Individual therapy (adolescents)
We offer counselling for young people aged 9-14 years. Sessions are either face-to-face in our Petersham location or via Zoom, depending on what is more comfortable for the young person. Our face-to-face counselling sessions for adolescents are on Sundays. Read more about our approach, and the services we offer below.
We can help with:
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self-esteem
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social skills and relationships
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anxiety
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body image
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trauma
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grief and loss
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family transitions such as divorce
Our Approach
The process of finding a therapist for your child can be daunting, which is why we do all we can to make parents and carers feel at ease with the counselling process. We are play-based, although of course we do talking too. Being play-based means that we also use lots of different techniques including expressive arts, sand tray and games. Our methods are evidence-based, developmentally appropriate and guided by the needs of the young person. Our approach is neurodiversity affirming and our priority is creating a space that is warm, welcoming and inclusive.
Initial Contact
You can reach out to us via phone or email if you have any questions. Alternatively, you can book in an initial (free of charge) phone consult so you can see if we're a good fit.
Intake forms
If you've decided go ahead and book in a session we'll send you a link to our intake form.
Initial Phone Consult
An initial phone call (which can be booked on our online portal) is a great opportunity for you to ask any questions and for you to get more a feel for our approach. The consult is 15 minutes and will focus on the young person's needs and goals. This will include why you (or they) are seeking counselling and as much background information as you feel comfortable to share.
Initial session
The first session will be all about rapport building. Our approach is about building a warm and trusting therapeutic relationship, not about 'making them talk'. The first session also gives us a chance to explore the young person's understanding of why they are coming to counselling (sometimes this can be quite different to what we as adults perceive as the main issue!). We also work with the young person to explore what approaches will work best for them, which gives us a roadmap for future sessions.
Schedule Your Consultation
In-person sessions for adolescents are on Saturdays. For Zoom sessions we offer flexible appointment times, including after-hours time slots.
Confidentiality
At the young person's initial session we will introduce them to confidentiality. This means that what they say in the counselling room stays in the counselling room, unless someone is hurting them, they want to hurt themselves (or others), or they give permission to share with another trusted adult.
As a parent or carer it can be challenging not to know ‘what’s going on’ in the counselling room, but confidentiality does not mean that parents are left out of the process. In fact, adolescents are often happy to let their parent know about things that would help them at home. This is where parents can play an invaluable role in creating lasting change.
Our space
Say hello to our new clinic space in Petersham (we are so excited!). Young people are free to move between the more 'grown up' counselling space and the play therapy room with sand tray and expressive arts facilities. The clinic is across the road from the train station and within 4 minutes walk of all-day (free) council parking in addition to 2hr street parking.
Get Started
Feel free to reach out to us for more information, or book an initial phone consult via our portal below.
Phone
0478 530 616
Address
317 Trafalgar St Petersham