Early Start Australia’s therapists are highly trained and experienced health professionals and are particularly skilled working with children with developmental delays and neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism, ADHD, sensory processing challenges and more. Their multi-disciplinary teams include occupational therapists, speech pathologists, psychologists, dietitians, physiotherapists and allied health assistants.

Immediate availability

With nine clinics catering to occupational therapy in Queensland’s southeast (six in the Greater Brisbane area), there’s likely to be an Early Start Australia therapy clinic near you. Early Start Australia have an extensive network of therapists across the region, which means that their helpful client services team can find an occupational therapy appointment for you immediately. No waiting!

Occupational Therapy Services

If you have any concerns about any aspect of your child’s development, Early Start Australia’s occupational therapists can help. Early Start Australia’s occupational therapists can assist with a range of challenges your child may be experiencing, including in the areas of:

• Physical development
• Achievement of early milestones
• Social skills and communication
• Eating and feeding
• Behaviours of concern
• Emotional regulation
• Sensory function
• Daily living skills e.g. dressing and toileting
• Mental health

Support with diagnosis and access to funding

Early Start Australia’s occupational therapists provide comprehensive assessment and screening services.

If you would like your child to be assessed for a possible autism or other diagnosis, Early Start Australia’s therapists can assist. Comprehensive assessment reports provided by your therapist or multi-disciplinary therapy team can assist your child’s doctors with their diagnosis.

Early Start Australia’s therapists are experienced with writing reports supporting NDIS Access Requests and are happy to communicate with NDIS representatives to provide additional information regarding your child’s needs.

Early Start Australia’s therapists provide on-site preschool and prep screens, and work closely with early childhood centres and schools in and around Brisbane.

Multiple funding options available

Early Start Australia is an approved NDIS provider and provider of Early Childhood Early Intervention services, which means that children and young adults with NDIS funding can access fully funded therapy.

Early Start Australia’s therapists are registered Medicare Providers. Children eligible for a relevant Medicare referral or who have allied health services covered in their private health fund cover can receive a rebate for services.

Flexible services to meet the needs of your child and family

Early Start Australia has well-appointed and welcoming clinic facilities, however if you need a therapist to come to you or to your child’s school or childcare centre they offer a mobile therapy service too.

Can’t attend an in-person appointment, or do you live in a rural or remote location? Early Start Australia offers telehealth appointments. Their therapists are very skilled in engaging children during online therapy, and can also offer parent coaching and support online too.

Group programs

Early Start Australia regularly runs group therapy programs, which focus on a range of areas such as helping kids to make friends, developing their social skills (eg. conversations, reading body language) or getting ready to start school.

Holiday and after school groups are a particularly great way to practice learned skills, tackle and overcome a new challenge, and connect with other children and families who understand your journey.

Highly skilled and experienced therapists

Early Start Australia’s Queensland team includes occupational therapists, speech pathologists, psychologists, dietitians, physiotherapists and allied health assistants who are all trained specifically to work with children and young people.

Their therapists all participate in ongoing professional development, specialised training, and supervision to ensure they are providing your child with the best possible service that is underpinned by research evidence and best practice principles.

Testimonials

Due to AHPRA regulations, health services are unable to obtain testimonials, however a great indication of a health service can be gained from staff testimonials. Click here to read more about the business and read some staff testimonials for Early Start Australia.

Early Start Australia’s Occupational Therapy Locations

Ashmore 

Buderim

Carina 

Coomera 

Murarrie 

Springfield

Strathpine

Toowong 

Upper Mt Gravatt 

To find out more about how Early Start Australia can help your family with their Occupational Therapy Services, head to the Early Start Australia website or phone 1300 372 439.

Children’s Nursing Queensland understand that finding appropriate community nursing care for paediatric patients within Queensland can be difficult. There is now a specific private nursing service to cater to children’s needs in their own homes.

Children’s Nursing Queensland is the first paediatric-specific nursing service to support children living in their community withspeciality paediatric nurses staff. With a focus on avoiding unnecessary hospital visits and supporting children to thrive in their own home with their family right by their side, CNQ ensures your child is their priority.

