Growing Gently Psychology

Growing Gently Psychology Please note Rebecca is unable to offer personalised advice or counselling services via Facebook or Instagram.

Rebecca Cefai
Child & Perinatal Psychologist
Board Approved Psychology Supervisor
Conference Presenter
🧠 Neurodivergent & Neuroaffirming

A gentle approach to parenting and development in the early years

I didn’t expect this
 but my Neurodivergent Parenting Cards flew out the door at the Brisbane conference and into the ha...
02/05/2026

I didn’t expect this
 but my Neurodivergent Parenting Cards flew out the door at the Brisbane conference and into the hands of perinatal nurses, midwives, and lactation consultants.

The cards aren’t just affirmations, they’re a practical tool to reinforce the messages you’re already trying to hold with parents.

Messages like:

“It’s okay to do things differently”
“Everyone’s success looks different”
“What others think is none of my business”
“It’s okay to not have the answers”
“I am not perfect, but I am enough”

They can be gently woven into conversations around infant feeding, sleep, and development. They support parents to shift away from rigid expectations and towards something more flexible, compassionate, and sustainable.

I’ve stocked up ready for the Melbourne conference 🙌

If you missed out in Brisbane (or won’t be at Melbourne), you can purchase a deck via my website: https://www.growinggentlypsychology.com.au/category/all-products

Brisbane, that was something special
The conference today was incredible but it really began on Thursday night, sitting ...
01/05/2026

Brisbane, that was something special


The conference today was incredible but it really began on Thursday night, sitting around the table at dinner with the other presenters: a supportive, generous group of professionals.

It was one of those quiet “pinch me” moments where it all feels a bit surreal.

Here I was sharing space with these professionals:
The ones who have been genuinely innovative; creating supports for parents and babies that honour biology and attachment, steering away from behaviourist sleep approaches, and advocating fiercely for the wellbeing of both mothers and babies.

It was not that long ago, I was the first-time mum searching. Trying to find approaches to infant sleep and settling that actually aligned with what I understood about attachment, infant mental health, and neurobiology. Yet parenting information in our Western, capitalist culture is saturated with supports and ideas that work against human biology and connection.

Finding and along with and , changed that for me. It shifted things both personally and professionally and put me on the path I was meant to follow.

I didn’t just find a way through the sleepless nights
 I found direction.

A way of working.
Confidence in my values.
And a drive to support other families in a way that actually feels aligned.

So being at the conference today, I could feel the contrast between the version of me who was searching for answers, and the version of me now contributing to those same conversations. Learning from the same people, but also standing alongside them. Holding the same values, and now helping to carry them forward.

In some ways it feels full circle but this is a merry go round, and the ride is still only just starting!!

If you missed out on the Sydney and Brisbane conferences, it’s not too late to see us in Melbourne next week: https://www.breastfeedingconferences.com.au/about/How-Babies-Work-Sleep-Eat-Thrive-Webinar?ref=YQE9A2

Sydney, you were amazing
.I loved presenting at the How Babies Thrive Conference in Sydney on Wednesday.The room was fi...
01/05/2026

Sydney, you were amazing
.

I loved presenting at the How Babies Thrive Conference in Sydney on Wednesday.

The room was filled with such a warm, thoughtful, and passionate group of professionals, making it feel genuinely interactive and intimate: my favourite kind of space to share ideas.

I had a lot to say (as always) and definitely sped through parts of my slides
 but it meant a lot to hear what people were taking away.

My goal is never to cover everything (I wish it was but it’s not realistic!). Instead I focus on planting seeds.

Seeds that invite reflection.
Seeds that gently challenge assumptions.
Seeds that encourage professionals to rethink what they know and what they still need to learn, about neurodivergence.

And something that always feels particularly special, is when people in the room recognise themselves in what’s being shared. When, after years of feeling misunderstood, overlooked, or invisible, something lands and they feel seen.

Thank you for having me đŸŒ±

A special shout out to my colleague .kaitlyn.brunacci for the easy company, thoughtful conversations, and shared reflections on the train, it made the day even better.

If you missed us at Sydney, join us in Melbourne on Monday or online:
https://www.breastfeedingconferences.com.au/about/How-Babies-Work-Sleep-Eat-Thrive-Webinar?ref=YQE9A2

The days are getting duller and cloudier as winter approaches and soon relying on natural sunlight for lighting up the t...
23/04/2026

The days are getting duller and cloudier as winter approaches and soon relying on natural sunlight for lighting up the therapy room won’t be enough. Last year I have used the building lights when we needed too but there’s too many on the one switch, so the room was either dark or too bright and glarey.

This winter, I have decided to get a few different lamps for alternative lighting. Depending on the needs of the client and activity, we can choose how many lamps are turned on and where they are positioned. This is particularly important for neurodivergent clients who can been hypersensitive to different types or amounts of light.

💚 Also, check out the framed Neurodivergent Parenting Card I have on display to remind clients that it’s okay to do things differently. Cards are available on my online store.

Our next Psych Parents is next Friday!đŸŒ± Are you a psychologist or health professional who is pregnant, on parental leave...
13/04/2026

Our next Psych Parents is next Friday!

đŸŒ± Are you a psychologist or health professional who is pregnant, on parental leave, or in the early years of parenting?

đŸŒ±Are you navigating the juggle of work, CPD, and family life, or wondering how (or whether) you want to return to work?

