Jessica - Client

Review - 100 stars out of 5

From the moment I sat down with Emma, I felt something I hadn't experienced in over 12 months of trying to navigate support systems for my child - I felt truly seen and validated. As a parent struggling with where to turn next, Emma's immediate understanding and empathy was instant relief.

What struck me most was how generous Emma was with both her personal and professional experiences, and not once did I feel judged or second-guessed. There was no need for over-explaining, no gaslighting, no "are you sure it's not just XYZ?" - she simply accepted my experiences and difficulties accessing supports without question. Her industry expertise was obvious from the start, and for the first time in months, I felt confident I was in the right place.

IT was bloody amazing not having to take notes during our meeting. When you're already in overwhelm and your capacity to retain information is non-existent, knowing that Emma would provide a detailed plan afterward was such a relief. It meant I could completely focus on telling my story and actually listening to her guidance.

After just one 45-minute consultation, Emma delivered an incredibly comprehensive pathway plan that was nothing short of mind blowing. There is no one out there (that I could find!!!) that is bringing together your referral options like this and incorporating Medicare, NDIS, different therapies, informal supports and online resources in one place. But more than that, her knowledge and attention to detail literally made the difference between our family accessing crucial support or missing out entirely.

I had no idea that my son turning 6 soon meant he would no longer be eligible for early intervention NDIS funding and would require a formal diagnosis for supports thereafter. Because of Emma's expertise, we were able to lodge our application with enough time to meet with an Early Learning Coordinator and determine our path forward. Without Emma, this simply wouldn't have been possible - and like so many families, I would have been completely unaware of this critical deadline.

I initially sought Emma's help because my son was struggling with emotional regulation, transitions, and rigid routines. I'd already visited our GP, received a mental health care plan, and got a referral to a paediatrician - but there was an 8-month gap until our appointment. I was completely overwhelmed with what to do in the meantime.

Even though I work in allied health myself and have decent access to information, I still didn't know where to go or which practitioners might be available and suitable for my family's needs. The services I did manage to contact had lengthy waitlists.

Emma took all the guesswork out of this for me. Our pathway plan included multiple clinics based on criteria that mattered to us, their current availability, pricing, and booking details. This level of detail alone is invaluable in this industry!

After receiving our pathway plan, continuing with Emma's connections package wasn't even a question. The results speak for themselves:

Within one week:  Emma had coordinated gathering supporting documentation and helped me lodge our NDIS application.

Within two weeks: My husband and I had our initial appointment with the most wonderful psychologist I could imagine, and I'm genuinely excited for my son to meet her.

Within three weeks: We'd had our Early Learning Coordinator meeting and were preparing for the next steps in our funding application.

To put this in perspective: within basically one month of our first next steps consultation, I went from being a mum in burnout, drowning in impossible life admin while trying to support my family's emotional needs... to working with a wonderful psychologist, having an NDIS application under review (a process that often takes months just to get an email response), and having a clear list of other supports I can access when needed.

I'm still burnt out... but the way Emma took this burden directly off my shoulders and gently guided me where I needed to go, taking into account our family's values, priorities, and real needs... is truly priceless.

For any parent or carer who feels snowed under with admin and the overwhelming burden of not knowing where to turn for support - this service is genuinely life-changing. Emma doesn't just provide information; she provides clarity, direction, and hope when you need it most.

I could not recommend Next Steps Pathway Planning more highly, and I cannot thank Emma enough for what she's done for our family