Brave Collective Studio

After years of deep, grounding work in trauma, grief, nervous system repair, and therapeutic support, I’m stepping into a new chapter that brings it all together in a new way.

I’ve joined Kara and her beautiful team in a light, playful, creative, and deeply aligned space at Play & Creative Therapy Bundaberg.

This new role brings everything I’ve learned from private practice, Phoenix House, and sitting in the complex and heavy with so many brave humans and weaves it into a setting that holds just as much depth but with more softness and colour.

It brings back my earlier years working in early childhood education, the part of my career that taught me how to see children, notice the stories behind their behaviour, and how powerful connection can be when it’s felt, not forced.

And something even older… the artist in me. The part that has always known how to create meaning through colour, shape, and story. That part sat quietly while I worked in crisis and systems for a long time. But now, she’s back in the room, the creative self who knows how to hold chaos gently.

Now, all of it comes together... trauma work, perinatal therapy, creative therapy, nervous system care, early childhood wisdom, and art, all in a space designed for play, expression, and repair.

It’s a space where the nervous system can exhale.
Where art, movement, sand, and play become tools for healing.
Where the inner child is welcomed, in children, teens, and adults alike.

If you’ve known me through Brave Collective, you’ll still recognise the heart of my work. It has a new home now, allowing for even more play, support, and steady collaboration.

I’m excited about what’s ahead and grateful for all the steps that have led me here. If you’d like to work with me moving forward (children, teens, and adults), reach out through the page or complete a referral form on the webpage https://www.playcreative.com.au/

For the final time, here at Brave Collective.....

Go gently,
Jo Lamond Xx

𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝗝𝗼𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗲 𝗟𝗮𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗱 – 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝘁 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘆 & 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗽𝘆 𝗕𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗯𝗲𝗿𝗴 🎨

We’re delighted to welcome Joanne to our team as a Counsellor supporting children, young people, and families. Joanne brings over five years of experience as a trauma-informed practitioner and has a deep commitment to neuro-affirming practice.

With a creative and body-based approach to therapy, Joanne weaves together expressive therapies, play, and movement to support emotional regulation, relational safety, and trauma recovery.

Joanne has previously worked alongside children and adolescents navigating complex trauma and experiences of emotional distress, grief, and identity development. She’s also developed and facilitated yoga and art-based programs designed to honour individual sensory profiles and promote nervous system safety. Her background also includes supporting parents through perinatal loss and adjustment.

Joanne is passionate about supporting young people and families to feel safe, seen, and empowered to explore their inner world at their own pace. We’re so grateful to have her as part of the team.

Joanne will begin seeing clients in early June. If you’d like to join the waitlist to work with her, feel free to reach out via email: [email protected] or fill out our referral form directly online at www.playcreative.com.au

Self-Regulation & Co-Regulation

You’re doing everything you can to hold it together.
But holding it together isn’t the same as feeling okay.

You try to stay calm. Breathe. Push through.
But your body’s not listening.
Because it’s not just about tools, it’s about safety.

You can’t self-regulate in a system that’s constantly under threat.
You need someone steady beside you.
Someone who doesn’t ask you to fix it.
Just be with it.

That’s co-regulation.
And it’s what teaches your body it’s safe to soften, finally.

It’s not weakness to need someone.
It’s how we’re wired.
We learn calm through connection.

Go gently,
Jo Lamond Xx

Safety Before Strategy

You can’t logic your way out of survival.
When your body doesn’t feel safe, no strategy in the world will work.

Not the breathing exercises.
Not the communication skills.
Not the positive thinking.

Because your brain doesn’t care about being rational, it cares about keeping you alive. And if it thinks you're in danger (even if you're not), it shuts everything else down.

So if nothing’s helping…
If you keep falling back into the same patterns…
Maybe it’s not about trying harder.
Maybe it’s about feeling safer... in your body, in your relationships, in your day.

Safety isn’t a luxury.
It’s the starting point.

Go gently,
Jo Lamond Xx