Supporting people to feel safer, calmer, and more confident in healthcare
We help make healthcare more accessible by supporting people to practise, prepare, and build confidence before medical, dental, and essential healthcare appointments.
Whether you're supporting a child who avoids dental appointments, a teenager who can't tolerate blood tests, or an adult who needs support accessing healthcare — we're here to help.
Helping people access medical, dental and healthcare appointments with confidence, dignity and success.
Healthcare should be accessible to everyone.
The problem
Healthcare shouldn't feel impossible.
For many people, attending a healthcare appointment isn't as simple as showing up. Healthcare can be challenging when someone:
- experiences anxiety or fear
- has autism, intellectual disability or developmental differences
- has had difficult healthcare experiences in the past
- struggles with sensory sensitivities
- finds unfamiliar environments overwhelming
- avoids appointments because previous attempts have been unsuccessful
Without the right support, important healthcare can be delayed, avoided, or require restrictive alternatives such as sedation or general anaesthetic.
There's a better way →What we do
We help people prepare for healthcare.
We work alongside individuals, families and healthcare providers to build the skills, confidence and supports needed to access healthcare successfully. Every plan is individualised — there is no one-size-fits-all approach.
Dental appointments
Blood tests & needles
Medical examinations
Hospital procedures
Medical imaging
Ongoing healthcare routines
How it works
A structured pathway to healthcare success
Every program is individualised, but the journey follows six clear steps — built around the right pace and supports for each person.
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1
Assessment & Planning
We learn about the person's goals, previous experiences, strengths, communication style and healthcare challenges.
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2
Individualised Readiness Plan
A tailored plan is developed to identify barriers and build readiness.
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3
Healthcare Preparation Sessions
Through structured preparation and practice, we gradually build confidence and participation at our clinic in Gladesville, Sydney.
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4
Real-World Practice
When appropriate, we collaborate with healthcare providers and practise skills in real healthcare settings.
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5
Appointment Support
Support may be available during appointments or procedures where appropriate.
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6
Review & Success Planning
We review progress and identify strategies to support future healthcare access.
Common reasons people contact us
Sound familiar? You're not alone — and there's a way forward.
“My child won't sit in the dental chair.”
“We've cancelled blood tests multiple times.”
“Healthcare appointments end in distress.”
“My child needs sedation for routine care.”
“We don't know where to start.”
“We've tried before and it didn't work.”
“My teenager refuses medical appointments.”
“We need a plan before an upcoming procedure.”
Who we help
Support across the lifespan
Children
Preparing for first healthcare experiences, dental visits, blood tests and procedures.
Adolescents
Building independence and confidence in healthcare participation.
Adults
Supporting access to healthcare for adults with disability, autism, intellectual disability, anxiety and healthcare avoidance.
Our approach
Calm. Respectful. Individualised.
Our work is grounded in:
Dignity
Every person deserves access to healthcare in a way that respects their needs and preferences.
Preparation
Healthcare success begins long before the appointment itself.
Collaboration
We work alongside families, healthcare providers and support teams.
Evidence-Based Practice
Strategies are informed by behavioural science, healthcare participation research and clinical experience.
Our team
Meet the team
Healthcare access often requires more than one perspective. That's why our team brings together expertise in behaviour analysis, psychology, speech pathology and developmental support to help individuals access healthcare with confidence, dignity and success.
We understand that healthcare can feel overwhelming for many people. Whether the barrier is anxiety, communication differences, sensory sensitivities, previous healthcare experiences, disability, or uncertainty about what to expect, our team focuses on building confidence, preparation and participation.
Every person is different. That's why we take an individualised approach — identifying the unique factors that may be making healthcare difficult and developing practical strategies to support success. Together, we support children, adolescents and adults to access healthcare in ways that feel safe, respectful and achievable.
Our multidisciplinary team includes:
Together, we support individuals across a wide range of healthcare goals, including dental appointments, blood tests, medical procedures, specialist appointments, hospital visits and ongoing healthcare routines.
Meet the team →Funding
Funding options
Services may be funded through:
NDIS
Self-managed and plan-managed participants welcome.
Private paying families
Self-funded support for families paying privately.
Organisations & community services
Organisations and community services engaging our support.
If you're unsure whether funding is available, we're happy to discuss options during your enquiry.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Can't find what you're looking for? Get in touch — we're happy to help.
Who is Brave Steps Health for?
Brave Steps Health supports people who find medical, dental, or healthcare experiences difficult, stressful, or overwhelming. This may include people with disability, autistic people, people with intellectual disability, people with anxiety, people with sensory sensitivities, and people who have had previous negative healthcare experiences.
What types of healthcare experiences can you help with?
We can help people prepare for appointments and procedures such as dental visits, medical checks, blood tests, immunisations, health screenings, personal care routines, and other healthcare experiences that may feel difficult or unfamiliar.
Do you provide medical or dental treatment?
No. Brave Steps Health does not replace a doctor, dentist, nurse, or allied health professional. We provide preparation, desensitisation, confidence-building, and behaviour support to help people access healthcare more safely and successfully.
How does the program work?
We start by understanding the person's needs, goals, communication, sensory preferences, previous experiences, and current barriers to healthcare. We then create an individualised support plan using gradual practice, preparation, environmental adjustments, and collaboration with families, support teams, and healthcare providers.
What is healthcare desensitisation?
Healthcare desensitisation means helping a person gradually become more comfortable with healthcare-related experiences. This may include practising with equipment, visiting healthcare settings, building tolerance for specific steps, learning what to expect, and developing coping and communication strategies.
Is this only for children?
No. Brave Steps Health supports people across ages. Our focus is on making healthcare more accessible for people who need extra support, especially people with disabilities.
Do you work with families and support workers?
Yes. We work closely with families, carers, support workers, educators, and allied health professionals so the person is supported consistently across home, clinic, community, and healthcare settings.
Do you work directly with dentists, doctors, or hospitals?
Yes. Where appropriate, we can collaborate with healthcare providers to support reasonable adjustments, preparation plans, appointment planning, and strategies that help make healthcare experiences safer, calmer, and more accessible.
What if the person refuses or becomes distressed?
We do not rely on force, pressure, or "pushing through." Our approach focuses on safety, dignity, trust, and gradual progress. If distress occurs, we slow down, adjust the plan, and work at the person's pace.
Can this help avoid sedation or general anaesthetic?
In some cases, preparation and desensitisation may reduce the need for sedation, restraint, or general anaesthetic. However, this depends on the person, the procedure, medical need, urgency, and clinical advice from healthcare providers.
Can this be funded through NDIS?
Some people may be able to use NDIS funding where the support is reasonable and necessary and linked to their disability-related goals. Families should check their plan, funding category, and plan manager or support coordinator.
Where do sessions happen?
Sessions will usually begin at our clinic in Gladesville but may also occur in the community, or in collaboration with healthcare settings, depending on the person's goals and what needs to be practised. A travel charge will be applied for sessions outside of our clinic.
How long does it take?
This depends on the person, the healthcare goal, previous experiences, anxiety level, communication needs, and how often practice can occur. Some goals may only need a few sessions, while others require a longer, gradual plan over a few weeks.
Do we need a referral?
A referral is not required, but information from doctors, dentists, allied health professionals, schools, or support teams can be helpful when planning support.