​Circle in Practice

Circle in Practice is a gentle, relationship‑focused approach that supports young children and their families with emotional and behavioural challenges.

 

This service is offered by a mental health nurse with information shared that is grounded in attachment theory and play-informed ways of working. This means we seek to share understanding that young children often show us how they are feeling through behaviour, play, and relationships, especially before they have the words to explain it.

The approach draws on well‑known research from the Circle of Security and Child Parent Relationship Therapy.  

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How support is offered

Support usually begins with parent‑focused sessions
These sessions give parents space to:

• Explore patterns and themes to understand their child’s needs

• Prioritise the parent-child relationship 

• Empowering parents first and supported in their role
   

Many parents find this stage helpful in slowing things down and creating clarity.

When everyone is ready, sessions may start to include the child, with the parent and child attending together, supporting and dedicating time to co-regulation and connection.

Throughout the process, the parent–child relationship remains at the centre, and care is adapted to each family’s needs, pace, and goals.

Circle in Practice is offered in a step‑by‑step, flexible way, guided by what feels safe, supportive, and helpful for each family.
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Funding and access

Mental health nursing services may be accessed with a GP Management Plan, where clinically appropriate.

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• The initial appointment is 90 minutes and is not Medicare‑rebated

• Ongoing sessions are 40 minutes, usually offered fortnightly, and are bulk‑billed where Medicare eligibility applies
   

Services may also be accessed through early intervention or community based funding, where applicable.

NDIS funding is accepted where services align with a participant’s NDIS goals reasonable and necessary criteria.

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