Jonathan Shai Psychology

Jonathan Shai Psychology Melbourne psychologist supporting young people & families. Telehealth, home & school visits offered.

Alexithymia & Emotional Regulation in Kids Many children struggle to understand what they’re feeling — not because they’...
16/11/2025

Alexithymia & Emotional Regulation in Kids

Many children struggle to understand what they’re feeling — not because they’re being “difficult,” but because they genuinely can’t recognise their own internal cues.
This is known as alexithymia: difficulty identifying, describing, and making sense of emotions.

And here’s the thing:
You can’t regulate what you can’t recognise.
Trying to support emotional regulation without first building awareness of physiological signals is like trying to build a house… but starting with the roof. There’s nothing solid for it to sit on.

Helping children learn to notice cues such as:
• a racing heart,
• a tight tummy,
• restless muscles,
• or changes in breathing…
gives them the foundation they need for understanding and managing emotions.

Building this awareness takes time, patience, and gentle curiosity — but it’s the groundwork that makes all later emotional skills possible.

29/09/2025

Myth-Busting Monday
💡 Instead of assuming someone “isn’t trying,” we can reframe it as: their brain works differently, and the world needs to meet them with understanding, not judgment.
Celebrating neurodiversity means recognising that there isn’t one “right” way to focus, learn, or show up in the world. 🌟

We're Excited to Announce: In-Clinic Appointments Now Available!Jonathan Shai Psychology is now offering face-to-face of...
17/08/2025

We're Excited to Announce: In-Clinic Appointments Now Available!

Jonathan Shai Psychology is now offering face-to-face office-based sessions alongside our existing in-home, school-based, and telehealth services.

If you're a parent seeking compassionate, evidence-based psychological support for your child or adolescent — whether for Autism, ADHD, anxiety, school-related challenges, or early intervention — we’re here to help.

Now taking clinic bookings – limited office availability! Get in touch today to secure your spot for the upcoming weeks.

We’re currently offering:
• In-clinic appointments (limited spots – Bayside Melbourne)
• In-home sessions
• School-based support
• Telehealth consults

Whether you're a parent, teacher, or health professional looking to collaborate, we’d love to connect.

📍 Based in Bayside Melbourne | Registered Psychologist | 6+ Years Experience | Immediate availability

Warmly,
Jonathan Shai Psychology

Too often, neurodivergent young people are pushed to act neurotypical—to mask, to blend in, to shrink parts of themselve...
23/07/2025

Too often, neurodivergent young people are pushed to act neurotypical—to mask, to blend in, to shrink parts of themselves.

We do things differently.

We don’t aim to “fix” or change who they are.
We support them to understand their brains, trust their instincts, and thrive in ways that are true to them.
Neurodivergence isn’t the problem—lack of support and understanding is.

11/07/2025

Growth Mindset: The Power of Mistakes 🌱
We often hear that “mistakes are part of learning,” but what does that really mean for our brains? It turns out that when we make mistakes, we're actually doing something incredibly powerful—building new neural pathways that help us grow. 🤯

Research has shown that when we make mistakes, our brains form new connections, strengthening the pathways responsible for problem-solving, learning, and adaptation. Every time we "fail," our brain is working overtime to improve, creating new pathways that help us approach the problem differently next time. 🔄

In fact, the more we challenge ourselves and make mistakes along the way, the stronger our cognitive flexibility becomes. This helps us bounce back faster from setbacks, not just as children, but as adults too. Learning to fall and fail is a crucial part of learning to stand—whether in school, work, or life. 🌍

So, instead of shielding children from mistakes, we should celebrate them! By encouraging a growth mindset, we help our children develop resilience, persistence, and an understanding that effort is what leads to progress. It’s not about being perfect—it’s about growing, learning, and improving. ✨

Why is this important for later life?�When children grow up understanding that mistakes are part of the process, they develop the confidence to face challenges without fear of failure. They learn to keep going even when things get tough. As adults, this mindset helps them be more adaptable in both personal and professional situations, building a foundation for lifelong learning and success. 💪

So, the next time your child struggles with something, remind them: Mistakes are proof that the brain is working! And that’s a huge win. 🎉

How do you encourage a growth mindset in your child? Share your thoughts and tips below! 💬👇

"What is the Function of This Behaviour?" 🤔When we encounter difficult, challenging, or oppositional behaviour, how we f...
05/07/2025

"What is the Function of This Behaviour?" 🤔
When we encounter difficult, challenging, or oppositional behaviour, how we frame that behaviour can make all the difference. Too often, we see behaviours as “bad,” “naughty,” or “defiant,” and that judgement influences how we respond. But what if we took a step back and asked, “What is this behaviour serving?” 🌱

Instead of labelling it as “manipulative” or “non-compliant,” we could ask: Why is this happening? What need is the child trying to communicate or meet? 👶

When we shift from judgement to understanding, we stop seeing behaviour as a problem to punish, and instead, we see it as an opportunity to connect and problem-solve. This mindset opens the door for more compassionate responses, and allows us to work together with the child to find healthier, more adaptive ways to meet their needs. 🙌

The results? A stronger relationship, deeper understanding, and behaviours that are more sustainable. 💖
Let’s move away from labels, and focus on what the behaviour is really telling us. When we understand the function behind the behaviour, we can help our kids grow with more love, care, and collaboration.

How do you approach challenging behaviours? Drop a comment and share your thoughts! 💬👇

Hello Melbourne families,I’m Jonathan a registered psychologist with over 6 years of experience supporting children, ado...
03/07/2025

Hello Melbourne families,
I’m Jonathan a registered psychologist with over 6 years of experience supporting children, adolescents, and families. After working in a private practice in Byron Bay — where I helped grow the team as a team leader — I’ve recently relocated to Melbourne to be closer to family.

I currently have immediate availability for:
* In-home sessions
* School-based support
* Telehealth consults

I specialise in neurodiversity (Autism, ADHD), early intervention, anxiety, school issues, and family-based work. My approach is compassionate and tailored, drawing on evidence-based methods like CBT, ACT, and Collaborative Problem Solving.
If you're a parent, educator, or health professional looking for support or collaboration, I’d love to hear from you.
Warmly,
Jonathan Shai Psychology

Address

Melbourne, VIC

Opening Hours

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

Telephone

+61478418902

Website

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