Nurtured Minds and Futures

02/09/2025

🌟 Term 4 Group Programs
Now Taking Enrolments!

Running from 6th October - 19th December 2025

We’re excited to announce our Term 4 Group Programs at Nurtured Minds & Futures - designed to support neurodivergent young people to build confidence, connect with others, and grow life skills in safe, supportive spaces.

✨ The Discovery Series

3D Printing – Tuesdays, 10am–2pm | Ages 16–30
Explore design, problem-solving, and creative thinking through 3D printing technology.

Creative – Wednesdays, 10am–2pm | Ages 16–30
Relaxed, participant-led sessions for self-expression and connection through art, writing, and creative projects.

✨ The Connection Series

Pop Culture Crew – Fortnightly Fridays, 12–2pm | Ages 18+
Explore movies, comics, anime, gaming, and pop culture while building social and leadership skills. Community-based activities in between!

Side by Side – Fortnightly Thursdays, 4:30–5:45pm | Ages 12–15
Talk-based therapy group supporting identity, friendships, and safe self-expression.

✨ The Expression Series

Soundwaves – Tuesdays, 5–6:15pm | Ages 10–15 + Parent/Carer Group
Music, rhythm, movement, and breathwork to build social skills and connection, with a parallel parent/carer support group.

More info coming soon - stay tuned on our socials!

⚡️ Places are limited - secure your spot today by contactingour friendly team!

📞 0493 064 425
✉️ admin@nurturedminds.net.au

27/08/2025

This Friday, August 29th, we’re celebrating Wear It Purple Day! 💜

At Nurtured Minds and Futures, this day means so much to us because it’s all about nurturing acceptance, visibility, and support for LGBTIQA+ young people. Many of the amazing young people we work with are also part of this vibrant community, and we know how important it is for them to feel safe, valued, and proud of who they are.

We know that when young people are empowered to speak their truth, they light the way toward a future where everyone belongs, which makes this year's theme 'Bold Voices, Bright Futures' so important.

Wear It Purple Day reminds us that every young person deserves to feel respected and included just as they are. We’re committed to creating spaces where diversity is celebrated, voices are heard, and wellbeing comes first.

💜 This Friday, we’ll be wearing purple to show our support, and we invite you to join us in making the world a little brighter, safer, and kinder for LGBTIQA+ youth.

01/08/2025

New study: Research from King’s College London has given us clear evidence of what our community has been saying for years. On average, autistic, ADHD and AuDHD students experience around twice the emotional burden of their peers at school.

The study shows that school environments expose our young people to more frequent and more intense upsetting experiences, and those experiences take a toll.

This helps explain what many of our families see every day: our ladybugs masking their distress at school, only to crash at home. It also offers insight into why “school can’t” is so often a response to harm, rather than defiance. And it strengthens the link between school culture and mental health.

Researchers worked closely with neurodivergent students to identify which school experiences cause the most emotional distress. These included:

• Peers talking behind their backs
• Unexpected waits in queues
• Teachers telling them off
• Being ignored or misunderstood
• Last-minute changes of plan
• Sensory overload in classrooms
• Losing or forgetting things (and being punished for it)
• Boring lessons and lack of engagement
• Constant pressure to “try harder”
• Being blamed for things they didn’t do

The study found clear differences between groups.

💛 Autistic students were most affected by sensory overload, being rushed, social confusion and peers talking behind their backs.
💛 ADHD students were most distressed by boredom, not feeling heard by teachers, unfair blame and pressure to “try harder.”

You can check out the study here:

https://kclpure.kcl.ac.uk/ws/portalfiles/portal/336095677/Lukito_et_al_2024-Emotional_Burden-author_accepted_version.pdf

Study name: Emotional burden in school as a source of mental health problems associated with ADHD and/or autism (Lukito et al., 2025), found that autistic, ADHD and AuDHD students carry twice the emotional burden of their peers…”

Lukito, S., Chandler, S., Kakoulidou, M., Griffiths, K., Wyatt, A., Funnell, E., Pavlopoulou, G., Baker, S., Stahl, D., & Sonuga‑Barke, E. (2025). Emotional burden in school as a source of mental health problems associated with ADHD and/or autism: Development and validation of a new co‑produced self‑report measure. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcpp.70003 cr

01/07/2025

🌟 We Have Support Worker Availability! 🌟

Through tailored support and connection, our NDIS support work is designed for neurodivergent individuals aged 15–40, helping you build skills, confidence, and independence through meaningful capacity building and social support.

Whether you’re developing daily living skills, feeling more confident in social settings, or working towards greater independence, our support workers walk alongside you with care and respect.

Our person-centred approach aligns your support with your own goals, values, and strengths.

Plus, our support workers are guided by our team psychologist to give you the best chance of achieving what matters to you.

For a more holistic experience, we also recommend exploring our Discovery Series Group Therapy programs, which can further enrich your personal growth and connection.

If you or the person you support are outside the 15–40 age range, please still get in touch - we’d be happy to chat about how we might be able to help.

📞 Call us on 0493 064 425
📧 Email admin@nurturedminds.net.au

Let’s nurture your future, together. 💙

27/06/2025

📣 Fee & Services Update - Effective 1st July 2025

To our valued clients and referrers:
From 1st July 2025, our fees will be updated to reflect ongoing service quality and rising costs:

💡 Private Psychology: $280/hr (Medicare rebates available with a Mental Health Treatment Plan)

💬 Private Counselling: $160/hr

🟣 NDIS Services will remain in line with the 2025-2026 NDIS Price Guide

🕒 Thanks to recent NDIS changes, we can now offer appointment flexibility in 10-minute increments - supporting more individualised care for NDIS participants. We welcome you to work with your practitioner to tailor appointment lengths that suit your needs and goals.

