Children and Adolescent Counselling

Focusing on psychological flexibility allows us to observe ourselves from a distance, become aware of our values, and clarify our direction. I help children techniques, such as the “pause button,” to allow their emotional experiences to be acknowledged, allowed and accepted. Psycho-education helps children and adolescents to look inside and understand what might be happening in their body and mind. Encouraging self-reflection helps them identify and regulate their emotions.

The technique of “Name it to tame it” is a powerful way to develop early social skills and manage sensory overload moments. Daniel Siegel, a clinical professor of psychiatry at the UCLA School of Medicine, has written widely on how labelling emotions can assist with regulation. Articulating emotions, can reduce the intensity of these and help children gain better control over their reactions to stimuli. Daniel Siegel ‘s “Whole Brain Child“, “No Drama Discipline“, “Brainstorm” had a significant impact on my parenting and I highly recommend this author to all parents. Understanding neuroscience is not an imperative, but can help in the parenting journey.

By educating children about their nervous system responses, rather than focusing solely on behaviourism, we can help them understand how their bodies react to stress and stimuli. For example, children learn about the “fight, flight, or freeze” response, which is the body’s natural reaction to perceived threats. Understanding this response helps them recognise signs of dysregulation, such as increased heart rate, shallow breathing, or muscle tension. With this knowledge, children can employ strategies to calm their nervous system, such as deep breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation, or grounding techniques. These strategies promote a sense of control and well-being, enabling children to manage their stress responses more effectively. By combining mindfulness with psychoeducation, we empower children to develop a holistic understanding of their emotional and physiological states, leading to improved self-regulation and resilience.

If you have an interest in photography and would like to explore mindful photovoice, please inform me prior to the session, and I will ensure a camera is available. More information on Mindful Photovoice.

Sessions are typically 50 minutes long for children 10 years old and above, while younger clients will have a 40 minute session to ensure they are not overloaded.

• Health fund rebates are available to clients with coverage for extras*
• Support for NDIS participants with plan management, self management and combination plans