Child and Adolescent Counselling
in Menai and the Sutherland Shire

Child and adolescent counselling in Menai and the Sutherland Shire supports children, teenagers and families experiencing anxiety, ADHD, emotional regulation difficulties and relational challenges. You may notice changes in behaviour, mood or engagement at home or school, or feel unsure how best to support your child. Counselling provides a space to understand what is happening and begin to move forward. Sessions are available in person at our Menai practice and via secure online appointments where appropriate.

Our team includes psychologists and counsellors experienced in working with children, adolescents and families across the Sutherland Shire.

Children and adolescents may experience emotional, behavioural or developmental challenges that affect how they relate to others, manage emotions and navigate school or family life. These experiences are often expressed through behaviour, emotional responses or changes in engagement, rather than through words alone.

Counselling provides a structured space to understand what is happening, support emotional regulation, and strengthen relationships within the family and broader environment.

Understanding children and adolescents

Children and adolescents often communicate distress through behaviour, emotional responses or changes in how they engage with others.

These experiences may include:

Emotional outbursts or difficulty managing frustration
Withdrawal, shutdown or avoidance
Anxiety or school-related difficulties
Changes in behaviour at home or school
Challenges with friendships or relationships
Difficulty with attention, regulation or routines

These patterns can shift over time and may be influenced by developmental stage, environment and past experiences.

Common areas we work with

Counselling may focus on:

Emotional regulation and managing overwhelm
Anxiety and school-related stress
Trauma and developmental trauma
Neurodiversity, including ADHD and autism
Behavioural and relational challenges
Family dynamics and communication

How counselling supports children and adolescents

Sessions are adapted to each child’s age, developmental stage and individual needs.

For younger children, this may include play-based and creative approaches that support emotional expression and connection.

For adolescents, counselling may focus on identity, relationships, emotional regulation and navigating increasing independence.

Where appropriate, sessions may include parents and carers to strengthen co-regulation, communication and consistency across home and school environments.

When to consider counselling

You may wish to consider counselling if a child or adolescent is:

Struggling to manage emotions or behaviour
Experiencing ongoing anxiety or distress
Finding school or friendships difficult
Showing changes in mood, behaviour or engagement
Impacted by stress, trauma or developmental differences

Working with families

Parents and carers play an important role in supporting children and adolescents.

Counselling may involve:

Understanding behaviour in context
Strengthening parent–child relationships
Supporting co-regulation and emotional development
Providing practical strategies for home

Therapy may also involve working with parents and families to support consistency, communication and relationships across home environments.

You can also learn more about reparative parenting and family counselling.