Thrive - Counselling & Early Intervention

01/04/2026

Happy Easter! 🥚🌸

Thrive will be closed over the Easter long weekend.

For anyone waiting on Create & Connect artwork, these will be dropped off today. If you haven’t yet sent through your address, please arrange to collect from the office on Tuesday 7th April between 11:00am–2:00pm.

For any regular appointments that will fall on Easter Monday, please reach out if you’d like to arrange a make-up session on an alternative day for next week. Otherwise, we will see you Monday week after the break.

Wishing everyone a safe and restful Easter! 🤍

11/03/2026

Create & Connect by Thrive is back this Saturday! 🤍

Our calm, creative club returns this weekend.

Saturday 14th March
10:00 – 11:30am
Thrive, 21 Marshall Street

A gentle, creative space for kids who prefer a quieter way to connect!

Message to book or for more info. 🤍

CREATE & CONNECT
Introductory Come & Try Session!

Thrive is excited to announce Create & Connect. This is a calm, creative weekend club guided and facilitated by Thrive’s early years / counselling practitioner. It is designed for children who enjoy creating and who benefit from a quieter, more supported way to connect with others.

This is not a therapy group and not a traditional art class. Sessions are purposefully structured and gently guided, with planned creative activities and a calm group rhythm. Children are supported to engage at their own pace, with no pressure to talk, perform, or create a “perfect” outcome.

Some children will chat.
Some will quietly create.
Both are welcome here.

Create & Connect may be especially suited to children who:
* Would like social connection and to be part of a team/club on the weekend but are not drawn to traditional sport.
* Prefer smaller groups and side-by-side interaction.
* Enjoy creative, hands-on activities.
* Are building confidence with making and maintaining friendships.

SESSION DETAILS:
Saturday 14th February (sessions recurring fortnightly)
10:00 – 11:30am
Thrive, 21 Marshall Street

WHAT IS INCLUDED:
90 minutes of guided creative time (painting, clay, mixed media), all materials provided, small group setting, and gentle facilitation in a calm, no pressure environment.

PRICING:
Introductory Come & Try Session: $35
Term Booking: $45 per session (term bookings are prioritised)

AGES:
8–13 years, however parents of all ages are welcome to enquire.
Groups may be reconfigured / added if interest allows to keep groups socially and developmentally comfortable.

Places are limited and sessions will run subject to minimum numbers.

Create & Connect is a special term-time offering for children who enjoy a quieter pace and gentle social connection.

Thrive will also offer stand-alone creative workshops during the school holidays, open to all children and focused purely on fun and creativity. Keep an eye on our page as they will be advertised towards the end of each school term.

If this sounds like the perfect environment for your child to thrive, send through a message to book or for more information!

14/02/2026

A huge thank you to the beautiful Cobar families who joined us for our very first Create & Connect session. 💛

Not everyone finished their pieces and not every artwork was photographed, we were far too busy creating and enjoying the moment together, which honestly feels very aligned with what this space is meant to be.

This first session was full of exploration! layering, mixed media, gradients, texture, collage and colour blending. Some children quietly focused, some chatted while they created, and all were supported to engage in their own way.

It was such a lovely group of kind, curious young people creating side-by-side in a calm, welcoming space. I feel incredibly grateful to be building this here in Cobar.

Thank you for trusting Thrive. 🌿✨

07/02/2026

CREATE & CONNECT
Introductory Come & Try Session!

Thrive is excited to announce Create & Connect. This is a calm, creative weekend club guided and facilitated by Thrive’s early years / counselling practitioner. It is designed for children who enjoy creating and who benefit from a quieter, more supported way to connect with others.

This is not a therapy group and not a traditional art class. Sessions are purposefully structured and gently guided, with planned creative activities and a calm group rhythm. Children are supported to engage at their own pace, with no pressure to talk, perform, or create a “perfect” outcome.

Some children will chat.
Some will quietly create.
Both are welcome here.

Create & Connect may be especially suited to children who:
* Would like social connection and to be part of a team/club on the weekend but are not drawn to traditional sport.
* Prefer smaller groups and side-by-side interaction.
* Enjoy creative, hands-on activities.
* Are building confidence with making and maintaining friendships.

