Ground Zero Counselling

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Ground Zero Counselling Clinical counsellor, EOL and dementia services. Therapeutic & practical support for individuals & families navigating illness, grief & life transitions.

Specialising in continuity of care for those living with brain change from diagnosis to end of life.

Cognitive Stimulation Therapy - Expressions of Interest - Brisbane Southside Wellness Centre, Southern Cross Care Qld, ...
15/10/2026

Cognitive Stimulation Therapy - Expressions of Interest - Brisbane Southside

Wellness Centre, Southern Cross Care Qld, Holland Park.

Ever notice that you or a loved one has become more withdrawn from conversations that were once enjoyable?

Or wishing you, or they, had something extra to look forward to each week?

Maybe you've wondered: is there something more we can do, beyond medication and routine?

That's where Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) comes in. It's a friendly, structured group program for people living with mild to moderate dementia, built around conversation, thinking skills, reminiscing, word games and topics that spark cognitive engagement and connection. Research links it with improvements in thinking skills, mood and quality of life.

So ask yourself:
✔️ Would a regular, social, purposeful activity make a difference each week?
✔️ Would it help to be more engaged, laughing and chatting again?
✔️ If you are a carer, could this small step give you some breathing space, too?

If you answered YES to any of these, we'd love to hear from you.

📍 Expressions of interest are open now at the Wellness Centre, Southern Cross Care Qld Holland Park.
Contact [email protected] for more information

Expressions of interest open: Cognitive Stimulation Therapy 🧠I'm gathering expressions of interest for a Cognitive Stimu...
07/10/2026

Expressions of interest open: Cognitive Stimulation Therapy 🧠

I'm gathering expressions of interest for a Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) group for people living with mild to moderate dementia on the Brisbane Southside.

CST is an evidence-based group program using conversation, reminiscence and engaging activities to support thinking, communication and connection, in a warm and friendly setting.

📍 Southern Cross Care Queensland Wellness Hub, Duhig Village, Holland Park

🗓 Starting in November, subject to numbers. Dates to be announced.

You don't need to live at Duhig Village or be a Southern Cross Care client. Everyone with a mild to moderate dementia diagnosis is welcome.

Families and care managers, please share with anyone who might be interested.

📩 To register your interest: email [email protected]

If you would like to know more about the benefits of participating in a CST program, please read my post about it's benefits on the Ground Zero Counselling website.

07/10/2026

Some people may feel nervous about the idea of attending a supportive group such as a Dementia Sharing Circle.

They may be naturally quiet, worry about what to say or have different experiences to others in the group.

But often, the most powerful thing about being part of a support group is discovering:

- you are not alone
- we all struggle at times
- we can tap into the wisdom of the group to receive emotional or practical support.

Sometimes people in our friendship circle don’t ‘get it’ because they are not walking this journey, but others living with dementia most certainly do.

If you are keen to connect with others living with dementia, please join us for the next Dementia Sharing Circle at Coopers Plain Library on October 13th at 10am.

Warmly
Kate 🌿

29/09/2026

A dementia diagnosis can leave you with a lot of questions.

And sometimes it is helpful meeting other people who understand.

The Southside Dementia Sharing Circle is for people living with dementia and their family members who would like to connect with others, share experiences, enjoy some engaging activities and continue being part of their community.

You are free to talk or listen or simply come along and see what it's like. More importantly, we want you to know you don't have to do this alone.

Please join us for our next Dementia Sharing Circle on October 13 at 10am, Coopers Plains Library.

Warmly
Kate 🌿

Join us for the Southside Dementia Sharing Circle 🫖🫶A dementia diagnosis may become part of someone’s story, but it isn'...
28/09/2026

Join us for the Southside Dementia Sharing Circle 🫖🫶

A dementia diagnosis may become part of someone’s story, but it isn't the whole story.

You still have interests. Friendships. Things you enjoy. Things you'd like to try.

Sometimes, one of the most helpful things after a diagnosis is simply meeting other people who understand.

The Dementia Sharing Circle is a relaxed space for individuals living with dementia and their families on Brisbane's southside. It offers a space to connect, chat, enjoy activities and spend time with others who are on a similar journey.

Whether you've recently been diagnosed or you've been living with dementia for some time, you're welcome.

Come for the conversation.
Come for the activities.
Come to meet people.
Come because you're curious.
Or just come and see what it's like.
Connection can start now.

🌿 Southside Dementia Sharing Circle
📍 Coopers Plain Library
☕ Conversation • Connection • Activities • Community

Our next Sharing Circle happens on Tuesday October 13th at 10am, Coopers Plains Library. If you would like to know more, please contact me – [email protected]

Warmly
Kate 🌿

27/09/2026

A lovely day of conversations at Southern Cross Care Little Mountain 😀

Last Friday, I had the privilege of facilitating two very different sessions around palliative care for Southern Cross Care Qld at Caloundra .

In the morning, I worked with the Support at Home team, exploring the scope of palliative care, death literacy, becoming more comfortable talking about death and dying, and the importance of having honest and meaningful conversations with families who are supporting someone to die at home.

Later that afternoon, I spoke with residents and families, with a different focus — understanding what palliative care can look like and exploring what can give life meaning after a life-limiting diagnosis.

What I loved most, though, was the opportunity to be in a room with people and have a conversation.

