Supporting Children and Teens in a Safe, Nurturing Space
Childhood and adolescence are full of growth, learning, and change. However, these life stages can also bring challenges that feel overwhelming.
At TT Psychology, our child psychologists work with children and teenagers in an effort to understand their emotions, build coping skills, and develop confidence. Whether your child is nervous about starting school or your teenager is going through difficulties with friendships, we meet every young person where they are and work at their pace.
Support For Growing Minds
We work with children and teenagers who are experiencing the following and more:
Worries, anxiety, or low mood
Big emotions or difficulty regulating feelings
Behavioural changes at home or school
Social challenges or friendship difficulties
School stress or learning pressures
Autism and ADHD
How to Get Started
Make a Booking
Reach out online or by phone, and our team will help organise the first appointment.
Initial Session with the Parent
For children and teens, the process begins with a parent-only session where we learn about the child’s history, strengths and current concerns.
Initial Session with the Child/Teen
The first child/teen session is centred on building comfort and rapport. A parent may join briefly if recommended by the therapist.
Ongoing Sessions
After these initial steps, the therapist will recommend a plan for ongoing sessions, including frequency, goals and any extra support that may help.
Ways We Can Help
Our services combine evidence-based strategies with playful and engaging approaches that resonate with young minds. Key components often include:
Play-Based Therapy
Using play to help children of all ages express emotions, as well as develop social and coping skills.
Emotion Coaching
Supporting children and teenagers to understand, label, and manage their feelings.
Behavioural Strategies
Practical tools to encourage positive behaviours and routines.
Parent Support Sessions
Providing parents and carers with strategies and support to use at home.
School Collaboration (when needed)
Partnering with teachers to support learning and wellbeing.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Helping children and teens recognise unhelpful thinking or behaviour patterns and develop more adaptive, confident ways of responding.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Supporting young people as they learn to manage big feelings, connect with their values and build skills for making healthy, meaningful choices.
Mindfulness-Based Therapy
Developing present-moment awareness to help children and teens reduce stress, regulate emotions and strengthen resilience.
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
Teaching practical skills for emotional regulation, distress tolerance and improving friendships and family relationships.
Motivational Interviewing
Encouraging children and teens to explore their own motivations, especially when navigating change, challenges or new goals.
Talk Therapy
Using supportive, age-appropriate conversations to explore experiences, build insight and strengthen emotional understanding.
Family Therapy
Working with families to enhance communication, reduce conflict and support stronger, more connected relationships.
This holistic, collaborative approach ensures therapy is practical, enjoyable, and tailored to your child or teen’s unique needs. These years may be challenging, and we aim to help them move through them with the tools they need.
Support For Your Child
Our Approach
We combine evidence-based techniques with a child-centred, neuro-affirming approach. This means we:
- Respect each child’s unique way of thinking and learning
- Focus on strengths and build skills gradually at their pace
- Provide a safe, supporting, and engaging environment
- Work collaboratively with children, parents, and teachers where appropriate
- Therapy is available for families with multiple children, including the option for joint sessions that bring siblings, therapists and parents together.
Support for Parents and Carers
Parents and carers are an important part of the therapy process. Our goal is to facilitate connection between the child and their parent(s). We may offer:
- Regular check-ins and progress updates
- Strategies to practice at home
- Clear communication to ensure the family is involved and supported
- Guidance on how to reinforce skills and strategies outside of sessions
- Sessions with parents directly
- Relationship-building sessions with parents and their child
This collaborative approach ensures children and teens receive consistent support, both in therapy and at home.
Answering Your Child Psychology Questions
How does therapy work for children and teens?
Therapy for children and adolescents is tailored to their age, personality, and needs. We use engaging, evidence-based approaches (such as play-based therapy, emotion coaching, and behavioural strategies) that may help children explore their feelings, develop coping skills, and build confidence.
Can I bring two or more of my children for their own psychology sessions? Will they have separate therapists?
Yes. We often support multiple children from the same family, and each child is paired with their own psychologist to ensure a safe, comfortable space. When helpful, we can also facilitate joint sessions involving both children, their psychologists and parents to strengthen connection and work toward shared goals.
How long do sessions go for?
Sessions typically last between 40 and 50 minutes, depending on your child’s age, attention span, and specific needs. Your clinician will recommend a session length that is most appropriate for your child’s learning and engagement.
Can you see NDIS participants?
We are unable to process NDIS claims, and therefore, patients must pay in full and then claim with NDIS themselves.
What sort of parental involvement is required?
Parents and carers play an important role in the therapy process. Some sessions may involve parent participation, while others focus solely on the child. We also provide regular check-ins, guidance, and practical strategies that you can use at home, ensuring the whole family is supported and informed throughout the process.
Are rebates available?
Many child psychology sessions are eligible for Medicare or private health insurance rebates. Detailed information about fees, rebates, and payment options is available on our Fees page. Our team will ensure you understand your options before your child’s first session.
What does school collaboration look like?
When appropriate, our clinicians can liaise with your child or teen’s school to support learning, social development, and wellbeing. This may include providing strategies for teachers, sharing general progress updates (with consent), or coordinating interventions to ensure consistency between home, school, and therapy.
Should both parents come to the initial session?
If you come from a two-parent family, although not essential, we prefer both parents or carers to attend the initial session, as it helps build a shared understanding from the beginning. If one or both parents cannot be at the Elsternwick clinic, attendance via Zoom can be arranged. The first session is for parents only; children do not attend this appointment.
Support Your Child’s Mental Health and Emotional Growth
Every child or teenager deserves a safe space to explore their emotions, build confidence, and develop practical skills for daily life. At TT Psychology, our child psychologists work with you and your family to provide personalised, evidence-based therapy that meets your child at their pace.
Book a child psychology appointment online or contact us to discuss what supports would best suit your child.
Please contact us via phone 1800 867 090 or email info@ttpsych.com.au to organise an appointment.