Child & Teen Counselling, Behaviour Support & Teacher Training in Kingston & Bayside
Trauma-Informed Counselling & Behaviour Support for Children, Teens & Families
At Hidden Potential, we provide trauma-informed, neuroaffirming counselling and behaviour support for children, teens, and their families.
Our work centres on understanding the whole child—their strengths, needs, sensory world, and developmental stage—so we can support them in ways that feel safe, respectful, and effective.
We help families navigate challenges with behaviour, emotional regulation, executive functioning, and neurodivergence with practical tools and compassionate guidance.
Meet Sara
I’m Sara — the founder of Hidden Potential, a counsellor, behaviour consultant, and parent who understands firsthand what it means to support a child who experiences the world differently.
For more than 15 years, I’ve worked across counselling, education, and community services in Melbourne, specialising in behaviour support, student observations, and executive functioning development for children, teens, families, and schools. My work is grounded in evidence-informed practice, emotional intelligence, and a commitment to understanding the why behind behaviour — not just managing surface-level challenges.
I’ve supported hundreds of young people through school-based concerns of behaviour such as:
anxiety
emotional regulation difficulties
trauma impacts
neurodivergent learning needs
I collaborate closely with parents and educators, providing tailored insights, counselling support, and professional learning for schools to help them create environments where every child feels safe, understood and capable.
I’m also a mum of four — two of whom are neurodivergent — and our lived experiences navigating anxiety, school struggles, emotional regulation, and the diagnostic process have shaped my advocacy and deep respect for families. I know the fear, overwhelm, and uncertainty many parents feel, as well as the profound relief that comes when a child is truly seen for who they are.
You know your child best. My role is to walk alongside your family with compassion and curiosity, offering counselling, behaviour support, executive functioning coaching, and school consulting that honours your child’s strengths, needs, and full potential.
How We Support Families & Schools
At Hidden Potential, we believe every child and teen can thrive when supported holistically. Our approach is grounded in trauma-informed practice, neurodiversity-affirming strategies, and evidence-based counselling and behaviour support.
✅ Behaviour has a story behind it - we explore underlying needs, triggers, and strengths, not just surface-level actions.
✅ Every child can flourish with the right support - including executive functioning coaching, emotional regulation strategies, and school-based interventions.
✅ Collaboration between home and school is powerful - we partner with parents and educators to ensure consistent, practical strategies.
✅ Understanding comes before strategies - we prioritise connection, insight, and curiosity to guide meaningful support.
✅ Young people deserve to feel heard and empowered - our work fosters confidence, engagement, and self-regulation.
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Why Families & Schools Trust Hidden Potential
At Hidden Potential, we provide a calm, collaborative, and neurodiversity-affirming approach to support children’s behaviour, emotional wellbeing, and learning.
✅ We see your child as a whole person — not just a behaviour to fix.
✅ Parent-led insights — you are listened to, included, and supported in every step.
✅ Evidence-based strategies grounded in neuroscience and emotional wellbeing for children, teens, and families.
✅ Strengths-first, neuro-affirming, identity-safe practice that empowers students.
✅ Practical strategies that are simple, realistic, and achievable in everyday life.
✅ Bridging home and school — we ensure teachers, education support staff, and families work together.
✅ A steady, reassuring space for families seeking clarity, confidence, and progress.
What Trauma Informed Practice means at Hidden Potential
At Hidden Potential, trauma-informed practice means understanding that a child’s behaviour, emotions, and learning are shaped by their nervous system, not by defiance or “poor choices.” When a young person has experienced stress or trauma, their brain is focused on safety, making it harder to stay calm, connected, or ready to learn.
Instead of asking “What’s wrong with this child?” we ask, “What has this child experienced?”
This approach creates safe, supportive environments at home, at school, and in therapy.
Our Trauma-Informed Approach Includes:
Understanding the brain and nervous system and how trauma affects behaviour, memory, attention, and emotional regulation.
Prioritising safety and connection, because children learn best when they feel calm, supported, and understood.
Responding with curiosity and compassion rather than reacting to challenging behaviour.
Working with a child’s strengths, not against their regulation needs.
Supporting parents and educators so the whole team feels confident, aligned, and equipped.
Trauma-informed practice isn’t a checklist—it’s a way of seeing and supporting the whole child. It helps young people build the regulation, confidence, and skills they need to thrive.
Start Your Support Journey
If you're seeking clarity, confidence, and support to help your child thrive at home and at school, we would love to connect. Together, we can build understanding, reduce stress, and help your child develop the skills and confidence they deserve.
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Every child has extraordinary potential — sometimes it just needs help being recognised.