Why families choose MindfulNest

Infant & Child Mental Health Support in Spotswood

Many families who connect with MindfulNest Therapeutic Services are looking for a space that feels calm, respectful and deeply attuned to the emotional world of young children.

Located in Spotswood, MindfulNest offers psychology-informed, attachment-based therapy for families across Melbourne’s Inner West.

At the heart of MindfulNest is the understanding that children’s emotional wellbeing develops within safe and connected relationships. Rather than focusing only on behaviour, therapy explores the feelings and needs that may sit underneath anxiety, meltdowns, sleep challenges or regulation difficulties. Support centres on strengthening the parent–child relationship and building co-regulation skills that foster long-term emotional resilience.

MindfulNest provides specialised infant mental health and early childhood therapy informed by developmental psychology and attachment theory. Therapy integrates evidence-based psychological approaches with a warm, relationship-centred lens. Families receive thoughtful, research-informed support tailored to their child’s developmental stage and unique needs.

MindfulNest is a small, independent infant and child mental health practice.

Families work with the same clinician throughout their support journey, allowing trust and therapeutic safety to build over time. Conveniently located in Spotswood, MindfulNest supports families from Newport, Yarraville, Williamstown, Altona, Seddon and surrounding Inner West suburbs.

If you are wondering whether your child may benefit from professional mental health support, you are warmly invited to reach out.

Meet us

Connection Comfort Confidence

Rosie is an Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) Accredited Senior Mental Health Social Worker and founder of MindfulNest Therapeutic Services. She provides psychology-informed infant, child and adolescent mental health support.

With over 13 years of experience, Rosie specialises in supporting infants, children and young people experiencing anxiety, emotional and behavioural difficulties, attachment concerns and the impacts of trauma. She works collaboratively with parents and caregivers to strengthen the parent–child relationship and support long-term wellbeing.

Rosie is deeply committed to evidence-based practice and draws from a range of therapeutic approaches including attachment-informed therapy, ACT, CBT, trauma-informed care and animal assisted therapy. Her work is grounded in both clinical expertise and genuine compassion.

Qualifications

Master of Community Mental Health
Graduate Diploma in Infant Mental Health
Bachelor of Social Work
Accredited Senior Mental Health Social Worker (AASW)
Accrediated Therapy Dog Handler

A Personal Note

Hi, I’m Rosie.

Outside of the therapy room, I’m a proud mum of two energetic children and understand first-hand the joys and complexities of family life. I’m a long-time Richmond Tigers supporter and enjoy staying active, whether that’s shooting hoops, heading to the beach or paddle boarding on a warm day. Sunshine is definitely my happy place.

At the heart of my work is a simple belief: every child deserves to feel safe, understood and supported.

Meet Buckets, the accredited therapy dog with a gentle heart and an intuitive sense for when someone needs a little extra comfort. With her soft fur and steady presence, she brings warmth, calm and connection into the therapy space.

While Buckets may joke about being a “licensed canine therapist,” her role within sessions is purposeful and thoughtfully integrated into psychology-informed practice. Her presence can help children feel safer, more relaxed and more open to engaging in therapy.

During sessions, Buckets may sit quietly beside a child, rest her head gently on a lap, or offer calm companionship while difficult feelings are explored.

Her presence can:

Reduce anxiety
Support emotional regulation
Encourage engagement
Strengthen feelings of safety

In child therapy, play is often a powerful pathway to expression. Buckets may join structured play activities or simply be part of imaginative exploration.

Animal assisted therapy is thoughtfully incorporated into sessions at MindfulNest.

Her role is always guided by professional judgement, ensuring that sessions remain child-focused, safe and therapeutically aligned.