Cherished Minds Psychology

11/04/2025

🎉 School holidays are here — and if you’re wondering how to keep the kids entertained without relying on screens all day, here are some simple, fun, and low-cost ideas:

🎨 Craft Time: Set up a mini art station at home with paper, paint, glue, and recycled materials. Try themed days like “make your own puppet” or “create a family mural.”

🌿 Backyard Scavenger Hunt: Make a list of items for kids to find outside — like a smooth rock, a feather, or something green. Add clues or riddles to turn it into a real adventure!

📚 Library Visits: Local libraries often run free holiday programs with Storytime sessions, craft corners, or reading challenges. It’s a great way to foster a love of books.

🍪 Baking Together: Choose simple recipes like cookies, cupcakes, or pizza. Let the kids measure, stir, and decorate — the mess is part of the fun (and learning)!

🏞️ Explore Nature: Head to a local park or bush trail for a walk. Collect leaves, spot birds, or just enjoy a picnic under the sun.

🎬 For Teens: Challenge them to make a short film, vlog, or photo series using just a phone. Give them a theme or prompt like “a day in my life” or “things that make me laugh.” It’s creative, techy, and keeps them thinking!

💡 Bonus tip: Create a “Holiday Fun Jar” with activity ideas written on slips of paper — whenever boredom hits, just pick one at random!

09/04/2025

Parenting Kids with Big Emotions: Tips for Calm & Connection 💛

Parenting a child who struggles with emotional regulation can be tough, but small changes can make a difference! Here are some tips:

✨ Stay Calm – Your child will mirror your energy. Take deep breaths and model the calm you want to see.

🗣️ Validate Feelings – "I see you're really upset. It's okay to feel that way." Acknowledging their emotions helps them feel heard.

🚦 Teach Coping Strategies – Try deep breathing, squeezing a stress ball, or using a "calm corner" to self-regulate.

⏳ Use Waiting & Breaks – When emotions are high, give space before problem-solving. "Let's take a break and talk in 5 minutes."

💡 Plan Ahead – Identify triggers and create strategies for tough situations. Visual schedules and social stories can help!

🌱 Praise Progress – Celebrate the small wins! Emotional regulation is a skill that takes time to build.

You're not alone in this journey!
👇💬

04/04/2025

✨ Helping Kids Manage Worry ✨

Worry is a normal part of life, but for kids, it can feel overwhelming. As psychologists, we can teach them how to feel in control of their worry:

🧠 Thought Detective Skills – Is this worry fact or feeling?
🌊 Relaxation strategies to calm their mind and body
🎨 Externalising Worry – Give it a silly name & shrink its power!
💪 Coping Toolbox – Movement, mindfulness, and positive self-talk.

Let’s empower kids with skills to face their worries with confidence! 💙

01/04/2025

🌟 Today is Autism Awareness Day! 🌟

At Cherished Minds Psychology, we proudly support and celebrate autistic individuals and their families. 💙 Every mind is unique, and with understanding and support, we can create a world where neurodiversity is embraced.

Let's work together to build acceptance, inclusion, and empowerment—because every voice matters!

26/03/2025

💬 Helping kids build strong friendships? Start with these key skills!

✅ Active Listening – Teach kids to show they’re engaged by making eye contact, nodding, and responding.
✅ Taking Turns – Practice waiting, sharing, and being patient in conversations and play.
✅ Reading Social Cues – Help them recognise facial expressions and tone of voice to understand emotions.
✅ Resolving Conflict – Show them how to use "I" statements and problem-solving instead of blaming.
✅ Being a Good Sport – Win or lose, kindness matters!

Friendship skills take practice, but with support, every child can learn to connect and belong. 💙

19/03/2025

📢 No Wait Time – After-School Appointments Available! 🧠✨

We have open spots for after-school psychology appointments! Whether your child needs support with anxiety, attention, behaviour support, emotional regulation, social skills, family changes, or school stress, we’re here to help – with no wait time.

📍 Limited spots available – book now!

📩 Call 9822 8630 to schedule an appointment.

11/03/2025

🌿 Exciting News! 🌿
We are thrilled to welcome Nathalie, our new Provisional Psychologist, to the Cherished Minds Psychology team! 💛
Nathalie is now accepting new clients, offering a safe, supportive, and non-judgmental space to work through life's challenges. Whether you're seeking support for anxiety, depression, stress, or navigating life changes — Nathalie is here to help.

✨ Available Appointments now open including after school! ✨

📞 Call us on 9822 8630

🌐 Visit www.cherishedminds.com.au to fill out an enquiry form and we will call you!

Welcome toCherished Minds Cherishing positive development, enhanced psychological well being and overall personal growth of youth. Contact Us  Consultation  Therapy Treatments w Groups & Programs  Assessments  Autism Diagnosis  Adult & Parent Services Learn more about our services

18/12/2024

The team at Cherished Minds will be taking a break with our last day Friday 20th December and returning on Monday 13th of January. Wishing you all a very happy holiday and we look forward to working alongside our families and colleagues in 2025.

09/12/2024

As we come to the end of one year and move towards the start of another, we have had many calls of parents who are seeking assessments for their children to organise supports for 2025. While unfortunately we are fully booked for 2024, we are scheduling now for our return in 2025.

Autism assessments: Now booking February 2025

Cognitive/academic assessments: Now booking Jan/Feb 2025

Neurodevelopmental assessments: Now booking February 2025

School based WISC/WIAT/ABAS: Now booking for term 1

15/05/2024

Cognitive Assessments at Cherished Minds

Often referred to as IQ tests they are used to provide a cognitive profile of intellectual strengths and weaknesses. Cognitive assessments are also used to provide a comparison of cognitive functioning between the individual tested and peers of the same age.

Cherished minds provide assessments across the age range:

WPPSI: 2 years 6 months to 7 years 7 months
WISC-V: 6 years to 16 years 11 months
WAIS: 16 years to 90 years 11 months
WIAT-III: 4 years to 50 years 11 months
ABAS-3: Birth to 89 years (functional assessment)

Cherished Minds provides comprehensive and practical reports that assist in understanding the individuals cognitive and learning profile including recommendations for support and next steps.

Call us on 9822 8630 to enquire

08/01/2024

We hope everyone enjoyed a relaxing break and are refreshed and ready to take on 2024! Cherished Minds re-opens from 9am Monday 15th of January at which time all prescheduled appointments will automatically resume. See you soon :)

31/12/2023