For individuals seeking advice and direction with particular challenges, a problem-solving appointment can be arranged. During a problem-solving session, the clinician spends time gathering relevant background information and gains an understanding of the client’s current concerns. They then provide helpful strategies, resources and recommendations regarding appropriate next steps for the individual and their support people. This may include recommendations for further assessments to explore the possibilities of autism or ADHD or learning disorders or referrals to other members of our team for speech and language or occupational therapy assessmetnts.

At Brighter Future, we offer an assessment and treatment service for individuals across the lifespan.

We are skilled in the assessment of common psychological conditions and differences such as:

• Anxiety Disorders

• Depression

• Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

• Autism

• Behavioural Problems

• Emotion regulation difficulties

Some of our clinicians are available to conduct psychometric assessments to determine cognitive ability (IQ) as well as identify potential learning disorders.

Our clinicians have access to a variety of psychometric assessments that will enable the clinician to tailor the assessment to each individual's needs.

Our psychologists provide useful reports to families and professionals to help them with better understanding an an individual’s learning profile and assist the them to perform to the best of their ability.

Our psychologists can assess young people from 3 years through to adulthood and we have both language based and non-verbal tests available.

Tests such as the WISC, WPPSI, WAIS, WIAT and UNIT are frequently selected and many of these assessments are conducted using Ipad to iPad technology through the testing platform Q Interactive.

At Brighter Futures we offer ongoing therapy with our clinicians to assist with:

• Enhancing self-esteem, self-identity and positively understanding your own neurotype

• Improving social understanding and dealing with bullying

• Assertiveness training

• Increasing emotional awareness

• Assisting with emotion management difficulties in the areas of anger, anxiety and depression

• Empowering parents to implement more positive and successful parental management strategies

• Supporting parents in their role to be the best parents they can be

• Providing assistance to assist with organisational skills and other executive functioning difficulties

• Career and work challenges

• Relationship difficulties

For those individuals requiring counselling support our counsellor, Lauren Rooyakkers can assist with difficulties in the following areas:

• Relationship (friends, family, dating) difficulties

• Parenting

• Divorce

• Struggles with self-esteem

• Difficulties with self-identity

• Anxiety

• Emotional regulation difficulties

• Trauma

• Suicidal ideation/self-harm

• Bullying

• Behavioural issues/acting out

• Life changes and adjustments

• Loss and bereavement

• Pain management

• Motivation

We offer couples counselling sessions to assist couples to enhance their relationships through improving problem-solving abilities, building communication skills and identifying life goals and relationship responsibilities. Our couples therapists are knowledgable, professional and utilise well-researched strategies to not only assist in couples feeling comfortable and safe, but to work together to find solutions to common relationship challenges.

Provisional psychologist Bridie Gray and Registered Counsellor Lauren Rooyakkers work with couples at the clinic and have immediate availability. Start your journey towards a healthier relationship by calling the clinic today.

Speech and Language Pathologist Angie France offers assessments and treatment in the following areas:

• Language Skills: difficulties with understanding and use of language, late talkers, learning difficulties at school

• Autism and social communication skills

• Literacy development: reading fluency and comprehension, spelling and phonological awareness

• Speech sound difficulties: articulation and Childhood Apraxia of Speech

• Play skills

Speech and Language Pathologist Kate Ricca offers an assessment service via telehealth (Coviu videoconferencing).

She conducts:

• Language Assessments - to examine a broad range of expressive and receptive language skills

• Language Development Assessments with Additional Parent Coaching - to provide an observation of early language skills and parent coaching

• Speech Sound Assessments - to assess speech sounds in words and sentences along with articulation and intelligibility of speech

Paediatric Occupational Therapist Margo Wratten offers occupational therapy assessments and advice in the following areas:

• Sensory processing and self-regulation skills

• Fine motor skills, including handwriting and scissor skills

• Mealtime skills and eating

• Toileting

• Functional assessment – a wholistic assessment of a child’s dressing, mobility, eating skills, toileting and sleeping This assessment is often useful for NDIS access and goal development

• Play skills, including the development of imaginary play and interactions with peers.

• Assistive Technology advice and prescription

Margo also offers problem-solving appointments, providing useful strategies and guidance to families with specific OT related concerns.

We offer school observations for families wishing for a more broader assessment of their child’s concerns, particularly if they are occurring largely in the school environment.

School visits will typically entail a 40 minute observation and 20 minute discussion with the child’s teacher and/or support staff.

School meetings between clinicians and school personnel can also be conducted via Telehealth through Zoom or Coviu and stakeholder meetings between an individual clinician and other professionals can also be arranged.