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Scribbly Gum Counselling, 170 Osborne Road, Mitchelton (2026)

15/01/2026

Both things can be true.

Our emotions aren’t one-dimensional. We can all hold opposing feelings at the same time and one doesn’t have to cancel the other out.

For some young people, school can feel unbearable at times — heavy, overwhelming, or frightening — and it can also be good enough in moments. There might be laughter at lunch, a subject they don’t mind, a teacher who feels safe, or a sense of connection with friends.

It’s when we only make space for one side, things often get harder.
If a young person says, “I hate school,” our instinct can be to prove otherwise:

• “But you like your friends.”
• “You enjoy sport / art / that one subject.”
• “You were laughing yesterday.”

Even when these things are true, trying to convince them can push them to defend just how unbearable it feels.

A different approach is to validate how they feel, it might sound like:

“I hear you. School feels unbearable sometimes.’
‘Which parts are the most unbearable for you?’

You can then gently ask them about the parts of school that are OK or good enough:

‘I wonder which parts of the day feel passable for you?’
‘Who are the people at school that aren’t too bad?’

When both truths are allowed to exist, young people often feel more understood, less defensive, and more able to cope.
Feelings don’t need to be argued away, they need to be acknowledged.

Deb from Scribbly Gum Counselling
170 Osborne Road, Mitchelton
Website: https://scribblygumhouse.com/
Call/Text: 0415 180 921
Email: deb@scribblygumhouse.com
NDIS provider

05/12/2025

Some days everything feels manageable, and other days even the smallest tasks can feel exhausting. That’s totally normal — our energy and capacity naturally shift depending on what’s going on in our lives.

Spoon Theory is a simple way to think about this. Imagine that every task you do takes a bit of energy, which we can represent as a limited number of “spoons.” Christine Miserandino came up with the idea to explain how exhausting daily life can be while living with a chronic illness.

I think Spoon Theory can be helpful for all of us because it gives us a shared language to talk about how we use our energy.

• How many spoons do you have today?
• What task drains the most spoons?
• How do you refill them?

Some people’s spoons disappear faster than others. Sensory triggers, unexpected changes, long periods of focus, or trying to meet everyone else’s demands can really drain them. And it’s not just kids — adults can run low too, juggling work, life admin, and caring for others.

The important thing to remember: Spoon Theory is about energy, not laziness. Running out of spoons doesn’t mean someone isn’t trying. Everyone’s number of spoons can change day to day, and thinking about spoons can help us understand our limits, make choices, and communicate when we need support.

If you, or someone you care for, could use a hand noticing and managing energy, I’m here to help.

Contact Deb @ Scribbly Gum Counselling
170 Osborne Road Mitchelton 4055
Visit https://scribblygumhouse.com/
Call or Message 0415 180 921
Email - deb@scribblygumhouse.com
NDIS Provider

02/12/2025

Scribbly Gum Counselling is my passion. As a small practice located at 170 Osborne Road, Mitchelton, every client receives deep, personalised care.

My journey began more than 20 years ago as a primary school teacher, where I became passionate about supporting students impacted by disability and challenge to reach their full potential. I’m still fiercely committed to making education more inclusive and welcoming for neurodivergent young people.

Driven by the desire to provide more specialised and effective support, I pursued a Masters in Education along with further studies in Psychology and Counselling.

What this means for you and your child is a unique blend of experience in education, psychology, and counselling, all brought into every session. I understand the importance of pacing a session just right, balancing moments of silliness with seriousness.

As an educator and counsellor, I focus on what my clients take away. Every session is meaningful and tailored to improve their lives in ways that truly make sense for them.
Because for me, it’s always about supporting young people to find purpose and joy in their journey.

Website - https://scribblygumhouse.com/
Email – deb@scribblygumhouse.com
Call – 0415 180 921
NDIS Provider

20/11/2025

The one goal I have for every young person I see is simple — to help make their life better.

That doesn’t look the same for everyone. Each teen I work with brings their own hopes, challenges, and story.

For some, it’s about reducing conflict at home — wanting to feel heard and understood, and to rebuild trust with their parents (and themselves).

For others, it’s about letting go of perfectionism — learning that “good enough” is actually more than enough when it means reclaiming time and energy for the creative and fun parts of life.

Some teens are learning to ride the emotional waves of intense sadness or anger — not to shut those feelings down, but to understand the message behind them. We uncover both the light and the dark of emotions, and practice using that information to make choices that are helpful and aligned with who they want to be.

Other young people I see are navigating the tricky space of friendship transitions — maybe they’ve had a friendship end, or they’re in that lonely “in-between” space. Together, we explore how to grieve, adapt, and stay open to new connections.