What does Children’s Nursing Queensland do?

Children’s Nursing Queensland offers paediatric nursing services to children in their own homes with various clinical and assessment skills to cover various needs. Telehealth consultations are available to those who live outside of South East Queensland. Their Clinical Nurse Consultants are also Registered Stomal Therapists who can offer support with the following:

• Feeding tubes, gastrostomy, jejunostomy, PEG and nasogastric tubes
• Bowel and bladder stomas
• (including colostomies, ileostomies, urostomies and vesicostomies)
• Continence stomas (including Mitrofanoff’s, MACE’s and chaits)
• Pressure injuries and complex wound care
• Complex continence needs including catheter changes
• Continence assessments and management
• Assist NDIS participants to obtain appropriate support and funding through comprehensive
• specialist nursing assessments
• Education and support for schools, early learning centres, support workers and respite facilities

National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)

NDIS participants are welcome to get in touch for assistance with comprehensive assessments to ass ist with ensuring they have sufficient documentation for appropriate funding to meet their needs. Specialist nursing and continence assessments can be completed by experienced Clinical Nurse Consultants and Stomal Therapists. Assessments are completed to ensure children receive appropriate care plans, consumables, funding and focuses on practical recommendations to support your child.

Education and information for educators and carers

Children’s Nursing Queensland can provide education and information for early learning centres, schools and support workers to support children to attend social and educational opportunities in a safe manner. Education and information can be provided for a specific child or in a general manner on the following topics:

• Tube feeding, including gastrostomy, nasogastric tubes
• Stoma care and management
• Catheterisation and other continence needs
• Other topics relevant to a specific child’s needs

What makes them stand out?

Children’s Nursing Queensland is the only paediatric-specific nursing team in Queensland that is staffed by specialist children’s nurses and Stomal Therapists. The team all have extensive experience in a world-class paediatric hospital with specific experience caring for children with the following conditions:

• Spina bifida and other congenital spinal cord conditions
• Spinal cord injury
• Cerebral palsy
• Acquired and traumatic brain injury
• Ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease and Hirschsprung disease
• Anorectal malformations
• Complex surgical requirements
• Limb difference and amputation
• Conditions leading to complex wounds and pressure injuries

In Home Paediatic Care you can trust

“Our initial contact with CNQ was at a very isolating time of year, CNQ were there to reassure us and scheduled an appointment so that we didn’t have to face ED”

“kind and friendly, very informative and understanding of our daughters complex need”

“Her report was so thorough and comprehensive, it has already helped her doctors and allied health team greatly moving forward. We have no hesitation in recommending CNQ. And we will continue to use their service in the future”

How to get in touch with Children’s Nursing Queensland

Families are welcome to contact Children’s Nursing Queensland directly to discuss their child’s needs and book a consultation. Telehealth appointments are available nationally and face to face appointments are available throughout South East Queensland. Find out more about them at www.cnqld.com.au

Making your life easier (and your teeth healthier) is their priority. The latest addition to their network of dental centres are open 7 days a week, with late and emergency appointments available, ensuring you’ll always have the support you need with experienced dentists on call.

Child-friendly dental care

You can expect all of the excellent value, caring service, and professional expertise that’s synonymous with the brand, along with a wide range of services, including dental care for children, general check-ups, cosmetic dentistry, and more. Pacific Smiles Dental offers fixed price dental check-ups* for patients without health insurance and Free Kids Dental# for eligible families under the Child Dental Benefits Schedule. An eligible child will receive up to $1000 in benefits from the Commonwealth Government to spend on selected dental services every two calendar years.

Pacific Smiles remains committed to caring for the health and well-being of their local communities and are focused on ensuring easy access to great value, high-quality dental care. When you visit the team, you can have peace of mind knowing that significant health precautions are being taken with additional measures, cleaning, and hygiene protocols to ensure your safety during this time.

