Big feelings & worry
Recognising emotions, responding to anxiety and building ways to manage stress and overwhelm.
CHILDREN, TEENAGERS & FAMILIES
Helping young people feel understood, supported and ready to grow.
When a child is anxious, withdrawing, struggling at school or finding their emotions hard to manage, it can be difficult to know how best to help. AO Psychology offers age-appropriate counselling for children and teenagers, with parents and carers involved where helpful and appropriate.
◌ Age-appropriate support◌ Practical family guidance◌ Strengths-focused approach
Understand the service
WHAT IS CHILD & ADOLESCENT COUNSELLING?
Support for children and teenagers
Children don’t always have the words for what they’re feeling. Worry might show up as anger, tears, withdrawal or not wanting to go to school. We look beyond the behaviour to understand the young person, their strengths and what may be happening around them.
There is no single way to work with every young person. Counselling is adapted to their age, communication style and preferences, with parent or carer involvement considered thoughtfully and explained before sessions begin.
WAYS WE CAN HELP
Helping changes carry over into everyday life
We look at what may trigger difficult emotions or behaviours, how relationships and everyday pressures affect the young person, and what strengths they can draw on. Support may include learning to manage emotions, understanding feelings and responses, practising coping strategies and guiding caregivers. We adapt involvement and consent to the young person’s age and circumstances.
Confidence & friendships
Strengthening self-esteem, communication, boundaries and navigating peer relationships.
School & life changes
Working through transitions, family changes, school stress and new routines.
Neurodivergent experiences
Strengths-based strategies for emotional regulation, communication and everyday challenges.
Behaviour & coping
Exploring what behaviour might communicate and developing practical alternatives together.
Caregiver support
Working with adults to understand needs and build consistent approaches at home and beyond.
DIFFERENT AGES, DIFFERENT NEEDS
Support evolves as children grow.
A younger child who finds it hard to name feelings may need a different approach from a teenager facing friendship changes or exam pressure. We adapt the conversation, activities and pace so each young person can take part in a way that works for them.
Making feelings easier to understand
For younger children, support can include simple language, visual tools, activity-based exploration and shared strategies with caregivers.
A space for identity, confidence and change
For adolescents, conversations may focus on independence, relationships, school demands, emotions and personal goals.
HOW WE WORK WITH FAMILIESRead about client rights and privacy →
A young person’s voice matters at every stage.
Good support starts with understanding the young person’s view of what is happening, not only the concerns adults notice. Sessions can involve talking, drawing, visual tools or practical activities, depending on their age and preferences.
We explain how caregiver involvement and confidentiality work before sessions begin. Decisions about information sharing depend on the young person’s age and circumstances, consent, safety considerations and applicable requirements.
ListenMake room for the young person’s experience and strengths.
CollaborateAgree on realistic goals with the right people involved.
AdaptReview what helps, and adjust the pace or strategies as needed.
WHAT CAN A SESSION LOOK LIKE?
Not every session looks like sitting down and talking.
Imagine a child becoming upset when homework is mentioned after a long school day. Fatigue, worry, sensory demands or a difficult transition could be involved; behaviour alone cannot tell us why. A younger child might use a drawing to share the experience, while a teenager might prefer to talk through a friendship difficulty or a disagreement. We work at a pace that helps them participate meaningfully.
Before
Explore the lead-up: demands, transitions, feelings and what has helped previously.
During
Consider calm, safe adult responses, appropriate support and clear, compassionate limits.
After
When everyone is settled, use words or activities to reflect and practise a helpful strategy.
PARENT & CAREGIVER GUIDANCE
You can ask for support even when your child isn't ready to attend.
Difficult moments often happen around routines, school transitions, sleep or family changes. Parent and caregiver guidance can help you explore when these moments occur, what the child may need, and which supportive responses are realistic in your family. The aim is understanding and practical guidance, not labelling a child from one behaviour.
Sessions can focus on parenting questions and family responses even when the child isn't participating. This is guidance for the adult seeking support, not an assessment or diagnosis of a child who hasn't been seen.
