is designed to help you feel a little more equipped and a little less alone.

✨ And good news — we currently have no waitlist.
If you're ready to take the next step, we can help straight away.

At ConnectEd, we believe that when families feel informed and supported, kids have the best chance to thrive. 💛

Please feel free to share this with others who might find it useful.

🧠 To learn more or book a session with one of our psychologists, visit: https://connectedcc.com.au/book-now/

26/09/2025

✨ That’s a wrap on Perth!

I’ve just finished up two big days at the School Psychologists' Association of WA Conference — and what a valuable few days it’s been. It’s always such a privilege to connect with passionate professionals doing the work, day in and day out, in schools across the state.

Across the conference, I delivered two x 2-hour workshops to a great group of people. Today's session explored the growing influence of AI in schools — not just what it can do, but what it means. We looked at how this technology is already shaping the way we support students and families... and also acknowledged the complexities and challenges it brings with it.

Conferences like this are a reminder of the power of community in our profession — and of the shared commitment to better outcomes for young people.

Thanks Perth for having me and ConnectEd from the other side of Aus!

25/09/2025

We’re over in Perth for the WA School Psychologist conference! And what an amazing first day - a beautiful sunrise complete with dolphins playing in the shore, amazing discussions about how school psycs can develop their skills and I gave a 2hr presentation on strategies to support school psycs to do their work well and also look after themselves

It has been a real privilege to have been invited all the way over from Brisbane by the School Psychologists' Association of WA. So looking forward to day 2 for my connection and also delivering another presentation on AI in schools!

- Dr Matt

Ps the eagle eyed viewer might spot the sugar glider toy that has made its way over with me and has featured throughout my trip, courtesy of my little one