About Mindful Mates Social Services
Mindful Mates Social Services is a trauma-informed mental health and wellbeing service supporting veterans, first responders, and the wider community. Founded by a former serving member of the Royal Australian Air Force, practising paramedic, and qualified social worker, Mindful Mates Social Services brings together lived experience and professional practice.
Our Story
Mindful Mates Social Services was founded from lived experience, frontline service, and a strong belief that mental health support should feel safe, relatable, and genuinely human.
I am a former serving member of the Royal Australian Air Force, a practising paramedic, and a qualified social worker. Across these roles, I have worked closely with veterans, first responders, and community members navigating trauma, injury, stress, identity loss, and major life transitions.
Throughout my service and professional career, I repeatedly saw people delay seeking support because services felt clinical, rushed, or disconnected from their lived experience. Many only accessed help once things had already reached crisis point.
Mindful Mates Social Services was created to offer something different.
A space where lived experience is valued. Where people are met with understanding rather than judgement. And where support focuses not only on mental health symptoms, but on rebuilding confidence, purpose, and connection.
Why We Exist
Mindful Mates Social Services exists to support people who spend their lives supporting others.
Veterans, first responders, carers, and their families often carry cumulative stress, trauma, and responsibility while being expected to cope silently or push through. Over time, this can impact mental health, relationships, identity, and overall wellbeing.
We believe mental health support should be proactive, accessible, and grounded in real life. Not only crisis driven. Not only diagnosis focused.
Our purpose is to support people to strengthen their mental fitness, reconnect with what matters to them, and move forward in a way that feels manageable, meaningful, and sustainable.
What Makes Mindful Mates Social Services Different
Mindful Mates Social Services is not a one-size-fits-all therapy practice.
What sets us apart is the integration of lived service experience, trauma-informed social work practice, and a strong emphasis on community and connection.
We understand service culture, operational stress, moral injury, and the challenges of transition. We also recognise the strengths that come with service, including resilience, discipline, loyalty, and commitment to others.
Support through Mindful Mates Social Services extends beyond the therapy room. Depending on individual needs, this may include one-to-one support, group programs, skill building, community connection activities, and practical guidance through complex systems such as DVA and NDIS.
We work alongside people, not above them.
Our Approach to Mental Health Support
Our approach is grounded in trauma-informed, client-centred, and recovery-oriented social work practice.
We take the time to understand the whole person, including their experiences, strengths, values, and goals. Support is collaborative, flexible, and tailored, recognising that no two journeys are the same.
Our work draws on evidence-based approaches including cognitive behavioural therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, strengths-based practice, and psychosocial support models. Just as importantly, we prioritise trust, safety, consistency, and genuine human connection.
We believe meaningful support happens when people feel heard, respected, and empowered to move toward a life that feels steady, purposeful, and their own again.
Our Values
Respect & Dignity
We uphold the dignity, rights, and lived experience of every person. Our practice aligns with the Australian Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics and reflects DVA and NDIS principles of choice, control, and person-centred support.
Community & Belonging
We believe wellbeing is strengthened through connection and community. We foster inclusive spaces that support participation, shared understanding, and a sense of belonging.
Safety & Trust
We are committed to creating emotionally and psychologically safe environments. Our work is trauma-informed and recovery-oriented, supporting people to feel secure, respected, and in control of their support.
Integrity & Accountability
We practise ethically, transparently, and with professional accountability, meeting the expectations of AASW practice standards and DVA and NDIS funded services.
Strengths-Based & Empowering
We recognise and build upon each person's strengths, resilience, and capability, supporting autonomy, confidence, and long-term wellbeing.
Collaboration & Choice
We work alongside people, not above them. Support is collaborative and flexible, guided by individual goals, preferences, and life circumstances.
Hope & Recovery
We believe recovery is possible. We support people to reconnect with purpose, meaning, and hope, recognising recovery as a personal and non-linear journey.
Ready to Connect?
If you're looking for support that values your experience and strengths, we'd love to hear from you.
Get in Touch Book an Appointment