Treatment for Children & Adolescents – anxiety, depression, stress, attachment issues, school refusal and difficulties with friends and peers

As parents, when something doesn’t feel quite right with a child, it can be hard to put that into words. You notice small changes perhaps they seem more restless, clingy or more withdrawn, more irritable than usual. Sometimes it shows up at school, sometimes at home, sometimes at play and sometimes in ways that are difficult to explain.

At this stage, some families begin considering whether speaking with a psychologist in Hawthorn or exploring psychotherapy in Melbourne might be helpful, even if they are not entirely sure what is going on.

Many parents find themselves wondering: Is this just a phase for my child, or is something else going on?

These questions are useful places to start when we meet, and you don’t need to have the answers before reaching out for support with me.

The first step is usually to spend some time getting to know your child and how they relate to the world, and understanding what life feels like from their point of view. This is often called an assessment, but it’s not about testing your child or placing a label on them. It’s more like a series of conversations, analytic play and drawings that help build a better understanding of the child’s experience of their difficulties over time.

Children don’t express themselves in the same way as adults. Some children talk openly, while others might find it easier to show what they’re feeling through play, drawing, or even through their behaviour. For example, a child who is refusing to follow instructions might not simply be “being difficult.” They may be trying to cope with something they don’t yet have the words for. A child who seems quiet or withdrawn may be holding onto worries they don’t know how to share.

Creating a Space for Expression

In the early sessions, the focus is on creating a space where the child can feel comfortable and not judged. There is no pressure for them to perform or say the “right” thing. At the same time, parents are included in the process.

Your thoughts and concerns, your relationship with the child, family relationships, and the child’s relationship to parents and other family members are all important. Recent events, such as the birth of a new child, migration, or the loss of a grandparent, as well as what may appear as simpler changes within the family structure, such as marriage, separation, or shifts in the classroom and peer relationships, are also important aspects to explore with the child in the sessions.

How the child interprets these events, and what is said to them, forms an important part of understanding the child’s experience.

Understanding Without Rushing to Diagnosis

It’s natural that parents come in with questions. You might be wondering if your child has anxiety, ADHD, or something else you’ve heard about. These questions are important, but often our work starts a little differently.

Instead of jumping straight to a diagnosis like that, the aim is to understand your child as a person first, how they think, feel, and respond to the world around them in their own way. Sometimes a diagnosis can be helpful, especially when dealing with schools or support systems, but it doesn’t always capture the full experience of who your child is and what is happening for them.

Supporting Change Over Time

When it comes to treatment, parents hope for something that will quickly “fix” the problem. While there are certainly practical strategies that can help day-to-day, change usually comes from giving your child a chance to express what is bothering them and to feel understood over time in child psychotherapy in Hawthorn. This doesn’t always happen all at once. It unfolds gradually, as your child begins to feel more comfortable and able to share over the course of therapy.

For younger children, this might happen through play. Playing might look simple on the surface, but it can be a powerful way for children to communicate. We might notice certain games or stories repeating, or particular themes showing up again and again, which I want to hear more about. These can give gentle clues about what your child is working through internally.

The role of the child psychotherapist in Hawthorn is to follow your child’s inner experience, to follow a sign during the consultation time and explore these in various ways with them, and support the child in making sense of these experiences in a way that would otherwise not be possible elsewhere.

For older children and teenagers, talking becomes more central, but it still takes time. Many young people are unsure about opening up, especially at the beginning. Building trust is an important part of the process. They need to feel that they can speak freely.

The Role of Parents in Therapy

Parents are part of this therapy process as well. There may be times where we meet together to talk about what’s been happening at home, or to think about how to respond to certain situations. Sometimes small changes in how things are handled day-to-day can make a noticeable difference. Other times, it becomes clear that your child is dealing with something more complex, and we take the time to work through that carefully.

It’s understandable to want things to improve quickly, especially when your child is struggling. However, meaningful change often takes time. Rather than focusing only on stopping a behaviour, the aim is to understand what is behind it. When a child feels heard and begins to make sense of their own feelings, changes tend to follow in a more lasting way.

Some parents worry that talking about difficulties might make things worse or upset their child. In reality, most children are already carrying these feelings in some way. Having a space where they can express themselves often brings relief. The process is gentle and guided by your child’s pace. Nothing is forced.

You don’t need to wait until things feel severe before seeking support. If something has been on your mind for a while, or if you find yourself feeling unsure about how to help your child, speaking with a psychotherapist near you can be a helpful first step. This is simply a chance to talk through what you’ve been noticing and to think together about what might be helpful next.

At Bita Psychology, the focus is on taking the time to understand your child as they are, rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach. Each child is unique, and the work is shaped around their needs, their way of expressing themselves, and your family context.

Noticing Something Isn’t Quite Right?

If you’ve been sensing a shift in your child but can’t quite explain it, you’re welcome to reach out. We can begin with a conversation about what you’ve been noticing and whether it might be helpful to explore further.

Unsure Where to Start? Let’s Talk It Through

You don’t need to arrive with a clear plan or diagnosis. An initial appointment is simply a space to think together about your child and how best to proceed.

Ready to Make an Enquiry?

You are welcome to get in touch to arrange an initial appointment. From there, we can take the next steps together in a way that feels supportive for both you and your child.

Bookings: 0433781919

Disclaimer 
These writings are not therapy; they are general information about therapy. They are not a substitute for therapy or professional psychological advice. While care has been taken to ensure accuracy and reference to published research, therapy and psychoanalytic work are domains of ongoing study. A written text cannot replace the conversation that takes place in therapy sessions, which are dynamic, evolving, and centred on individual experience. Each person’s situation is unique, and meanings can only be spoken and explored within one’s own sessions. If something in these writings resonates with you and you are considering therapy, you are welcome to book a session.