Step by Step Psychology

School holidays are fast approaching! Please take a moment to check your schedule and confirm your appointment with us.

Has your child’s teacher noticed that they are struggling at school and you want to
ensure whether any underlying challenges are impacting them, but you’re unsure
where to start?

Our new Assessment Consultation service at Step by Step Psychology can help
determine which direction to take for your child. By gathering previous assessment
reports, school reports and parent knowledge, our Psychologists can sit with you and
help wade through the information at hand to determine whether or not as
assessment could be beneficial for your child.

These are one-off sessions without any ongoing commitments and are designed to
help you navigate the assessments processes involved.

Please phone Laura on 8821 6577 for more information regarding costs and
availability.

Is your child seeing a psychologist for the first time? Here are some tips to help prepare them for their session and make the experience smoother.

RESOURCES THAT WE LOVE!

10 things I wish you knew about your child's mental health.

Provides parents with recommendations from a paediatrician's perspective on ways to support a variety of mental health presentations including anxiety, low mood, self-esteem, behavioural issues, and understanding into neurodivergence.

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The NGV has an amazing kids' exhibition! Don't miss out—check out the details and plan your visit.

Ancient Egypt for Kids | NGV Children begin a journey of learning, play and discovery in this exhibition as they find out about the lives and times of the pharaohs, the building of the pyramids and the beautiful art objects made for eternity. Presented in the NGV children’s gallery, the exhibition features a selection of work...

Does your child have trouble sleeping? Check out these tips to make bedtime easier and help them get the rest they need.

Congratulations to Kate on her 3 year anniversary with Step by Step Psychology! Her dedication, hard work, and passion have made a huge impact on our team and the lives of her clients. Thank you Kate!

We are excited to welcome Ellie Fabbri back to Step by Step!

Ellie is an Educational and Developmental Psychologist who has a passion for working with children and adolescents, along with their families. Ellie has experience working with both neurotypical and neurodivergent clients regarding a range of concerns such as emotional regulation difficulties, anxiety, mood difficulties, and behavioural challenges.

Ellie is experienced in conducting comprehensive psychoeducational assessments for the purposes of understanding why a student is experiencing learning difficulties. She is also experienced in diagnostic assessments for Autism and ADHD.

Ellie takes a highly collaborative approach with families and those involved with the child in order to fully understand her clients’ needs. Ellie’s approach when working with her clients is strengths based and tailored to best support each individual’s unique needs and goals.

Have you been advised to get an Autism or ADHD assessment for your child, but
aren't sure which one, or if both, are necessary?

Step by Step Psychology new Assessment Consultation service is here to help
parents determine which assessments are needed and how to prioritise them. A
single session with our experienced psychologists ensures that your time and
financial investment in future assessments are precisely targeted to meet your child's
needs.

For more information on costs and availability, please contact Laura at 8821 6577.

It's Active August at Step by Step Psychology! Stay tuned all month for insights on the benefits of staying active and how it can enhance your well-being.

Winter is the perfect time to focus on self-care! Taking care of yourself during the colder months can boost your mood, enhance your immune system, and keep you energized. Your wellbeing matters!

Meet Olivia Burton! Olivia is available to see new clients over the age of 8. With her knowledge and compassionate care, she’s here to support you on your journey to better mental health.

Did you know the right foods can boost your mood? Nutrient-rich foods support brain health, regulate mood, and combat the winter blues. Enjoy comfort foods that trigger feel-good hormones and keep you happy and energized!

We have exciting news! Our Blackburn clinic is now accepting new clients. If you or someone you know needs support, we're here to help. Contact us today on 9893 4537 to schedule an appointment.

Step by Step Psychology Located in Blackburn & Nunawading, Step by Step is a child and adolescent focused psychology clinic.

We are excited to offer a new service at Step by Step Psychology- Assessment Consultations.

An assessment consultation with our psychologists can guide parents/families in deciding which assessment would be most appropriate for their child, as well as the process involved. It also may be useful for families who recently completed an assessment but are unsure what the results. We can assist in providing understanding and clarity of different diagnoses and explain or further explore associated recommendations.

Please give Georgia a call on 98934537 to book your consult today.

Don't let the cold weather stop you! Exercise is just as important in winter as it is in any other season. Staying active helps boost your immune system, improve mood, and maintain energy levels. Plus, it combats the winter blues! Keep moving and stay well this winter

Winter can be challenging for mental wellbeing due to reduced sunlight and colder weather. Here are a few tips on how to support our mental wellbeing during this time.

