Affirmative Minds Psychology

12/08/2026

⭐️Meet Natalie⭐️

Natalie is a provisional psychologist currently completing her Master of Clinical Psychology at RMIT University. She takes a neuro-affirming and strength-based approach, with a focus on helping people feel understood, respected, and supported as they are.

Natalie has experience working with children, adolescents, young adults, adults, and older adults. She enjoys supporting people through identity exploration, life transitions, adjustment difficulties, and mood-related concerns.

Her therapeutic work is grounded in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), while also incorporating collaborative and flexible strategies tailored to each person’s individual needs, strengths, and lived experience.

Natalie is passionate about creating a safe and welcoming space where people can feel comfortable being themselves. She supports clients to navigate big emotions, explore long-held patterns, and work towards meaningful change, one step at a time.

Qualification:
Master of Clinical Psychology – RMIT University (in progress, final year)
Availability: Mondays and Tuesdays.

Learn more and enquiry via our website:

https://affirmativemindspsychology.com.au/our-psychologists

Meet our fabulous team of caring, neuro-affirming psychologists at our allied health practice in Melbourne's North-East. Providing person-centred care across the lifespan, our team will ensure you feel truly seen and understood.

29/07/2026

🎭 Am I Masking? Understanding Autistic & ADHD Masking

Have you ever felt like you're "performing" your way through the day, only to come home completely exhausted?

For many autistic and ADHD people, this experience is known as masking - changing or hiding parts of yourself to fit into environments where being authentic hasn't always felt safe.

Masking isn't about being fake.

It's often a survival strategy that develops after years of trying to avoid criticism, rejection, bullying, or misunderstanding.

While masking can sometimes help people navigate school, work, and relationships, research also shows that chronic masking is associated with increased anxiety, depression, exhaustion, burnout, and lower self-esteem.

Perhaps the question isn't...

"Why can't they just be themselves?"

Instead, maybe we should ask...

"What would help them feel safe enough that they don't have to hide who they are?"

This week's blog explores:
✨ What masking actually is
✨ How it can look different in autism, ADHD and AuDHD
✨ Why it develops
✨ The hidden impact it can have on mental health
✨ How parents, educators, workplaces and loved ones can help create environments where authenticity feels safe.

📖 Read the full blog (including the research behind it) via the link in our bio or visit our website.

💚 If this resonates with you, feel free to share it. Someone in your life might finally feel understood.

10/06/2026

Why is it so hard to stop scrolling?

Many people assume they're lacking discipline when they spend more time on their phones than intended.

The reality is more complicated.

Modern apps are designed to capture attention using reward systems that evolved long before smartphones existed.

In our latest blog, we explore:
• What dopamine actually does
• Why social media feels so hard to put down
• Why ADHD can make this even harder
• Three practical strategies to reduce digital overload

Read the full article at affirmativemindspsychology.com.au

16/05/2026

Our LGBTQIA+ community will always find safety & welcome at Affirmative Minds 🌈🦄

We go rainbow every day & we encourage you to join us

09/05/2026

💛 Happy Mother’s Day 💛

Today, we celebrate all mothers, carers, grandmothers, stepmums, foster mums, and nurturing figures who lead with love, patience, strength, and care every day.

We especially honour the beautiful journeys of neurodivergent families and the incredible support shown by parents and carers in our community.

To every mum who has comforted, encouraged, listened, and loved deeply, thank you. 🌷

From all of us at Affirmative Minds Psychology.

08/05/2026

📣 Different minds experience the world in different ways. Understanding yourself can be an important first step toward clarity, confidence, and self-compassion.

Our "Explore Your Mind: Neurodiversity Screening" provides a supportive, neurodiversity-affirming space to explore traits related to ADHD, autism, executive functioning differences, and more.

Our approach is:
✨Neurodiversity-affirming
✨Strengths-based
✨Supportive and respectful
✨Focused on understanding, not judgement

Whether you are exploring your own experiences or seeking support for a loved one, you deserve a space where you feel heard and understood.

Located in Watsonia, supporting Melbourne’s northern suburbs.

Learn more or enquire via our website:
https://affirmativemindspsychology.com.au/explore-your-mind-neurodiversity-screening

29/04/2026

📣 This week on the blog, Rocky examines how media coverage of the NDIS influences public perception and what happens when patterns of emphasis start shaping public understanding of an entire support system.

Swipe to read or visit our blog



🤖: Psychologist near me, psychologist Melbourne, neuroaffirming psychologist

16/04/2026

🎉 Giveaway Winners Announced! 🎉

Thank you to everyone who entered — we really appreciate your support 💛

🎁 Prize 1: The Works Fidget Kit (Kaiko Fidgets)
🏆 Winner: Kati B

🎁 Prize 2: Spikey Ring with Dual Pads (Kaiko Fidgets)
🏆 Winner: Jessamy F

Congratulations! We’ll be in touch soon 😊

✨ If you missed out, don’t worry — more giveaways are coming!

We also regularly share:
🧠 Tips on mental health & wellbeing
🧱 Updates about our group programs (including shared LEGO play sessions)
💡 Practical strategies to support kids and families

👉 Follow us on Facebook & Instagram to stay updated and be part of our community

10/04/2026

🟨 Build confidence
🟦 Build friendships
🟥 Build social skills

The Build Lab is an 8-week program using shared LEGO play to support children aged 8–12. Small group. Structured. Supportive.

📍 Watsonia VIC 3087 | (03) 9056 9184
⌨️ affirmativemindspsychology.com.au/group-programs

30/03/2026

Trans Day of Visibility is often framed around being seen.

But for many trans and gender diverse people, the more difficult experience is being misread.

Assumptions are made quickly.
Pronouns are guessed incorrectly.
People are placed in categories that don’t fit.

And too often, the responsibility falls on the individual to correct, explain, or justify.

Affirming environments reduce this burden.

They get the basics right — names, pronouns, and respect — without needing repeated correction.
They allow people to participate without being put in a position where their identity becomes the focus.

Visibility matters.
But it matters most when it comes with understanding.

🌈 Trans Day of Visibility