Depression in young people is often one of the first signs that something is wrong.
Our brains and bodies have natural responses to distressing events, but sometimes these defenses can remain even after the threat is gone.
Self-harm in young people can represent a cry for help, or a lack of other available coping strategies.
Anxiety is normal, but shouldn’t get in the way of enjoying every day life.
Setting rules and limits with young people can be challenging, but are important for healthy development.
Difficulties with attention and concentration can be particularly difficult for young people still in school or university.
Problems with eating too little or too much can often indicate underlying psychological troubles for young people.
Healthy and trusting relationships form the secure base from which young people explore the world.
Adjusting to big transitions in life can be difficult for all of us, but especially our young people.
The end of a marriage can be incredibly difficult to navigate, especially when children are involved.
Good quality sleep is crucial for everyday functioning.
Your psychologist will let you know who they will need to attend sessions. Usually, the first session will involve the referred child/teen, as well as their parent/s.
Following the first session, who needs to attend sessions will depend on the nature of the problem bringing you or your child to therapy. Your psychologist might spend some sessions just with your child/teen, some sessions just with parents, and some with both child and parents together. Your psychologist might even invite other family members to join sessions.
For most children under the age of 18, parents will be expected to atted at least some of the psychology sessions. This is because the research strongly shows that treatment is much more effective when parents are involved and invested in their child’s therapy.
It’s difficult to say how many sessions you will need with your psychologist, and many clients and families find that they attend therapy for a much shorter, or longer, period of time than they initially expected. Every individual brings their own unique experiences and challenges to therapy, and ultimately it is up to you to decide how long you will need. Your psychologist will work with you to determine when it is the right time to end therapy.
Don’t feel bad – even we still get confused sometimes!
The main difference between psychologists and psychiatrists is that a psychiatrist can prescribe medications. Psychologists, on the other hand, specialise in talking therapies.
Both types of treatment have shown to be effective for mental health issues. And studies demonstrate that talking therapies is just as effective at treating common mental health disorders than medication, if not more.
Yes, with a Mental Health Care Plan from your GP you can claim money back for the first 10 sessions of every year. You will need to get a GP to write a referral with your psychologist’s name on it prior to your first session, and you should bring this referral to your first appointment.
Our convenient billing system will claim your Medicare rebate for you and send it straight to your nominated bank account. No need to fill out any complicated forms!