Warm up this winter with delicious and healthy soup recipes! Packed with nutrients, these soups are perfect for boosting your wellness during the colder months

37 immunity-supporting soups for winter Help set your body up for when the sniffles hit this winter with these immune-supporting soups. With plenty of ingredients that can support healthy immune system function, as well as lots of seasonal veg, they’ll nourish your body, mind and soul.

Welcome to Winter Wellness Month at Step by Step! Join us all July for tips on how to stay well through the winter.

We would like to welcome Melody to the Step by Step team. Melody joins our Blackburn clinic and has immediate availability. Give Georgia a call on 98934537 to enquire about appointments.

Here are 5 fun brain facts:
• Learning a new language, sport or musical instrument rewires your brain.
• Your brain is a powerful smooth running machine, but its mechanics still puzzle scientists. As well as driving your body systems, the brain also supercharges your feelings.
• You spend about a third of your life asleep! If you live to 75 years, that is 25 years napping.
• Senses help you learn about the world, make judgments and stay safe.
• Downtime is when your brain does its housekeeping, by tidying old memories and strengthening new ones.

New Service Offer – Assessment Consultations

Assessment consultations are an independent session with a psychologist to gain support and guidance either pre or post psychological assessment. We can assist in providing understanding and clarity of different diagnoses and explain or further explore associated recommendations.

Please contact our Client Support Team for further details.

Blackburn: 9893 4537
Nunawading: 8821 6577

Here are 5 fun Brain Facts:
• Every brain has around 200,000,000,000,000 connections- that's more stars than there are in the Milky Way!
• The spinal cord alone contains more than 13 million neurons.
• You don't have the brain space to remember everything. Your brain decides what is worth keeping. The rest is forgotten.
• One in five children sleepwalk. This means sitting up or wandering around while fast asleep.
• The average person has nearly 2000 dreams a year.

Understanding Childhood Brain Development: Insights from Psychology

As a parent, understanding your child's brain development can provide valuable insights into their behavior, emotions, and learning abilities. As a psychologist, I've seen firsthand the significance of nurturing a child's cognitive and emotional growth. Here's a breakdown of childhood brain development and how you can support your child's journey.

RESOURCES THAT WE LOVE!

Laura P, one of our psychologists at Nunawading, has recently been recommending this book to families dealing with strong emotions and challenging behavior in young kids. She has received excellent feedback, with families finding the book both insightful and practical.

Little People, Big Feelings Buy Little People, Big Feelings by Genevieve Muir, PaperBack format, from the Dymocks online bookstore.

Here are 5 fun Brain Facts:
• A tiny mouse's brain is much much faster than the world's biggest supercomputer.
• The brain generates enough electricity to power a 12 watt light bulb.
• Your brain is only 2% of your total body weight, but it gobbles 20% of the energy you get from food.
• Weighing about 1.kg (the same as a rabbit), the full grown brain is one of your largest organs.
• The spinal cord alone contains more than 13 million neurons.

Our very popular 'Games Group' and 'Jungle Group' will be running again these school holidays.

The groups allow like-minded peers to spend time together doing something they enjoy. Fostering connection over a shared interest, your child will learn the valuable skills of sharing, negotiating, and compromising, all within a supportive and encouraging environment.

Participants will have a range of board games to play throughout the session, working with their peers to find something which is of shared interest.

Our dedicated facilitators are on hand to guide and support each child, ensuring they navigate challenges with confidence and camaraderie. Join us for a dynamic and engaging experience that goes beyond just playing games – it's a journey of growth and connection.

Please call Laura at our Nunawading clinic on 8821 6577 to secure your child's place today.

Our Nunawading Brain Awareness wall is looking fantastic!

June is Brain Awareness Month—join us as we share fascinating facts about the brain all month long!

Mindful in May Day 31: Pay attention to the sounds around you

Paying attention to the sounds around you is a simple and effective mindfulness practice. Find a quiet place to sit or stand, and close your eyes if you feel comfortable doing so. Take a few deep breaths to center yourself. Then, focus on the sounds in your environment. Notice the distant noises, like traffic or birdsong, as well as closer sounds, such as your breathing or the hum of an appliance. Listen without judgment or the need to identify the sources, simply allowing the sounds to come and go. This practice helps you stay present and enhances your awareness of the moment.