What we can explore together
- When and where emotional outbursts tend to happen
- Communication, family relationships and transitions
- Predictable, flexible routines and calm boundaries
- How to recognise strengths and what is going well
- When additional health, developmental or specialist input might help
Support is tailored to the family's circumstances. We don't assume every difficulty has one cause.
A DIFFERENT WAY TO LEARN
Understanding Your Child's Big Emotions
We're developing a four-week educational program for parents of children aged 5–12. Through narrated family stories, reflection activities and practical tools, the program will explore what may be happening beneath emotional outbursts.
In development. The course is not yet available to purchase.
See the planned program →
HOW APPOINTMENTS WORK
Three stages, with room for each child to be themselves.
Families may use an optional free 15-minute phone call to ask general questions. The first clinical stage is a paid 30-minute triage, followed by a 90-minute initial assessment and 60-minute ongoing sessions when appropriate. We adapt activities, caregiver involvement and breaks to the young person’s needs.
- 30 MINUTES · $80 AUD
Paid triage — getting to know you
A gentle first conversation focused on building rapport, understanding why support is being sought, exploring expectations and checking for any immediate safety or risk concerns. For younger children, we generally start with parent and child together.
- 90 MINUTES · $210 AUD
Initial assessment — understanding the bigger picture
Explore the young person’s strengths, difficulties, development, family circumstances, relevant history and goals. We revisit risk and may use appropriate, age-suitable wellbeing measures to establish a starting point. Child participation is paced flexibly, with caregiver input, breaks or a different arrangement as clinically appropriate.
- 60 MINUTES
Ongoing sessions — working together
Use conversation and developmentally appropriate tools to work towards agreed goals. We monitor wellbeing and safety when indicated, review progress, and involve parents or caregivers appropriately while respecting confidentiality and the young person’s needs.
These are proposed appointment lengths for the AO Psychology private practice. A 90-minute initial appointment does not mean a young child must remain in continuous conversation for 90 minutes. Additional adaptations or referrals may be needed for some families.
BEFORE YOUR FIRST APPOINTMENT
A considered start for your family.
Before accepting a clinical appointment, we will explain the separate intake and consent arrangements. We'll discuss who should attend, the young person's privacy and voice, and whether telehealth is suitable for their needs. Caregiver involvement is tailored to the child or teenager.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Helpful answers for parents and young people.
We explain the process clearly before beginning so everyone understands what to expect.
Does a parent attend every session?
It depends on the young person's age, preferences and support goals. Some sessions may include caregivers; others may give the young person space to talk privately. We discuss the arrangement in advance.
Will I be told everything my teenager says?
Young people need appropriate privacy to participate openly. We explain confidentiality and its limits, including how safety concerns are addressed, and agree on caregiver communication that respects the young person's needs.
How many sessions are usually needed?
There is no fixed number. The frequency and duration of support depend on goals, needs and progress. We review these together rather than promising a set outcome.
Can you collaborate with the school?
Where useful and agreed, we can work with relevant education or support professionals to align practical strategies. Consent, privacy and the young person's interests guide collaboration.
What if we're unsure what kind of support is needed?
Begin with an enquiry. We can discuss the concerns, who is involved and an appropriate next step, which may include counselling, caregiver guidance or a suitable referral.
Can we start with an online appointment?
AO Psychology plans to offer telehealth-only counselling at launch. Learn more on our telehealth information page. Whether this format is appropriate depends on the young person's age, needs, safety and circumstances. If online support is unsuitable, we can discuss other options or an appropriate referral; face-to-face AO Psychology appointments are planned for a later stage.
START WITH A CONVERSATION
Enquire about children & young people →Let's find a way forward that fits your family.
Have questions about counselling for your child or teenager? We can explain whether telehealth may be suitable, how caregiver involvement and confidentiality work, and what to expect. If suitable, we'll explain the paid 30-minute clinical triage and arrange the next steps once the clinical intake pathway is ready. Further appointments are optional and arranged together.
General enquiries and introductory-call requests are welcome. Clinical appointments are confirmed separately; please don't include sensitive health details here.