How to book a dentist appointment

To book an appointment, visit pacificsmilesdental.com.au

Pacific Smiles Dental looks forward to welcoming you (and your smile), soon.

Terms and Conditions: Offers only available at Pacific Smiles Dental, Raymond Terrace. *Fixed Price Check-ups are $190 for adults over the age of 12 and $85 for kids 12 and under and include examination (011,012), scale and clean (114), or removal of plaque (111), fluoride (121), x-rays (022 x 2) and OPG (037) as deemed necessary and appropriate in the clinical opinion of the dentist. #Free Kids Dental when services covered by the Commonwealth Government’s Child Dental Benefits Schedule are bulk billed by participating practitioners for treatments provided to eligible patients. Fixed Price and CDBS offers not to be used in conjunction with any other offer or government scheme, nor substitutable or redeemable for cash. Dental services are provided by independent practitioners. Pacific Smiles Dental is owned and operated by Pacific Smiles Group Pty Ltd ABN 42 103 087 449.

Online After Hours Doctor | Available 7 Days a Week across Australia

Whether you or a family member experience an unexpected cold, a sudden fever, a minor injury, a lingering health concern, or you are away on holiday and need a doctor, the requirement for a doctor and after hours doctor outside of regular hours can arise frequently.

This is the moment when the ease of scheduling an online doctor’s appointment, especially during after hours, can be of assistance.

Private Medical Telehealth Services Available For All Age Groups, 7 Days A Week

Private Medical Telehealth offers private and personalised online doctor and online after hours doctor telehealth services catering to individuals of all age groups including children and adults.

Their services are available 7 days a week, including during the day, after hours, weekends, and even public holidays.

15 minute online doctor and after hours doctor private medical telehealth consults with Private Medical Telehealth are $69 every day, Australia wide.

Services Available

Private Medical Telehealth’s online doctor and after hours doctor services include:

• Acting as your online doctor or online after hours doctor
• Dial-in ASAP online doctor services for urgent asap medical care but non-emergency medical appointments
• Health and wellness online doctor services
• Chronic care online doctor services
• Mental health online doctor service
• Online prescriptions – new e-prescriptions and e-prescription refills for medications
• Online medical certificates
• Online referrals to other medical practitioners or medical specialists

Their doctors are highly qualified Australian registered online doctors who are experienced at delivering online medical care through telehealth technologies.

The Benefits Of Booking An Online Doctor or After Hours Doctor Via Telehealth

Some of the benefits of booking an online doctor and after hours doctor telehealth appointment with Private Medical Telehealth include:

• Accessibility – You can access their online doctor and after hours doctor care from any Australia-wide location without the need to travel to a physical clinic or an ER department. Private Medical Telehealth appointments are easy to book online, or you can contact their dedicated medical administration team on 135 001 to book an appointment over the phone.
• Convenience – You can schedule a telehealth appointment on a day and time that fits into your family’s schedule, including during the day, evenings, weekends and even public holidays.
• Reduced appointment wait times – Online doctor appointments often involve shorter wait times compared to in-person doctor visits, ensuring quick access to medical advice.
• ASAP medical care – For non emergency but ASAP care, medical care needs, or after hours medical needs, you and your family can receive prompt medical attention without waiting for a traditional medical clinic to open or spending hours in a local emergency department.
• Online referrals to medical specialists – If deemed necessary by the doctor, an online doctor can provide referrals to other medical specialists.
• Online prescriptions (e-prescriptions) – If deemed necessary by the doctor, new e-prescriptions and e-prescription refills can be issued by the online doctor.
• Follow up medical care – Telehealth can be used for regular follow up doctor consultations, monitoring of chronic conditions, and prescription refills.
• Privacy and comfort – You may not feel comfortable discussing all medical needs with an in-person GP. In an online doctor’s appointment, you can openly discuss your own or your family’s health concerns in a private and comfortable environment. Their appointments can be kept entirely separate from government, insurance, and other health providers to ensure complete privacy.

