Families tell me the lead-up to a first appointment is often the most stressful part of the whole thing. You have made the calls, sorted the funding, picked a time, and now you are wondering what you are actually walking into. So here is a plain walk-through of how a first appointment at Wild Springs usually goes. Every child and every adult is different, so treat this as the general shape, not a script.
Before you arrive, we will usually have had a short phone or email chat, so I already know roughly why you are coming. You do not need to bring much. If you have past reports or assessments and want me to read them, bring them along, but they are not required. Come as you are. If your child needs a snack, a fidget, or a favourite toy to feel settled, bring that too.
The space itself is a treatment room in Mermaid Waters, and I have set it up to feel calm rather than clinical. There are sensory tools, soft places to sit, and things to climb on and dig through. Bella, my dog, is often around. She is company, not treatment, and if dogs are not your thing, or allergies are, she is happy to keep to another room. Just mention it when you book.
The first session itself is mostly me getting to know you. For children, that usually looks like play. I follow what the child is interested in and watch how they move, how they settle, what winds them up, and what brings them back down. There is no gauntlet of tests on day one. For teens and adults, it is more of a conversation about your day-to-day, what is working, and what is costing you the most energy.
Towards the end we talk about goals. Not my goals, yours. What would make daily life feel more doable for your family? That becomes the starting point for any plan we build together. And if I am not the right fit, I will say so plainly and suggest where else to look. For complex situations, that is exactly what the first consult is for, working out the fit before any plans are made.
On funding, plan-managed and self-managed NDIS clients are welcome, and I will explain how billing works before anything starts, so there are no surprises on the first invoice.
If you are still deciding, that is completely fine. A consult is a low-key way to meet, ask your questions, and get a feel for whether Wild Springs suits your family. Book one whenever you are ready, and take your time getting there.