This is one of the reasons I love facilitating groups and workshops. Yes, I bring information and experience to share, but I'm equally interested in the questions people bring with them. What has prompted them to come? What are they wondering about? What concerns them? What do they want to understand better?

For me, face-to-face conversations offer something special — a genuine connection and the opportunity to be truly seen and heard in the moment.

I always hope people leave feeling that they've gained something from being there — perhaps a little more informed, reassured, less confused, or a little less alone. I know I always leave having learned something from them too.

Thank you to everyone at Southern Cross Care Little Mountain who welcomed me so warmly, and to everyone who shared their questions, experiences and curiosity with me.

Often the most valuable part of a workshop isn't what I bring into the room — it's what we create together once we're there. 💛

16/09/2026

💜 Dementia Action Week Afternoon Tea – Brisbane Southside

Do you live with dementia, support someone living with dementia, or work with people and families affected by dementia?

Come along and join us for a relaxed Dementia Action Week Afternoon Tea, hosted by the Brisbane Southside Dementia Network.

📅 Wednesday 23 September
🕑 2.00–3.00pm
📍 Coopers Plains Library

This is a chance to meet local services, discover what support is available and make connections across Brisbane’s Southside — particularly around Mount Gravatt, Coopers Plains and surrounding communities.

🌿 What’s happening?

We’ll hear from a range of organisations and local services about the work they are doing to support people living with dementia, families and carers, including:

💜 Dementia Australia – talking about dementia-friendly communities and how we can create places where people living with dementia feel included and supported
💜 Brisbane City Council – sharing information about the work Council is doing to support dementia-friendly and inclusive communities
💜 Coopers Plains Library – demonstrating their Magic Table, an interactive digital resource that can be enjoyed by people living with dementia and carers
💜 Blue Care – local aged care and community support
💜 Brisbane Southside PHN – connecting people with local health and community services
💜 Wellways Mount Gravatt – information and support for carers
💜 Ground Zero Counselling – specialised dementia support for individuals and families navigating a dementia diagnosis.

🌸 Importantly, this afternoon is for people of all ages.
We especially want to welcome people experiencing younger-onset dementia, their families and carers.

Whether you are:

💜 living with dementia
💜 supporting a partner, parent, family member or friend
💜 looking for more support as a carer
💜 working in aged care or community care
💜 an NDIS provider or support coordinator
💜 a health or allied health professional
💜 a community worker or service provider

You are most welcome!

Come along, have a cuppa, meet some of the people and organisations working in this space, and find out who is out there, what they offer and how we can better support people living with dementia and those who care for them.

Please share this post with anyone in your community who you think might benefit from coming along. 💜

04/09/2026

💜 You don’t have to navigate dementia alone

Our Dementia Sharing Circle is on again this Tuesday, 8 September at 10am, at Coopers Plains Library.

A relaxed space for individuals and family members navigating dementia to share, connect, listen and learn with others who understand the journey.

☕ Come along, have a cuppa and know that you’re not alone.

📍 Coopers Plains Library
🗓 Tuesday 8 September
⏰ 10am

And there’s more happening for Dementia Awareness Week – 21–25 September! 💜

The Brisbane Southside Dementia Network is hosting a Southside Dementia Action Week Afternoon Tea:

☕ Wednesday 23 September | 2–3pm
📍 Coopers Plains Library

Come along for a relaxed cuppa, conversation and connection, and discover some of the local supports and resources available to help build a dementia-friendly community.

Everyone is welcome. We hope to see you there! 💜

Warmly
Kate

22/08/2026

I’m often asked by family members who are caring for someone living with dementia how to respond when their mother, father or partner is becoming angry or aggressive 😤😠 This is particularly upsetting for all members of the family unit, especially when the changed behaviour is so out of character.

As the family carer, when this happens it is normal to feel frightened, exhausted or wonder if you're doing something wrong.

The truth is that aggression is often a form of communication. The person may be frightened, confused, overwhelmed, in pain or unable to express what they need.

Usually, the most helpful response isn't to correct or argue—it's to slow down, stay calm, validate their feelings and be curious about what they are trying to communicate.

It is also important to remember that changes in behaviour can be caused by physical factors such as pain, infection or medication side effects. Good dementia care brings together compassionate communication and appropriate medical assessment.

This month I wrote a blog on my website exploring the psychology behind these approaches and why they may useful approaches to use to ease tension. It explains how simple strategies like validation, co-regulation and person-centred care can help reduce distress while preserving dignity for the person living with dementia.

💙 If you're caring for someone with dementia, I hope it offers reassurance, practical ideas and a reminder that you don't have to navigate these challenges alone.

Warmly
Kate 🌿

👉 Read the full article on the Ground Zero Counselling website.

10/08/2026

Good morning to our carers on the Brisbane Southside!

Hope you will join us again at Coopers Plains Library this morning at 10 am for our Dementia Sharing Circle and morning tea. ☕️ 😊

A genuine opportunity to enjoy a bit of self care this month in a relaxed and warm space.

Warmly
Kate 🌺

Address

341 Gregory Terrace Spring Hill
Brisbane, QLD
4000

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4pm
Tuesday 8am - 4pm
Wednesday 8am - 4pm
Thursday 8am - 4pm
Friday 8am - 4pm

Telephone

+61401512007

Website

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