COUNSELLING
We see children and adolescents of all ages. Together we work with them and their family on promoting positive mental health. This is done through creating behaviour change goals and working on individual positive action plans. These individual plans are based on proven mental health strategies including cognitive behavioural therapy and psychoeducation.
Five ways your child benefits from counselling
1. A positive approach means that therapeutic techniques are aimed at developing life skills and optimistic thinking in your child.
Whether your child comes for an assessment or counselling the focus is on identifying and maximising your child’s strengths and increasing their positive mental health.
2. An individually tailored and regularly reviewed action plan means that the plan will grow and change with your child
3. Taking a stepped approach means you are involved in the process and contribute to the therapeutic outcomes
Your first step may be when you have a referral from your child or adolescent's GP or paediatrician. OR
You may have been referred by your child's school, or have concerns about their academic progress; OR
You have some general concerns, but don't want your child to have a mental health treatment plan.
You can then come in for an initial consultation with your child or they can come in by themselves (depending on age).
In this initial consultation you and/or your child will
The second step is to begin the therapy/assessment strategy.
The third step is to regularly review the strategy so that progress can be monitored and recommendations modified as required.
4. Positive Young Minds is an independent psychology practice.
As an independent, private practice, we work with and for you and your child.
5. You can be ensured that as psychologists we are committed to updating and reviewing our skills on a regular basis and are promoting evidence proven strategies..
Whether your child comes for an assessment or counselling the focus is on identifying and maximising your child’s strengths and increasing their positive mental health.
2. An individually tailored and regularly reviewed action plan means that the plan will grow and change with your child
3. Taking a stepped approach means you are involved in the process and contribute to the therapeutic outcomes
Your first step may be when you have a referral from your child or adolescent's GP or paediatrician. OR
You may have been referred by your child's school, or have concerns about their academic progress; OR
You have some general concerns, but don't want your child to have a mental health treatment plan.
You can then come in for an initial consultation with your child or they can come in by themselves (depending on age).
In this initial consultation you and/or your child will
- Explain your concerns and discuss goals.
- Ask questions and get to know me before proceeding.
- A detailed history is taken
- Complete a questionnaire
- Be provided with a recommended therapy/assessment strategy.
The second step is to begin the therapy/assessment strategy.
The third step is to regularly review the strategy so that progress can be monitored and recommendations modified as required.
4. Positive Young Minds is an independent psychology practice.
As an independent, private practice, we work with and for you and your child.
5. You can be ensured that as psychologists we are committed to updating and reviewing our skills on a regular basis and are promoting evidence proven strategies..
Are we the right fit for you?
Working with a therapist is a personal journey and sometimes it is hard to find the right fit. Undertaking an assessment for your child or bringing them for counselling is a significant level of commitment. Similarly, we make a professional commitment to you and your child. Together we make the journey. The best results tend to happen when, as a parent:
- You willingly provide information about your child.
- You follow up with recommendations.
- You ask questions.
- You are willing to actively engage in the process.
- You understand that the therapeutic process takes time.
- You appreciate the value of ongoing care and follow-up. We recommend that after meeting initial therapeutic goals, we meet every 6-12 months, or as required to review goals, continue to work on developing strengths and revise the activity plan.
Limitations to service
Similarly there are limitations to whom we can see. Sometimes this is because your child presents with issues that are more suited to professionals who specialise in those concerns. These issues include drug or alcohol concerns, psychiatric disorders, eating disorders and other serious mental issues. Speak to your GP regarding referral to a specialist in this area.
Sometimes this is to do with practical concerns. As a private service we do not bulk bill. Although medicare rebates reduce the fee for counselling, when you have mental health care plan from your GP, if you cannot afford to pay the ‘gap’ fees we recommend that you ask your GP for a referral to a government-funded service. Also please note - there is no rebate for assessments.
We keep office hours. If you need appointments outside of hours or on weekends, or if your family and child’s needs are such that you require more out of session support from a professional, we may not be a good fit for you. This does not mean that we cannot work with your child, but it may mean that other professional agencies may also need to be involved to give you and your family extra support.
Sometimes this is to do with practical concerns. As a private service we do not bulk bill. Although medicare rebates reduce the fee for counselling, when you have mental health care plan from your GP, if you cannot afford to pay the ‘gap’ fees we recommend that you ask your GP for a referral to a government-funded service. Also please note - there is no rebate for assessments.
We keep office hours. If you need appointments outside of hours or on weekends, or if your family and child’s needs are such that you require more out of session support from a professional, we may not be a good fit for you. This does not mean that we cannot work with your child, but it may mean that other professional agencies may also need to be involved to give you and your family extra support.
COACHING
These sessions do not come under the medicare model and allow a little more flexibility in what is covered. They are suitable for all young people who don’t have an identified mental health disorder.
The reason for these sessions falls into two categories.
1. Preventative - The young person may have some mental health risk factors, be going through a particularly difficult time, or would like help to negotiate some of the tricky times in growing up such as starting a new school, friendship difficulties or developing their identity.
OR
2. Flourishing. For young people who are motivated to become the best version of themselves. Depending on the aims of the young person these sessions may cover topics including mindfulness training, strength and value identification, assertive communication, journalling, exercise scheduling and gratitude training.
These sessions are individual based, or in small groups of 2-3.
The reason for these sessions falls into two categories.
1. Preventative - The young person may have some mental health risk factors, be going through a particularly difficult time, or would like help to negotiate some of the tricky times in growing up such as starting a new school, friendship difficulties or developing their identity.
OR
2. Flourishing. For young people who are motivated to become the best version of themselves. Depending on the aims of the young person these sessions may cover topics including mindfulness training, strength and value identification, assertive communication, journalling, exercise scheduling and gratitude training.
These sessions are individual based, or in small groups of 2-3.