Psych Parents Peer Supervision offers a compassionate space to connect with other clinicians who understand the unique experience of being both a parent and a health professional.

📅 Friday 24 April 2026
⏰ 12pm (midday), Sydney time

In these sessions we:
💚 Share the realities of parenting as clinicians
💚 Reflect on psychological concepts through the lens of parenthood
💚 Explore identity shifts, values, and sustainable ways of working
💚 Consider how becoming a parent shapes the work we do

Book here:
https://www.growinggentlypsychology.com.au/event-details-registration/april-psych-parents-group-supervision

Behind the scenes, I’ve been busy planning, designing, and collecting beads, colours, scents, and textures to turn our d...
03/04/2026

Behind the scenes, I’ve been busy planning, designing, and collecting beads, colours, scents, and textures to turn our dough into something pretty special


The themes have been thoughtfully selected based on the special interests shared by our early bird bookings.

Participants can stick with a theme, mix things together, or completely do their own thing!

This approach supports connection through the sharing of own interests and exploring the interests of others, in a way that feels comfortable, flexible, and low-pressure.

Here’s a sneak peek of the mood board I created based on the request for “rainbow unicorn” dough.

03/04/2026

Not long to go until our Let’s Dough! Supported Social Event on Monday 14th April đŸȘ

“Supported” means honouring neurodivergent special interests and weaving them into connection, not expecting them to be left at the door.

That’s why I’m asking each participant about their special interests
 and creating themed dough to match ✹

Because connection feels safer (and more meaningful) when it starts with what someone already loves 💛
Whether it’s animals, gaming, space, textures, colours, or something beautifully niche
 we’ll meet them there.

This isn’t about “practising social skills” in a one-size-fits-all way.

It’s about creating a space where social interaction feels natural, supported, and genuinely enjoyable.

I can’t wait to see everyone and bring those interests to life through dough 🌈

26/03/2026

Donut forget to book your spot at our upcoming supported social event for autistic primary school children these April school holidays!

We will be making a big batch of sensory dough and participants will get to take home three tubs of dough they have designed. Participants will get to chose from a range of themes and resources, adding in sense colours and textures!

One of the themes will be doughnut theme where participants can make a sensory do that almost looks as good enough to eat!

Stay tuned to learn more about the theme options available!!

Bookings for the next school holiday supported social event open! Let’s Dough is a relaxed sensory play session for prim...
25/03/2026

Bookings for the next school holiday supported social event open!

Let’s Dough is a relaxed sensory play session for primary school aged autistic children who enjoy hands-on activities and creative exploration.

Children will have the opportunity to make non-bake sensory dough. Choosing from a range of themes, children can decorate up to three jars of dough using scents, colours, and craft items to take home.

Participants who book before 20 March can suggest dough themes and I will do my best to accommodate these ideas!

The session is designed to be calm and flexible, but also fun!

Social interaction is welcomed but never expected. Children may choose to play independently, engage in parallel play, or connect with others through shared creations. The aim is to provide a supportive environment where children can explore sensory play, regulate, and build confidence connecting with peers in a way that feels comfortable for them.

For more information and to book, visit:

https://www.growinggentlypsychology.com.au/event-details-registration/lets-dough-supported-social-event

“They are fine at school”, the school says. “We don’t see any of that here”. Sound familiar?It’s a common story. The sch...
23/03/2026

“They are fine at school”, the school says. “We don’t see any of that here”. Sound familiar?

It’s a common story. The school says the child does not show any behavioural signs of distress or even neurodivergence. It’s something I have been thinking a lot about recently. Because both my professional and personal experience of neurodivergent masking makes it really hard for me to NOT SEE when a child is struggling. It might not look like screaming, throwing things across the room, absconding, crying or hiding under a desk. It might not look like “challenging” behaviours or blatant demand avoidance. But the more neurodivergent children I get to know, the more I fail to see how their needs are “hidden”. They are not masked to the point of invisibility. To me, even when a child is masking, their behaviours still tell a story about their support needs.

The problem is that often their behaviours are not “challenging”; in fact, they might make things easier for those around them.

They might not be crying with distress; but they are still engaging in stress behaviours.

The behaviours are not invisible. They are there, but they are misunderstood. They are dismissed, deflected or even praised. But they are still there.

Know them. Know the impact. Address the need.

Bookings for the next school holiday supported social event now open! Let’s Dough is a relaxed sensory play session for ...
14/03/2026

Bookings for the next school holiday supported social event now open!

Let’s Dough is a relaxed sensory play session for primary school aged autistic children who enjoy hands-on activities and creative exploration.

Children will have the opportunity to make non-bake sensory dough. Choosing from a range of themes, children can decorate up to three jars of dough using scents, colours, and craft items to take home.

Participants who book before 20 March can suggest dough themes and I will do my best to accommodate these ideas!

The session is designed to be calm and flexible, but also fun!

Social interaction is welcomed but never expected. Children may choose to play independently, engage in parallel play, or connect with others through shared creations. The aim is to provide a supportive environment where children can explore sensory play, regulate, and build confidence connecting with peers in a way that feels comfortable for them.

For more information and to book, visit:

https://www.growinggentlypsychology.com.au/event-details-registration/lets-dough-supported-social-event

Address

Valley Heights
Emu Plains, NSW
2777

Telephone

+61450012252

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