Attune & Bloom Therapy Connections

15/07/2025

With mixed emotions, I advise I am stepping away from the business of Attune and Bloom.
I am continuing to do what I enjoy the most, providing therapy and supporting you at Green Field's Health and Performance. Please reach out to https://www.greenfieldspsychology.com.au/ for appointments with me (Helena).
From Attune and Bloom - thank you and farewell.

10/06/2025

INFANT MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS WEEK
09-16 June 2025

A newborn is underdeveloped in many ways and they need a slow transition from womb to world.

During the first 3-months of a newborn’s life the brain and nervous system need to mature.

By the end of a baby’s third month, breathing regulates and baby is able to respond more to the outside world showing increased social abilities.

In those early months do your best to simulate life in the womb – baby likes to be close to you to hear your heartbeat and voice, smell you, feel warm and feel a ‘oneness’ with you.
👶💕

Credit: Centre for Perinatal Psychology

10/06/2025

University of Queensland are looking for mothers over the age of 18, who have birthed a baby within the past 2 years, living in Australia or New Zealand to participate.

The MotherCare Project is an initiative of researchers at UQ. Our aim is to discover better ways to care for the psychological wellbeing of mothers, particularly in supporting mothers to cope with difficult thoughts and feelings around childbirth and early infant feeding experiences.

What does participation involve?
Participants complete two anonymous online surveys (one now, another in 8 weeks) which asks about your own coping, childbirth and feeding experiences. All participants will receive free-of-cost online resources intended to promote their wellbeing. You will be randomly selected to either receive access to the resources straight away, or after completing the final survey (in 8 weeks’ time).

To participate, or to find out more, please visit https://exp.psy.uq.edu.au/mothercare/about

Ethics approval: HE002494

16/04/2025

You may notice I look a little different at the moment. My family and I got behind the Leukaemia Foundation's - World's Greatest Shave.
Let me tell you, having a shaved head is different to what I had expected it would be, in truly surprising ways.

Being able to do this in 2025 is an incredible celebration for my family 👏💞

Thank you for continuing to trust Attune and Bloom. I look forward to supporting Mum's, women and parents in clinic or via telehealth while rocking the shave ✌️🏵️

05/04/2025

Emerald Clinic
Thursday, 17th April
Appointments still available ~ Share with Mum's to be and new or seasoned Mama's
Book Online: https://clientportal.zandahealth.com/clientportal/attuneandbloom/AppointmentBooking/ClientAppointment
For further information: Send an email enquiry to helena@attuneandbloom.com.au
Can't wait to see you soon Emerald 🏵️

14/02/2025

Mama's with babes 0-6 months. Get on it! Coming to Yeppoon soon 💓 Dani the Midwife

I recently did my own child massage class and it has added an extra element of connection, relaxation and comfort.

I needed this with my Colicky little baby almost three years ago; however, it's never too late, even if you miss this one 💓

Upcoming class: 24th Feb 10-1130am at The Health Haven YEPPOON 🙌

Infant massage offers a wonderful experience and tool for parents to learn & use to help comfort, settle, connect and bond with your baby. Key benefits of infant massage include:

❤️ Interaction - enjoyable one on one time, socialization for mum and baby. Assist with attunement to baby cues, increase baby & parent confidence; promote bonding and a secure attachment.

🗣️ assist with Imitation and pre-language development.

😴 Relaxation - improves sleep patterns and helps decrease stress hormones. It can be used to help baby & siblings learn a positive bed time routine.

🧠 Stimulate body systems including circulatory, digestive, hormonal, immune, lymphatic, respiratory, nervous (brain development), proprioceptive (position & motion) and vestibular (coordination & balance).

💨 Relief - of colic, gas, constipation and teething.

Indian & Swedish massage traditions are used as well as incorporating principles from yoga & reflexology. Stroke techniques can be adapted to massage your growing child & their siblings.

