Sigma Therapies

17/06/2026

What most men mean when they say "they're OK"

17/06/2026

16/06/2026

Tune in to Edge Radio today at 3 pm for an honest conversation about the NDIS and men's mental health with Nicholas Fares. 👉www.edgeradioaustralia.com/

As a registered psychologist, PBS practitioner, and director at Sigma Therapies, Nic will bring his unique insight into these current issues. Looking forward to listening to him this arvo🎙

15/06/2026

In 2020–2022, there were 4.3 million Australians aged 16–85 years with a 12-month mental disorder. Women and young people are the most likely to seek support, but only 37% of men and boys are seeing their GP or a mental health professional when they need it. (Beyondblue.org.au).

This Men's Health Week, let's change that. 💙

Depression is more than feeling sad. It affects motivation, sleep, concentration, relationships, and the ability to get through even the simplest things on an ordinary day. It also makes reaching out feel impossible, right when it matters most.

Swipe through for a clear, practical look from our psychology team at what depression can look like, what contributes to it, and what can help.

P.S. Share with someone you care about and might need to read it.

10/06/2026

For many children, school can be an overwhelming sensory and emotional experience, and their nervous system responds exactly as it is designed to when it reaches its limit.

😔 Your child loves their teacher. They're bright, curious, and funny at home.
But every single school morning is a battle. Meltdowns seem completely out of proportion to what's happening. Or they might get through the school day only to completely fall apart the moment they get home.

This is so familiar among parents we support, and it's not a behaviour problem.

Occupational Therapy can make a real difference. Our team works with children experiencing school refusal, emotional dysregulation, and meltdowns by looking at what's in fact driving the behaviour (the classroom doesn't have to feel like a battle zone😇):

• Sensory overload (lighting, noise, crowds, transitions)
• Routine and predictability (what helps the school day feel manageable)
• Self-regulation skills (building the tools children need to cope)
• School liaison (working directly with teachers and support staff)
• Graded return-to-school plans (for children who have been away)

P.S. We have current OT availability for both NDIS and private clients. Reach out to our team.

08/06/2026

📣 We're coming to Cockburn! 🙌
On Friday, 17 July, the Sigma Therapies team will be at the Cockburn Community Disability Expo, and we'd love to meet you.

🗓️ Friday 17 July 2026
🕙 10am – 1pm
📍 Lakeside Recreation Centre, 2 Bibra Dr, North Lake
🎟️ Free entry — grab your ticket at https://events.humanitix.com/cockburn-community-disability-expo-2026

This is a free community event designed to connect NDIS participants, families, carers, and support workers with local disability providers – all in one place and with plenty of conversation.

Come and say hi to our team, ask questions about Psychology, Occupational Therapy, or Positive Behaviour Support, and find out how we can support you or someone you care for.

☕ Bonus: the first 200 through the door get a free barista coffee thanks to one of the event sponsors.

Hope to see you there 💙

05/06/2026

Thanks to our talented lead PBS, Dinithi, our Bibra Lake clinic space just got an artful makeover! We just love how she transformed a white wall into an inviting, calming feature for both the team and all visitors and clients!🤩

Well done, Dinithi, we're loving it👏

02/06/2026

Parents ask us this all the time:

"My child was recommended for both occupational therapy and speech therapy. Do they really need both? What's the difference? Where do I even start?"

Speech therapy and OT are not the same thing, but they're deeply connected.

If you imagine two therapists walking into a school meeting about your child: one helps them say the words; the other helps them hold the pencil, sit still long enough, and regulate their emotions to get through the day.

Speech therapy focuses on:
🗣️ Language, vocabulary & sentence structure
👄 Articulation & speech clarity
💬 Social communication & conversation skills
😶 AAC (alternative communication for non-verbal children)

Occupational therapy focuses on:
✏️ Fine motor skills like writing, drawing, cutting
🧠 Emotional regulation & managing big feelings
👂 Sensory processing: noise, touch, light, textures
📋 Focus, organisation & daily routines
🏫 School readiness & classroom participation

The best outcomes are achieved when OT and speech work together, with a shared plan and open communication between clinicians, especially for kids with ASD or ADHD.

Where to start if you're not sure: if your child has been recommended for one or both, an initial OT assessment is often a good first step.

P.S. Save this and share with a parent who's trying to figure out where to start 💙

29/05/2026

When the boss takes over the front desk for 10 minutes😅😇 We promise we won't let it happen again!