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ConnectEd Counselling and Consultancy

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Graceville, QLD
ConnectEd Counselling and Consultancy

Psychological services - young people, parents & adults (counselling & assessments). Based in Graceville, Brisbane with services provided across Aus

Consultancy services - schools and businesses (presentations, training, PD, supervision & mentoring). At ConnectEd, we believe that all families and the communities they belong to benefit from a little extra care and support. Whether the problems are big or small, we want to make sure everyone has the chance to feel connected - to themselves, to others and to their community. Our counselling service offers the opportunity for young people and families to seek support for whatever difficulty they might be facing. Our team includes psychologists and counsellors, who provide high quality, professional services, through the lense of their unique personality and style. Our services cover counselling with children, adolescents, young adults and parents and we are able to offer both in-person and online support.

11/12/2025

🎄 It’s nearly Christmas time!
And that means… yep, you guessed it.
Meltdowns! (…no wait, presents. Wait, no — presents that lead to meltdowns). So yes. Meltdowns.

Christmas means different things to different people. For many of us, it’s a mix of:
• Family traditions and childhood memories
• Cultural and social expectations
• Hopes for the kind of holiday we want to create now

But here’s the catch:
🧠 Adults have all these ideas about how Christmas “should” go.
👧 Kids don’t — yet. And often, we forget to explain it to them.

So while we’re trying to create magic, our kids are often dealing with:
• Overstimulation
• Unclear expectations
• Unfamiliar social settings
• Big emotions with very little regulation support

What looks like tricky behaviour is often just communication:
💬 “I’m overwhelmed. I need help. I don’t know what to do here.”

✨ Some tips for navigating the holidays with your kids:

✅ Create routine and predictability
Even without a strict schedule, let kids know what’s coming up. Plan for quiet time away from adult conversation. Give them space to rest and reset.

✅ Don’t make them hug or kiss anyone
Seriously. Respect their autonomy — especially around their body. Before Aunt Judy goes in for a kiss, ask your child:
“Do you want to give a hug, fist bump, high five, or a wave?”
And if they say no — back them up.

✅ Be extra patient
Look underneath the behaviour. Ask: “What might be going on here?” Instead of getting cross, try to connect. Sometimes your presence is the regulation tool they need.

✅ Look after yourself too
Christmas can be tough. High expectations, complex family dynamics, financial pressures… it can wear anyone down. Be mindful of your own limits, and make space to rest if you need it.

💡 My non-professional suggestion for a better Christmas with kids?

Let go of what it should look like.
Let go of the 15 dishes, the 3 house visits, the “perfect” tree.

And instead — focus on what Christmas is meant to be about:
👨👩👧👦 Time together with loved ones.

—

💬 Give this a like or a share — it helps more people like you find our content.

At ConnectEd Counselling and Consultancy, we believe all families, and the communities they belong to, benefit from a little extra care and support. Whether the problems are big or small, we want everyone to feel more connected — to themselves, to others, and to their community.

🧠 We offer counselling services to young people and families and have immediate availability.
Get in touch here: https://connectedcc.com.au/book-now

30/11/2025

🎅 Let’s talk about Santa photos…

This post might earn me a few eyerolls, but that’s ok. Because here’s the thing:

📌 Stop making children get photos with Santa if they don’t want to!

Last year I was at the shops and watched two little ones — maybe 5 and 2 — being set up for a Santa photo. The 2-year-old was bawling as mum and dad gently plonked her next to Santa and stepped back, smiling and waving to try and get that perfect Christmas snap. Her older sibling seemed unsure — caught between the smiles of her parents and the tears of her sister.

It made me feel a bit sad. Not because the parents were doing anything intentionally harmful, but because it’s a clear example of the things we ask kids to do, without really thinking about what it's like from their perspective.

✨ Now to be fair — Santa photos can be cute! For some families, it’s a treasured tradition. And in most cases, kids will be fine afterwards.

But here’s the bigger question:
💬 What is happening in that moment, and why does it matter?

Because this isn’t just about Santa photos.

