Children’s and Teen’s Counselling can help with:

• academic stress
• anxiety and phobias
• body image
• depression
• life transitions, such as parent’s divorce
• loss and grief
• identity exploration
• resilience
• self-esteem and confidence
• self-harm
• social and communication skills
• social struggles and bullying
• trauma, PTSD, complex trauma

I specialise in helping autistic and neurodivergent children and teenagers, and their families, with therapy to:

• improve emotion identification and regulation
• decrease anxiety and phobias
• increase self-esteem, confidence and self-advocacy
• increase understanding of autism
• improve parent and child relationships
• adjust to life transitions, changes to routine or schedule, new experiences or people, parent’s divorce, or a loss
• assist with social navigation
• handle bullying at school or in peer situations
• understand safety issues and engage in safe behaviour

For children and adolescents who might be neurodivergent or have a mental health condition, such as a specific type of anxiety, I am able to do screening and suggest referral for formal diagnosis where appropriate. I support the child with their mental health whilst this process takes place and after diagnosis, working collaboratively with them and their parents. I can also liaise, and help advocate for the child, with their school.

With all children, the process can include:

• initial session with the parent/s/guardians
• parents (and sometimes teachers) complete questionnaires/screening tools if applicable
• second session with the parent/s and child, or just the child
• two to four sessions with the child
• session with the parent/s/guardians to discuss assessment and observations, therapy thus far, a review of goals and desired outcomes of therapy, and if referral is desired.

I believe in forming a team of wellness for clients where possible. I can provide the child’s GP with a report after their 6th and 10th session, and I can also liaise with the child’s school.

This is an example of an overarching process for your child’s counselling, including counselling activities, goals and desired outcomes.

Play Therapy Room

My approach is integrated and draws upon client-centred counselling, psychotherapy, Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT), Gestalt/Experiential Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) and solutions-focussed approaches.

Interventions / therapeutic activities can include:

• play: miniature animals, puppets, soft toys
• expressive art: drawing, painting, sculpting, movement, sound
• narrative, visual time lines
• visualisation
• talk therapy
• reframing of thoughts/beliefs
• calming/relaxation techniques
• phobia desensitisation
• educational books and videos
• games and computer games
• assistance with the implementation of new strategies
• goal setting

I am neurodiversity-affirming and therefore, I:

• value and respect the different ways autistic and neurodivergent clients may process, feel, play, communicate and respond
• allow clients to be themselves and do not try to change them to meet a neurotypical standard
• respect my clients’ autonomy and collaborate with my clients, involving them in the decision-making process regarding their therapy

I am a certified AutPlay Therapy provider.

AutPlay Therapy is a play therapy approach designed to address the mental health needs of neurodivergent children, and their families.

• designed for children ages 3-18 years old
• anywhere on the neurodivergent spectrum from high to low needs
• therapy focuses on mental health needs
• parents are taught AutPlay play approaches and interventions to do at home with their child
• desired outcomes include: self awareness, healing, empowerment and self advocacy
• children and parents are considered partners in the therapeutic process

NDIS participants are very welcome!