Newcomb centre offers space for therapy and sensory support

A NEW sensory centre will open in Newcomb this month, giving local families access to a purpose-built space for therapy, assessment and support.

Calm Minds Clinic will open the doors to its new facility on Monday 20 April, after almost two years searching for a suitable site.

The team said they knew the repurposed Bellarine Highway house was the right fit immediately.

“As soon as we walked in, it was united front – this is it,” wellbeing director and psychologist Dayle Johnson said.

Calm Minds Clinic’s new sensory centre will open in Newcomb on Monday 20 April. Pictured: Dayle Johnson and Sandi James. Photo: Nyah Barnes.

The clinic’s goal was always to create a multifaceted space with both private therapy rooms and a large sensory centre.

The sensory centre includes a ball pit, climbing frame and trapeze for sensory-seeking visitors, as well as a quiet tent and craft space for those who need a calmer environment or are more sensory sensitive.

Until now, the clinic has largely operated through telehealth appointments and some home visits.

The project drew on broad in-house expertise, as well as external professional input and community surveys. Johnson described it as the result of an “international multidisciplinary team”.

Alongside the sensory space, therapy rooms have been designed to accommodate different sensory needs. Photo: Nyah Barnes.

Psychologist Sandi James, who works mainly with teenagers and adults, said the space provides a valuable alternative to the traditional therapy room.

She said it is important to “make clients’ bodies feel safe enough that they can then communicate in ways that are effective for them”.

The centre also allows in-house assessment psychologists to observe behaviours in real time.

Every detail, from furniture to activities, has been thoughtfully chosen for the space. Photo: Nyah Barnes.

Facilitators will be available for families needing one-on-one support, supervising young people in the space and offering some respite for parents and carers.

Operations director Tabitha Thompson said her 13-year-old daughter has been an inspiration for her throughout in the project.

“She is autistic and has an intellectual disability,” Thompson said. “When she was growing up, there was not one place like this.

The centre includes an art space, with mirror boards that people will be welcome to paint on. Photo: Nyah Barnes.

“I always wanted something like this for her – where she felt comfortable and welcome and safe.”

Johnson said bringing treatment and assessment services together makes people “categorically more likely to engage”, as they do not need to repeat their story multiple times.

The centre will open from Monday, with an open day to be held on Saturday 18 April. All are welcome to tour the new space.