Evolving Minds Counselling
and Psychology
Counselling for Friendship and Social Difficulties
in Sydney and the Sutherland Shire
When your child or teenager is struggling with friendships, feeling left out, finding it hard to keep friends, or avoiding social situations, it can affect how they feel about themselves.
These difficulties often show up at school, in the playground, in group work, or at after-school activities.
At Evolving Minds Counselling and Psychology, we provide counselling for friendship and social difficulties for children, teenagers and families across Sydney and the Sutherland Shire. Our psychologists and counsellors work to understand what may be contributing to the difficulty and how it is affecting your child.
What might I notice in my child?
Friendship and social difficulties can show up in different ways. You might notice:
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Difficulty making or maintaining friendships
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Conflict with peers
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Feeling left out or excluded
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Social withdrawal or avoidance
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Reluctance to attend school, parties or social events
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Fear of judgement or rejection
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Difficulty with group activities or shared play
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Challenges understanding social cues
What sits underneath these patterns matters as much as the patterns themselves.
Why does my child struggle with friendships?
Social and friendship difficulties have many contributing factors. These may include:
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Anxiety, including social anxiety and separation anxiety
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Difficulties with emotional regulation or perfectionism
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Bullying, exclusion or other difficult experiences
How can friendship difficulties affect a child's confidence?
Friendship and social difficulties can affect how a child sees themselves. When a child feels left out or struggles to connect with others, they may begin to doubt themselves, become more self-critical or feel they are not good enough. This can affect their confidence at school, at home and in social situations.
Counselling can help children and teenagers understand what may be contributing to these feelings and develop a more balanced and compassionate view of themselves.
When to consider counselling
Parents often reach out when friendship and social difficulties have become more persistent, more upsetting, or are starting to affect everyday life.
How can counselling help with friendship difficulties?
Counselling can help children and teenagers better understand their experiences with friendships and social situations and develop practical strategies for managing difficulties when they arise. Therapy is adapted to the child's age, developmental stage and individual needs.
Counselling may involve:
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Understanding thoughts and feelings related to friendships and social situations
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Developing strategies for managing anxiety, rejection or conflict
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Building confidence in social situations
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Supporting communication and relationship skills
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Understanding and navigating social situations in a way that respects the child's individual differences
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Supporting emotional regulation where appropriate
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Working with parents to support their child at home
Our psychologists and counsellors draw on a range of evidence-based therapies, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), trauma-informed approaches and play and art therapy, depending on what is most appropriate for the individual child.
Some families may also benefit from family counselling to support relationships and communication at home.
Friendship and social difficulties counselling in Sydney and the Sutherland Shire
If you have been searching for help with friendship difficulties, social skills support or a child psychologist near you, our registered psychologists, counsellors and Accredited Mental Health Social Workers work with children, teenagers and families across Sydney and the Sutherland Shire.
We work with families from Miranda, Caringbah, Engadine, Gymea, Sutherland, Cronulla and Sylvania, as well as the neighbouring St George area. Appointments are available in person at our Sutherland Shire practice and online where appropriate.
If you’re unsure where to begin, our Client Care Team can assist. Call 02 8519 4197 or click the button below to request an appointment.