Waves WA was created out of a deep passion to empower children, adolescents, and adults to live their best lives.
What sets Waves WA apart?
We see connection, safety, and autonomy as fundamental to all people experiencing positive life outcomes. We use a strengths based and humanistic approach.
We believe in relationships that are in-tuned to the person and responsive.
Waves WA uses evidence-based practice derived from the latest research in neuroscience, attachment, and trauma.
We do not use ABA and we do not target behaviours.
Unlike other providers, we work toward improving a person's quality of life which will naturally see a reduction in behaviours of concern.
Our Story
Navigating the journey to accessing support services for our family left us feeling disheartened and confused. Services were focusing on how to change the person to fit into society, rather than supporting the world around them to meet their needs.
The professionals made us as parents feel inadequate and not competent instead of empowered. We felt misunderstood, confused and like we were the problem.
In response to our difficult experience, we wondered how we could start a service that used neurodiversity affirming approaches and advocated for the person whilst empowering the people around them.
Waves WA was created out of a deep passion to empower children, adolescents, and adults to live their best lives.
Waves WA was created to address the gap in services in the community for a neurodiversity affirming provider with lived experience of disability.
Waves WA works to provide support that is adaptive, accommodating, and accessible for all people, irrespective of their circumstances. That is why we triage referrals so those in need of immediate support are prioritised.
Working locally we have noticed that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members are often left without proper support from service providers that is culturally responsive and trauma-informed. We aim to walk alongside the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples we support to listen to learn how our supports can be delivered in a way that is meaningful, comfortable, and person-centred.
Waves WA is dedicated to ongoing training and development to ensure our practice is in line with best trauma-informed practices and uses supports that are culturally appropriate.
We work to build relationships with local community members and organisations to ensure that the support we deliver is in line with their needs. We actively listen to learn and improve our support based on the needs of the community.
Our Values
Equity and Advocacy
We are committed to promoting equity in all our actions, ensuring fair treatment and opportunities for everyone. We continuously advocate for and strive towards positive outcomes, championing the rights and needs of those we serve.
Authenticity and Kindness
We lead and serve from a place of vulnerability and authenticity, fostering genuine connections. In everything we do, we prioritise kindness, creating a supportive and compassionate environment for all.
Meeting People Where They Are At
We meet people where they are at today, listening to understand their unique circumstances and needs, and respecting their individual journeys.
Safety and Belonging
We promote and support safety in all our endeavors. Our commitment to safety underpins our efforts to enhance the well-being of those we support, while fostering a sense of connection and belonging.
Our Mission
We are dedicated to the continuous development and provision of inclusive and person-centred services to improve the lives of people through excellence in holistic, neuro-affirming, and culturally-safe supports
Our Goals
We aim to provide a quality, locally-based, individualised and holistic service to persons based on human rights and universal needs.
We seek opportunities to become involved in the local community and contribute to positive outcomes for the community in which we serve.
Waves WA:
What's in a name?
Waves are a powerful metaphor in the mental health space, symbolizing 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.
