Inspired Psychology

05/08/2025

We all think, feel, and experience the world in our own unique way, and that is our strength. Let’s celebrate every kind of mind.

31/07/2025

26/07/2025

Exploring separation anxiety

It’s normal for children, especially younger ones, to feel worried or upset when separating from their parent or caregiver. But when this distress is intense, persistent, or begins to affect their everyday life (like school drop-offs, sleepovers, or attending activities), it may be separation anxiety.

Some common signs:
• Tearfulness or tantrums at drop-off
• Clinging, refusing to let go
• Complaints of stomach aches or headaches
• Excessive worry about something bad happening to a parent
• Difficulty sleeping alone

How to Support a Child with Separation Anxiety:

• Stay calm and confident during goodbyes (children pick up on your energy)
• Create predictable routines and short, consistent farewells
• Develop a ‘handover’ plan with a teacher, educator, co-parent etc. For example, ask them to actively greet the child and lead them into an activity on arrival.
• Don’t sneak away, this can break trust
• Use a transitional object (like a small photo or token)
• Gently encourage independence in small, manageable steps
• Validate their feelings, “I know this is hard, and I believe you can do it”
• Have a plan for when you see them again, ‘tonight after school we will..’ to help them with their belief that you will return.

Separation anxiety is about safety and trust. With gentle support and consistency, most children build confidence over time.

21/07/2025

When Calm Feels Unsafe: Understanding a Highly Stressed Nervous System

For some people, especially those who’ve experienced trauma or ongoing high stress, calming down isn’t always calming.

A nervous system that’s used to being on high alert may interpret relaxation as unfamiliar or even unsafe. When you're used to scanning for danger or staying "switched on" to survive, sudden stillness can feel threatening.

This doesn’t mean something is wrong with you. It means your body has adapted in powerful ways to protect you.

The key is to take it slowly.
Rather than trying to dive into deep relaxation, try taking gentle steps, a couple slow breaths, soothing movement, calming music, a soothing scent, a walk in nature....

Regulation is a process, not a switch. Bit by bit, your system can learn that calm is safe.

Be kind to yourself in the process 💛

17/07/2025

Meet Our Clinicians: Jacqueline Peters Clinical Psychotherapist

Now offering out-of-hours appointments by arrangement for relationship therapy.

Jacqueline is highly trained with both a Masters (Counselling and Psychotherapy) and PhD (focused on parenting) and has a wealth of experience in practice. She works across the lifespan with individuals, couples, and families, bringing empathy, insight, and practical support to each session.

Her areas of interest include:
✔️ Relationship and couples therapy (Gottman Method)
✔️ Parenting support and family dynamics
✔️ Trauma and neurodiversity in children and young people
✔️ Grief, stress, self-esteem, and life transitions in adults

Jacqueline is passionate about creating a safe, non-judgemental space where meaningful change can happen.

🔗 Learn more: https://inspiredpsychology.com.au/dr-jacqueline-peters-clinical-psychotherapist/

Jacqueline provides counselling and psychotherapy services with a focus on good mental-health, well-being, and personal growth

17/07/2025

Happy Friday Everyone! Today we are reflecting on what needs based responding to children and young people really means. It is about adults taking a moment to pause and shift focus from stopping behaviour to consider:

• what's going on under the surface (are they hungry, tired ..)
• what emotion's driving the behaviour (fear, sadness, anger..)
• how can I help them to regulate and connect first before guiding

It’s not about ignoring limits or boundaries but about holding them with kindness and compassion so children and young people feel seen, held and valued even when they are struggling.

This focus helps us to tune into the needs behind the behaviour which helps children and young people learn to build adaptive coping and a stronger sense of self confidence, and trust in others over time.

