Psychology in Nerang and Guanaba
Support that starts with understanding you.
Psychological support for children, adolescents and adults, delivered by a compassionate and experienced team.
Whether you’re seeking support for yourself, your child or your family, we take the time to understand what’s happening, what matters to you, and how we can help.
Psychology appointments available.
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NDIS - Improved Daily Living
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Experienced Team
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Neuro-Affirming & Trauma-Informed
Psychology that fits the person
We believe effective therapy starts with connection.
Our psychologists provide individualised, evidence-based psychological support while recognising that every person experiences the world differently.
We work with children, adolescents and adults across a range of mental health, emotional, developmental and life challenges.
Our approach may incorporate evidence-based therapies including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), play-based approaches and family therapy.
Most importantly, therapy is adapted to the individual rather than expecting the individual to adapt to therapy.
How Can We Help?
Our psychology team can provide support in areas including:
Anxiety & Worry
Support to understand anxiety, develop practical strategies and build confidence navigating challenging situations.
Depression & Mood
Psychological support for low mood, emotional difficulties, motivation and other mood-related concerns.
ADHD & Neurodivergence
Neuro-affirming psychological support for children, adolescents and adults with ADHD, Autism and other neurodevelopmental differences.
Emotional Regulation
Helping individuals better understand emotions and develop practical strategies for managing overwhelming feelings.
Child & Adolescent Mental Health
Age-appropriate psychological support for children and teenagers experiencing emotional, behavioural, developmental or mental health challenges.
Trauma & Life Experiences
Trauma-informed psychological support delivered at a pace appropriate to the individual.
Stress, Burnout & Life Changes
Support for people navigating stress, major transitions, identity, relationships, study, work and other challenges.
Psychological Assessments
Our team also provides a range of psychological, cognitive and developmental assessments.
Early Childhood Intervention
Early Childhood Intervention supports young children who may be experiencing developmental delays, behavioural challenges, emotional difficulties, or disability. Our psychologists work collaboratively with children and families to build essential skills, strengthen emotional wellbeing, support positive behaviour, and help children participate confidently at home, in early learning, at school, and in the community.
What Does Getting Started Look Like?
We work collaboratively with you every step of the way
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Get in Touch
Contact our team and tell us a little about the support you're looking for.
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Find the Right Psychologist
We consider your needs, preferences and goals and help match you with an appropriate clinician from our psychology team.
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Your First Appointment
Your psychologist will take the time to understand what's happening, what you'd like support with and what you hope to achieve.
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Your Therapy Journey
Together, you'll develop an individualised approach with therapy regularly reviewed and adapted to your needs and goals.
Why Choose Connect & Thrive?
Our comprehensive approach combines expertise, compassion, and evidence-based methods
Individualised Care
We focus on understanding each individual's unique needs, strengths, and goals to create truly personalised support plans.
Experienced Psychology Team
Our Positive Behaviour Support methods are grounded in proven research and best practices in the field.
Neuro-Affirming
We work closely with families, support teams, and other professionals to ensure consistent, coordinated support.
Trauma-Informed
We prioritise safety, trust, choice and collaboration throughout the therapeutic relationship.
Evidence-Based
Our psychologists draw upon established psychological therapies and adapt their approach according to the individual.
More Than a Traditional Clinic
Connect & Thrive was built around the belief that therapy doesn't always need to look or feel clinical. Our team can incorporate creative, nature-based and other approaches where appropriate.
Meet Our Psychology Team
Finding the right psychologist is an important part of therapy.
