Perinatal, Child & Family Hub; Carla Anderson Clinical Psychologist

09/02/2026

Is there anything quite like the joy flowers bring at the end of a work day. It’s my favourite part of the day being in my garden picking flowers. Even if hubby laughs at me sitting in the dirt in my work clothes. Changing my clothes is just another step that reduces my garden time and dirt washes out 🤣

08/02/2026

When was the last time you did something that you have not done in forever. This is my saxophone that I have had since I was in year 5 (so it’s very old lol). Tonight in the shower I couldn’t get the song “Killing me softly” out of my head. Then remembered I played this on repeat in highschool band. I played my saxophone so much back then that in year 12 my uni choices were Psychology or the Conservatorium of Music.

Anyway back on topic- tonight I didn’t overthink, I just pulled out my saxophone and played. It literally sits at my feet in my office but I haven’t played it for yearssss. I actually think it’s even longer since I played this song. And it didn’t take long to get back in the zone. It is another one of my happy places. Did I sound rusty and mess up some notes- yes. But I’m still pretty proud of myself for just doing it and giving it a go even though it wasn’t perfect.

What have you done for you lately that you haven’t done for a longtime?

08/02/2026

“What people think reflective practice is… and what it actually is”

I hear clinicians say this a lot “I already reflect.”

And usually what they mean is they think about their day, or replay a moment on the drive home.

But reflective practice isn’t rumination and it’s not self criticism. It’s not lying awake at night thinking about what you should have said.

Reflective practice is how clinicians make sense of those moments after the fact, so learning doesn’t stay stuck in the moment. It’s how experience turns into skill.

The tricky part to this is that medical care is a practice-based discipline- in addition to theoretical training, skills are learned on the job, through experience, observation and repetition. But without guidance this experience on it’s own does not always turn into reflective learning. It often turns into habit, and this is how we do it so this is how we will keep doing it. When we talk about “reflective practice” this is an additional intentional step that turns these experiences into learning, growth and sustainability. Unfortunately this step is one that is not often taught.

Reflective practice is about slowing down on purpose and asking a few specific questions.
What happened?
What did that bring up in me?
How might that have shaped how I responded?
And what might help next time?

Most clinicians were never taught how to do this in a structured way, even though it’s expected in best practice care. This is why I am so passionate about teaching this in my Tender Talks training.

When it’s done well, it helps you stay more grounded, it helps you understand why something felt hard, your confidence grows, your sustainability increases and your attunement with families improves.

05/02/2026

🍑 Groups coming up at Peach Tree Sunshine Coast 🍑

Tuesday 10th
🕧 12:30pm – 2:00pm
✨ Pause, Play & Connect
A welcoming space for mums to come together and connect while taking part in gentle, social games that help bring us together — without pressure, expectations, or needing to share more than you’re comfortable with.

Wednesday
🕤 9:30am – 11:00am
☕ Coffee & Connection
A relaxed, drop-in style group to sit with a cuppa, chat, listen, and connect with other mums in a supportive, understanding space.

🕧 12:30pm – 2:00pm
🍑 Just Peachy (Peer Support Group)
A low-pressure peer support group for mums to talk about the highs and lows of motherhood, share experiences, or simply be alongside others who get it.

Thursday 12th
🕧 12:30pm – 2:00pm
🎨 Craft Group
A gentle creative space for mums to craft, chat, and connect. No experience needed and all materials provided.

All groups are free, peer-led, and babies/children are always welcome 💛

👉 Bookings: https://peachtree.org.au/book

🌿 New to Peach Tree? Self-refer here: https://forms.fillout.com/t/uNcuxai8iAus

Send us a message if you have any questions or would like help choosing the right group 🌸

05/02/2026

Attunement can sound like a big concept, but most clinicians already know the feeling of it in their own lives. Think about a moment when someone was fully with you. They might not have said much, but their presence helped you feel understood. It was not the length of the interaction. It was the way they were with you.

This is attunement. The feeling of being emotionally met, even briefly.

In perinatal care, attunement is not about long conversations. It is about staying connected to the parent while the clinical work continues.

What this looks like in practice:
• You ask a question and stay with their answer instead of rushing ahead.
• You explain the next step in a tone that helps them feel settled.
• You move to a new part of the appointment and include them in that shift.
• You think through what needs to happen next and keep your presence warm.
• You orient your attention toward them enough that they still feel held.

These moments do not take more time. They simply help the parent feel you are with them, not working around them. However, in reality, attunement becomes harder when time is tight, yet it is still possible in very small ways:
• You finish your sentence before turning to document.
• You allow one calm breath before responding.
• You look toward the parent as you explain what comes next.

These small shifts support connection without adding to your workload. Attunement is the quiet thread that steadies both parent and clinician.
This is some of what we focus on in the training Tender Talks: Confident Conversations Training In The Perinatal Period strengthens this natural capacity so it becomes easier to access on busy days.

Comment 'info' for more details.

05/02/2026

Hi I have just sent out an email with launch dates and info for my upcoming “Tender Talks: Confident Conversations In The Perinatal Period”. I’ve had some people mention the emails going to junk so please check junk/spam, or send me an email carlaanderson@live.com.au if you’d like more information. Thanks 😊

04/02/2026

Every arrangement works within limits.

The size of the vase.
The weight of the stems.
The space available.

Many people relate to forgetting this in their own lives. Pushing past capacity. Expecting more to fit when there is nowhere for it to go.

Floristry quietly reminds us that limits are not failure. They help the arrangement hold its shape.

Self care can begin with respecting the limits you are already working within.

04/02/2026

04/02/2026

CALLING ALL PREGNANT COUPLES IN Illawarra-Shoalhaven region of NSW

🙌 A PhD research study is recruiting couples expecting their first baby to receive a free relationship-based program over five sessions (4 antenatal + 1 postnatal sessions).

💕 This program, developed by 'Becoming Us', orients couples to the changes that occur in relationships when baby arrives, navigating changes in communication in a significant time of transition, and understanding adult attachment styles.

They are hoping to run the next group week commencing 16th March 2026 (day TBC, time 6:00 - 8:00pm).

👉 Seeking, couples who:
✅ reside in the Illawarra-Shoalhaven region of NSW (or are willing to travel to attend)
✅ are expecting their first baby together (and currently do not have any other children)
✅ are available to attend in-person sessions
✅ are in the second trimester at the time of registration

Enquires can be directed to ma998@uowmail.edu.au

More groups will run in future - register your interest for the next round.
Thank you!

03/02/2026

I am opening up my Memorial Angel Dust Butterflies for the first time in over 5 years 🩷 I only create these artworks once or twice a year so I am only taking a small number of names. To find out all the information about them and how to get one, visit the link below. I will delete this post as soon as I reach my limit of names.
https://theseashoreofremembrance.blogspot.com/2014/07/angel-dust-beach-butterflies.html

If you are waiting on an beach artwork that is past the wait time, please check your spam folder as I often end up there. If it is not there, send me an email to carlymariedudley@gmail.com with the details of the artwork and I will resend it for you.