Valley Psychology

21/09/2026

It's back! 🌿 Recall Your True Nature – Summer Group 🌿

A five-week opportunity to slow down with purpose, reconnect with yourself and explore the patterns that shape how we think, feel and relate.

Held outdoors in nature at our Paterson site, each session combines psychological support, mindfulness, experiential activities, reflection and connection.

✨ Reduce stress and overwhelm
✨ Build emotional regulation
✨ Explore unhelpful patterns
✨ Reconnect with yourself and what matters

Details: In the paddock at Paterson
🕓 Mondays, 4–6pm
📅 Commencing 26 October for 5 consecutive weeks

Medicare rebates are available for eligible participants with a valid Mental Health Care Plan and GP referral.

We also offer a reduced fee option for those experiencing financial pressures - we want the program to be as accessible as possible.

Registrations are now open.
Email or call us to register or find out more.

31/08/2026

We've had the privilege of watching a kookaburra in the evening.

Waiting. Watching. Listening.

Alert and activated — completely attuned to what was happening around him .... but he wasn't overwhelmed.

I don't believe he was worrying about what might happen next.

There was no:

What if I don't catch anything tonight?
What if I'm hungry tomorrow?
What if I'm not good enough at this?
What if something goes wrong?

He simply watched.

Waited.

Responded.

And when the moment passed without food, he remained present and ready for the next opportunity.

We sometimes talk about nervous system activation as though it is something we need to eliminate.

But activation is necessary for survival.

It helps us focus. Mobilise. Respond. Protect. Move towards what matters.

The goal isn't to live in a state of permanent calm.

The goal is to have a nervous system that can activate when activation is needed — and return to regulation when the moment has passed.

Perhaps the kookaburra knows something we sometimes forget:

You don't need to solve tomorrow while you're living today.

Sometimes we can simply be alert to what is happening now, respond to what is actually in front of us, and trust ourselves to meet the next moment when it arrives.

17/08/2026

🔥🌿 Recall Your True Nature – Week 1

There’s something pretty special about bringing a group of people together around a fire, slowing things down and creating space to simply be.

Week 1 of Recall Your True Nature was an evening of connection, curiosity and meaningful conversation. We began by setting our intentions for the weeks ahead and started to explore busyness — the pace we live and what keeps us there.

I’m feeling very grateful for this group of fellow travellers and the willingness everyone brought to the first evening. Looking forward to what unfolds over the coming weeks. 🌿🔥

23/07/2026

🌿 Fireside at Sunset - Registrations are Now Open for our 5 week Group Program

If you're feeling overwhelmed, burnt out, anxious, or simply longing to reconnect with yourself, this group offers a space to slow down with purpose and explore new ways of being and relating.

🌱 Commencing Monday 17 August
📍 Paterson
🕓 Mondays 4:00–6:00pm (5 weeks)

To ensure the program is accessible to as many people as possible, we offer a sliding fee scale, and Medicare rebates are available for eligible participants with a current Mental Health Care Plan.

If this feels right for you, we'd love to welcome you.

📞 0448 746 848
📧 [email protected]

07/07/2026

What if slowing down wasn’t about doing less… but about reconnecting more?

We live in a world that rewards speed — moving from one thing to the next, staying busy, staying productive, staying “on”. But what impact is this constant pace having on our nervous system, our relationships, and our sense of self?

Rather than mindfulness as simply “slowing down,” this small group program focuses on slowing with purpose — cultivating intentional awareness, deepening personal understanding of the patterns we live within and that live within us, what keeps us stuck and how we can change unhelpful patterning.

This group may be a good fit if you are experiencing:
✨ Stress or overwhelm
✨ Burnout or emotional exhaustion
✨ Anxiety or difficulty switching off
✨ Disconnection from yourself or others
✨ A desire to deepen self-understanding and wellbeing

📍 405 Martins Creek Rd, Paterson
🗓 Mondays 4:00pm–6:00pm
🌱 5 consecutive weeks commencing 17th August

To support accessibility and community care, program fees are offered on a sliding scale. Medicare rebates are also available for eligible participants with a current Mental Health Care Plan.

So, if this feels like the space you’ve been needing, we’d love to hear from you. You can call or text us on 0448 746 848 or email [email protected].

24/06/2026

Our morning in the Paterson paddock. 🦋

It's a familiar sight ...... Herbie enjoying the sunshine by the fire and Randy lapping up a hard earned lunch.

At Valley Psychology, therapy can happen outdoors in beautiful, natural surrounds. We still draw on the same evidence-based approaches you would expect in a clinic setting, including EMDR.

We currently have immediate availability at both our Paterson and Toronto locations.

12/06/2026

Many of you may not be familiar with the incredible work of the Lake Macquarie & Newcastle Su***de Prevention Network.

Yesterday, I had the distinct honour of speaking at their Annual Charity Lunch and sharing a little about how nature-based approaches to psychology are helping to increase access to meaningful mental health support within our community.

What struck me deeply was the genuine care, compassion, and commitment in the room. It was a privilege to meet some of the dedicated staff and volunteers, alongside people with lived and living experience of the impacts of su***de. Their stories, insights, and passion for supporting others were both humbling and inspiring.

The Newcastle and Lake Macquarie Su***de Prevention Network is a truly community-centred organisation, providing support, connection, and hope to some of our most vulnerable community members when it is needed most.

A heartfelt thank you for the opportunity to be involved and to learn more about the remarkable work being done every day to strengthen and support our community.
https://www.facebook.com/LMSPN

18/05/2026

Rainy Winter mornings ..... no problem for Herbie! Ready for another wonderful week .... whatever the weather. ☺️

11/05/2026

🔥 Winter Warmer – Small Group Program 🔥

Join us fireside in Paterson for our 6-week small group program focused on wellbeing through meaningful Mindfulness practice.

Starts Wednesday 27th May
6 consecutive weeks
5:30pm – 7:30pm

Medicare rebates are applicable for those with a Mental Health Care Plan. Concession rates are also available.

This is a small group and spaces are limited; registrations will close this Friday 15th May or when filled.

Please email us at [email protected] or call 0448 746848 for further info or to register your interest.

Finally, please feel welcome to share - we'd love your help to spread the word! ☺️

Valley Psychology and Equine Assisted Learning

04/05/2026

So looking forward to coming together on Friday to catch up with old friends and new. Drop in and say Hi! 🐾

The Hunter Disability Expo will link thousands of people with a disability with hundreds of product and service providers. Entry is Free.