Do you find you are struggling to manage your child’s big feelings? Do you wish you could help them manage what they are going through in a healthy way? Do you find yourself frustrated with not knowing what to say?

Our groups can help provide parents with practical strategies and tools supported by research

Connection in Mind is an organisation of professionals trained in the “Tuning into Kids” and “Tuning into Teens” parenting programs. These programs assist parents with practical strategies to help their children understand, communicate and manage their emotions effectively. Emotional Intelligence has been shown to create better family relationships.

Meet the Team

  • Lara Fridgant

    Tuning into Kids/Tuning into Teens Facilitator

    Lara is our Founder and Business Director. She is a Clinical Psychologist and is passionate about working with children, adolescents and their families in a holistic way. She has worked in a variety of settings including community mental health, not-for profits and hospital settings.

    She specializes in adolescents in her private practice and after running both Tuning into Kids and Tuning into Teens in Canberra she saw a need to make it more available in the community and created Connection in Mind. Lara is also a trained Circle of Security Facilitator.

  • Anna Cater

    Tuning into Kids Facilitator

    Anna is a Social Worker who completed her Masters at Monash University.  She has worked for many years with children and families in a variety of roles and settings for not-for-profit organisations, and is particularly passionate about supporting parents and caregivers to strengthen their relationship and connection with their children.  Anna also has experience working therapeutically directly with children, and brings this experience and knowledge to her work with parents and caregivers. 

    Anna has extensive experience facilitating the Tuning in to Kids program in Canberra, and aims to create a welcoming, supportive and compassionate environment for parents to share their own experiences, and to reflect and learn. 

    Additionally, Anna is a trained Circle of Security Facilitator, and co-facilitates our Tuning into Teens group programs.

  • Monika Fridgant

    Tuning into Kids/Tuning into Teens Facilitator

    Monika is a Registered Psychologist (Clinical
    Registrar) who completed her training at the Australian National University. She has a passion for working with children, adolescents and families in particular, as well as for group programs as a method of knowledge sharing and engagement.

    Monika currently works with children and adolescents in private practice in the ACT, as well as in a public adult mental health setting. She has worked extensively in child and adolescent research, including as a member of the “Tuning into Kids” research team helping to evaluate their program, as well as for the Australian Child and Adolescent Trauma Grief and Loss Network.

    Monika is deeply passionate about the Tuning in to Kids and Teens programs. She is playful and compassionate in her approach, and attempts to create a safe and supportive environment for parents to learn and grow.

  • Rachael Coomber

    Tuning into Kids Facilitator

    Rachael is a Clinical Psychologist and completed her Masters at Griffith University and has worked in roles across government, university and private settings. Rachael is committed to using evidence based treatments in a group and individual based setting.

    During her studies and work, Rachael has developed an interest in working clinically with adults, to help them to understand their diagnosis and increase their coping strategies and skills for managing mental illness.

    Most importantly, Rachael is passionate about the importance of building a genuine and safe connection with who she works with, to enable the best chance of effective intervention.