Overall, online doctor and online after hours doctor telehealth appointments with Private Medical Telehealth provide a personalised, versatile and accessible means of obtaining non-emergency medical care when and where you need it.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Private Medical Telehealth online doctor and after hours doctor appointment cost? 15-minute online doctor and after hours doctor private medical telehealth consults are priced at $69 every day Australia wide.

If I utilise Private Medical Telehealth services, am I entitled to a Medicare rebate? Private Medical Telehealth are a private telehealth service and payment will be required prior to your online consultation with one of their doctors, however some consultation types do attract Medicare rebates, and if you have one of these appointments, they will be able to process a rebate through Medicare for you.

Bulk billed services are not available through this service, and currently most Medicare items are not available via telehealth, however exceptions do apply for:

• Babies under 12 months of age
• People requiring GP advice on Mental Health Care Plans, smoking cessation some reproductive health enquiries
• Anyone who has COVID and/or needs to be assessed for COVID antiviral medication

How do I book an online doctor or after hours doctor’s appointment for myself or a family member? Private Medical Telehealth appointments are easy to book online, or you can book your appointment over the phone by contacting their dedicated medical administration team on 135 001.

How do I participate in a telehealth appointment? Do I need technical skills? Connecting with a Private Medical Telehealth online doctor or after hours doctor is easy. You do not need fancy technical skills. All you need to do is click a link sent to you via SMS or email to connect with your online doctor or after hours doctor via a smart phone, tablet or computer that has a camera and microphone.

When and where are Private Medical Telehealth services available? Private Medical online doctor and after hours doctor services are available 7 days a week including during the day, after hours, weekends, and even public holidays across Australia.

What age groups do Private Medical Telehealth doctors see? Private Medical Telehealth offers private and personalised online doctor and online after hours doctor telehealth services catering to individuals of all age groups, including both children and adults.

To find out more, or to book an appointment, please visit the Private Medical Telehealth website.

Early Start Australia’s therapists are highly trained and experienced health professionals and are particularly skilled working with children with developmental delays and neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism, ADHD, sensory processing challenges and more. Their multi-disciplinary teams include occupational therapists, speech pathologists, psychologists, dietitians, physiotherapists and allied health assistants.

Immediate availability

With eight clinics catering to speech pathology in Queensland’s southeast (five in the Greater Brisbane area), there’s likely to be an Early Start Australia therapy clinic near you. Early Start Australia have an extensive network of therapists across the region, which means that their helpful client services team can find a speech pathology appointment for you immediately. No waiting!

Speech Pathology services 

If you have any concerns about any aspect of your child’s speech and language development, Early Start Australia’s therapists can help. Early Start Australia’s therapists can assist with a range of challenges your child may be experiencing, including in the areas of:

• Speech and language development
• Achievement of early milestones, such as babbling and first words
• Social skills and communication
• Eating and feeding

Multiple funding options available

Early Start Australia is an approved NDIS provider and provider of Early Childhood Early Intervention services, which means that children and young adults with NDIS funding can access fully funded therapy.

Early Start Australia’s therapists are registered Medicare Providers. Children eligible for a relevant Medicare referral or who have allied health services covered in their private health fund cover can receive a rebate for services.

Flexible services to meet the needs of your child and family

Early Start Australia has well-appointed and welcoming clinic facilities, however if you need a therapist to come to you or to your child’s school or childcare centre they offer a mobile therapy service too.

Can’t attend an in-person appointment, or do you live in a rural or remote location? Early Start Australia offers telehealth appointments. Their therapists are very skilled in engaging children during online therapy, and can also offer parent coaching and support online too.

Group programs

Early Start Australia regularly runs group therapy programs, which focus on a range of areas such as helping kids to make friends, developing their social skills (eg. conversations, reading body language) or getting ready to start school.

Holiday and after school groups are a particularly great way to practice learned skills, tackle and overcome a new challenge, and connect with other children and families who understand your journey.

Highly skilled and experienced therapists

Early Start Australia’s Queensland team includes occupational therapists, speech pathologists, psychologists, dietitians, physiotherapists and allied health assistants who are all trained specifically to work with children and young people.