Thank you for your continued trust and support. If you have any questions, please reach out - we’re always here to help!

09/06/2025

We are very sorry - our email is down!
We appreciate your patience while we sort out some issues, and ask that you please call us on 0493 064 425 if you need to speak to us urgently.

26/05/2025

Workplaces weren’t designed with everyone in mind. But they can be. 🤔

Join us for a free one-day event exploring how neuroinclusion and accessibility can strengthen teams, drive innovation, and create environments where all kinds of minds can thrive.

If you’re a business owner, manager, HR professional, community group leader, support service provider, or educator, this event is designed for you.

Hosted by headspace Shepparton in partnership with Two Point Zero Australia.

📅 Event Details
Date: Tuesday, 17 June 2025
Time: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Location: The Woolshed @ Emerald Bank (7719 Goulburn Valley Hwy, Kialla VIC 3631)
Lunch and afternoon tea provided
Cost: FREE

What you will gain:

✔️ Gain a deep understanding of neurodiversity and the rich range of neurodivergent experiences in today’s workplaces
✔️ Discover why building neuroinclusive workplaces is critical for business success and innovation
✔️ Learn how to overcome common challenges and create environments where neurodivergent employees feel valued and can thrive
✔️ Hear powerful, real-world stories from local employers and neurodivergent individuals
✔️ Be inspired by a keynote address from a leading neuroinclusion expert
✔️ Participate in an interactive workshop where you’ll gain practical, actionable strategies and see how accessibility benefits everyone
Whether you’re a business owner, manager, HR professional, educator, service provider, or community leader — this event is for you.

🎟️ Reserve your spot now:
👉 https://info.directioneering.com/tpzheadspace

Let’s work together to build workplaces that work for everyone.

19/05/2025

We’re Hiring: Psychologist or Mental Health Social Worker
Location: Numurkah, VIC | Flexible Role

Are you passionate about supporting individuals and families through every stage of life?
Do you thrive in a collaborative, values-driven team?
Join us at Nurtured Minds and Futures as we grow our multidisciplinary practice in Numurkah, Vic.

We’re currently seeking a Registered Psychologist or Accredited Mental Health Social Worker to join our friendly, neuro-affirming team.

✅ Medicare registration essential
✅ Highly flexible options – subcontractor, part-time, full-time, or casual
✅ Ideal for early-career professionals or those returning to practice
✅ Supportive, inclusive, and collaborative team environment

At Nurtured Minds and Futures, we believe in the power of working together - sharing insights, strategies, and goals to provide holistic, tailored support to our clients. We offer a diverse range of services including therapy, psychological assessments, NDIS support work, and innovative group programs.

If you're aligned with trauma-informed, person-centred, and neuro-affirming care - and want to make a real difference - we’d love to hear from you!

To request a Position Description, please email:
Nicole Wells, Practice Manager – admin@nurturedminds.net.au
Or call us on 0493 064 425
(Feel free to reach out with any questions!)

15/05/2025

Nurtured Minds and Futures says no to Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexism, and Transphobia today and everyday. Want to celebrate Pride, Inclusion and Community? Head down to the IDAHOBIT @ TWIGHLIGHT event at the Shepparton Library this evening!

🌈 IDAHOBIT @ TWILIGHT 🌈
Celebrate pride, inclusion and community at our IDAHOBIT 2025 event with an evening full of colour and connection! Enjoy live music by Lou Baby, Rainbow Storytime, face painting, market stalls, activities for all ages and inspiring speakers.

📍 Shepparton Library – 41-43 Marungi St
📅 Friday, May 16
🕠 5.30PM–7.30PM
🎟️ Registrations encouraged for catering purposes:
👉 trybooking.com/DBKKU

05/05/2025

🌱 Referral Update – May 2025 🌱

Here's the latest on our referral availability with the friendly team at Nurtured Minds and Futures:

🧠 Counselling & Therapy

Billi – Fully booked for 2025

Donna – Unavailable until mid-2025

🔍 Autism & ADHD Diagnostic Assessments

Currently closed for 2025 - Our 2026 calendar will open in September–October 2025

📘 Learning Disorder & Academic Achievement Assessments

Now accepting referrals - Rachael is undertaking training to assist with these assessments

🌟 Discovery Series Programs

Open for enrolment!

We understand the importance of timely support and are here to discuss your needs. For more details or to express interest in future openings, please reach out to our team.

📞 Contact us at 0493 064 425 or visit our website to see more about our team: www.nurturedminds.net.au/about/

05/05/2025

We’re excited to share this brilliant professional development opportunity from our friends at Yellow Ladybugs—a not-for-profit organisation passionate about supporting autistic girls and gender-diverse young people.

Their upcoming online conference is packed with value: 10 panels, 15 presentations, over 45 experts, and 18 hours of rich, neuro-affirming content—all for just $99. That’s incredible for the depth and quality being offered.

🎓 You’ll gain:

Practical tools and strategies for home, school, and therapy

Deeper understanding of interoception, masking, monotropism, trauma responses, school can't, and more

Real stories from autistic voices

An 18-hour PD certificate

90-day access to watch at your own pace

Many families have been able to claim it through their NDIS plans, and Yellow Ladybugs have worked hard to keep it financially accessible for everyone.

This is perfect for parents, educators, professionals, and autistic individuals who are committed to learning and growing. 💛

👉 Learn more or grab your ticket: www.YLBconference.com.au

14/04/2025

We have two places available for our Term 2 NDIS Creative group starting April 30. This term participants will create with a Cricut and polymer clay and learn cake decorating.
Our Discovery Series programs provide a safe social environment to support Autistic young people to build their confidence and sense of belonging, as well as develop social, communication, team work, organisation and enterprise skills. Its therapy that's fun!