Hopscotch & Harmony - Child, Teen and Adult Psychology

04/07/2025

𝑨 𝑴𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒂𝒈𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝑶𝒖𝒓 𝑪𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒚

We want to acknowledge the deep shock and distress many families in our community are feeling in response to the recent news involving childcare centres in Point Cook and surrounds.

For many parents and educators, this story is profoundly unsettling. The alleged details, including what’s been reported publicly are confronting. Even if your family isn’t directly affected, you may be feeling waves of grief, rage, fear, or helplessness. That’s a very human response to an unfathomable situation.

We know many of you are wondering how to respond to the news, to your own emotions, and to your child.

Here are a few reminders that may help in the days ahead:

𝑻𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒊𝒔 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒇𝒂𝒖𝒍𝒕
You made decisions with care and trust, as any loving parent would. The responsibility lies with the individual who allegedly caused harm.

𝑼𝒏𝒄𝒆𝒓𝒕𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒚 𝒊𝒔 𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒅
When you don’t know what’s safe or what’s next, your nervous system is on high alert. Be kind to yourself. Pause. Breathe. Limit your exposure to social media content that may include graphic details. You are allowed to step away.

𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒅𝒐𝒏’𝒕 𝒏𝒆𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒄𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒂𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒆
Whether you're a parent, carer or educator, support is available. If you're feeling overwhelmed, confused, or need someone to talk to, please reach out to the services below, or a mental health provider in your area.

𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒅𝒐𝒏’𝒕 𝒏𝒆𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒆𝒙𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒈 𝒄𝒉𝒊𝒍𝒅
If they aren’t aware of what’s happened, you don’t need to bring it up. If they sense something is off, you don’t need to have the perfect words. Your presence, comfort, and willingness to be there with them even when you feel shaken, can offer more safety than any script ever could.

𝐈𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐠𝐠𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐭:

Bravehearts: 1800 272 831 www.bravehearts.org.au

1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732 www.1800respect.org.au

Lifeline: 13 11 14 www.lifeline.org.au

Parentline VIC: 13 22 89 www.parentline.com.au

Victorian Government Information & Hotline: vic.gov.au/childcare-centres-investigation

We see the pain, the outrage, the heartbreak. We stand with the children, and with the families navigating this impossible moment.

Be gentle with yourself, and those around you.

Warmly,

The team at Hopscotch & Harmony

13/06/2025

Thinking about taking your child to see a psychologist? 💬
This blog gently walks you through what to expect and how to make the experience as supportive and positive as possible.
Read more: https://www.hopscotchandharmony.com.au/blog/taking-your-child-to-see-a-psychologist-read-this-first

03/06/2025

Sharing a lunch table instead of a spreadsheet? We’ll take it.
Our Client Relations and Accounts teams are usually working across clinics and home offices - and while we’re always connected through online channels, catching up in person felt like a real win.
It’s moments like this that remind us how much team culture matters.

02/06/2025

✨Welcome to the Team, Michael and Vi!✨

We’re pleased to introduce two terrific psychologists who have recently joined our team - Vi Ly and Michal Phung!

🧠 Vi is a psychologist dedicated to supporting children and adolescents through both counselling and assessment. She has experience in school and clinic settings and is currently focusing on Autism and ADHD assessments. Vi’s person-centred, strengths-based approach creates a safe and supportive space for young people to explore challenges and thrive.

🧠 Michael is a calm, empathetic, and collaborative psychologist who works with children, adolescents, and adults. He brings experience from university and private practice settings and is particularly passionate about supporting individuals with mood and anxiety disorders, emotional regulation difficulties, ADHD, and Autism. Michael takes a neurodiversity-affirming approach and uses CBT and ACT to help clients build resilience, emotional balance, and a sense of purpose.

Please join us in warmly welcoming Vi and Michael to the team - we’re so lucky to have them on board!

https://www.hopscotchandharmony.com.au/booknow

11/05/2025

Today, we honour all the ways love, care, and nurturing show up in families.

To the mums, step-mums, grandmothers, foster carers, aunties, and all the incredible people who mother—whether by birth, by choice, or through circumstance—we see you.

We also hold space for those who find today difficult: those grieving, longing, or navigating complex relationships.

Mothering is more than a title. It’s a way of showing up with tenderness, strength, and presence. However this day finds you, we hope you feel supported, seen, and valued.

From all of us at Hopscotch & Harmony Psychology, happy Mother’s Day.

15/04/2025

Our Paediatric Dietitian, Meyya, is accepting new referrals to support your family! 🎉

Experienced in children’s nutrition, our dietitian helps with:
🍎 Fussy eating and food aversions
🥦 Nutritional support for neurodivergent children
🥛 Food allergies and intolerances
🍇 Growth concerns and picky eating
🥕 Healthy meal planning for the whole family

Whether your little one struggles with trying new foods or you’re looking for expert advice on balanced nutrition, we’re here to help in a way tailored to your child’s needs. 💛

📅 Appointments available now!
🌟 Book today to give your child the tools for a lifetime of healthy eating habits.

📍 Locations: Telehealth only
📞 Visit our website at https://www.hopscotchandharmony.com.au/booknow to schedule a consultation.

Let’s take the stress out of mealtime and bring joy back to the table! 🥰

01/04/2025

If you’re considering taking your child to see a psychologist, it pays to prepare them. Here are 10 useful pointers provided by our Belmont Psychologist, Hilary Sanders.

If you’re considering taking your child to see a psychologist or other therapist, it pays to prepare them. Here are 10 useful pointers to consider.

14/03/2025

Why I stay up late with my teen... for starters, I never want to miss a golden opportunity to connect on HIS terms.

10/03/2025

Navigating Conflict Without Damage

Disagreements are a normal part of any relationship, but how we handle them can make all the difference. Conflict doesn’t have to mean tension, resentment, or distance—it can actually bring people closer when approached with care.

If you’ve ever struggled with staying calm in an argument, finding the right words, or actually resolving issues (rather than just brushing them aside), these practical tips will help.

Read more about healthy conflict resolution here 👇

It’s almost inevitable to have an argument or disagreement with a friend or partner. Here are some tips for healthy conflict resolution.

27/02/2025

🦁 Summer Team Event of 2025! 🦒

It might be late February, but we kicked off our first team event of the year at Werribee Zoo’s Sunset Safari. A few of us headed out to watch the meerkats then the lions being fed. We saw the gorgeous baby rhino and saw the giraffes winding down for the night—such a unique experience!

It was a great chance to connect, recharge, and enjoy some time together outside of work.

Check out a few snaps from our evening! 📸

05/02/2025