Their therapists all participate in ongoing professional development, specialised training, and supervision to ensure they are providing your child with the best possible service that is underpinned by research evidence and best practice principles.

Testimonials

Due to AHPRA regulations, health services are unable to obtain testimonials, however a great indication of a health service can be gained from staff testimonials. Click here to read more about the business and read some staff testimonials for Early Start Australia.

Early Start Australia’s Speech Pathology Locations

Ashmore 

Buderim 

Coomera 

Murarrie 

Springfield 

Strathpine 

Toowong 

Upper Mt Gravatt

To find out more about how Early Start Australia can help your family with their Speech Pathology Services, head to the Early Start Australia website or phone 1300 372 439.

The Parenting Place is run by Nicole Scurr and Chantelle Forsyth who have a wealth of knowledge between them including paediatric emergency, cardiac and intensive care, maternal child health and lactation. With six children between them, ranging from 5 through to 15 years old, Nicole and Chantelle know the challenges that can present at a range of ages. As trained health professionals, they have worked with hundreds of parents from all walks of life and they know how the right support can create a happy, healthy, thriving family. They can help you to achieve your breastfeeding and parenting goals – whatever they may be.

What services are available at The Parenting Place?

Becoming Parents and The Next Nine Months Classes

This class is aimed at both expectant parents and covers practical, common sense and evidence-based information about life with your baby.

Topics covered include:

• The importance of a family’s first six weeks
• Getting breastfeeding of to a great start
• Your baby’s development
• Sleep & Settling
• Infant cues and behaviours
• What will life look like as a new parent
• How to look after yourselves

The Parenting Place takes special consideration in these classes to also discuss your transition to parenthood, the importance of self-care and perinatal mental health.

Baby and Child First Aid Training

Knowing what to do in an emergency is something all parents want to know. The Parenting Place offers small, hands-on, practical baby and child first aid courses that will empower you with all the knowledge and skills you need for when you least expect it.

Baby and Infant First Aid training sessions are held in The Parenting Place’s North Brisbane studio, as well as at Eve Health in Spring Hill.

They are happy for you to get a group of friends or family together at a time that is suitable for you, or you can join one of their public sessions.

Contact The Parenting Place to see when the next session is.

Their workshops are hands-on and involve lots of practical time on their Laerdal infant resuscitation manikins and little junior manikin, which electronically monitors CPR rate and depth.

• Recognising a first aid emergency and how to respond
• Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
• Choking
• Bleeding
• Fractures & dislocations
• Burns
• Drowning
• Allergic reactions & anaphylaxis
• Poisons – ingestion, bites and stings
• Fevers/ Febrile convulsions
• Gastroenteritis – dehydration prevention
• Respiratory illnesses/ breathing difficulties
• Falls and head injuries
• Safety in the home

All participants will receive training material and light refreshments.

Each session runs for approximately 3 hours.

Other Parenting Place offerings

• Lactation Consultations with International Board-Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLC)
• Sleep & settling advice
• Mother’s groups
• Infant Massage
• Circle of Security Parent Program

Visit www.theparentingplace.com.au for more info.

To speak with them or book a class, please email admin@theparentingplace.com.au or call 0413 008 278. Follow their social media pages to keep up to date with upcoming workshops.

(Images thanks to Amie Forbes)

Nurturing Emotional Resilience: A Comprehensive Workshop Series For Parents & Educators

In today’s complex world, the emotional well-being of children and adolescents is more crucial than ever. Understanding and managing emotions is essential, not just for personal development but for cultivating higher self-esteem, better social skills, and healthier relationships. As parents, educators, and caregivers, you play a pivotal role in guiding the younger generation through the labyrinth of their emotions, from the frustration of a toddler’s tantrum to the tumultuous emotional waves of adolescence.

With over 15 years’ experience in both public and private settings, psychologist Nicole Dorrington from PsychInMind offers a series of workshops designed to empower both parents and educational professionals with the knowledge, strategies, and tools necessary for nurturing emotional resilience in children and teens.

