Now accepting referrals in the Greater Perth area, with little to no wait time expected
Shaped by Lived Experience
WA’s Leader in Neurodiversity-Affirming, Trauma-Informed Behaviour Support
What's in a name?
Waves are a powerful metaphor in the mental health space, symbolising the natural ebb and flow of thoughts, emotions and behaviours.
Just as ocean waves are shaped by various factors such as the ocean floor, tides, and wind, humans' thoughts, emotions and behaviours are influenced by a myriad of elements including environment and experiences. The waves of the oceans also carry the stories and songs of the history that have occurred in and on it's waters. Waves represent the dynamic, everchanging nature of these influences, and our commitment is to navigate and support individuals through their unique journeys, much like understanding the ocean helps us predict and navigate its waves.
This concept aligns with many frameworks in the psychology and mental health space, including many mindfulness strategies and tools. The use of waves and the ocean is found in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), where thoughts and emotions are likened to waves that rise and fall, while the ocean represents our broader sense of self that contains the waves.
By embracing this metaphor, we emphasize our mission to provide holistic and adaptive support that is accepting and accommodating of the shifting currents of individual journeys and life stories.
At Waves WA, our name is more than a word — it’s a powerful metaphor for the mental health and behaviour support work we do. Waves symbolize the natural ebb and flow of thoughts, emotions, and behaviours.
Just as ocean waves are shaped by factors like tides, the ocean floor, and wind, our experiences, environments, and relationships influence our own thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. Waves also carry the stories of the past, reminding us that every person’s journey is unique and shaped by many influences.
This metaphor aligns with evidence-based frameworks in psychology and mental health, including mindfulness strategies and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), which liken thoughts and emotions to waves rising and falling, while the ocean represents the broader self that contains them.
By embracing the concept of waves, we emphasise our commitment to providing holistic, adaptive, and accepting support, helping individuals navigate the shifting currents of their own lives with care, understanding, and guidance.
What sets Waves WA apart?
At Waves WA, we believe that connection, safety, and autonomy are the foundations of a good life. Our approach is humanistic and strengths-based; we don't look at a diagnosis or a "behaviour," we look at you as a whole person.
We prioritise relationships that are attuned and responsive. We work alongside you and your family in a way that honours your lived experience, your preferences, and your specific goals.
Our practice is grounded in the science of neuroscience, attachment, and trauma. We do not use ABA. We never target behaviours in isolation or use forced compliance. Instead, we focus on improving your quality of life and nervous system regulation, recognising that when a person feels safe and supported, "behaviours of concern" naturally reduce.
This ensures that our support is respectful, practical, and meaningful—helping you and your family create a life that feels sustainable and positive.
Our story
Waves WA was born from a place of personal frustration and a desire for change. Navigating support services for our own families often left us feeling disheartened. Too often, we encountered services that focused on "fixing" the person to fit society, rather than adapting the environment to meet the person’s needs.
As parents and neurodivergent individuals ourselves, we have felt that sting of being misunderstood and disempowered. We know what it is like to be treated as "the problem" rather than being supported with empathy and guidance.
We asked ourselves: How could a service be different? We envisioned a practice that advocates for the person, uses neuroaffirming approaches, and empowers the entire support system.
Today, Waves WA fills that gap. We are driven by a deep passion to support children, adolescents, and adults—including those in the most complex circumstances—to live their best lives. Whether you are navigating the justice system, managing an educational breakdown, or seeking stability in a time of crisis, we bring both professional rigour and lived experience to your side.
Our commitment to community
Our support is adaptive and accessible. We acknowledge that the "flow-on effect" of systemic failure hits some harder than others, which is why we triage our referrals to ensure those in the greatest need receive priority.
Through our work, we recognise that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members are often left without culturally responsive, trauma-informed support. We aim to walk alongside you, listening and learning to ensure our services are meaningful, comfortable, and truly person-centred.
Waves WA is committed to ongoing growth. We actively collaborate with local communities and organisations to ensure our practice remains at the forefront of trauma-informed and culturally appropriate care. We never assume; we listen, we engage, and we evolve.
Who We Are and What We Stand For
The heart of how we work
Equity and Advocacy: We champion your rights and ensure fair treatment, advocating tirelessly for the outcomes you deserve.
Authenticity and Kindness: We lead from a place of vulnerability and genuine connection. Kindness is the heart of every interaction we have.
Meeting You Where You Are: We listen to understand your unique circumstances, respecting your journey and supporting you from where you are today.
Safety and Belonging: We prioritise your physical and emotional safety, fostering a sense of connection so that you feel you truly belong.
Our commitment to you
We are dedicated to providing inclusive, person-centred support that improves lives through holistic, neuroaffirming, and culturally safe care. We believe in the power of lived experience to drive excellence, ensuring our practice is as unique as the individuals we walk alongside.
Building a better future
Our goal is to provide high-quality, locally-based support that respects human rights and meets universal needs. We don’t just work in the community; we actively engage with it, striving to create meaningful change and sustainable, positive outcomes for the families and individuals we serve.