Child, Teen & Family Counselling in Mansfield VIC

Counselling and coaching can support children, teens, and families with a wide range of challenges, including:

• Anxiety

• Depression

• ADHD

• Autism

• Emotional regulation

• Behaviour issues

• Life transitions

• Building social skills

• Improving communication

• Strengthening relationships

• Boosting confidence and resilience

• Mental health

• Reduce stress

• Improve overall wellbeing

With therapy and counselling, you can feel more confident, connected, and understood.

Yes! Especially when therapy is tailored to you and your child's needs. We use evidence-based approaches like play therapy, emotion coaching, and CBT-based programs to teach skills and improve wellbeing. Clients see meaningful changes in how they understand and handle emotions, relationships, and challenges.

For example, CBT is widely supported as the leading treatment for anxiety in children and adolescents, with studies like Compton et al. (2004) reporting large reductions in symptoms. Recent research also supports adapted CBT approaches for specific issues like separation anxiety (Kianoosh et al., 2023).

Sessions often begin weekly or fortnightly, and we can space them out more over time as confidence and skills grow.

Everyone’s journey is different, and the number of counselling sessions you’ll need really depends on your personal goals, your experiences, what you’re hoping to work through, and how ready you feel for change.

We’ll begin with an initial session to get to know you, set some goals together, and create a plan that feels right for you or your child. For some people, just a handful of sessions (around 6) is enough to make meaningful, lasting progress. Others might benefit from longer-term support, especially if things have felt overwhelming for a while.

It’s normal to wonder if you or your child’s struggles are “just a phase.” If someone is often overwhelmed by big emotions, anxious, withdrawn, or having trouble with relationships, it is time to seek support.

Counselling provides tools to help individuals cope and thrive — you don’t need to wait for things to get worse before getting help.

Yes! We provide a structured approach that includes an initial consultation, optional psychometric assessments, and a tailored plan to guide next steps. Plus, after every session you’ll receive a summary and practical recommendations so you’re not left guessing.

If you're looking for insight into ADHD, autism, stress, attention, behaviour, or social skills, we’re trained in psychometric testing to help clarify what’s going on. This process provides valuable feedback, direction, and a clear roadmap for moving forward.

Absolutely. Parent and carer involvement is key. We work with you to understand your child’s needs, offer practical tools you can use at home, and keep you updated on progress. You’re never left in the dark as you’re part of the team.

It’s not uncommon for children and teens to feel unsure or resistant about therapy and counselling. A great first step is booking a parent-only session. These sessions can be just as effective as direct therapy with your child. You’ll receive practical strategies to support your teen at home, respond to tricky behaviours, and build more connection — even if they’re not ready to engage in therapy just yet.

If your child chooses to attend therapy later, they’ll be informed that a parent session took place and given a simple, respectful summary of what was discussed.

No, you do not need a referral to attend Better You HQ for therapy or counselling.

Yes! It can, in some cases. When you use a Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) from your GP to see a psychologist, the plan becomes part of your permanent medical record. This record may be reviewed during recruitment for certain careers—such as police, defence, aviation, or emergency services—where psychological screening is required. While it doesn’t automatically prevent someone from being accepted, it can lead to additional questions, assessments, or paperwork.

IMPORTANT: Choosing private counselling without a referral or Medicare involvement means your sessions remain confidential and are not recorded on your official medical history.

Sources:

• Australian Defence Force (ADF) Recruitment

• Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and Aviation Careers

• Queensland Police Service (QPS) Recruitment