SESSION DETAILS:
Saturday 14th February (sessions recurring fortnightly)
10:00 – 11:30am
Thrive, 21 Marshall Street

WHAT IS INCLUDED:
90 minutes of guided creative time (painting, clay, mixed media), all materials provided, small group setting, and gentle facilitation in a calm, no pressure environment.

PRICING:
Introductory Come & Try Session: $35
Term Booking: $45 per session (term bookings are prioritised)

AGES:
8–13 years, however parents of all ages are welcome to enquire.
Groups may be reconfigured / added if interest allows to keep groups socially and developmentally comfortable.

Places are limited and sessions will run subject to minimum numbers.

Create & Connect is a special term-time offering for children who enjoy a quieter pace and gentle social connection.

Thrive will also offer stand-alone creative workshops during the school holidays, open to all children and focused purely on fun and creativity. Keep an eye on our page as they will be advertised towards the end of each school term.

If this sounds like the perfect environment for your child to thrive, send through a message to book or for more information!

04/02/2026

Hello 2026! 🤍

Thrive will be open Monday - Friday from 9th February in our new home at 21 Marshall Street, and I’m so looking forward to welcoming you into the space.

As with any brand new home, it is functional however we’re still in the process of filling it. The areas that are already set up truly reflect the heart of Thrive, warm, thoughtful, and put together with care. You’ll get to see the space grow right alongside the community it supports.

Mondays 11 - 2 pm the office is open for general queries. Tuesday - Friday the office is available by appointment only, to ensure privacy and respect for clients who are booked in already.

For those new here, Thrive offers a range of supports for people across all stages of life. Counselling is available for adults, teens and children, with children supported through developmentally appropriate play and creative therapy approaches that meet them where they are.

Thrive also provides early intervention services for children and families, working alongside schools and other health and allied health professionals, as well as literacy intervention and general tutoring.

This is a space for anyone seeking support, not just parents and children.

Tutoring & Intervention families:
If you’d like to recommit for this term, please reach out as soon as possible to confirm your days and times. A big thank you to those who have already been in touch, the remaining sessions will be put out on Friday 6th Feb for new families.

There are some lovely new offerings coming to Thrive this year, which will be shared very soon.

Wishing everyone a gentle start to the year, looking forward to supporting you all in 2026.

Beth | Thrive 🤍

24/09/2025

Looking for developmentally appropriate counselling for children? Let me introduce you to expressive modalities, approaches such as play and art therapy that make counselling age-appropriate and effective!

Children don’t always have the words to explain what they’re going through. Play is their language. Using expressive modalities like play and creative activities, counselling provides a safe, evidence-based way for children to explore feelings, process difficult experiences, and develop healthy coping skills.

How does it work?
Play is communication! children “talk” through toys, games, and creativity when words are hard.
Safe, trusting relationship: a face-to-face counselling relationship is built where children feel understood and accepted. Processing experiences: children can act out and make sense of challenges in the playroom like trauma, grief, or family changes. Skill building: expressive modalities support emotional regulation, confidence, and social skills.

Who is it for?
Children aged 3–12 who may be experiencing:

Grief and loss
Anxiety, low mood
Trauma, abuse, or neglect
Chronic illness or medical trauma
Major life changes or transitions
Social, emotional, or behavioural challenges

If you’d like to know whether counselling using expressive modalities could support your child, reach out via Messenger or email: [email protected]

16/09/2025

Literacy Intervention: How would this help my child? Is this just tutoring or something more?

When we talk about teaching children to read, you’ll often hear the phrase ‘the Science of Reading.’ This isn’t one program but a large body of research showing how the brain learns to read. From this research, structured literacy approaches have been developed and shown to be effective.

For children with dyslexia, dysgraphia, language disorders, ADHD (and more), or just those who find reading and spelling really hard, guessing words or memorising sight lists doesn’t work long-term. What does work is explicit, step-by-step teaching of phonological awareness, decoding, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.

Around the age of 7, many children are expected to shift from ‘learning to read’ into ‘reading to learn.’ This is when the curriculum starts to assume that reading is already a secure foundation. If a child hasn’t yet made that solid connection with reading or has a learning difficulty, moving into this next phase can feel incredibly difficult, frustrating, and overwhelming. It is a bit like being asked to build something with only half the instructions!

