Welcome to our World
Our qualified Child and Adolescent Clinical Counsellor, Cindy Newman, has created Delicate Minds based on her passion for supporting children and adolescents in all areas of their lives, including the families who are often needing the support just as much as the individual themselves.
Meet the Team
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Director of Delicate Minds Support by Choice Pty Ltd.
Clinically Qualified Child and Adolescent Counsellor and Behaviour Therapist
Meet Cindy !
Cindy is our Director and the founder of Delicate Minds. Cindy studied at the Australia College of Psychology where she graduated with a Bachelor Degree in Counselling Psychology. Following her degree qualification she further enhanced her education and skills by studying a Graduate Certificate in Child Psychology and is currently registered with the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia. Cindy is a qualified AutPlay Clinician (Autism Play Therapist), a facilitator of the Tuning into Kids Emotional Intelligence Parenting Program and a qualified and trained clinician to facilitate the ADOS-2 (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule-Second Edition) Assessment.
Cindy’s professional experience working with children and adolescents with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder and other comorbidities began in 2012 where she worked in Port Macquarie’s local Aspect Satellite Primary School, later working in the newly formed Aspect Satellite High School.
Her personal experience working in the ASD world began much earlier in 2005 where she first found her desire to work in the counselling/behaviour therapy industry, supporting a beautiful friend in her journey with a child diagnosed with autism.
Cindy is a kind, caring and creative therapist, always incorporating the family/carers/educators into the intervention therapy process where she understands the best results are achieved.
Cindy uses a variety of modalities in her intervention therapy approach and loves to see the delight in her little and not so little clients when they experience a far from clinical approach to therapy. Cindy is proud of the dream she has created and walking into Delicate Minds, you will feel the warmth from all the clinicians and experience the acceptance of all into the space.
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Counsellor - Art Therapist
Meet Shani,
Shani has been working at Delicate Minds since March 2024. Shani has a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Science (Social Welfare), Diploma in Counselling, Diploma in Art Therapy, Community Service, Certificate IV in Mental health.
Shani's previous experience is working in Community services, predominantly in Mental health.
Shani’s therapeutic practice utilises art, creative practices, and general counselling to support self-awareness, self-expression, increase self-esteem, emotional regulation, mental health support and resilience.
Shani enjoys the outdoors and being in nature, Shani is very creative and loves exploring with different forms particularly weaving, painting, crochet, and clay. She enjoys yoga and is a big animal lover.
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Social Worker
Meet Caitlin!
Caitlin has been a part of the Delicate Minds team since May 2025. Caitlin has a Cert IV and Diploma of Community Services as well as a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work. Caitlin is currently registered with the Australian Association of Social Workers.
Caitlin has previous experience working in the Disability Support sector as well as working as a Wellbeing Officer in a school where she supports children and adolescents. Caitlin is passionate abouts utilising a person-centred and strengths-based approach that promotes holistic healing. Her therapeutic practice utilises aspects of play therapy and general counselling to support emotional regulation, social skill development, anxiety and school readiness. Caitlin works with children from 3-years-old up to 18-years-old.
Caitlin is a lover of nature and the outdoors. She enjoys surfing, camping and being at the beach. Caitlin is an active and adventurous person who loves working with children, adolescents and families and finds deep value in being able to be a part of different people’s journeys in life.
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Allied Health Assistant
Meet Riley!
Riley has been a part of the Delicate Minds team since March 2024. Riley moved to Port Macquarie from Newcastle in 2023 to begin her studies. She is currently completing her third year of her Social Work degree at Charles Sturt University. Riley has a Diploma of Community Services and is completing her Diploma of Counselling.
Riley loves spending her days off reading books and watching her favourite movies! Riley enjoys living close to the beach and exploring around her new home. Riley loves cooking and baking and loves being able to incorporate this into therapy sessions as well.
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Support Worker
Meet Scott!
Scott is a qualified Support Worker and has been working as part of the Delicate Minds team for the past 2 years. Scott comes from a motor industry background, working as a panel beater and later in his career managing a large automotive repair shop locally in Port Macquarie.
Scott brings with him skills, education and experience to help young adults achieve their dreams and expectations of living a fulfilled and joyful life. Scott incorporates his professional and personal lifelong skills into his support work, bringing with him a level of maturity, respect and compassion towards others.
Scott supports in the community, at home and experiences in and outside the local area. He supports with accessing the community and helping his clients to experience life, domestic home skills, motor vehicle related learning experiences, water activities like fishing and jet skiing and provides many other opportunities for his clients.
Once you hear Scott’s laugh you will never forget it, and he will never walk past you in the street without stopping and saying hello. His biggest strength is personal connection.
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Allied Health Assistant
Meet Sophie!
Sophie has a Bachelor’s Degree in Primary Education with a major in Special Education. Sophie has been a part of the Delicate Minds team since April, 2021. She has extensive experience working and supporting children and adolescents with neurodiversity.
Sophie works during the School Holiday Programs and is frequently within the office either assisting in reception or out to complete Functional Behavioural Assessments.
Within Sophie’s expertise she worked to create our Grow Your Mind programs and develops strategies and methods based on observational assessments, to cater for the beautiful clients wellbeing within the classroom.
Sophie enjoys being surrounded by her friends and family, she loves to be physically active and going the beach with her puppy Lola.
What We Are About
Vision
Delicate Minds vision is to promote mental well-being in individuals aged from toddlers to late teens and young adults. Creating a world where individuals are comfortable in talking about their emotions without judgement and prioritising their own mental health, thriving to understand themselves and having compassion for others.
Mission
Delicate Minds mission is to empower individuals and their families in supporting their own mental health journey through evidence-based clinical practice. Exploring a range of programs and tools to equip our clientele with the mental resources to heal and flourish within their life.
Goals
Delicate Minds goal is to provide exceptional and ethical counselling services to all individuals and families supported through evidence based practice and intervention.
Our focus is client centred, prioritising the unique individuality of each client and collaborating with families and key individuals within the clients lives to empower a therapeutic relationship.
Our therapy sessions are created to be a safe and non-judgemental space where clients and families feel safe, respected, supported and can feel confident in building a trusting, collaborative and therapeutic partnership.
Delicate Minds will continue to be active within the community through training workshops for educators in the area of Autism Spectrum Disorder, Challenging Behaviours, and Anxiety. Our training emphasises the change that can happen when educators are trained and equipped with tools and strategies to support our young people in preschool, primary and high school.
We facilitate a school holiday program which has been running for over 4 years, where clients are able to experience our diverse range of community activities, sights and businesses. Our participants explore their learned skills in real life settings with the support of their therapist and allied health assistants prompting for success as they navigate the hidden social rules of our community and friendships.
Delicate Minds seeks to continually learn and broaden their skills, ensuring a well diverse team of clinicians with a range of knowledge and tools to support a dynamic society.
Delicate Minds strives to provide accessibility and inclusivity in all areas of the therapy service. Working in collaboration with parents, support workers and educators to accommodate the clients needs. Further, Delicate Minds fosters an inclusive practice that values and respects the diversity of clients in terms of culture, identity, religion and background.
Delicate Minds strives to advocate for policies and initiatives that promote mental health awareness and accessibility. Alongside collaboration with other health care professionals and organisations to create a holistic approach to mental health and well-being.
