Bringing up Great Kids – Monday Parenting Group

2022 has brought many challenges to families in our area – the individual and collective distressing experiences of the floods and their aftermath have had an impact on adults and children alike. Understandably, the persistent stress and strain can often influence how we relate to those closest to us, including our children. It can also be noticed in behavioural challenges in our children that may be unfamiliar or hard to deal with.

In order to support parents – specifically those with children under school age – to manage with these challenges, Mullumbimby Psychology is running the Bringing up Great Kids (BUGK) Parenting Group program. The program uses mindfulness and reflection to assist parents in understanding and improving their communication and exchanges with their children so that they may foster more respectful and positive interactions, which support children’s development and positive identity. Parents are also supported to develop an understanding and address their own needs and the origin of unhelpful attitudes.

BUGK Parenting Group is Attachment and Trauma-informed, and is based on a clinically researched method and will be tailored toward the specific needs of the participants. Each individual will have the opportunity to have a brief intake consultation before the program starts to assess suitability and discuss learning goals.

Parents can expect to explore and reflect upon the evolution of their parenting style, and learn: 

• about the brain development of their children and understand how to meet their children’s growing needs 
• to build attentive communication with their children 
• to reflect on and explore the meaning behind their children’s behaviour 
• to develop an awareness of the cues that trigger off unhelpful or ineffective responses

Program Details

The 6 week Bringing up Great Kids (BUGK) Parenting Group program series is:

• In Mullumbimby – upstairs at the Mullumbimby Comprehensive Health Centre – 60 Stuart Street
• 2 hours per week; 1 – 3pm Mondays; Commencing 10th October – 14th November inclusive
• Investment: $360 for the 6 week program (up-front payment required)
• Medicare rebates with a suitable ‘group’ GP referral of up to $137
• Concession rates available for financial hardship. Please contact us for further details.

Medicare Rebates: 

Medicare currently offers eligible individuals a rebate for ‘Group Psychological Therapy’ Sessions. These sessions are in addition to individual sessions per year. Please contact your GP or Psychiatrist to request a referral under a Group Mental Health Care Plan if you wish to access a Medicare rebate for the Bringing up Great Kids (BUGK) Parenting Group program. Please note a referral is not required to attend – only if you wish to obtain Medicare rebates. Medicare rules require attendance to obtain rebates and a minimum 6 participants in attendance.

Information for GPs: 

• Please provide a Mental Health Treatment Plan with a recommendation for GROUP psychological therapy, under the Medicare Better Access to Mental Health Care Initiative 
• Written referrals to: Libby Tooth, Registered Psychologist at Mullumbimby Psychology specifying a referral for GROUP psychological therapy. 

Registration: Please book online at: mullumbimbypsychology.com.au/events/ (at the bottom of the page click ‘Get Tickets‘) or contact us on  6684 4748 or email support@mullumbimbypsychology.com.au for more information. 

Group Facilitators

The Group will be facilitated by Registered Psychologist Libby Tooth and a Provisional Psychologist: Ella Wiseman or Facundo Cuesta.

Libby Tooth is a registered psychologist who has experience in working with people during the perinatal period (expecting and new parents). She has a passion for working with parents, with a background in youth homelessness service provision, foster care and children’s residential care. Libby has a strength based, holistic and client-focused approach and is skilled in trauma-informed care and current evidence-based therapies, which is underpinned by an Attachment and neurophysiological informed framework. She has completed training in Evidence-based Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) and Bringing Up Great Kids parenting program. Libby strongly believes in empowering individuals to learn and develop the skills necessary to enable them to better understand and support themselves, and has a respectful understanding of each individual’s journey.

Ella Wiseman is a registered provisional psychologist who has completed training in the Bringing Up Great Kids parenting program. Ella has a warm, friendly, and client-centred approach to all her interactions. She is passionate about supporting the community and is excited to assist Libby in fostering better communication and exchanges within families.  

This is a small group course with limited places – registration places will be offered in order of application. Full payment is required prior to program commencement. No GP referrals required.

Purchase a ticket and pay below to register for the program or call Mullumbimby Psychology on 02 66844748 for more information.