Connected Kiddos

02/04/2026

Today I was invited into something pretty special… a matching tattoo with a 3-year-old 🦋

We’ve spent the term getting her ready for a big move - from daily life with Aunty and Nan to a new life with family far away.

Matching tattoos, lots of intentionally shared moments, and making sense of feelings along the way. Today she made sure matching tattoos were shared across Nan, Aunty and new Mummy… and that I had one too.

And this is something she’s really leaned into - easily finding sameness in our sessions across the adults who feel safe to her. Those “same as you” moments build closeness, belonging, and felt safety - especially when early life hasn’t always felt predictable or emotionally safe.

Tears may have been shared across the adults around her today - holding deep love, connection, grief, loss and celebration in tandem while reflecting on the incredible effort that’s gone into this child’s journey.

Today was our last in-clinic session. One of those endings that just feels right.

This is the kind of work that stays with you 💗

31/03/2026

Something really special today 💗

A kiddo I’ve been working alongside gifted me this as we wrapped up.

His drawing of us together.
A heart.
And a Yeti that will be very well used keeping my coffee hot between sessions ☕️

It’s such a thoughtful (and very cool) gift ~ not expected, but really appreciated.
But it was the drawing that got me 🥹

When you look at this through a child’s eyes, it tells you everything you need to know.

This is what connection looks like.
Feeling safe enough to be close.
Feeling seen enough to include someone in your world.
And supported to be yourself.

Connection is the foundation.
Not quick fixes - but building relational safety and trust over time.

It starts with connection

30/03/2026

🫣Big emotions. Meltdowns. Difficult transitions.

If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone - and there is a way forward.

Finding Our Rhythm is a 10-week program in Townsville designed to help children aged 3–5 build emotional regulation while parents learn practical tools that actually work.

✔ Real-life strategies
✔ NDIS-funded
✔ Small group (6 families)

👉 Apply now: https://qpah.com.au/group-programs/finding-our-rhythm/

📷Image: An AI generated image of a mother and young son, snuggling together and smiling.

30/03/2026

Rhythm isn't just for dancing – it's one of the most powerful tools for helping little ones regulate big emotions. 🎶

That's why I've partnered with Jorja from QPAH – music therapist extraordinaire – to create Finding Our Rhythm. 🥁

A 10-week therapeutic group program in Townsville for children aged 3–5 (and their grown-ups!) who experience:
• Big emotions or meltdowns
• Tricky transitions
• Sensory sensitivities
• ASD or ADHD traits

Music + movement + real relationship = real results.

📍 8 Keane St, Currajong | 📅 From 21 April | 👨‍👩‍👧 Only 6 spots
💙 NDIS-funded Program of Support

Tag a parent who needs this! 👇
🔗 https://qpah.com.au/group-programs/finding-our-rhythm/

🔁 Know a family in Townsville who could benefit? Please share this post – with only 6 spots available, the right families need to see this!

25/03/2026

90 minutes. Free. And genuinely worth your time.

This is the recording from the Mental Health First Aid webinar I attended last night with Dr Billy Garvey, and it’s too good not to share.

It’s a really practical session on how to recognise early signs that a child might be struggling, and what to do in those moments in a way that actually helps.

It speaks to understanding behaviour as communication and supporting kids through connection, safety and regulation — not just managing behaviour.

If you’ve ever found yourself thinking “is this normal?” or “what do I actually do when things escalate?” this is a great watch.

Great for parents, foster carers, adoptive parents, and professionals — everyone will take something away.

Thanks to Camp Australia for hosting.

Microsoft Virtual Events Powered by Teams

19/03/2026

✨ Bringing ENVISAGE Families to Townsville ✨

I’m really excited to be bringing the ENVISAGE Families program to Townsville for the first time in Term 2!

Hand on heart, this is the kind of program I wish more families had access to earlier in their journey.

ENVISAGE (Enabling Visions and Growing Expectations) is a free, evidence-based program co-designed with parents who have lived experience and grounded in research from Australian Catholic University, McMaster University (CanChild), Murdoch Children’s Research Institute and the University of Melbourne.

I’ll be co-facilitating alongside an awesome parent with lived experience, Jessica - and that perspective is a big part of what makes this program so powerful.

