How we help
Dementia Support Gold Coast
A diagnosis of dementia, or the period of uncertainty leading up to one, affects far more than memory. It touches identity, independence, relationships and the plans a family had assumed they would have time for. People often describe grieving something while it is still unfolding, which is one of the hardest kinds of loss to carry.
MindTree Psychology in Mermaid Beach supports people living with early-stage dementia and mild cognitive impairment, as well as the partners, adult children and carers alongside them. Our Clinical Psychologists offer cognitive assessment, adjustment-focused therapy and dedicated carer support to families across the Gold Coast.
Signs and symptoms
Families often come to us when everyday changes start to raise questions. These can include:
- Memory changes that go beyond ordinary forgetfulness - repeating questions, misplacing items regularly
- Difficulty with familiar tasks such as cooking, paying bills or navigating known routes
- Word-finding problems or losing the thread in conversation
- Reduced planning, organisation or decision-making capacity
- Withdrawal from activities and social contact once enjoyed
- Changes in mood, motivation, irritability or personality
- Low mood, anxiety or frustration about the changes being noticed
- Carer exhaustion, guilt, resentment or grief
- Family disagreement about care decisions and future planning
How therapy helps
Psychological support does not treat the underlying condition, but it makes a substantial difference to how people live with it. Mood, anxiety and adjustment difficulties are common, very responsive to therapy, and can otherwise be mistaken for the dementia itself.
Support is offered to the person, the carer, or both, depending on what would be most useful. Sessions are paced carefully, kept clear and concrete, and involve family with the person's consent.
Cognitive assessment
Structured assessment of memory, attention, language and executive function to clarify the pattern of change, contribute to diagnosis with your GP or specialist, and provide a baseline for tracking over time.
Adjustment-focused therapy
Space to process the diagnosis, grief and fear about the future, and to focus on what remains meaningful and possible now. Adapted CBT and ACT are used where mood or anxiety is prominent.
Practical cognitive strategies
Compensatory strategies - routines, prompts, calendars, environmental adjustments - that support independence and reduce daily frustration for as long as possible.
Carer wellbeing and family support
Dedicated support for partners and adult children: managing exhaustion and guilt, setting sustainable boundaries, communication strategies, and working through difficult care decisions together.
What to expect at MindTree
- An unhurried, respectful first session, with a family member welcome to attend if you would like support.
- Clear discussion of whether assessment, therapy, carer support, or a combination would be most useful.
- Written feedback of assessment results in plain language, with recommendations you can share with your GP or specialist.
- Coordination with GPs, geriatricians, neurologists and other services with your consent.
- Ground-floor access at Mermaid Plaza, with telehealth available where travel is difficult.
Frequently asked questions
Can you diagnose dementia?
Diagnosis is made medically, usually by a GP, geriatrician or neurologist, and typically draws on medical history, examination and imaging. Our cognitive assessment provides detailed information about thinking abilities that contributes to that process.
Is support available for carers as well?
Yes. Carers can see one of our psychologists in their own right. Carer stress, grief, guilt and exhaustion are common and are a legitimate reason to seek support, whether or not the person you care for is seeing us.
Is it worth starting therapy if memory is already affected?
Often yes, particularly in the early stages. Sessions are adapted - shorter, more concrete, with written summaries and family involvement where helpful - so the work remains useful and manageable.
Speak with our team about dementia support
Our reception team can help you find the right psychologist and a time that suits you.