At Healthy Mind Centre, we understand that it isn't always easy to know what support your child needs.

You may be waiting for therapy or an assessment, wondering whether an assessment is needed, or simply looking for practical support to help your child develop important skills.

We also recognise that demand for children's mental health services has grown considerably in recent years, meaning many families are waiting longer than they would like to access support.

Where appropriate, we believe children benefit from receiving support as early as possible. That's why we've introduced practical, play-based support for children with targeted developmental goals. This support is designed to complement psychology and assessment services and may be suitable while waiting for other services, following an assessment, or where lower-intensity support is the most appropriate starting point.

How can we help?

Every child is different.

Support is tailored to your child's strengths, interests and goals, and may focus on:

• emotional regulation

• communication

• social skills

• confidence

• flexible thinking

• problem-solving

• independence

• attention and participation

• coping with change

• learning through play

• supporting parents with practical strategies at home.

Our goal is to help children build skills they can use in everyday life—at home, at school and in the community.

Why play?

Children don't always learn best by sitting down and talking.

Play gives children a safe and natural way to explore, practise new skills and build confidence.

Sessions use games, activities and play to help children learn in ways that feel enjoyable and meaningful.

Waiting doesn't have to mean doing nothing

We know that waiting for therapy or assessment can be hard.

For many children, there are practical skills that can be developed while they wait.

Building these skills early can help children feel more confident and may make it easier to get the most out of future therapy or assessment.

Is this the right support for my child?

This support may be suitable if your child:

• is waiting for therapy or an assessment

• would benefit from support to develop specific skills

• has goals that may not currently require ongoing psychology sessions

• would benefit from putting assessment recommendations into practice

• is funded through the NDIS for Capacity Building supports.

If we think another Healthy Mind Centre service would better meet your child's needs, we'll discuss this with you and help guide you towards the most appropriate option.

Unsure whether your child needs an assessment?

Many parents notice differences in their child's learning, attention, behaviour or development but aren't sure whether a formal assessment is needed.

During your child's sessions, we'll continue to build an understanding of their strengths, areas of difficulty and progress over time. If we believe an assessment may be helpful, we'll talk this through with you and explain why.

Who provides this support?

Support is delivered by our Therapy Assistants under the ongoing supervision of a Clinical Psychologist.

This model helps children access practical support sooner, while keeping services affordable for families and ensuring care is guided by a psychologist throughout the process.

Funding

NDIS funding

This service may be funded through your NDIS plan under Improved Daily Living (Capacity Building).

To access this service using NDIS funding, your plan will need to:

• include psychology (or psychologist supports) under Improved Daily Living, or

• have Capacity Building funding that is not restricted to specific professions.

If you're unsure whether your plan covers this service, you may like to speak with your Local Area Coordinator, Support Coordinator, or Plan Manager before you book.

Private funding

Families are welcome to access this service privately.

As Therapy Assistants are not registered Medicare providers, Medicare rebates are not available for ongoing Therapy Assistant appointments.

Your initial appointment involves both the supervising psychologist and Therapy Assistant. If you have a valid Mental Health Treatment Plan, you may be eligible to claim a Medicare rebate for the psychologist's component of the initial appointment.

What happens next?

1. Get in touch

Complete our self-referral form online or contact our administration team by phone. We're happy to answer any questions and help determine whether this may be the right service for your child.

2. Complete your intake forms

We'll ask you to complete some intake paperwork so we can learn more about your child, your concerns and your goals.

3. Our triaging team will review your forms

Our clinical triaging team will review the information you've provided to determine whether Therapy Assistant support is likely to be the most appropriate service. If we believe another service would better meet your child's needs, we'll discuss this with you and explain our recommendations.

4. We'll confirm the best next step

If Therapy Assistant support is suitable, we'll match your child with an appropriate Therapy Assistant and contact you to arrange your first appointment.

Our approach

We believe every child deserves support that meets them where they’re at.

Our goal is to help children access the right support, at the right time, in a way that works for them and their family.

For more information, you can read our Frequently Asked Questions HERE.