Classes are run in small groups or as a private one-on-one session. Booking is essential msg Dani the Midwife to secure a spot or book via
https://danithemidwife.com.au/contact .4

More info available here ⬇️ https://danithemidwife.com.au/infant-massage-1

12/12/2024

Parenthood may catch you off guard. If it does, you are not alone!
It is after all, one of the biggest developmental periods of an adult's life. You will see physical, biological, social, financial, emotional and psychological changes all at once.
So yes, even in the best of circumstances you are likely to experience increased emotional distress at this time in your life. When you try to talk yourself out of your experience being emotionally distressing or challenging, please remember, be gentle with yourself as these self-judgements can intensify distress and create greater isolation.
We don't often think far beyond the birth of our baby but it can be helpful to do some psychological labour in preparation to soften your transition to parenthood.

If you need support reach out: preconception, pregnancy, pregnancy/infant loss, birth, postpartum, motherhood, parenting and women's mental health.
I will be opening my books for face to face appointments once again at The Health Haven, 31 Ben St, Yeppoon on Tuesday and Thursday's in January 2025.

19/11/2024

Day 3 - Pregnancy Loss​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Our community has come together to understand that, among other pregnancy losses, 1 in 5 pregnancies ends before 20 weeks. In Australia, a miscarriage occurs approximately every 5 minutes.

Yet, it’s a topic we often avoid. This silence isolates those experiencing loss and suggests their grief isn’t worthy of acknowledgment.
Everyone grieves uniquely; there’s no right way to process the loss of a baby. Silence, keeping busy, or trying for another baby doesn’t lessen their pain. Multiple losses remain equally devastating.
Comments like “at least it happened early” minimise a parent’s grief and fail to offer validation.

To support someone through pregnancy loss:
�🤝Start with, “I’m sorry for your loss; I’m here for you.”
🌈Recognise their unique experience.
👂Create opportunities to listen when they wish to share.
🗣️Use the language they prefer.
💙Validate any expressed emotions.
🤗Remember that all parents involved deserve compassion.

For tips on how to support yourself or a loved one specific to miscarriage and early pregnancy loss, visit pinkelephants.org.au 💓

17/11/2024

Perinatal Mental Health Week 2024
Day 1 Trauma Informed Care

Day 1 - Trauma Informed Care​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Perinatal Mental Health Week provides an important opportunity to acknowledge the work of health and mental health professionals in supporting those who have experienced trauma, particularly perinatal women and their families.

Perinatal Mental Health Week also provides an important opportunity to acknowledge that perinatal trauma in particular, is an increasing reality in Australia necessitating trauma informed care at every health care encounter in maternity care and specific expertise in trauma informed care from perinatal mental health professionals.

In addition to trauma-informed care, perinatal women and their families must receive care that is respectful, based on the principles of informed consent and promoting of their autonomy. The principles of trauma-informed care relevant to all health care professionals, comprise of:

🗝️ Safety
🤝 Trustworthiness
🫂 Support
✨ Collaboration
💪🏼 Empowerment
🙏 Humility

The provision of trauma-informed care can start quite simply by asking "would you like to tell me about what has happened to you" NOT "what is wrong with you".

Trauma-informed care should come through clear and sensitive communication (use of preferred pronouns) including spiritual and cultural awareness, using attentive, considered responses and explanations with the woman without minimising or dismissing them.

Always start by listening to women, give them time, believe them, validate them and avoid retraumatising them.
Never debrief unless you are not involved in the trauma in any way, are not in the trauma setting and have specialist expertise in doing this.

For those who have suffered trauma, there are communities for you. Visit pmhweek.org.au

15/11/2024

Important advocacy work is being championed by these ladies relating to your pregnancy, birth and postnatal experiences of medical care, support and education in our region. Get behind them and share your experiences.

15/11/2024

Inviting you 👇 to reach out if you need psychological support in Yeppoon and surrounds, Rockhampton and the greater Central Queensland.