Rowena Bobardt, Clinical Director, Psychologist & Behaviour Support Practitioner
Rowena Woolley, BPsySc(Hons); BBus(HRM), MClinPsych(candidate) has been practicing as a registered Psychologist and Behaviour Support Practitioner for over 17 years. Rowena is the Director and Principal Clinician of Connect and Thrive Therapeutic Services. She is an AHPRA endorsed supervisor and provides professional supervision to psychologists, registered behaviour practitioners and equine assisted therapists. She works with all ages (early childhood through to adulthood) providing services to neurodiverse individuals, those with mental health concerns and dual disability (intellectual disability and mental health). She has a passion for research having contributed to research projects in the area of childhood education and behaviour. Rowena learnt early on in her career that developing strong relationships and connections with the individual was the foundation to therapeutic change. She aims to deliver person centred, attachment focused, trauma inform and affirmative services, valuing the unique attributes and talents of the individuals she supports. She adapts her approach creatively to adjust to the different needs of the people she supports which has led to offering alternative services at the farm-based premises, mobile services and fun, creative clinic room options. Rowena delivers evidence based, outcomes focused therapeutic work incorporated the modalities of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and systemic family therapy. Rowena's work in behaviour support has focused on supporting individuals to live their best lives, free of restraints and adverse practices. She has worked extensively within legislative frameworks regarding the use of restrictive practices including presenting her work to the Queensland Administration Tribunal. She understands that all behaviour occurs for a reason and that improving a person's quality of life through systemic and environmental change reduces the need to engage in behaviours of harm. Rowena works with complex behaviour presentations and adapts her communication for those who are non-speaking through the use of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). Her approach is influenced by understanding the science of neurobiology and the impact of the brain-body connection on emotional and behavioural regulation. Rowena is committed to continuing to review and improve the practices of her team and seek consultation to ensure the provision of ethical and evidence-based services. Rowena is no longer able to take new clients.
Chloe Brewer, Senior Psychologist & Behaviour Support Practitioner
As a registered psychologist and Behaviour Support Practitioner, Chloe has a strong investment in supporting others to achieve their full potential. With a diverse range of knowledge and skills acquired through experience within Disability, Child Protection, Education, and Community Service industries, Chloe provides assessment and intervention utilising an eclectic approach that incorporates evidence based practice with individual and unique person-specific needs. Chloe's ability to adapt to the learning and communication style of her client/s allows her to provide therapeutic support to a range of demographics within a number of different environments including the Connect and Thrive farm, office based sessions, school visits, and home appointments. While seeking to empower individuals, Chloe also recognises the value of building the capacity of the individuals support system, ensuring generalisation of knowledge and skills beyond the therapeutic environment. Chloe's lived experience and commitment to professional development provide a sense of safety and understanding, while she respects that nobody knows the individual better than themselves, ensuring client-centred, solution-focused, strengths based outcomes.
Sruti Alur, Psychologist & Behaviour Support Practitioner
Sruti is a psychologist and behaviour support practitioner with six years of experience working in positive behaviour support and early childhood intervention. Sruti is passionate about delivering neuro-affirming and strengths-based therapy through a trauma-informed lens. She is committed to delivering therapy that is client-centred and holistic with the goal of improving clients' inclusion in their community, increasing client participation in meaningful activities, developing skills for emotional and behavioural regulation, and improving quality of life. Sruti’s therapeutic approach is informed by: Cognitive behaviour therapy Acceptance and commitment therapy Neuroaffirming positive behaviour support Strengths-based and trauma-informed practise Sruti areas of interest include: Depression and other mood related concerns Anxiety conditions Emotional regulation and behavioural concerns Neurodiversity including ADHD and ASD Stress, burnout, and adjustment Self-esteem, identity, and life transitions Child and adolescent mental health
Ellisa Harrison, Psychologist & Behaviour Support Practitioner
Ellisa Harrison is a Registered Psychologist and Behaviour Support Practitioner passionate about delivering thoughtful, strengths focused therapeutic support. She works with individuals, families, schools and communities, with a strong belief that meaningful change begins with connection, safety and understanding.
Ellisa is a neuroaffirming clinician who partners with children, adolescents and families navigating developmental differences and mental health challenges. She works alongside Autistic children and young people, ADHDers, individuals with Down Syndrome, disability and psychosocial needs, recognising neurodivergence as a natural and valuable part of human diversity. Her work centres on affirming identity, reducing shame, supporting self advocacy and building on each person’s existing strengths.
Her approach is person centred, child led and grounded in Positive Behaviour Support. Ellisa utilises play based and developmentally appropriate therapies to build practical skills, emotional regulation and confidence across home, school and community settings.
Ellisa welcomes referrals for psychological therapy, mental health support and developmental assessment, and works collaboratively with families and care teams to ensure meaningful, practical outcomes.