And for some young people, it’s about understanding and celebrating their neurodivergence — exploring what makes their brain unique, discovering their strengths, and learning to advocate for themselves in a world that doesn’t always recognise or accommodate different ways of thinking.

Get in touch with Deb @ Scribbly Gum Counselling for real support for what really matters.

https://scribblygumhouse.com/
170 Osborne Road, Mitchelton
0415 180 921 or deb@scribblygumhouse.com
NDIS Provider

17/11/2025

This time of year, can feel especially demanding. Routines change, social energy runs low, and everyone’s a bit more stretched.

That’s why planning ahead and organising your schedule in a way that works for your energy — not against it — is so important.

Emotional regulation is a lifelong skill — but it’s hard work, and some days, no amount of deep breathing will fix an overstimulating, overwhelming environment.

Environmental triggers can hijack your mood all day long. If you’re constantly battling noise, bright lights, social demands, or sensory overload, no wonder it’s hard to stay regulated.

Instead of relying only on emotional regulation, support yourself by adjusting your environment:

• Reduce sensory triggers (noise-cancelling headphones, dim lighting)
• Build in transition time between activities
• Create predictable routines
• Set up a quiet retreat space

When the unexpected happens — because it always will — you’ll have a much better chance of managing your response. Change what you can, so you have the energy to handle what you can’t.

Deb from Scribbly Gum Counselling
https://scribblygumhouse.com/
170 Osborne Road, Mitchelton

Call or Message Deb on 0415 180 921
Email - deb@scribblygumhouse.com

10/11/2025

Finding the right therapist for your teen can make a real difference. When a young person feels understood, safe, and connected, they’re more likely to open up, engage in sessions, and actually use the strategies we work on together.

For me, a good match isn’t just about qualifications, it’s about energy, rapport and skill.

I’ve been working with young people for over 20 years, with a background in education, psychology, and counselling. I’ve learned how important it is to connect with kids and teens in ways that feel relatable, enjoyable, and authentic.

I really value matching my energy to my clients so sessions feel collaborative and engaging, and I make sure to give practical take-home strategies that can be used in everyday life.

Because when therapy feels like a good fit, teens start creating their own path forward.

Get in touch today
Deb from Scribbly Gum Counselling
https://scribblygumhouse.com/
message - 0415 180 921
email - deb@scribblygumhouse.com
NDIS Provider

170 Osborne Road, Mitchelton

06/11/2025

Where Are Your Choices Taking You?

Sometimes we find ourselves doing things without even thinking — reacting, avoiding, or drifting into habits that quietly pull us away from the life we want. Our teens feel this too. It can look like procrastinating, withdrawing, or getting stuck in patterns that feel easier in the moment but cost more in the long run.

Deb from Scribbly Gum Counselling, works with young people to help them notice their own patterns and decide what’s not really working for them. Together, we explore how to make choices that take them closer to the life they want for themselves - starting with the smallest of steps in the right direction.

It’s not about getting it perfect. It’s about building awareness, courage, and momentum.

Get in touch with Deb from Scribbly Gum Counselling
Call - 0415 180 921
Email - deb@scribblygumhouse.com
Website - scribblygumhouse.com

Located 170 Osborne Road, Mitchelton
NDIS provider

30/10/2025

What does fun for your teen look like right now?

According to William Glasser’s Choice Theory, fun is one of our basic human needs, right alongside love, freedom, power, and survival.

That means having fun isn’t just something “extra” you do if there’s time… it’s actually essential for wellbeing.

During the teenage years, fun plays an even bigger role. It helps young people:
• Build positive emotions that strengthen resilience
• Form social connections and a sense of belonging
• Discover what brings meaning and joy
• Recharge after stress or pressure

But in a world full of screens, fun can be a double-edged sword.
Depending on how it’s used, screen time can either:
Lift energy — through creativity, laughter, and shared experiences
or Drain motivation — leaving teens feeling flat, disconnected, or unmotivated for the things that truly matter.

So it’s worth asking…How is your teen finding their fun?
Are they getting the kind of fun that fills them up — or the kind that leaves them feeling empty?

Deb at Scribbly Gum Counselling helps teens to reconnect with their spark and explore what lights them up. Because life isn’t just to be managed — it’s to be lived.

Call – 0415 180 921
Email – deb@scribblygumhouse.com
Website - https://scribblygumhouse.com/
Scribbly Gum Counselling is located on 170 Osborne Road, Mitchelton

28/10/2025

Burnout isn’t a flaw. It’s a symptom of a flawed system.
And it’s showing up earlier than ever.