It’s about:
🔹 Being responsive to your child
🔹 Respecting their rights and voice — especially about their body and sense of safety
🔹 Helping them navigate tricky situations with you, not for you

👶 From a little person's perspective:
• You’re asking them to sit next to a stranger
• That stranger is a big man, in strange clothes, with a partially hidden face
• And then you move away, telling them “it’s fine”, “just smile”, “nothing to be scared of”

That’s confusing. That’s scary. And the mixed signals can be unsettling.

But — all is not lost! You can still get a Santa photo AND be responsive to your child.

✅ Here’s how:
• Talk to them beforehand: “Would you like me in the photo or just beside you?”
• Give them time to warm up before expecting a pose
• Be prepared to let go of the photo entirely if it’s not working — and focus instead on enjoying the moment together

Some might say this all sounds a bit Grinchy — and that’s ok. Your family, your choices. But it doesn’t have to be all-or-nothing.

🎄 These same ideas apply to many of the unfamiliar situations kids encounter at Christmas — extended family, social norms, and moments where expectations aren’t clear.

💛 Responding with empathy, not just expectations, helps your child feel safe and supported. And that’s the kind of holiday memory that really lasts.

—

Feel free to give this a like or a share — it helps more people like you find our content.

At ConnectEd Counselling and Consultancy, we believe that all families, and the communities they belong to, benefit from a little extra care and support. Whether the problems are big or small, we want to make sure everyone has the chance to feel connected — to themselves, to others and to their community.

🧠 We offer counselling services to young people and families and have current availability. If you need some support, get in touch here:
👉 https://connectedcc.com.au/book-now

(Written by Dr Matt O’Connor)

27/11/2025

🎉 End-of-Year Wind Down (With Purpose!) A free wrap-up session for school psychs & counsellors

Before the emails stop (or don’t), before the calendar resets—take 30 minutes just for you.
In this session, we’ll cover:
✅ What your consent form says about your practice
✅ Tips for taming your calendar before 2026 begins
✅ How a “day in the life” profile can help others understand your work
✅ Some no-pressure prompts to help you plan for next year
✅ And yes—we’re celebrating the wins (even the small, scrappy ones)

23/11/2025

📌 Social Media Delay: What Parents Need to Know (and Do Next)

From 10 December 2025, many major social media platforms (including TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat and others) will no longer allow Australians under 16 to have an account.

This change is aimed at giving young people a break from some of the risks and pressures that come with being on social media too soon — like sleep disruption, stress, or being exposed to content that’s not always helpful or safe. But for many families, this won’t just be a policy update — it could mean some tricky conversations ahead.

✨ Start the conversation early
Even if your child isn’t on social media, they’ve likely heard something about this change. Ask what they’ve heard, how they feel about it, and what questions they have. You don’t have to have all the answers — just being open and available makes a difference.

💬 Ask about their concerns
This is especially important for kids already using social media. If they’re worried about losing touch with friends, talk through practical options. Can they share phone numbers or stay in touch on other platforms? Helping them plan ahead will ease some of that uncertainty.

🔹 Create space for disappointment
This might feel like a big loss — not just of an app, but of connection, fun, or identity. It’s okay for them to feel sad or frustrated. You can hold that disappointment with empathy, even if you also support the change.

🔐 Talk about the workarounds
Let’s be honest — some kids will try to get around the rules. So it’s worth thinking through how you want to handle that. What message do we send if we help them do it? What might we miss if we don’t talk about it at all?

📲 Make a plan for staying connected
It’s often not just the platform they care about — it’s the people. Help them brainstorm ways to stay in touch with friends. Whether that’s group chats, shared playlists, or face-to-face catchups, there are other ways to stay close.

🧭 Keep the door open
This isn’t a one-off conversation. As things shift — and your child grows — you might revisit these ideas many times. Keep the door open for reflection, negotiation and support. That’s what will help them feel grounded and seen.

The eSafety Commissioner have some EXCELLENT resources, which we would highly recommend: https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents/social-media-age-restrictions

💛 And if you need help navigating it all, we’re here to support you and your family.
www.connectedcc.com.au

20/11/2025

🐾 Dobby's Thursday Thought 🐾

This is your gentle reminder from Dobby — our hardworking (and highly qualified) therapy dog — that it’s ok to pause.

