aMAZEin' Minds Psychology

aMAZEin' Minds Psychology Psychology clinic dedicated to providing comprehensive learning assessments & counselling services.

There’s been a lot of discussion recently about changes to the  , and understandably, many individuals and families are ...
22/04/2026

There’s been a lot of discussion recently about changes to the , and understandably, many individuals and families are trying to make sense of what this might mean in practice.

We’ve put together a clear, steady overview of what’s currently being discussed, what remains uncertain, and what may actually matter when it comes to supports and planning.

Rather than focusing on headlines, the article aims to bring the focus back to functional needs, evidence, and practical next steps.

🔗 Read more:

NDIS changes 2026 explained. What’s being discussed, what it means for families, and how to navigate supports with clarity.

Procrastination in adults is often misunderstood as a motivation problem. In practice, it is usually a regulation proble...
13/04/2026

Procrastination in adults is often misunderstood as a motivation problem. In practice, it is usually a regulation problem.

When tasks feel overwhelming, unclear, or high-pressure, avoidance becomes a short-term solution to reduce discomfort.

Over time, this reinforces the cycle.

In this article, we’ve broken down:
• Common patterns of procrastination
• Why traditional advice often doesn’t work
• Practical, realistic strategies that support starting

It’s designed to be useful, not just informative.

You can read it here:

Procrastination in adults explained. Learn why it happens and practical strategies to improve focus, reduce overwhelm, and get started.

School holidays can bring a shift in routine, and for many children, this can mean more big emotions and overwhelm.What ...
05/04/2026

School holidays can bring a shift in routine, and for many children, this can mean more big emotions and overwhelm.

What can look like behaviour is often a sign that a child is struggling with regulation.

We’ve put together a blog on emotional regulation strategies for kids, focusing on what actually helps in these moments.

🔗 https://www.amazeinminds.com.au/emotional-regulation-strategies-for-kids/

Emotional regulation strategies for kids that actually help. Learn how to support big emotions at home and during school holidays.

There’s a moment many parents recognise.You ask something simple.Get dressed. Start homework. Come to the table.And sudd...
26/03/2026

There’s a moment many parents recognise.

You ask something simple.
Get dressed. Start homework. Come to the table.

And suddenly, everything escalates.

It can look like refusal.
Avoidance.
Even defiance.

But sometimes, what we’re seeing isn’t behaviour in the way we think.

It’s overwhelm.

We’ve written a new blog on pathological demand avoidance (PDA), exploring:
• What it is (and what it isn’t).
• Why everyday demands can feel so difficult.
• How to support children in ways that reduce pressure rather than increase it.

The shift is subtle, but important.
From “won’t” → to “can’t right now.”

And that shift changes everything.

🔗 Read more: https://www.amazeinminds.com.au/pathological-demand-avoidance/

Pathological demand avoidance explained. Learn what it is, why it happens, and how to support children with neuroaffirming strategies.

“Could my child be gifted?”Often the signs are subtle. A child who asks endless questions. A child who learns quickly bu...
14/03/2026

“Could my child be gifted?”

Often the signs are subtle. A child who asks endless questions. A child who learns quickly but becomes bored with repetition. A child who develops deep interests or seems to think about things a little differently from their peers.

Giftedness is sometimes misunderstood as simply being “very smart”. In reality, research suggests it often involves a combination of advanced cognitive ability, creativity, and strong motivation or curiosity. These ideas were captured well in the three-ring model proposed by psychologist Joseph Renzulli.

Consequently, the signs of giftedness can appear in many different ways. Some children show rapid learning, strong memory, or advanced language skills. Others demonstrate deep curiosity, creative problem-solving, or intense engagement with specific topics.

We recently wrote a short article exploring research-informed signs of giftedness in children, and when a cognitive assessment can be helpful in understanding a child’s learning profile.

If you work with children, or if you are a parent who has been wondering about this topic, you may find it useful.

🔗 https://www.amazeinminds.com.au/signs-of-a-gifted-child/










Signs of a gifted child cans how early in development. Learn what research suggests and when a cognitive testing can help clarify abilities.

“Why is my child so defiant?”Usually asked after the fourth argument about brushing teeth.Or when a simple request turns...
28/02/2026

“Why is my child so defiant?”

Usually asked after the fourth argument about brushing teeth.
Or when a simple request turns into a 40-minute stand-off.
Or when school says, “They’re fine here,” but home feels different.

Most children are not trying to be difficult.
They’re trying to cope.

What looks like defiance is often:
– Frustration that spikes fast.
– Difficulty shifting gears.
– Overwhelm without the words for it.
– A nervous system already at capacity.

When we assume “won’t,” we respond with control.
When we consider “can’t yet,” we respond with curiosity.

And curiosity changes everything.

We unpack this properly in our latest blog.

If you’ve ever thought, “This can’t just be bad behaviour,” you’re probably right.

Why is my child defiant? Learn what challenging behaviour really means and how collaborative problem solving can reduce power struggles.

Most people plan their time. Very few people plan their energy.This week, we shared a short blog on energy accounting --...
16/02/2026

Most people plan their time. Very few people plan their energy.