💛 Who it’s for
Parents and caregivers of children (up to 8 years) with developmental concerns, disability, or who are neurodivergent

No diagnosis or NDIS plan needed

📍 Townsville groups (in person)
All Access Events, Currajong

Group 1 – starting 20 April
Monday mornings 9:00am – 11:30am or
Monday evenings: 7:00pm – 8:30pm

Group 2 – starting 26 May
Monday mornings 9:00am – 11:30am or
Monday evenings: 7:00pm – 8:30pm

🌿 Across 5 sessions, parents are supported to:
• explore their family values and what matters most in their parenting
• better understand their child’s development, health and wellbeing
• make sense of what their child is communicating through their cues and signals
• reflect on their own wellbeing and how to support themselves
• build confidence in communicating and advocating for their child

💬 Parents who have completed the program share:
“I feel more confident to advocate for my child.”
“It was the first time I felt heard as a parent.”
“It helped me focus on my child’s strengths.”

If attending in person isn’t possible, there are also online Envisage programs running at different times:
https://envisage.community/workshop/

📄 Flyers with full details and registration information are attached
⚠️ Spaces are limited
If this feels like it could support your family — or a family you know — please feel free to share

17/03/2026

Many of the children we support have brothers and sisters quietly navigating their own big feelings, questions and experiences.
This is a beautiful opportunity just for them 💛

SibWorks Online is a small, supportive group program for children aged 8–12 who have a sibling with disability or chronic illness. Across 7 weeks, children connect with others who truly “get it”, helping them feel less alone while building confidence, coping skills and emotional understanding.

What it supports:
• Understanding their sibling’s needs in a child-friendly way
• Making sense of tricky feelings
• Building confidence and resilience
• Connecting with other siblings who share similar experiences
📍 Online (easy to access from home)
📅 Term 2 | Starts 28 April
⏱ Weekly sessions (7 weeks)
👥 Small group (4–6 children for quality support)

This is such a valuable space for siblings who often sit in the background, holding a lot more than we realise.
If you have a child who might benefit, you can find more information here:

A weekly online SibWorks program for children aged 7–12 who have a sibling with disability. Build confidence, connection and coping skills over 7 weeks.

16/03/2026

🌏 Happy World Social Work Day 🌏
Co-Building Hope and Harmony

This year’s theme reminds us that stronger communities are built together across cultures, experiences, differences and shared humanity.

Harmony does not mean everyone is the same.
It means recognising that each person brings their own story, culture, strengths and way of seeing the world.

And at the same time, there is so much that connects us.

Families want their children to be understood.
Children need to feel safe and accepted.
Parents hope their children will grow up knowing they belong.

In my work with children and families, hope often shows up in small everyday moments:
• a child realising someone understands them
• a parent finding a new way to respond to big feelings
• adults coming together around a child
• a child experiencing success in something that once felt really hard

These moments might look small from the outside, but they matter.

For me, the work always comes back to one simple idea.
It starts with connection.

16/03/2026

Families check out NQ Family Therapy new Social Detective group running in April!

Does your child struggle with friendships or social situations?

They might:
• Misread social cues
• Interrupt or talk over others
• Find group situations confusing
• Struggle to make or keep friends

You are not alone, and support can help.

Our psychologist, Courtney, is excited to run the “You Are a Social Detective!” Social Thinking Program at NQ Family Therapy Centre.

This engaging program helps children aged 7-10 learn to understand what others might be thinking or feeling, recognise social cues, and develop the skills needed to build positive friendships.

Through games, discussions, and guided activities, children learn how to:
🧠 Make smart social guesses
👀 Notice social cues
💡 Use flexible thinking
🤝 Strengthen friendships

📅 Starting April | Every second Saturday
Limited places available

To express interest or refer a child:
admin@nqftc.com.au

Teachers, GPs and allied health professionals are welcome to refer.

12/03/2026

Living regionally can sometimes make it harder for families to access the right supports, but telehealth can be a great option for many children. Being in the comfort of their own home often helps kids feel more relaxed and open.

Today this awesome 11-year-old and I checked in via telehealth while working together on our matching 3D kangaroo models. The box says ages 3+… which we both quickly agreed was wildly optimistic 😂

There were a few moments where we weren’t quite sure how it was going to come together, but we didn’t give up. We slowed down, figured it out piece by piece, and worked through it together.

Turns out persistence, teamwork and a few laughs go a long way. 🦘💻