✅ A moment to breathe
✅ A chance to rest your eyes
✅ A few quiet doggy-thoughts
✅ Even just noticing that you’re tired

These are not signs of laziness or weakness. They're signs of being human.

In counselling, Dobby supports Tracey and her clients with calm companionship and unwavering presence — and even she needs time to flop, snooze, and gather her strength. 💤

So if you needed a little encouragement today to stop doing for a moment and just be, consider this your nudge.

📌 You are allowed to rest.
📌 You are allowed to not be productive.
📌 You are allowed to soften for a while.

May your Thursday have a Dobby-moment or two in it. 🐶

18/11/2025

✨ Boundaries That Protect ✨
We're really excited to share that Dr Matt O'Connor has been selected to present at the upcoming National Education Conference in early 2026!

Teaching is a brilliant and demanding job — but the emotional labour, constant workload, and blurred boundaries can quietly wear away at wellbeing. It’s a slow burn, and one that too often gets ignored until it reaches a tipping point.

In this session, Boundaries That Protect: Sustainable Strategies for Teacher Wellbeing, I’ll be sharing practical, evidence-based strategies that help educators:
🔹 manage emotional fatigue
🔹 protect recovery time
🔹 communicate and maintain healthy boundaries in a way that strengthens relationships

💬 This isn’t about doing less. It’s about doing things differently — in a way that sustains the people at the heart of education.

Teachers walk away with a personalised toolkit for long-term wellbeing, not just short-term survival.

I’m so looking forward to connecting with others who are passionate about supporting those who support students. If you’re going to the National Education Conference, I’d love to see you there!

(https://www.nationaleducationsummit.com.au/brisbane/wellbeing-for-future-focused-schools )

13/11/2025

💬 What would you have done?

Something tricky happened the other day with my daughter, and I’ve been turning it over in my mind since.

We were at the park and had left her scooter near the edge while we played. As we were heading back, I spotted a group of teenagers across the road who seemed to be throwing something. My heart sank. It was her scooter — and they’d broken it.

As we got closer, my daughter realised it was missing. She could see the group and guessed what had happened. She was hesitant about approaching them. And truthfully, I was too.

But I walked over with her.

🔹 So many thoughts ran through my head:
• I didn’t want her to feel scared or unsafe
• I didn’t want to ignore what had happened — it wasn’t ok
• I wanted to model staying calm — even in anger or distress
• I wondered: what’s the “best consequence” I can offer that still keeps us safe

✨ In the end?
When they saw us coming, the group of teens quickly pieced it together. I asked calmly:
“Did you take the scooter?” — Yes
“Was it a good idea to take something that didn’t belong to you?” — No, they thought it was rubbish
“How do you feel now?” — The one who spoke said he felt really bad. He offered to pay for it.
I said to leave it. And we walked off.

On the way home, my daughter and I talked:
🔸 Why would someone take something that wasn’t theirs?
🔸 Shouldn’t they get in trouble?

And I was left wondering too.

I was furious. I wanted to shout. I wanted her to see there are consequences for doing something wrong.
But more than that — I didn’t want her to see me lose it. I didn’t want her to think the only way to be strong is to be loud.

🌱 I hope what she saw instead was this:
A version of strength that doesn’t need to shout.
One that holds calm and firmness in the same hand.
Maybe that’s something we’ll both remember.

(Written by Dr Matt O'Connor)

30/10/2025

✨ This week, we’re connecting with two groups of passionate educators — those supporting students at the edges of visibility and those holding space for complex conversations.

📌 First up: Understanding and Supporting Autistic Girls in Schools.
Many autistic girls fly under the radar — not because they aren’t struggling, but because they’ve learned to camouflage. This session (for school psychologists and counsellors) dives into the unique presentations, challenges, and strengths of autistic girls, and how we can provide better support through accurate understanding and relational safety.