This week, we shared a short blog on energy accounting -- a simple but powerful way to understand why you feel exhausted even when you “didn’t do much.”

Energy accounting is about recognising that:

• Not all tasks cost the same.

• Some effort is invisible.

• Rest is not always restorative.

• Burnout builds slowly through repeated energy debt.

When we track energy instead of just hours, something shifts.

Instead of asking, “Why can’t I cope?”
We start asking, “What did today cost me?”

That question is far kinder. And far more practical.

This approach can be especially helpful for people juggling high cognitive loads, emotional labour, parenting, masking, decision fatigue, or complex work environments.

If burnout or mental overload has been creeping in, energy accounting can be a useful starting point.

You can read the full article here: https://www.amazeinminds.com.au/energy-accounting/

Energy accounting is a practical tool for managing burnout and overwhelm. Learn how to track, protect, and replenish your mental energy.

Rejection sensitivity in adults is something we see and hear about often, yet it’s rarely named or understood.For some p...
09/02/2026

Rejection sensitivity in adults is something we see and hear about often, yet it’s rarely named or understood.

For some people, perceived criticism, exclusion, or neutral feedback can trigger a strong emotional response. This isn’t about being “too sensitive”. It’s often linked to how the nervous system has learned to protect connection and safety over time.

We’ve just published a new blog that explores:
👉 What rejection sensitivity can feel like in everyday life.
👉 Why rejection can hurt so deeply, even when it seems minor on the surface.
👉 How these responses make sense in context, rather than being a personal failing.

🔗 Read the full article here: https://www.amazeinminds.com.au/rejection-sensitivity-in-adults/

The article is written to be validating, accessible, and grounded in a compassionate understanding of emotional regulation.






Rejection sensitivity in adults causes intense emotional pain after perceived criticism or exclusion. Learn why rejection feels overwhelming.

In our latest blog, we've explained he benefits of social skills groups for children, with a focus on confidence, peer c...
26/01/2026

In our latest blog, we've explained he benefits of social skills groups for children, with a focus on confidence, peer connection, and emotional wellbeing, rather than surface-level social behaviours.

The aim is to support informed decision-making, not to pathologise difference.

You can read the article here: https://www.amazeinminds.com.au/benefits-of-social-skills-groups-for-children/






Learn how social skills groups support children's confidence, friendships, and wellbeing, including autistic children and ADHDers.

Why do New Year’s resolutions so often fall apart, even when motivation is strong?Every January, many people set goals w...
01/01/2026

Why do New Year’s resolutions so often fall apart, even when motivation is strong?

Every January, many people set goals with genuine intention, only to feel frustrated when habits don’t stick. From a psychology perspective, this isn’t a willpower problem — it’s a misunderstanding of how behaviour change actually works in the brain.

We’ve just published a new article that breaks down:
👉 Why motivation alone isn’t enough.
👉 How habits really form (and why old ones resurface under stress).
👉 What psychology says actually helps habits last.
👉 How to approach resolutions in a more brain-friendly, sustainable way.

If you’ve ever felt discouraged by “failed” resolutions, this piece offers a more compassionate, evidence-based perspective.

🔗 Read the article here: https://www.amazeinminds.com.au/how-to-stick-to-new-years-resolutions/





Struggling to stick to New Year’s resolutions? Learn what psychology says about habit change and how to make resolutions last.

With the school holidays approaching, many parents are bracing for “I’m bored”.Boredom often gets treated as something t...
18/12/2025

With the school holidays approaching, many parents are bracing for “I’m bored”.

Boredom often gets treated as something to fix, but developmentally it plays an important role. Unstructured time supports creativity, emotional regulation, and independence (even when it feels uncomfortable at first).

We’ve shared a short, parent-friendly article on why bored kids aren’t failing... their brains are working!

🔗 https://www.amazeinminds.com.au/bored-kids/

Would love to hear how others approach unstructured time during the holidays.






Bored kids are common during school holidays. Learn why boredom supports creativity, independence, and emotional development in children.

In the wake of recent events in the   community, many schools, educators, and families are navigating how to talk to chi...
15/12/2025

In the wake of recent events in the community, many schools, educators, and families are navigating how to talk to children about what has happened - and without increasing fear or distress.

We’ve shared a short, evidence-informed guide to support developmentally appropriate conversations with children after traumatic or violent events. It’s written for schools and professionals to confidently disseminate to families, and focuses on calm, honest, and emotionally containing guidance.

Children don’t need to be shielded from reality: they need support to understand it safely.

🔗 https://www.amazeinminds.com.au/talking-to-children-about-traumatic-events/

We hope this resource is helpful for educators, wellbeing teams, and families supporting children during a difficult time.

Practical guidance for schools and families on how to talk to children about traumatic events in a calm, developmentally appropriate way.

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Unit 11B/475 Blackburn Road
Mount Waverley, VIC
3149

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Wednesday 10am - 6pm
Thursday 10am - 6pm
Friday 10am - 6pm
Saturday 10am - 6pm

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+61370464528

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