Nicola Den Braber, Provisional Psychologist & Behaviour Support Practitioner
Nicola is a provisional psychologist dedicated to supporting children, adolescents, and adults in gaining a better understanding of themselves and building on their strengths to navigate life's challenges with confidence. Since joining Connect and Thrive Therapeutic Services in 2024, she has primarily focused on working with neurodivergent clients across the lifespan. This includes assessment, diagnosis, and person-centred neuro-affirming interventions that aim to empower her clients to thrive at every stage of life. Nicola has a particular interest in supporting adolescents and young adults in navigating the challenging transition into adult life, supporting them to develop practical strategies that enhance their psychosocial wellbeing, independence, and participation across home, academic, vocational, and community settings. At Connect & Thrive Therapeutic Services, Nicola utilises the unique nature-based farm environment. She recognises that traditional clinical settings are not always the best fit for everyone, and she values creating flexible, engaging spaces that support different sensory, communication, and learning preferences. By incorporating the natural environment into therapy, Nicola aims to foster connection, curiosity, and support her clients to develop an emotional understanding that can lead to improved self-regulation while promoting a sense of safety and building their resilience, which, in turn, supports them to engage in therapy in ways that can feel comfortable, authentic, and meaningful to them. Prior to becoming a psychologist, Nicola worked in healthcare management, humanitarian services, and community mental health, including roles with the Australian Red Cross and Drug ARM. These experiences strengthened her commitment to becoming a compassionate practitioner supporting people through the complexities of life. Alongside providing therapy, Nicola conducts comprehensive psychological and cognitive assessments and prepares detailed psychometric-based assessment reports to support diagnostic clarification, guide intervention planning, and assist individuals and families in advocating and accessing appropriate supports, including NDIS funding.
Jared Louw, Provisional Psychologist & Behaviour Support Practitioner
Jared is a Provisional Psychologist and Behaviour Support Practitioner currently completing the requirements for general psychology registration. He is dedicated to supporting neurodiverse individuals across the lifespan, from early childhood through to adulthood. Drawing on experience working with children as young as three and adults up to 65 years of age, Jared adopts a person-centred, strengths-based, neuro-affirming, and evidence-based approach in his practice.
Jared provides behaviour support services across home, school, and community settings, believing that a comprehensive understanding of behaviour comes from seeing individuals in the environments that shape their daily experiences. He strives to empower clients and their support networks through collaborative intervention planning, promoting meaningful skill development, confidence, and independence.
With a particular passion for early intervention and skill building, Jared is committed to fostering positive behavioural change and enhancing quality of life for those he supports. His warm, respectful, and reflective style helps create a safe and inclusive space where individuals feel understood and valued.
Leigh Eade, Provision Psychologist & Behaviour Support Practitioner
Leigh is a Provisional Psychologist and Behaviour Support Practitioner with a personal and professional connection to children and adolescents, a population she feels genuinely drawn to working with. With a particular clinical focus on neurodivergent young people and those navigating trauma, anxiety, and depression presentations, Leigh is passionate about supporting individuals through evidence-based, holistic care. She takes a whole-of-family approach, recognising that meaningful change often involves supporting not only the individual but also the families and carers around them. This has shaped her special interest in carer burnout; reflecting her belief that those who spend their days holding, supporting, and caring for others often have nowhere to put their own weight down. Leigh integrates evidence-based therapeutic approaches with a genuine belief in the value of incorporating animal and nature-based settings into therapy, offering clients a grounding way to connect, regulate, and feel at ease. She is committed to creating a safe and supportive space where individuals and families can navigate life's challenges and achieve meaningful change. Leigh provides psychological support, treatment, and cognitive and behavioural assessments as well as positive behaviour support.
Get Started Today
Take the first step towards positive change. Contact us for a confidential discussion about how we can help.
Contact Information
Phone
0494 119 498
Locations
254 Birds Rd, Guanaba, QLD, 4210
Unit 6 - 1 Nerang St, Nerang, 4212
(Flexible service delivery: In-person, home visits & telehealth)
Registered Provider
Connect and Thrive is a registered NDIS provider & Registered Medicare provider offering Psychology and Behaviour support services.