Tailored Workshops For Every Need

Nicole brings her extensive experience in psychology and training program development to offer a wide range of workshops and training programs. Nicole’s latest parent workshop, Toddler to Teens; Nurturing Emotional Regulation, has received overwhelming feedback from parents over the past three years.

Upcoming PsychInMind Parent Workshop

Toddler to Teens: Nurturing Emotional Regulation

• Date: 15 June 2024
• Time: 9:00 am – 4:30 pm
• Location: Garden City Mt Gravatt Library
• Early Bird Discount: Register now and save $100! Early bird discount available until 24 May 2024 (via the PsychInMind website)

Workshop Highlights:

• Understanding Emotional Regulation: Dive deep into the art and science of emotional regulation, learning how to support your child or students through their developmental stages.
• Co-Regulation Strategies: Discover relationship-based strategies for co-regulating with children, guiding them towards emotional wisdom with empathy and effectiveness.
• Neuroscientific Insights: Gain a foundational understanding of the neuroscience behind emotions and how brain development impacts emotional regulation from infancy through adolescence.
• Practical Techniques and Activities: Engage in hands-on activities designed to solidify your understanding and application of emotional regulation strategies, making your learning experience interactive and
  impactful.

PsychInMind Professional Development Programs

Nicole offers a range of professional development programs:

• Circle of Security: A parenting program designed to enhance the attachment between parents and children.
• Understanding Childhood Trauma and Attachment: Insights into how trauma affects child development and strategies to foster secure attachments.
• Neuroscience of Complex Developmental Trauma: A deep dive into the brain’s development in response to trauma and practical approaches for support.
• Trauma-Informed Care: Training for caregivers on providing care that acknowledges and understands trauma.
• Vicarious Trauma and Self-Care: Essential strategies for caregivers to manage their own well-being while supporting others.
• Introduction to PACE: Techniques for developing emotional regulation in children through a relational-based approach.
• Child and Adolescent Mental Health Topics: Including anxiety, depression, adjusting to family separation, grief and loss, and more.
• Behaviour Management within an Attachment Framework: Strategies for managing behaviour while strengthening the caregiver-child bond.

Services Tailored For Your Needs

Whether you are a school, kindergarten, daycare, or any institution dedicated to nurturing young minds, PsychInMind offers professional development topics that can be customized to fit the unique needs of your service. These workshops can be facilitated conveniently in your workplace or online, ensuring flexibility and accessibility for all.

To book a workshop or inquire about tailoring a program to meet your specific needs, please reach out via the contact form on the PsychInMind website, or email Nicole directly at nicole.dorrington@psychinmind.com.

Individual Therapy

Nicole provides therapy to children, teens, and families at Therapywell, Auchenflower. Please send referrals to info@therapywell.com.au.

Let’s work together to nurture a brighter, more resilient future for our children and adolescents.

To find out more, please visit the PsychInMind website.

Osteopathy is a gentle, whole-body treatment particularly suitable for babies, children and pregnant women. Dr Arun Shapleski (Osteopath) is an experienced Brisbane-based osteopath who uses a very gentle form of treatment called ‘cranial osteopathy’, which despite its name, can be applied anywhere in the body, not just the head. There are no ‘cracks or crunches’ or other forceful movements utilised by other therapies. This makes it a gentler option of treatment for the musculoskeletal components of a wide range of problems affecting babies, children and pregnant women.

How Can Osteopathy Help Babies And Children?

Osteopathy focuses on a whole-body approach to determine the CAUSE of the problem, recognising the important link between the structure of the body and the way it functions. By using skilled palpatory evaluation, diagnosis and a range of hands-on techniques, osteopaths identify and treat dysfunction in your body, positively affecting the body’s nervous, circulatory and lymphatic systems.

The birth process can be incredibly demanding on both mother and baby, creating stresses and strains throughout the baby’s head (cranium), spine and pelvis. Difficulties may arise when the baby is unable to adapt to these strains following birth.

What Happens During An Osteopathic Consultation?

