Calder Psychology

02/08/2026

One of the things we hear most often in our practice from adults who have recently been diagnosed with ADHD is, "I wish I'd understood this about myself sooner." An ADHD diagnosis can bring relief, but it also raises questions about how to navigate daily life in a way that works with your brain.

That's why we are excited to be launching this group program, "Thriving with ADHD". This is an 8-week group program designed to help adults better understand their ADHD, develop practical skills, and build a kinder, more compassionate relationship with themselves.

The program begins the week commencing 27 September and takes a neurodiversity-affirming, ACT-based approach, equipping participants with practical, evidence-based strategies to build a life that works with their ADHD.

If you know someone who may benefit, or if you're curious yourself, we'd love to hear from you.

Also, if you'd like to learn more before deciding, our Principal Psychologist, Melanie Calder, will be hosting a free information session on Monday, 14 September at 5 pm, where you can hear about the program, ask questions, and see whether it's the right fit for you.

We'd really appreciate you sharing this with anyone who might find it helpful. 💛

02/08/2026

✨ Thriving with ADHD ✨ ADHD doesn't need to define your life.
Join our 8-week group program, led by our Principal Psychologist, Melanie Calder. The program is designed to help adults understand their ADHD with greater self-compassion while learning practical, evidence-based strategies for everyday life.

Together, we'll explore:
🌿 Emotional regulation
🧠 ADHD-friendly habits and routines
💛 Self-compassion
🎯 Values-based living
🧘 Mindfulness and present-moment awareness

This is a supportive, small-group environment where you'll gain practical skills, connect with others who understand, and discover new ways of working with your brain, not against it.

📍 South Perth
👥 Small groups (4–8 participants)
💳 Medicare rebates available for eligible participants
📞 Register your interest today by contacting Calder Psychology.

10/07/2026

Your body isn’t trying to sabotage you. It’s trying to protect you. 💚

Have you ever wondered why your heart races before an important meeting? Why your child completely shuts down when they’re overwhelmed? Or why someone who’s experienced trauma can react so strongly to situations that seem “small” to others?

Our brains are wired for survival.

Long before we have time to think, our survival brain is constantly scanning the world for signs of danger. When it senses a threat, it prepares us to fight, flee, freeze, or sometimes even shut down.

These aren’t choices—and they’re certainly not character flaws. They’re automatic protective responses.

The good news? Our brains are incredibly adaptable.

With the right support, safe relationships, and repeated experiences of safety, our nervous system can learn that it doesn’t always need to stay on high alert.

We created this infographic to help explain what’s happening inside the brain in a way that’s easy to understand. Whether you’re supporting a child, living with anxiety, recovering from trauma, or simply curious about how the brain works, we hope it helps make sense of these experiences.

💚 Remember: You are not “too sensitive.”

💚 Your nervous system has been trying to keep you safe.

💚 Healing is possible.

If you know someone who might find this helpful, please feel free to share it.

09/07/2026

💙 Could it be ADHD? Many people assume ADHD is simply about being distracted or hyperactive—but it can also affect organisation, emotional regulation, time management, relationships, and everyday life.

For some children, the signs are recognised early. For many adults, they’ve spent years wondering why things seem harder than they should, often blaming themselves rather than recognising there may be another explanation. An assessment can provide clarity, understanding, and a pathway to the right support.

In one of our blogs, we explore:

🧠 Signs of ADHD in children and adults
💙 Why ADHD is often misunderstood
📋 What to expect during an ADHD assessment
🌱 How greater understanding can lead to better support

If you’ve been wondering whether it’s time to seek an assessment for yourself or your child, we hope this guide is helpful.

📖 Read the full blog here:

https://www.calderpsychology.com/post/signs-when-to-assess-for-adhd

Unsure when to assess for ADHD? Explore the signs of ADHD in children and adults and learn how early assessment can provide clarity and support.

09/07/2026

💙 Not sure how to access a Mental Health Care Plan?

Taking the first step towards seeing a psychologist can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re unsure where to begin.

To make things easier, we’ve put together a simple guide that explains:
✨ What a Mental Health Care Plan is
✨ How to get a referral
✨ How Medicare rebates work
✨ What to expect before your first appointment

Our goal is to help take some of the uncertainty out of the process, so you can focus on getting the support you need.

If you’ve been thinking about reaching out—or know someone who has—we hope this guide is helpful.

📖 Read it here:
https://www.calderpsychology.com/post/your-guide-to-accessing-a-mental-health-care-plan-and-medicare-rebates

If you have any questions, our team is always happy to help. 💙

A gentle guide on how to get a mental health care plan, so you can access therapy, Medicare rebates, and the support you need.

09/07/2026

❤️ Every relationship has its ups and downs. If you and your partner find yourselves having the same arguments, struggling to communicate, or simply feeling disconnected, you’re not alone.

The good news is that relationship skills can be learned.

Our Rel8table for Couples program is designed to help couples build healthier communication, understand one another more deeply, and navigate challenges together in a supportive, practical environment.

Together, you’ll learn how to:
💬 Communicate more effectively
❤️ Strengthen emotional connection
🤝 Resolve conflict in healthier ways
🌱 Build trust and understanding
🏡 Create a stronger, more resilient relationship

Seeking support isn’t a sign that your relationship is failing—it’s a sign that your relationship matters.

If you’d like to learn more about how our relationship program can help, read our latest blog below.

