Stuart Balachandran

Stuart is one of the psychologists at Minds & Hearts and works with older children (10+), adolescents, adults, and parents of children of any age. His focus areas are in attachment across the lifespan, trauma and PTSD (with a focus on single-event trauma), and intersectional mental health, such as the intersection of queer identity, autism, and mental health. Stuart is particularly passionate about supporting parents with attachment-focused parenting strategies.

Stuart began his career in health professions as a veterinary technician and later worked as an Advanced Care Paramedic with the Queensland Ambulance Service. His experiences in emergency settings sparked a deep interest in mental health and trauma. This interest grew as he observed the privilege of building trust and deeper connections while supporting clients’ emotional wellbeing. Stuart has primarily worked in private practice, including clinics that offered group therapy for individuals with complex trauma, and has gained valuable insights into the public mental health system through his paramedic work.

Academically, Stuart earned first-class honours for his contributions to research on the epigenetic underpinnings of PTSD and post-traumatic growth. He has also conducted significant research on the experiences of women who have experienced pregnancy loss, focusing on factors influencing trauma recovery. Stuart is a certified Circle of Security Parenting (COSP) facilitator.