A thorough case history covering your pregnancy, childbirth and past medical conditions is covered before an orthopaedic and neurological examination is performed. This includes measurements for head shape (investigating potential plagiocephaly or flat head syndrome), developmental milestones, infantile reflexes and normal orthopaedic development.

Treatment is unique to the individual child’s requirements, aimed at restoring the body’s natural self-healing capacity. At Bardon Osteopathy Brisbane, they only use gentle techniques, such as cranial osteopathy, which often results in a relaxed child!

You can read more about cranial osteopathy for children HERE.

If necessary, advice may be given regarding positioning your baby to prevent head shape abnormalities, as well as how to best manage ‘tummy time’ and other developmentally-appropriate activities.

Osteopath Qualifications And Peace Of Mind

“Osteopaths complete five years of university study culminating in a Master of Health Science (Osteopathy), and are government-registered allied health practitioners. I have undertaken post-graduate studies in paediatrics (treatment of babies and children), obstetrics (pregnancy), visceral (the treatment of organ dysfunction) and cranial osteopathy.”

Osteopaths are recognised by Medicare under the chronic disease management (CDM) plan, and are covered by most major private health funds.

Bardon Osteopathy is located at 151 Boundary Road, Bardon, in Brisbane.

To find out more, please visit the Bardon Osteopathy website, or phone (07) 3368 1300.

What does Lotus Health and Psychology do?

Lotus Health and Psychology fills an important gap in perinatal care. They support parents who don’t “fit” typical obstetric and maternity services, such as solo parents, parents who have experienced obstetric loss, traumatic birth, or infertility, those having their “rainbow baby” after loss, and LGBTIQA+ parents. They recognise that not all people can (or want to) physically visit a clinic, whether for psychological, physical, or geographical reasons, so services can be accessed by telehealth, ensuring all people have access to quality, caring support.

What services do they offer?

The Lotus Health and Psychology team offers genuinely integrated allied health services that ensure the physical and psychological health needs of each patient are met. Lotus provides “wrap-around” care from practitioners including psychologists, a social worker/postpartum doula, fertility counsellors, a couples and sexual health counsellor, a naturopath/nutritionist, a midwife/lactation consultant, a parenting coach and beauty/massage therapist.

They specialise in the provision of care for people experiencing fertility issues (including surrogacy and donor conception, coping with infertility, and accepting a life of childlessness), specific reproductive needs (prenatal, pregnancy and postnatal), or more general reproductive transitions (including people coping with adolescence or menopause). But (good news!) their skilled clinicians also support people with more general health and life stress needs (e.g. chronic pain or health conditions, work stress, family tress, relationship stress, weight loss goals (and much, much more)).

Lotus Director, Narelle Dickinson said “We pride ourselves on finding ways to support people who might not “fit” typical obstetric and maternity services, such as solo parents, parents with past obstetric losses, those who have had traumatic birth or infertility, those having their “rainbow baby” after loss and LGBTIQA+ parents. We love our little house, but we also understand that not everyone can (or want to) physically visit us in person, so our clinicians also offer telehealth support if that is the preference.”

Lotus Health and Psychology’s group programs

Lotus has recently introduced a range of groups, including mindful watercolour classes led by local artist Leticia Collins, antenatal/birth preparation classes, new-parent groups, and women’s circles, each of which increase the psychological, and emotional “toolboxes” of individual participants, and help build social and community connections (anyone else been having trouble building their friendship circles??!!).

Lotus Health and Psychology provides a real environment of care. Their friendly admin team make sure to take careful care of you from your first contact with them. They really understand how important it is to make sure that you feel safe. When you visit the clinic, you are welcomed into a professional, but relaxed and caring atmosphere. The team have worked hard to create a warm, “homey” feel to the clinic (it feels much more like you have walked into someone’s home, than a medical facility!), and, outside, you are surrounded by a divine, multi-sensory garden space (the “waiting room” has a giant mango tree which you can sit under and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee). Parents are welcomed to bring their infants, and the team can accommodate if you’d rather have your session out in the beautiful garden, equipped with play equipment for little hands and feet.