📖 Read more: https://www.calderpsychology.com/post/couples-counselling-perth-relationship-program

Do you know a couple who might benefit? Feel free to share this post with them. 💙

Struggling to communicate? Discover a structured program for couples counselling in Perth to improve connection, manage conflict, and grow together.

06/07/2026

🧠 Have you ever noticed that when you’re feeling overwhelmed, it’s harder to think clearly?

Maybe you’ve struggled to find the right words, made decisions you later questioned, or found yourself reacting in ways that didn’t feel like “you.”

You’re not alone—and there’s a good reason for it.

Our prefrontal cortex, often referred to as the brain’s “thinking brain”, is responsible for many of the skills we rely on every day. It helps us make decisions, regulate emotions, solve problems, plan ahead, stay focused, understand others, and pause before we react.

But here’s the important part…

When we experience ongoing stress, anxiety, or trauma, our brain naturally prioritises survival over strategy. In those moments, it becomes much harder for the prefrontal cortex to do its job. This isn’t because we’re weak or failing—it’s because our nervous system is working hard to keep us safe.

One of the most rewarding aspects of therapy is watching this begin to change.

As people start to feel safer, understood, and supported, they often notice subtle but meaningful shifts. They begin thinking more clearly, responding rather than reacting, making decisions that align with their values, and reconnecting with themselves and the people around them.

Understanding the brain can be incredibly empowering. It reminds us that healing isn’t about “fixing” ourselves—it’s about creating the conditions that allow our brain to function as it was designed to.

At Calder Psychology, we believe that when people feel safe, supported, and connected, meaningful change becomes possible.

💛 Healing begins when the thinking brain has the opportunity to lead again.

Learn more about our Safe Trauma Program by visiting:
https://www.calderpsychology.com/group-programs

If you’d like to join the program, simply send your expression of interest to:

📧 [email protected]

06/07/2026

How do you know if you’ve found the right psychologist? 🤔

Choosing a psychologist can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re already going through a difficult time.

Should you look at qualifications?
Experience?
Therapy style?
Or is it simply about finding someone you feel comfortable talking to?

The truth is, it’s usually a combination of all of these.

In one of our blogs, we explain what to look for when choosing a psychologist and shares practical tips to help you feel more confident taking that first step.

Whether you’re looking for support with anxiety, depression, trauma, ADHD, relationship challenges or simply navigating a difficult stage of life, finding the right psychologist can make all the difference.

💛 If you’re not sure where to start, we hope this guide helps.

📖 Read the blog here:

** How to Choose a Psychologist Who Truly Understands You⁠**
https://www.calderpsychology.com/post/how-to-find-a-good-psychologist-perth

If you know someone who’s been thinking about reaching out for support, please consider sharing this post—it might be exactly what they need to see today.

Looking for a psychologist in Perth, WA, can feel overwhelming. You might be scrolling through websites, reading profiles, and wondering where to even begin. If you’ve ever asked yourself how to find a good psychologist, you’re not alone, and more importantly, you don’t have to figure it out o...

04/07/2026

Trauma can affect us in ways that aren’t always obvious.

You might find yourself feeling constantly on edge, emotionally numb, avoiding certain situations, struggling with sleep, or reacting more intensely than you’d like, without fully understanding why.

The good news is that healing is possible.

In one of our blogs, we explore:
💙 What trauma is and how it affects the brain and nervous system
💙 Common signs and symptoms of trauma
💙 How trauma-focused psychological therapy can support recovery
💙 Why understanding your reactions is often the first step towards healing

Whether you’ve experienced a single traumatic event or ongoing adversity, you don’t have to navigate it alone.

📖 Read the full blog here:
https://www.calderpsychology.com/post/what-can-a-psychologist-do-trauma-therapy-perth

If you know someone who may find this information helpful, please consider sharing this post. You never know who might need to hear that healing is possible. 💙

Ready to take the first step?

If you or someone you care about is experiencing the effects of trauma, we’re here to help. Contact Calder Psychology to learn more about our trauma-informed therapy services or to book an appointment. Together, we can help you move beyond surviving and towards healing.

📞 Get in touch today or book online via our website.

This blog offers a reassuring look at what trauma therapy actually feels like, helping to remove fear and uncertainty around getting support. It gently guides readers through the process, showing that healing happens at their own pace, with safety and trust at the centre. Most importantly, it remind...

04/07/2026

🧱 Bookings are now open for our LEGO® Club – Term 3!
We’re excited to announce that Term 3 bookings are now open for Calder Psychology's LEGO® Club – a therapist-led group program designed to help children develop social communication, emotional regulation, teamwork, confidence, and problem-solving skills in a fun and supportive environment. This therapist-led group program is designed for Autistic children or those with ADHD or symptoms consistent with these presentations.

Using the shared interest of LEGO®, children have opportunities to practise important life skills such as:

• Working collaboratively with others
• Taking turns and communicating effectively
• Building friendships
• Developing flexible thinking
• Strengthening confidence in social situations

If you’re a parent, educator, allied health professional, or know a family with a child who may benefit from a supportive social skills program, we’d be grateful if you could share this opportunity with them.

We offer a 6-week program for Term 3 2026. This group program builds creativity, problem-solving, and social connection, through fun and play! Perfect for kids who find it difficult to interact, communicate, or express themselves. Why LEGO Club? ✔ LEGO-based Therapy: Promotes communication, teamwo...