Many young people feel exhausted, anxious, and disconnected, not because they’ve stopped caring, but because they’re growing up in systems that take more than they give.

Burnout can look like withdrawal, irritability, emotional flatness, or “not caring anymore.” Some kids struggle to start tasks, lose interest in things they love, or seem constantly tired and on edge.

At its core, burnout is a sign that a young person’s emotional resources are depleted. They’re running on empty while trying to meet expectations that feel endless. It’s often a natural response to constant pressure, limited autonomy, and environments that prioritise performance over wellbeing.

This isn’t about blame. Teachers and parents are often doing their best within the same system. Burnout isn’t failure; it’s feedback. A message that something needs to change.

If you’re noticing signs of burnout in your child or teen, reach out to Deb at Scribbly Gum Counselling. Together, we can help them restore balance, build resilience, and reconnect with what matters.

Call – 0415 180 921
Email – deb@scribblygumhouse.com
Website - https://scribblygumhouse.com/
Scribbly Gum Counselling is located on 170 Osborne Road, Mitchelton

12/10/2025

It’s not about avoiding pain. It’s about learning to grow through it.

As parents, it’s hard watching our teens pull away from anything that feels too hard, upsetting, or uncomfortable. But pain and discomfort are part of being human. These are the moments that shape us, build resilience, and help us grow.

At Scribbly Gum Counselling, I work with teens to help them understand their patterns, make sense of their reactions, and find ways to keep growing — even when it hurts.

Call – Deb 0415 180 921
Email – deb@scribblygumhouse.com
Website - https://scribblygumhouse.com/
Location - 170 Osborne Road, Mitchelton
NDIS Provider

29/09/2025

Feelings are called feelings for a reason — they show up in our bodies. Sometimes it’s a tightness in the chest, a knot in the stomach, or a heaviness in the shoulders. The first step is simply paying attention: Where is this feeling living in me right now?

When we tune in to our bodies, we often notice that emotions come in waves. The intensity rises, peaks, and eventually falls. No feeling lasts forever. Even the strongest emotions move through us if we give them space.

You might like to place your hand gently on the part of your body where you notice the feeling. Breathe into it. Make space for it to be there. Allowing an emotion doesn’t mean acting on it — it just means giving it room to exist without pushing it away.

The practice is simple but powerful: notice, feel, allow, and trust that your emotions are temporary. Like waves, they rise and fall — and so will you.

Do you have a teenager at home who is finding it hard to manage big feelings or getting caught in unhelpful thought cycles? Get in touch with Deb at Scribbly Gum Counselling and help them move through challenges with a plan.

Call – Deb @ 0415 180 921
Email – deb@scribblygumhouse.com
Website - https://scribblygumhouse.com/
170 Osborne Road, Mitchelton
NDIS Provider

15/09/2025

Finding What Works For You

Sometimes the way we deal with a problem feels helpful in the moment… but makes things harder long-term.

⚡ Trying to control everything might feel like a clever way of tipping the odds in your favour, but always needing to be in charge is stressful and exhausting.

⚡ Acting out on impulse can bring powerful relief in the moment, but it often damages relationships and leaves behind regret.

⚡ Distracting yourself works well for a short while, but the problem still lurks in the background — along with that sense of dread.

⚡ Avoiding the hard stuff altogether might keep you safe, but it’s hard to feel satisfied with a life that becomes so small and risk-free.

We all do this stuff. It’s natural to control, act out, distract ourselves and avoid things. We do it because it WORKS! But usually only temporarily. And then the problem is back again…sometimes even bigger than before.

Figuring out what works for you is about finding ways of responding to problems that don’t just help in the moment but also in the long-term. If what you’re doing works, you should feel that your problem is more manageable over time.

Every problem we face is also an opportunity — a chance to learn new skills, practice coping strategies, and find healthier ways to respond.

Some of the tools I support teenagers to learn include:

* Acceptance and Mindfulness Skills
• Cognitive Defusion – unhooking from sticky thoughts
• Distress Tolerance Skills
• Perspective-Taking Skills
• Emotional Literacy
• Communication Skills: assertiveness, active listening, validation, conflict resolution

Get in touch with Deb from Scribbly Gum Counselling and help your teen learn new ways of responding to problems

https://scribblygumhouse.com/
170 Osborne Road, Mitchelton
Call - 0415 180 921
Email - deb@scribblygumhouse.com

NDIS Provider

Scribbly Gum Counselling

15/01/2026

05/12/2025

02/12/2025

20/11/2025

17/11/2025

10/11/2025

06/11/2025

30/10/2025

28/10/2025

12/10/2025

29/09/2025

15/09/2025

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