Child and Adolescent Therapy in Menai and the Sutherland Shire

At Evolving Minds Counselling and Psychology in Menai, our psychologists and counsellors provide therapy for children and adolescents across the Sutherland Shire. Sessions are available in person at our Menai practice and via secure online appointments where appropriate.

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.

Therapy 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

Therapy 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

👉 Learn more about trauma therapy
👉 Learn more about developmental trauma
👉 Learn more about ADHD
👉 Learn more about autism therapy
👉 Learn more about emotional regulation

How therapy supports children and adolescents

Therapy is 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, therapy may focus on identity, relationships, emotional regulation and navigating increasing independence.

Where appropriate, therapy includes working with parents and carers to strengthen co-regulation, communication and consistency across home and school environments.

When to consider therapy

You may wish to consider therapy 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.

Therapy may involve:

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

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

👉 Learn more about reparative parenting

👉 Learn more about family counselling