Warm, practical support for families of children 12 and under.
Are everyday challenges leaving you feeling overwhelmed? Are routines, transitions and constant reminders becoming exhausting?
Perhaps your child has a diagnosis,
you're waiting for an assessment or you're already accessing other services- Sometimes you just need fresh ideas and someone to help you put strategies into place.
Together We Thrive - Bright Minds, Calm Hearts, provides warm, personalised, non-clinical, non-judgmental support to families across Ballarat and surrounding areas.
You know your child best. My role is to help bring the pieces together. I work alongside you to better understand your child's individual needs, recognise their strengths and interests and develop practical, personalised supports that fit your child and family's everyday life.
Lived experience, knowledge and practical support
As a parent of neurodiverse children myself I know the journey all too well. At times it can be rewarding, at times a challenge, overwhelming and uncertain.
These personal experiences have shaped the way I support other families.
Ive learned that every child is different, requiring different approaches along the way.
Through my own personal experiences, working with children and obtaining many certifications throughout the past 20 years, I've adapted, explored and discovered what works to make my life easier. I would love to share that knowledge with you and help you discover what works best for your child too.
Many hands. Many hearts. Many ideas. One shared goal.
Every family deserves to feel supported, understood and never alone. Sometimes having person alongside you can bring fresh perspectives, new ideas and a little more confidence in finding a way forward.
I understand that waiting periods can feel long and exhausting, particularly when everyday challenges continue and you're left wondering what might help.
You don't have to wait for professional services to begin to explore practical ways to support your child. Together we can develop strategies to make everyday routines more manageable.
Where appropriate, I can also help you explore useful local services and resources that may complement the support your family already receives.
This service does not replace medical, psychological or allied health care or other professional services. It offers non-clinical support alongside them.
1. Meet and greet
We begin by getting to know your family, discussing your current concerns and identifying the priorities you would most like support with. Together, we clarify what you hope to achieve and what would make everyday life feel more manageable.
2. Parent or caregiver intake
An intake form helps build a fuller picture of your child—their strengths, interests, current routines and individual needs. It helps us look beyond the challenges and understand what may be contributing to them.
3. Observation in your chosen environment
With your agreement and presence, I'll spend some time observing your child in an environment familiar to them. This gives me the opportunity to better understand their everyday experiences, communication, sensory needs and transitions.
*Please Note- this is an informal observation not a clinical assessment, or diagnostic process*
4. Personalised resources and strategies
Following our conversations and observations, I develop practical tools suited to your family. These may include visual supports, schedules, routines, sensory strategies, transition suggestions and resources for everyday situations.
5. Implementation support
We arrange a return session to introduce your personalised resources and explore how they can fit naturally into your daily routines. I work alongside you so you can feel comfortable using, adapting and building on each strategy.
6. Follow-up and review
During our follow-up, we'll review what's working, what may need adjusting and whether your family has achieved the goals we identified initially.
If further or ongoing support is needed, I can help you navigate appropriate services.
Everyday support, thoughtfully tailored
Every child is unique and support they receive should reflect that.
I take the time to get to know your child's individual strengths, interests and preferences and the challenges they may experience. Working alongside your family to create practical, personalised resources and explore strategies designed to help make life a little easier.
Sometimes its the little things that make a meaningful difference. A visual routine on the wall, for example, may help your child understand what comes next , feel more prepared and develop a greater sense of independence. It may also ease some of the daily pressure on you as a parent or caregiver.
But that's just one example. Together, we'll explore what might work for your child, and your family.
I understand that every family's journey is unique. My role is to walk alongside you offering support, understanding and encouragement without judgement or expectations.
Family Feedback
Support and helpful links
Together We Thrive, Bright Minds, Calm Hearts provides short-term, practical, non-clinical support for parents and caregivers.
Support is personalised to each family's needs and may include home visits, meetings in a suitable community setting or online consultations.
Ive also included links below as a starting point to explore contact options and trusted support pathways, including community, education and disability. External organisations operate independently and information should be checked before relying on it. This service does not provide clinical, medical or emergency care.
Need urgent help? Call 000 for an immediate emergency. For crisis support in Australia, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800. Please do not rely on this website when urgent assistance is needed.
Enquire about family support and everyday strategies!
I’m here to listen and learn what would make everyday life feel more manageable for your family. Share a little about what you’re looking for, and I’ll be in touch to discuss suitable next steps.
I provide support across Ballarat and surrounding areas, with home visits, meeting in a community setting of your choice and online consultations.
Please don’t include urgent, highly sensitive or detailed clinical information in this form.
Submitting an enquiry does not guarantee an appointment.
FAQ
Understanding the support offered.
I support caregivers and parents of children up to the age of 12, across Ballarat and surrounding areas.
This may include Autistic children, ADHD, sensory differences etc but it's also for children experiencing everyday challenges and families looking for a little extra support.
You don't need a formal diagnosis to access my support.
I work alongside you to develop practical strategies and personalised resources that suit your family.
This may include:
Visual schedules, prompts, routines
Support with transitions and changes to routine
Emotional regulation tools
Sensory supports
Personalised resources designed around your child
Practical strategies for everyday challenges at home and in the community
Every child and family is different, so support is tailored to what matters most to you.
After you reach out to me, I'll organise a time for your free 15 minute consult, at a time that suits you best. This gives you the opportunity to share with me a little of what you have been experiencing and for me to see whether my service may be suitable for your family.
There's no obligation to proceed.
My approach is centred around working alongside parents/caregivers, while also getting to know your child.
With your agreement, this may include observation in the environment that you wish to meet and having some interaction with them.
This helps me better understand their strengths, interests, communications, preferences and everyday experiences through their eyes and yours.
I primarily offer support for the short-term.
We'll identify the areas you'd most like support with, explore new strategies and work together to put them into place.
My aim is to help you feel more confident using these strategies in everyday life, so you can have practical approaches you can continue to use and build on beyond our sessions.
If your family needs more intensive or ongoing support, I can help identify appropriate services where possible too.
Every family is different, so there isn't a set timeframe for anyone.
Generally, the process looks something like this:
FIRST -Your initial discussion is 15minutes and FREE.
NEXT - If you would like to proceed we'll arrange an initial meet and greet. I'll provide you with your intake form prior, we then discuss this information.
AROUND A WEEK LATER - A follow up visit to introduce your personalised strategies and resources and explore how to use them.
A FURTHER 2-3 WEEKS LATER - a check in to review how the process is going and make any adjustments that may be required.
Some families may only require this initial support process, others may benefit from additional visits. Any further support or visits will be discussed along the way and agreed upon together, so that you remain completely aware of next steps.
There is no expectation that everyone needs the same level of support. My approach is flexible and centred around what works best for your family.
Absoloutley! You don't need to have everything worked out before contacting me. Sometimes the hardest part is knowing where to start. I can talk you through whats happening for your family and explore whether my service will be at all helpful.
Service & Fees
Initial 15 minute consultation - Free
Individual family support-
$220$180 - introductory price - includes
60 minute support session
travel of up to 40 minutes (return journey)- includes
3350, 3352, 3355, 3356, 3357, 3363
(additional fee may apply for services out of these areas mentioned, and will be discussed beforehand)
personalised resources developed following session, where appropriate (visuals, charts etc)
Follow up appointments -
$90 - includes
45 minute support session
up 40 minutes travel round trip as above
**Brief email support between scheduled visits- Free