Counselling for Children & Adolescents (7–17 years)

Childhood is the prime of physical and mental development, generating lifelong traits, attitudes and thought processes it can be a stressful time for any child. For a child with a disability, however, it can be even more so, feeling different from others and even family and friends, struggling to build connections with peers, and learning to navigate societal norms that weren’t built for them. Its often that children who face these additional pressures may develop hard-to-understand feelings, thoughts and emotions that might manifest as behaviours that deviate from the norm.
Counselling can offer those facing these issues a place to be heard and understood and offer a new way of managing these feelings in a healthy and beneficial manner, assisting a child to develop lifelong skills and techniques that will allow them to interact as they choose with the world around them with a reduction in unwanted feelings and emotions.

Is Counselling Right for You? | Find Out with Belong Health here

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How Counselling Helps
Children and adolescents experience a wide range of emotional and behavioural challenges as they grow. Our counsellor works collaboratively with the young person and their family to:

• Understand emotional experiences like anxiety, sadness, or anger
• Develop healthy coping skills
• Strengthen communication and self-expression
• Support behavioural regulation at home and school
• Build resilience during life transitions like divorce, moving house, or school changes
  
  

Counselling may also support neurodiverse children (including those with ASD or ADHD) in understanding themselves and thriving in their environment.

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Common Areas of Support

• Emotional regulation difficulties (meltdowns, withdrawal, irritability)
  
• School refusal or anxiety
  
• Friendship struggles or bullying
  
• Family conflict or changes (e.g., separation)
  
• Grief and loss
  
• Behavioural challenges
  
• Low self-esteem or confidence issues
  
  

Support for neurodivergent children (ADHD, ASD, sensory processing)

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Therapy Approaches We Use
We use a combination of evidence-based approaches tailored to your child’s developmental level:

• Person-Centred Counselling
  
• Play-Based Therapy Elements
  
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
  
• Psychoeducation for Parents & Families
  
• Emotion Coaching Techniques
  
  

We always work collaboratively with families, providing updates and support strategies (with the child’s consent and involvement where appropriate).

The forms of counselling therapies we utiliSE:

At Belong Health we strive to offer a flexible therapy format that can be modified and adjusted to suit any child’s needs and requirements. We focus on using research-backed therapy formats that are proven to be effective for children and neurodivergent clients.

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Integrative Therapy
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If striving to meet the needs of each child individually is the goal then Integrative Therapy is the method, by using aspects of many different therapy formats we craft a truly individual therapy experience for each child. We understand that each person who walks through our doors will have different needs and respond better to different forms of therapy, so by using an Integrative method combining aspects and tools of Person-Centred Therapy, ACT & CBT we create a human-centred experience that is a great fit for your child.

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Person-Centred Therapy

Person-centred therapy is a non-directive and non-confrontational therapy approach that places your child in the driver’s seat of their experience. Relying on the client to lead the conversation and direct the therapy at their own pace. During this time they will understand the experience of the moment and self-developing the tools and skills to self-manage and recognize their strengths and weaknesses. This therapy format is great for older children and parents who are aware of what they want to gain from Counselling.

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Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on understanding the present feelings in a given moment. ACT understands that stress and destress can come from not understanding the sources of one’s feelings, As such feelings of Anxiety can be distressing to children without the awareness of their cause and effect. Through this therapy, your child will learn to accept their feelings and understand that while feelings can’t necessarily be controlled they can be understood and their reaction to those feelings can be managed healthily and safely.
It's so often that we find it easier to avoid our feelings leading to a greater feeling of distress and anxiety. Using ACT we can build a framework of skills required to face these feelings and use cognitive diffusion to change how we react. By committing to actions through ACT we aim to live a life consistent with our values and live lives that we can be proud of.

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Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

In CBT there is an evidence-backed belief that some psychological problems are based in part on learned behaviours and habits. Through the use of CBT, we can learn to address these unhelpful thought patterns and learn better ways of coping with them to effectively reduce the symptoms.
CBT requires the ability to recognise patterns and distortions in one’s thinking and evaluate these thoughts disrupting negative thinking patterns and reducing behaviours. Using problem-solving skills to cope with difficult situations to develop a greater sense of self-confidence and understanding of one’s abilities.
Using role-play to prepare for difficult interactions, facing our fears and addressing them instead of falling into patterns of avoidance, and using strategies to calm the mind and body in times of duress. All backed through the use of take-home activities to hold onto and reiterate skills learned through the therapy process. 

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Belong Health's Counsellor

Harvie T, Counsellor (Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling & Psychotherapy)

Harvie has a Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling & Psychotherapy and is passionate about supporting the youth of our community. Having worked in disability support services for four years and having specialised his studies in disability and Neuro-diverse effective therapies, he is looking to offer opportunities for skill and emotional development in a safe and fun environment. 

He has worked with youth, preparing them to integrate into and build connections within the wider community while fostering self-driven growth within family relations and friendships. 

Harvie is excited to bring a fun experience to his Counselling and Therapy Assistant roles and foster strong bonds that facilitate growth for both parents and children.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What age can my child start counselling?
We currently offer services for children aged 7 and older.

Do parents attend the sessions?
Yes, especially in the early sessions. We often start with a parent session and then include or gradually transition to child-only sessions depending on needs and goals.

Can you help with school-related issues?
Absolutely. We can help with anxiety, social concerns, transitions, and more.

Is counselling play-based or talk-based?
It depends on your child’s age, personality, and goals. Younger children may benefit from more visual, creative, or game-based approaches; older adolescents may prefer talk therapy.

Do you provide reports or liaise with schools?
If required and with parent consent, we can collaborate with teachers or support staff to provide guidance and strategies. Reports may incur additional fees.

Home Therapy Packs
At Belong Health, we are dedicated to providing tailored support that meets the unique needs of each child. Developed by our Paediatric Occupational Therapists, our Home Therapy Packs are specifically designed to align with NDIS goals, offering flexible, practical, and engaging activities for children at home.
To further enhance your approach, consider our Home Therapy Packs, specifically designed to support communication development at home.

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Belong Health's Resource Hub
To further support your child's development, visit our Resource Hub for additional activities, tips, and tools tailored for various needs and diagnoses.

Our friendly team are happy to help call us on 08 9586 3634 or send us a message

Have a question? or need more information