Group Therapy
Please note that we run and organise groups based on demand and expressions of interest. On occasion some clients may wish to start the program delivered in individual therapy when clinically indicated.
Minds & Hearts’ group therapy programs are designed to help individuals build social-emotional skills, enhance relationships, and manage challenges related to neurodivergence. These evidence-based programs cater to children, adolescents, and adults. Our groups are organised and run based on demand and expressions of interest throughout the year. On occasion some clients may wish to start the program delivered in an individual format when his is clinically indicated. Please be aware that our groups may be eligible for funding via your NDIS Plan or a GP Mental Health Care Plan for Group Therapy (10-sessions per calendar year).
Child/Parent Group Therapy Programs
Westmead Feelings Program
The Westmead Feelings Programs targets emotional understanding and regulation skills, helping children improve their ability to identify, understand, and express emotions appropriately. Programs 1 and 2 can be suitable for children across a wide range from 6-14 years, particularly those on the autism spectrum with co-occurring emotional difficulties and average cognitive abilities or mild intellectual impairment. For more details about the program, visit the Westmead Feelings Program page
Circle of Security Parenting Program
The Circle of Security Parenting Program focuses on enhancing the parent-child relationship by helping parents better understand their child’s emotional needs and behaviour. This program is designed for parents and carers of children aged 0-5 years. For more details about the program, visit the Circle of Security Parenting
Secret Agent Society Program
The Secret Agent Society Program is designed to teach children social and emotional skills through engaging, spy-themed activities. It is targeted at children aged 8-12 years, especially those with social challenges or on the autism spectrum. For more details about the program, visit the Secret Agent Society Program
Lego Therapy
Lego Therapy promotes social interaction and communication through structured, collaborative Lego-building activities, helping children develop teamwork and problem-solving skills. This group is suitable for children aged 6-12 years who benefit from support in social skills. For more details about the program, visit the Lego Therapy page, and for questions about accessing the program in a group or individual format, complete the M&H Contact Form here.
Adolescent Group Therapy Programs
PEERS Adolescents
The PEERS Adolescents program helps teenagers develop critical social skills, including making and keeping friends, managing peer pressure, and handling conflict. It is ideal for adolescents aged 13-18 years who may struggle with social interactions. For more details about the program, visit the PEERS Adolescents Program page
Adult Group Therapy Programs
The M&H Recover & Rebuild Program for Recurrent Burnout Cycles
The M&H Recover & Rebuild (R&R Group) is a group that aims to support autistic adults who experience recurrent cycles of burnout and have the physical capacity to attend group sessions or follow a self-managed module-based format from home. In both formats, the R&R face-to-face group and the R&R self-paced versions are recommended as an adjunct to support individual therapy for additional psychoeducation, skills, and support tailored to this multifaceted problem of recurrent cycles of neurodivergent burnout. The face-to-face group offers a real-time therapeutic space to explore strategies for recovery, take risks in discovery, and express more authentic sides of oneself, with the aim to reduce the chances of future and more severe burnout cycles. The therapy content is prepared and facilitated by Clinic Directors Dr Hugh Walker and Dr David Zimmerman who have several years of experience in supporting individuals through this impairing syndrome and utilises evidence-based approaches such as Schema-Focused Therapy, Internal Family Systems, Compassion-Focused Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, Attachment Theory, and Mindfulness, delivered in modules. The group emphasises understanding the unique challenges of autism, addressing sensory and emotional overload, and building self-compassion. Its novelty relative to other groups on this topic is the emphasis on the individual’s self-organisation of parts in maintaining the probability of future burnout cycles.
Eligible clients will have a diagnosis of autism and are aged 21 years or older. The group plans to meet on a fortnightly basis for 2 hours, with breaks and comfortable seating. A telehealth group may be considered depending on the number of participants who express interest from local and regional areas at least 15 km from M&H Clinic. The start date is late January to early February 2025. The cost is $165/session with Medicare rebates available for eligible clients. Check with your Plan Manager for NDIS eligibility. For more questions about accessing the group or individual support for this issue, please complete the M&H Contact Form here.
The M&H Kindling Collective
The M&H Kindling Collective is for those individuals who have made significant progress with regard to their cycles of burnout and have a number of skills and strategies that have been covered in the M&H Recover & Rebuild program. The metaphor of “Kindling” refers to slowly adding fuel to the fire and keeping one’s energy balanced and accounted for. The “Collective” refers to the supportive nature of the group, where peer support can be invaluable when the desire to fall back into old maladaptive cycles of behaviour during life events arises. This group is facilitated by Clinic Director, Dr Hugh Walker. The group aims to build off the skills and understanding from the Recover & Rebuild Group, though it is less content-driven and allows more space for connection, community, a sense of belonging, burnout relapse prevention, and will encourage peer support and peer mentoring from group members.
Eligibility is for clients who have completed sufficient modules of the M&H Recover & Rebuild. A telehealth group may be considered depending on the number of participants who express interest from local and regional areas at least 15 km from M&H Clinic. The start date is late January to early February 2025. The Group plans to meet monthly for 90-minute session, with the cost $120/session with Medicare rebates available for eligible clients. Check with your Plan Manager for NDIS eligibility. For more details about the program, please complete the M&H Contact Form here.
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