By Emily Hanlon “Sensory supports are not rewards.” This isn’t just a professional opinion; it’s a non-negotiable stance I hold as a child psychologist. It’s a hill I will die on. Every week, I walk into schools where fidgets, wobble cushions, movement breaks, noise-cancelling headphones, and calm-down corners are treated like gold stars...only to be handed out if a child “behaves.” And every week, I see the fallout of that mindset. Let’s get one thing straight: Sensory tool

By Emily Hanlon Intro: Burnout Doesn’t Slam Into You, It Creeps In Quietly Burnout isn’t a sudden collapse; it’s a slow leak, usually caused by blurred boundaries and constant overextension. Burnout doesn’t announce itself. It’s not a dramatic collapse or a one-off breakdown. It’s slow. Sneaky. It builds as your boundaries dissolve, day by day. As clinicians, we’re trained to hold space for others—but if we don’t hold space for ourselves , no one else will. Let’s explore how

By Emily Hanlon The way we speak to our kids becomes their inner voice. It teaches them how to set boundaries, how to relate to others, and how to treat themselves. The good news? You don’t need a degree in psychology to raise emotionally intelligent humans; you just need a few intentional , everyday phrases that reinforce kindness, consent, respect, and safety. Here are 15 simple sentences we use in our home (with our little humans and  grown-up ones too) to help create conn

By Emily Hanlon Parenting today comes with an incredible privilege, and a responsibility. We’re the generation with more : more...

By Emily Hanlon Let’s be honest. Travelling with kids is not the type of holiday you used to take. It’s a high-stakes, snack-fuelled...

By Emily Hanlon Wondering if daycare harms your child’s attachment? A clinical psychologist (and mum of 3) breaks down the research,...

By Emily Hanlon Last month, I packed my baby’s bottles into her bag, labelled my toddler’s new hat, and reminded my oldest son (for the...

By Emily Hanlon When you receive your child’s first NDIS plan, one of two things usually happens: You skim it, trying to spot any...

By Emily Hanlon Navigating the NDIS for your child/family member can feel like stepping into a world full of potential, but one that’s...

By Emily Hanlon The Psychology Pathway Is a Labyrinth (But You’ve Got This) If you’ve made it this far into a psychology degree,...

By Emily Hanlon ADHD is often associated with hyperactivity, impulsiveness, and visible distraction. But for many women, it looks nothing...

By Emily Hanlon When working with ADHD, especially in girls, there is no “universal checklist” that neatly fits every individual. Yet, so...

By Emily Hanlon When most people think of ADHD, they picture a hyperactive young boy bouncing around a classroom. But what if ADHD looked...

By Emily Hanlon If thinking about therapy for your child makes you break into a cold sweat, welcome! You’re officially a normal, caring...

By Emily Hanlon When I was first learning to write reports as a clinician, I relied heavily on the templates I was given...ones focused...

By Emily Hanlon In today’s clinical landscape, especially for early-career allied health professionals, there’s a growing push (and...

By Emily Hanlon If you've ever witnessed a child struggling at drop-off, clinging to you with teary eyes, you may have asked yourself: Is...

By Emily Hanlon When we label a child with an adjective, we’re not just describing their behaviour; we’re defining who they are. Phrases...

By Emily Hanlon Let’s Bust the Myths About School Refusal When it comes to school refusal and “school can’t,” misinformation can hold...

By Emily Hanlon The Hidden Truths About School Refusal School refusal is more than a refusal to attend, it’s a cry for help. But many...