Mind Matters Cairns

02/08/2026

20/07/2026

Every interaction strengthens or weakens the invisible bonds between people. Understanding these forces doesn’t make conflict disappear.
But it helps us to stop fighting shadows.

19/07/2026

First seek to understand.

14/07/2026

Neurofeedback …when you need more than just talk therapy. A growing body of research suggests that neurofeedback can help people recover from PTSD, including those who have not improved with traditional talking therapies. In studies of participants who had already tried standard treatments without success, remission rates reached 79.3% with neurofeedback, compared with 24.4% in control groups.*

First Responders and Veterans deserve access to every evidence-based treatment that may improve their recovery. Neurofeedback should be one of those options.

Therapies aimed at reframing negative thoughts may not work for some people with PTSD. New research shows it may be because their brains work differently after trauma.

👉 Read the full story: https://theconversation.com/talking-about-trauma-doesnt-always-help-brain-scans-show-one-reason-why-278794

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18/06/2026

At Mind Matters, we know that one size does not fit all. That’s why we’re a multidisciplinary practice, offering different approaches to support wellbeing in a way that feels right for each individual. Positive Psychology is one of those approaches, providing a proactive and strengths-based pathway for adolescents and young adults.

Adolescence and young adulthood are periods of significant growth, change, and self-discovery. During these years, young people may experience challenges related to identity, academic pressures, social relationships, emotional wellbeing, and future aspirations.

Positive Psychology helps young people develop a healthy sense of self and move confidently in the world to live meaningful lives. Rather than concentrating solely on what’s going wrong, it helps young people recognise their strengths, build confidence, develop healthy coping strategies, and create a sense of purpose and direction.

Our Positive Psychology Practitioner takes a different approach to traditional therapy sessions. Many sessions take place outside of a clinical setting and incorporate movement, recognising that some young people open up, reflect, and engage more comfortably when connecting with their body rather than sitting in an office.

Importantly, you don’t need to wait until something is wrong to seek support. Positive Psychology can help young people build self-awareness, confidence, resilience, and wellbeing before challenges arise, creating a strong foundation for life.

Sometimes wellbeing isn’t about fixing a problem, it’s about investing in growth. Call us on 40310438 or send us a message to book in for term 3.

12/06/2026

Sometimes the roots of anxiety and depression go much deeper than we think.

We often have people come to therapy for chronic anxiety, depression, low self-worth, or relationship difficulties. As we dig a little deeper we find that childhood adversity has played a significant role in the development of these conditions. It is now well recognised that ongoing childhood adversity (e.g. witnessing DV, abuse of any kind, emotional or physical neglect, bullying) contributes to Complex PTSD (CPTSD), which may show up as chronic anxiety, depression, emotional dysregulation, shame, people-pleasing, relationship difficulties, or feeling constantly on edge.

The Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Study identified 10 types of childhood adversity, including abuse, neglect, family violence, parental separation, substance misuse, and mental illness within the home. Each experience scores one point, giving an ACE score between 0 and 10. Higher ACE scores are associated with an increased risk of mental and physical health difficulties later in life.

If you’re struggling with chronic mental health issues and are interested in knowing your ACE score, you can take the test here:https://www.acesaware.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/ACE-Questionnaire-for-Adults-Identified-English-rev.7.26.22.pdf

If you’re ready to stop questioning what’s wrong with you and work toward overcoming what happened to you, you can contact us here (messenger) and on 0740310438. We’re all trauma informed and trained to help. 💙💛

10/06/2026

As awareness of ARFID (Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder) continues to grow, it’s encouraging to see this condition finally receiving the understanding it deserves because ARFID is far more than “fussy eating”!
Our ARFID practitioner, Carly, has been busy preparing our edible garden to support children participating in our ARFID program.
The garden provides a safe, low-pressure environment where children can explore food through curiosity, play, and sensory experiences.
Rather than focusing on what a child should eat, the program is a gentle adventure that helps build confidence, resilience, and trust in their own abilities. Along the way, children learn that it’s okay to be curious, to take small steps, and to celebrate progress at their own pace.
Sometimes the journey begins with simply planting a seed which over time, grows into the courage to touch, smell, explore, and eventually try new foods.
We’re so excited to see this year’s garden come to life and support the brave children taking part in the program. 🌱🍓🥕

01/06/2026

ARFID SUPPORT PROGRAM:
This positive psychology-based program supports children with ARFID (Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder) through playful, low-pressure experiences that build confidence, curiosity, and healthy habits around food, movement, and wellbeing. Sessions are delivered in a safe and encouraging environment by a qualified positive psychology practitioner, integrating emotional regulation, resilience-building, nutrition coaching, and gentle exercise activities.

Children participate in fun “food investigation” activities where they explore foods through sight, smell, touch, sound, and optional tasting without pressure to eat. Activities may include food art, rainbow food challenges, sensory food science experiments, texture games, smoothie-making, and “food detective” tasks designed to increase familiarity and reduce anxiety around new foods.

The program also includes age-appropriate movement and exercise sessions to support body confidence, coordination, mood, and nervous system regulation, alongside practical nutrition coaching for children and families to encourage balanced eating habits and positive mealtime experiences.💙💛

25/05/2026

Children learn a lot from what they see and experience around them. Much more than what they are told directly.

When a child grows up watching one parent constantly trying to keep the peace, brushing off hurtful behaviour, or walking on eggshells around an adult who gets angry easily, it shapes the way they understand relationships, safety, and their own value.

They can start to believe that:
• love means keeping other people happy
• it’s safer to stay quiet than speak honestly
• they always need to be prepared for someone’s mood to change
• their own needs are less important than avoiding conflict

Children are incredibly aware of tension, tone of voice, mood shifts, body language, and unpredictability in a home.

Over time, this can lead to anxiety, hypervigilance, people-pleasing, or feeling emotionally responsible for everyone around them…and these things aren’t cast aside as they grow. These behaviours and beliefs follow them into adulthood.

The best thing we can do for our kids is show them how we can disagree respectfully, communicate safely, and handle emotions without fear, control, or intimidation.

18/05/2026

One of the hardest things about high-conflict separation is that children often carry far more than adults realise. Some become anxious and constantly on edge. Some try to keep everyone happy. Some shut down, withdraw, or start struggling at school. Others become “the easy child” because they don’t want to add to the stress around them.
Children naturally love both parents. When they feel caught in the middle, exposed to conflict, or responsible for managing adult emotions, it can quietly shape the way they see themselves, relationships, and safety in the world.

Kids don’t need parents to be perfect. They need emotional safety, stability, and permission to simply be children…they need the freedom to love both parents, without pressure, conflict or feeling responsible for adult emotions.