Testimonials

“I love the homey feel that Lotus has – it is so different from other medical clinics! Every time I visit, it feels as though I am visiting a friend. It is just so lovely.”

“There are quite simply not enough love emojis in the Metaverse nor the universe to express my gratitude for everything Lotus is and does.”

Frequently asked questions

I don’t think I can afford private care. Lotus Health and Psychology understands that the cost of living has sky-rocketed and lots of people are doing it tough. They offer low-cost services where they can, including psychology/counselling support.

I’ve just had a baby, can I bring them to the appointment with me? Of course you can – the Lotus team love babies and will do everything they can to make the visit comfortable for both of you.

I live too far away, can I have an online appointment? Absolutely. They’d love to see you in person, but understand that’s often just not possible, so most of the Lotus team offer telehealth session (some even home visit!).

I need after hours appointments. Can you do that? Just ask the Lotus Health and Psychology admin, as some of their team members offer weekend or after hours sessions.

It’s such a treat to feel how much the team care about making sure each and every patient gets exactly the care they need. Check out the Lotus Health and Psychology website to see the full team, the full range of services available, or even just read some of their informative blogs.

Services

Early Start Australia can assist with:

• Anxiety 
• Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD) 
• Learning and school difficulties
• Behaviour difficulties
• Anger management
• Attention and concentration difficulties (e.g. ADHD)
• Fears, stress and worry
• Phobias
• Depression
• Coping with separation 
• Sleep problems
• Relationship difficulties
• Parenting difficulties
• Trauma
• Self-harm and suicidal ideation
• Educational and Developmental Assessments
• Child Protection Counselling and Education

High-quality, affordable counselling and psychology services

Central to Early Start Australia’s mission is to provide your family with high-quality, affordable counselling and psychology services.

No referral is required however to be eligible to receive psychological services under Medicare, a person must be referred by their General Practitioner (GP) and, in some instances, by another medical specialist, such as a paediatrician. If a Mental Health Care Plan is not accessible to you, you may also be eligible for Private-health insurance rebates depending on your policy.

NDIS registered provider

Early Start Australia is an NDIS registered provider so you can also access their service as part of your NDIS Plan, whether that plan is self-managed, plan-managed, NDIA Managed or a combination of these. Early Start Australia’s Psychologists can assist with supporting NDIS clients experiencing development delays, psychosocial disabilities, and limited capacity in a number of areas including self-management.

Specialist mental health experts

The dedicated and qualified team of Child Psychologists and Mental Health Accredited Social Workers are highly trained and have experience working with a diverse range of clients. All Early Start Australia’s Psychologists are registered with the Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA), are eligible for membership with the peak professional body, the Australian Psychological Society (APS) and undertake continuous professional development. All Early Start Australia’s social workers are eligible for membership with the Australian Association of Social Workers and are accredited. Accredited mental health social workers are registered providers with Medicare. They have been assessed on behalf of the Commonwealth Government by the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) as having specialist mental health expertise.

Early Start Australia’s friendly and accommodating Reception and Admin team is also available via email or phone to discuss ways you can access services, availability and which therapist can match your family’s needs.

Early Start Australia also offers Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech Pathology and Dietitian services through their network of clinics throughout Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast.

They also have Group Programs scheduled during school holidays and throughout the school term. These include programs for Anxiety, Social Skills and Art Therapy.

Testimonials

Due to AHPRA regulations, health services are unable to obtain testimonials, however a great indication of a health service can be gained from staff testimonials. Click here to read more about the business and read some staff testimonials for Early Start Australia.

Early Start Australia’s Counselling & Psychology Locations

Buderim 

Carina 

Springfield 

Strathpine

Contact Early Start Australia by calling 1300 372 439, or via email strathpine@earlystartaustralia.com.au, carina@earlystartaustralia.com.au, springfield@earlystartaustralia.com.au OR buderim@earlystartaustralia.com.au.

More information about accessing Early Start Australia’s range of early childhood early intervention services is available through the Early Start Australia website.