Although early intervention is so important, it is never too late. Older children can absolutely be supported to develop these skills too. It’s also important to note that some children may not meet the criteria for a diagnosis and support from a speech pathologist but still find themselves struggling to keep up. Literacy intervention can provide the structured support they need to catch up and build confidence.

So, what is literacy intervention?
It is more than tutoring, it uses structured, evidence-based methods to build skills and confidence. We break tasks down, practice in fun and achievable ways, and celebrate every success.

But what if my child already has a diagnosis and sees a speech pathologist? Why would we also need literacy intervention?

Speech pathologists do amazing work diagnosing and treating speech and language difficulties. Literacy intervention is different but complementary. It is the ongoing, structured teaching of reading and writing skills like phonics, decoding, fluency, and comprehension. Many families will use both: the speech pathologist identifies and treats the underlying issues, and literacy intervention gives children the daily, evidence-based practice they need to actually build confidence and catch up at school.

Whether your child already has a diagnosis, you’re just starting to notice a struggle, or you want to give them extra support before things get overwhelming, literacy intervention can make a real difference. Message me for more information!

07/09/2025

Welcome to Thrive!

Thrive provides counselling for adults and teens, alongside early intervention and play-based therapy for children.

Thrive is currently located at 21 Marshall Street, Cobar. Thrive is led by Beth McIlwain, qualified Early Childhood Practitioner and Registered Counsellor, Beth also brings additional training in play & art therapy, behaviour intervention, and expressive therapies. Our approach is neuroaffirming, person-centred, and responsive to each client’s context.

Thrive was born out of personally understanding the challenges of living in a remote community, especially when it comes to accessing timely and appropriate support. Thrive is here to make the process clearer, kinder, and more manageable for individuals and families alike.

Services We Offer:

* Tutoring & Literacy Intervention (K–9) General Tutoring & Literacy Intervention
Explicit, best-practice instruction for children with learning difficulties.

* Children’s Counselling (under 12)
Play & Art Therapy strategies supporting emotional development, self-regulation, and healing.

* Adolescent Counselling (12+)
Strengths-based, person-centred support to build resilience and navigate challenges.

* Parental Guidance & System Navigation
Help understanding NDIS, funding, school systems, and multidisciplinary services. Child/Parent dyadic play sessions available.

* Adult Counselling (18+)
Compassionate, confidential support for stress, relationships, grief, and personal growth.

* Small Group Creative Programs
Calm, facilitated creative groups designed to support connection, confidence, and social development through structured hands-on activities in a low-pressure environment.

* Supported Playgroups (Early Years)
Developmentally guided play experiences for young children and their caregivers, fostering connection, learning, and early social development.

* Educator & Workplace Professional Development
Training and workshops for educators and organisations focused on child development, emotional regulation, behaviour support, trauma-informed practice, and wellbeing.

Pricing & Access:

Services can be privately funded, supported by NDIS, or arranged through third parties. A sliding scale is available for families accessing government assistance.

Counselling begins with a free 15-minute call to ensure Thrive is the right fit. Tutoring consultations can be booked directly.

Scope, Ethics & Professional Boundaries:

Thrive provides support services within the scope of education and counselling qualifications. We do not offer clinical psychology, psychiatry, or medical services.

Thrive operates with a clear commitment to ethical practice and professional scope. While we do not replace clinical or medical care, our services offer a safe, practical first step, especially in communities where face-to-face options are limited. We aim to complement existing services, not compete with them. Where a higher level of care is needed, we actively support clients to connect with the appropriate clinical professionals to ensure the best possible outcomes for their wellbeing.

In line with ethical practice, although “Play Therapist” is not a protected title in Australia, at Thrive, we take care to work within the scope of our qualifications and training. Our practitioner holds an Associate Membership with the Australian Play Therapists Association (APTA) and uses play-based strategies as part of a broader, neuroaffirming, and person-centred counselling approach when working with clients under 12 years.

Next Steps: Getting started is easy! Simply send us a message today.

Send a message to learn more