About Us
Who we are
You don’t “fix” a wilting plant by trying to change the flower—you look at the environment by checking the soil, the light, the water, and the weather. Only then can the flower begin to bloom.
That’s our philosophy, we place the participant at the centre, but we nurture the whole environment—family, school, supports and care team so that growth is possible, sustainable, shared between all, so the responsibility of change is not solely placed on one person.
We are a boutique social work agency that specialises in helping people to get the most out of their NDIS package with system advocacy and capacity building.
Rachel Hall, owner and director of Helpful Connextions is a registered member of the AASW, specialising in neurodiversity and disability affirming.
Helpful Connextions has strong interpersonal skills, empathy, cultural competence, and a commitment to social justice.
Capacity Builders
At Helpful Connextions, we are expert capacity builders. You can feel confident knowing that everything we do together is aligned with the NDIS framework—ensuring your goals, supports, and outcomes are not just appropriate, but purposeful and impactful. Our work is always documented with clarity and precision so you're equipped with strong, direct evidence to support plan reviews, reassessments, or appeals.
We support people through a wide range of capacity building activities, such as:
Self-Awareness
- Identify strengths, values, and thought patterns
Emotional Regulation
- Teach coping strategies, and relaxation techniques
- Developing personalised coping strategies for stress
Communication Skills
- Develop assertiveness, boundaries, and active listening.
- Practicing social skills for different environments (e.g., workplace, family, relationships)
- Enhancing verbal and non-verbal communication strategies
Problem-Solving
- Supporting carers guide structured decision-making and goal-setting.
- Supporting clients in making informed choices based on their values and needs
Carer and Family Support
- Understanding that Carers and Family are part of the participant's system and capturing their voice.
- Using tools, community supports and strategies to maintain carer well-being and to reduce burnout
Stress Management
- Developing an individualised crisis response plan
- Explore clinical strategies to reduce psycho-social difficulties
Self-Management
- Create self-care routines, and time management strategies
Behavioural Change
- Reinforcing positive behaviours through data collection and using low demand, relationship strategies
- Identifying barriers to behaviour change and creating strategies to overcome them
- Providing reflective practice and consultations to the participant's team
Capacity Building & Self Efficacy
- Promoting independence and confidence in personal abilities.
- Teaching strategies to adapt to setbacks and failures
Trauma Support
- Provide psychoeducation, grounding techniques, and emotional processing
Social Engagement
- Build social confidence
- Support referrals and linkages to main stream services where appropriate
Social & Community Participation
- Facilitate engagement in activities, peer support, and inclusion
Career & Life Planning
- Helping clients identify career interests and strengths
- Exploring educational or training opportunities
Daily Living Skills
- Support budgeting, routine management, and life skills training
- Advocacy coaching
Navigation
- Emotions, Formal Systems or Relationships.
Professional Associations
Professional Membership
We take our role seriously therefore we have professional memberships that helps keep us accountable, up to date, and aligned with best practice, ensuring the support we provide meets the highest industry standards —each clinician is a member of their respective professional body, including:
Australian Community Workers Association (ACWA)
Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW)
Youth Affairs Council Victoria
Australasian ADHD Professionals Association (AADPA)
Australasian Association of Forensic Disability
Behaviour Support Practitioners Australia
Professional memberships helps our commitment to maintain an ethical, evidence-informed, and person-centred practice.
Behaviour Strategies & Low Arousal Approaches
At Helpful Connextions, our approach is grounded in connection, calm, and culture. We embed low-arousal practice and an Indigenous connection framework across all of our services—counselling, social work, item-attachment support, behaviour support; its in everything we do.
This isn’t just a strategy for us; it’s how our practitioners work, live, and be. We value deep listening, patience, relationship, and all cultures. We understand that people thrive when they feel safe, understood, and connected.
Our therapeutic strategies focus on understanding the why behind behavior, rather than reacting to it, focusing on dignity and autonomy.
We are also a provider of Positive Behaviour Support (PBS), using functional assessment and skill-building to improve quality of life and reduce behaviours of concern. Reducing restrictive practices sits at the heart of PBS and aligns deeply with our values.
We take this further through our specialisation in low-demand, relationship-based practice, and we are proud to be one of the few agencies in Australia trained to deliver the Studio 3 (UK) Low Arousal model. Low Arousal is especially effective for individuals whose behaviours stem from overwhelm, anxiety, sensory distress, or past trauma. By reducing unnecessary demands and nurturing genuine connection, distress naturally lowers—and behavior changes follow.
Our strong advocacy includes elimination of all restrictive practices, including the often-unseen use of seclusion in schools, where children are removed from class or sent home due to behaviour. This practice can profoundly affect a child’s identity, mental health, social connection and learning journey.
At Helpful Connextions, we support people where they are by looking at the whole environment. Guided by PBS, low-arousal principles, low-demand practice, and Indigenous connection, we offer an effective, evidence based alternative that honours the whole person and their story.
Referrals
At Helpful Connextions, we offer a streamlined and supportive referral process designed to connect individuals and families with the services they need. Our team of experienced social workers, Disability Welfare Practitioners, Positive Behaviour Practitioners and Counsellors - We have the right practitioner for you.
Whether you’re looking for assistance with NDIS navigation, mental health support, or community engagement, we ensure each referral is handled with care and efficiency. With our commitment to privacy, all referrals are securely managed in line with NDIS, State and Federal privacy legislation.