📌 Then: Helping Students Develop Healthy Relationships.
Pastoral carers are so often the adults students turn to when things feel messy. Whether it’s about friendships, romantic connections, or self-worth, this session explores how we can guide young people toward connection, boundaries, and mutual respect — without the fear-based messaging that rarely lands.

💬 These topics might seem different on the surface, but at the heart of both is this question:
🔹 How can we support young people to feel safe enough to be themselves, and strong enough to navigate their relationships with others?

You can see more about our PD sessions:
School Psychologists and Counsellors: https://connectedcc.com.au/connected-school-pd-school-psychologists-and-counsellors/
Pastoral Care staff (e.g. year level leader, head of house, form class): https://connectedcc.com.au/connected-school-pd-pastoral-carers/

26/10/2025

💨 Wild weather has just swept through Brisbane, and it’s left a bit of chaos in its wake — fallen trees, no power, and potential damage to homes, businesses, and schools.

And tomorrow? Year 12 external exams begin.

So, if you’re feeling the tension in your household — or noticing it in your community — you’re not alone. There are likely a lot of young people (and their parents) who are feeling overwhelmed right now.

📌 If this storm has affected your ability to prepare or attend your exam, it’s worth knowing about the QCAA’s ‘Illness and Misadventure’ process. This can be used when unexpected circumstances impact your ability to perform on the day. You can find more info here:
👉 https://www.qcaa.qld.edu.au/senior/certificates-and-qualifications/qce-qcia-handbook/6-aara/6.5-illness-misadventure

✨ But even more importantly — bring your focus to the things you can control right now:

• Eat something nourishing
• Get some sleep
• Have a plan in place for tomorrow

Whether your plan includes sitting the exam, contacting your school, or just taking a moment to regroup — find the balance of acknowledging that this is stressful and that you can do the next steps

You've got this.

21/10/2025

✨ A BIG DAY for ConnectEd ✨
Today, our team is out connecting with educators and psychologists across Queensland and beyond!

📍 In Rockhampton, Emily is delivering a full-day workshop supporting school psychologists to sharpen their assessment skills — ensuring that the evaluations we do truly meet the needs of young people, not just on paper, but in practice.

🧠 And down south at the Australian Psychologists and Counsellors in Schools (APACS) Conference, we're proud to be contributing to a national conversation — connecting with professionals from all over Australia who share a passion for evidence-based, student-focused care.

💬 These events are such an important reminder:
🔹 When we equip those supporting young people with the right tools and insight,
🔹 When we reflect on what “best practice” looks like in the real world,
🔹 When we share, learn, and grow together...
…we move closer to a system that works better for everyone.

20/10/2025

✨ A brilliant first day at the Australian Psychologists and Counsellors in Schools conference in Tasmania!

Today marked the start of the Australian Psychologists and Counsellors in Schools conference here in beautiful Tassie — and what a start it was! With 200 attendees from across Australia, we’ve come together to reflect on the work we do to support the wellbeing of young people in our schools.

💬 We’ve heard powerful insights about:
• The role of schools in building community
• How to better support young people experiencing high levels of distress
• Why learning and wellbeing aren’t separate — because kids who feel well, learn well… and kids who learn well, feel well

📍We’ve also been lucky to have a ConnectEd stall at the event — and it’s been such a pleasure to meet people who’ve been supervised by one of our team, attended a workshop, or crossed paths with us over the years. It’s always heartening to hear the ripple effects of this work.

Looking forward to Day 2 — where Dr Matt will be presenting in the final session (last on the last day — always a spicy time slot!). Got a song recommendation to help get the room energised? Let us know below! 👇

📷 Sunrise from the conference hotel this morning. Tasmania, you’re really putting on a show Tasmanian School Psychology Association - TSPA and APACS - Australian Psychologists and Counsellors in Schools Association

Address

3/101 Verney Road West
Graceville, QLD
4075

Opening Hours

Monday	8am - 5pm
Tuesday	8am - 5pm
Wednesday	8am - 5pm
Thursday	8am - 5pm
Friday	8am - 5pm

Website

http://www.connectedcc.com.au/

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