11/07/2025

Now Offering After-Hours Relationship Counselling

Struggling to find time for therapy during the day? Dr Jacqueline Peters, Clinical Psychotherapist is now offering out-of-hours appointments by arrangement at both Malvern and O’Halloran Hill clinics and via Telehealth.
With specific training in the Gottman Method, Jacqueline supports couples to:
✔ Improve communication
✔ Rebuild connection and intimacy
✔ Navigate separation with care
✔ Prepare for commitment and big life transitions
Warm, respectful, and client-centred, Jacqueline brings a wealth of experience to her work with couples, individuals, and families.
Learn more or book today:

Strengthen your relationship with professional counseling. Our experienced therapists provide a safe space for couples to improve communication, resolve conflicts, and foster deeper connections. We also offer relationship and pre-commitment counseling to help partners navigate important life decisio...

10/07/2025

Spotlight on Schema Therapy

Schema Therapy is an approach that helps us understand the deeper emotional patterns we carry, especially the ones that keep showing up in our thoughts, relationships, and reactions, even when we wish they wouldn’t.

These patterns, or "schemas," often begin in childhood and can shape the way we see ourselves and the world. They might sound like:

“I’m not good enough.”

“People will leave me.”

“I always have to keep it together.”

In therapy, we gently explore where these schemas come from, how they’ve helped us cope, and how they might be getting in the way now. From there, we work toward building new, more supportive ways of thinking, feeling, and relating.

It’s a slower-paced, compassionate therapy that focuses on understanding why we feel the way we do and how to create lasting change.

Schema Therapy can offer a powerful framework for healing and growth, and we’re always happy to talk more about it if you’re curious.

10/07/2025

Meet our clinicians: Kate Hindson: Psychologist & Board-Approved Supervisor

With nearly 15 years of experience, Kate brings warmth, clarity, and a strong clinical focus to her work with adolescents (14+) and adults

She offers practical, evidence-based support at our Malvern Clinic for:

🌿 Anxiety & Perfectionism
🌿 PTSD & Trauma Recovery (using CPT)
🌿 Mood disorders, stress, and adjustment
🌿 BPD, self-harm & suicidality
🌿 OCD, phobias, psychosis, and more

Kate’s sessions are calm, light-hearted, and grounded in genuine connection. She helps clients understand the why behind challenges and supports them to move forward with confidence.

💻 Telehealth available
✅ CBT | CPT | DBT | Schema Therapy

Now taking referrals: inspiredpsychology.com.au/kate-hindson-registered-psychologist

Experienced Registered Psychologist and AHPRA-approved supervisor providing therapy for anxiety, PTSD, perfectionism, and mood disorders. Offering evidence-based approaches like CBT, CPT, DBT, and Schema Therapy for adolescents (14+) and adults. Supportive, client-focused care to foster lasting ment...

23/05/2025

Meet our Clinicians...Nicholas Richter, Registered Psychologist

Nicholas supports older teens and adults, including neurodivergent individuals, with a compassionate, affirming strengths focused approach. He creates a safe space to explore challenges like anxiety, trauma, grief, stress management and executive functioning, drawing on therapies such as CBT, ACT, and DBT. Nicholas is also trained in AAC systems to assist those with communication needs.

Now accepting referrals for ages 15+at both O'Halloran Hill and Malvern.

Nicholas offers evidence-based, integrative therapy for individuals aged 15+ facing anxiety, depression, trauma, and neurodivergence. With experience in NDIS and child protection, he creates a safe, non-judgmental space using CBT, ACT, DBT, and AAC systems.

08/05/2025

We’re so pleased to welcome Dayna, an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker, to our team.

Dayna works with children, adults, and families, offering a compassionate and collaborative space to support a wide range of mental health challenges. Her approach is trauma-informed, neurodiversity-affirming, and inclusive—particularly welcoming individuals from diverse backgrounds and the LGBTQIA+ community.

With experience across the lifespan and a background in public mental health, Dayna helps clients feel understood and supported as they work toward their therapeutic goals.

🧠 Dayna is now taking new clients at O’Halloran Hill.

I enjoy working collaboratively with children, adults and families, supporting them towards their therapeutic goals. I have a background in public mental health settings and…