Chelle Houghton Infant-Parent Clinical Psychologist

07/07/2025

🌿 Important Update 🌿

As many of you know, my work as an Infant-Parent Clinical Psychologist has long been grounded in connection, care, and community. I’m writing today to let you know that from August 1st, 2025, this page will no longer be active, as I transition fully into my role as sole practitioner at Blossomtree Psychology.

This next chapter brings a consolidation of all services, offerings, and updates under the Blossomtree Psychology name. It’s a big and exciting change, and I’m incredibly grateful to continue supporting children, families, and caregivers through this next phase.

✨ My work with expectant parents and infants (0–4 years) will remain a central focus of my practice. I will also continue to accept referrals for children up to 9 years and 6 months of age.

To stay connected and follow along, please head over to Blossomtree Psychology on Facebook. I’d love to keep walking alongside you there 💛

With heartfelt thanks,
Chelle Houghton
Clinical Psychologist
Blossomtree Psychology

26/06/2025

Chelle sat down with Carly from You Can Grow Your Own Way Podcast to chat about parenting in a real, raw and authentic way. Listen here.

Taboo Topics Part 1! 😳🥸

Over the coming seasons, we aim to bring you discussions on topics we might be too shy or self conscious to talk about but we need to share. We would love your feedback and episode ideas! 😍

Ep 18 - We love our children, but what about when we don’t like them?

Any parent will navigate challenging behaviours from their children almost every day. But what happens when those behaviours are more frequent, extreme or developmentally inappropriate? How do we build fulfilling relationships with our children when their social and emotional language can be so different to ours?

We chat to Chelle Taylor of blossomtreepsychology about the grit and muck of parenting, about the days when when it all feels too hard and about how to change the lens on making connections with your neurodivergent child.

You can listen now on all major podcast platforms including:
- Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/you-can-grow-your-own-way/id1763975563?i=1000714567181
- Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/episode/49jfqU7GECrThECFpCV6MQ?si=Sqb9fOaqTIeOGqfebg5saw
- Podbean -https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/you-can-grow-your-own-way/id1763975563?i=1000714567181
- Youtube - https://youtu.be/lDn4qyUmq9o?si=2tNx5SppMOGF8JXP

Be sure to share with other parents and carers who will benefit from this discussion and share or follow so you don't miss an episode!

Happy listening 🎧💜

06/06/2025

29/03/2025

Always wonder what’s happened to bring forth this behaviour and what’s happened to them.

Calm yourself in the face of their troubles so to hold onto your compassion for what’s led them to behave with such survival instinct’s.

I beg you please don’t react to the behaviour, instead seek to understand. Manage yourself and your instinct to react. Please!!

25/03/2025

I recently read Mel Robbins Let Them Theory and it’s a really good book. I recall saying to a lot of people that it’s not new and I think what makes it revolutionary is that she is frank and real as she tells it. What I did think however was that it like all models is and has limitations.

So when a colleague told me tonight that she’d seen Mel interview a colleague of ours Dr Stuart Ablon, a man whose work is closely linked with Dr Perry I knew I had to see it. I knew that Stuart would add the meat and fill in the gaps and flesh out the simplicity of Let Them.

In 90 minutes Dr Ablon covers so much very rich information that summarises the philosophy of my work.

Do yourself a favour - and this is for everyone not just those in allied health - carve out 90 minutes and listen to this. Then save it and listen to it again and again!!!

You are welcome!!

Order my new book, The Let Them Theory 👉 https://bit.ly/let-them 👈 It will forever change the way you think about relationships, control, and personal powe...

08/03/2025

In Jan 2021 I embarked on a dreamt of professional development experience as the Napa Infant Parent Mental Health program moved to an online format.

There is a knowledge in Napa that once you arrive it is hard to leave because the learning is like nothing else you ever get exposed to and is transformative at both professional and personal levels.

So here we are 4 years later approaching final graduation from the Napa Programs. In the 4 year time period I have completed the Infant Parent Mental Health Fellowhip, completed the Reflective Supervision Academy which taught me so much, and brought me back to me and in this last 12 to 14 months have completed the Reflective Supervision Academy mentor program.

Words cannot capture the professional and personal growth I have experienced through this period. Because of Napa I am a better professional, a better leader, a better colleague, a profoundly better supervisor, a better friend, family member and all round better human.

I owe so many people thanks for these rich devleopmental experiences.

🙏🏼 Kristie and John Brandt for the development and continued commitment to providing the Napa Fellowship and the rich exposure and learning that I have had privilege of experiencing and the luminaries exposed to. Kristie you are such a powerful model of professionalism and kindness coupled with such a breadth of knowledge. Thank you so much for who you are, what you do and having become such an important person in my life.

🙏🏼 Rachel Talamentez thank you for your leadership and modelling of thoughtful, grounded, kind and safe reflective practice and learning. I have adored getting to know you better, especially this last 12 months.

🙏🏼 Stephanie Paravicini for my initial exposure to reflective practice and supervision in my fellowship year that directed my passion and commitment to follow a reflective supervision and consultation path.

🙏🏼 Julia Bantimba thank you for the most execptional model of reflective supervision in my RSA year. Julia you provided me the safest of places in which to embrace and lean into vulnerability and authenticity and truly re-align to the core values instilled in me by my beautiful Mum.

🙏🏼 Beth Heavilin where do I even start? I couldn’t have imagined doing RSAM with anyone but you. I have adored the evolution of our relationship this past year and look forward to a long friendship moving forward. I have learnt so much from being in your presence and your contribution to my growth must be acknowledged.

🙏🏼 Frances Attard, Grace Kodama and Michael Remole for affording me a rich experience to collaboratively mentor those providing reflective supervision and consultation.

🙏🏼 Michelle Marlowe for kindly agreeing to continued reflective supervision during 2024. I loved every rich collaborative discussion we shared.

🙏🏼 Jess Sewell for everything, right!! For our partnership, friendship, the incredible legacy we are leaving, and for co-creating the opportunity for me to undertake all of this study.

🙏🏼 All the clients I work with for their patience and kindness with my time off, fatigue and at times zombie like state.

🙏🏼 The parents and babies who have welcomed me into their lives and allowed me to collaborate with them in their development. To the teen and young mums who trust me to join them in their commitment and passion to ensure their trauma and attachment histories stop with them ❤️

🙏🏼 Those whom I supervise for embracing the shift from traditional models of supervision to a more truly reflective space and to allow me privilidge of witnessing their growth with this process.

🙏🏼 My friends and family who have patiently tolerated my absence and celebrated my successes.

So here I am at the end of four magical years of learning, relationally connecting and having developed and enriched friendships. I’ve been navigating a lot of endings lately and in doing so have developed a deep appreciation for the bittersweet experiences of Good Grief!!

16/02/2025

Kelly’s work is amazing and I encourage everyone professionals and parents to sign up for this.

I’m excited to be presenting at the 2025 Yellow Ladybugs Conference, a neuro-affirming and transformative event running from 3-5 June 2025.

I’ll be discussing Interoception & Gestalt Language Processing with the amazing Caroline Gaddy. Understanding how these unique processing styles impact autistic girls and gender-diverse young people, alongside an incredible lineup of autistic presenters, professionals, and lived experience advocates.

Join the conversation online from anywhere in the world with live and OnDemand access for 90 days. Use code EB1 for 10% off online tickets for a limited time.

Thinking about attending in person? Hybrid tickets include Day 3 in Melbourne at Hyatt Place, Essendon Fields—but they sell out fast, so don’t wait.

Get your ticket today at YLBconference.com and be part of this incredible conference.

16/01/2025

Alright families and colleagues…

Let’s all get in our cars and go to the Halls Gap zoo and while you are there pre book an animal encounter where you can get up close and personal. Don’t forget to buy souvenirs and maybe even some birthday shopping for friends this year.

Then once done at the zoo don’t head home… head on into town have a meal and if it’s a warm day stop at the pool and have a swim. Spend the afternoon visiting local wineries and stock up on some of your favourites and then you know what stick about for dinner because there’s some amazing dining experiences.

Heck enjoy a bevvy - you know you've earned it, and stay overnight in one of the many accomodation options and then breakfast in town before heading home via more vineyards the next day.

Most if not all of these businesses are small mum and dad family operated businesses whose major source of income is tourism and that income was decimated by the recent fires.

So get out your diaries and planners, get on the phone and start booking!!!

The Halls Gap Zoo could lose up to $350,000 unless tourism numbers improve in the Grampians.

🔗 https://stawelltimes.com.au/story/8867247

📸 Ben Fraser ✏ Ben Fraser

15/01/2025

Families, Friends & Colleagues this is the work of one of my amazing partners who provide amazing NDIS services in Newcastle NSW.

Red Frog for Families is an allied health service, based in Newcastle, NSW. Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy, Music Therapy, Community Access, Assessments, School Holiday Social Programs.

18/11/2024

Supporting Grieving Hearts After Pregnancy Loss

As a perinatal and infant-parent mental health psychologist, I want to take a moment to acknowledge the profound grief that comes with pregnancy loss. Whether it’s a miscarriage, stillbirth, or other forms of loss, these experiences can feel isolating, overwhelming, and heartbreaking.

What I often hear from parents in my practice is how invisible their grief feels. Friends and family may not know what to say or do, unintentionally leaving them to carry the weight alone. But your loss matters. The dreams you had for your baby, the hopes for their future, and the bond you began forming are all real—and so is your pain.

It’s important to give yourself permission to grieve, however that looks for you. Grief doesn’t have a timeline, and it doesn’t follow a straight path. Some days may feel heavier than others, and that’s okay.

Here are some gentle reminders for anyone navigating this journey:

• Seek support. Whether through a trusted friend, family member, or professional, sharing your feelings can lighten the burden. Support groups for pregnancy loss can also be a healing space.

• Honor your baby. Creating rituals or keepsakes, writing a letter, or planting something in their memory can provide comfort and connection.

• Be kind to yourself. Grief can bring waves of guilt, shame, or self-blame. These feelings are common, but they aren’t truths. Offer yourself the compassion you would give a dear friend.

To those supporting someone through this loss: your presence matters more than your words. Simply saying, “I’m here for you,” or acknowledging their grief can mean the world.

Pregnancy loss is a journey no one should walk alone. If this is your story, know that healing is possible, and there’s help available. Please reach out if you need someone to walk alongside you.

You are not alone.

17/11/2024

Today is the first day of Perinatal Mental Health week.

The relationships an infant experiences are integral in their healthy brain development and in turn their long term mental health.

Healthy infants whose brains develop well create prosperous communities and futures.

But where does healthy development start? With the mental health and wellbeing of parents. This is even more important when expecting parents carry their own trauma histories.

Pregnancy naturally brings many changes for parents, in so many facets of life and those with their own trauma histories often speak with me about their fear of intergenerational patterns repeating.

A focus on perinatal treatment for parents both during pregnancy and post birth together with their babies support parents and protect against this intergenerational pattern of trauma repeating and affords the development of healthy relationships for the infant that are so essential in brain development.