Therapy for Children
At Clinical Psychologists Australia, we provide warm, evidence‑based therapy for children to support emotional wellbeing, behaviour, social development, and resilience. Our team work with children of all ages in Essendon, Melbourne, using developmentally appropriate and neurodiversity‑affirming approaches that help children feel safe, understood, and empowered.
Children do not exist in isolation — they operate within and reflect the systems around them, including family, school, community, and culture. Because of this, meaningful therapeutic change happens when we support both the child and the systems they are part of. By working closely with parents, caregivers, and educators, we help create consistent, nurturing environments that reinforce therapeutic progress and allow children to thrive across all settings.
We support children with a wide range of emotional and developmental experiences, including anxiety, behavioural or emotional regulation differences, trauma, OCD, and school‑related stress. We also work with neurodivergent children, including those who are Autistic or ADHDers, supporting them in navigating environments that may not always be designed with their needs in mind. Our role is not to “fix” a child’s neurotype, but to help them understand themselves, build confidence, and develop strategies that honour their strengths and support their wellbeing.
Our therapy is tailored to each child’s developmental stage, neurotype, and individual needs. We draw on a range of evidence‑based modalities, including but not limited to:
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Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) to help children understand thoughts, feelings, and behaviours
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Play‑based therapy to support younger children through connection, creativity, and exploration
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Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to build emotional flexibility and resilience
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Eye Movement Desensitisation & Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy for trauma, distressing memories, anxiety, and somatic symptoms
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Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) for OCD, intrusive thoughts, and compulsive behaviours
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Parent‑child intervention strategies to strengthen relationships and support behaviour change
Therapy sessions may include play, storytelling, visual supports, emotion‑coaching tools, and practical strategies that children can use at home and school. Our goal is not only to reduce distress but to help children build confidence, understand themselves, and develop lifelong emotional skills.
Supporting Parents/ Caregivers
A core part of our work involves supporting the adults in a child’s world. We provide parenting support to help caregivers understand their child’s needs, respond effectively to behaviours, and create a calm, connected home environment. This may include guidance on behaviour support, emotion coaching, and school‑based recommendations to ensure consistency across settings.
By empowering parents and strengthening the child’s broader system, we create the conditions for meaningful, sustainable change.
Ready to Support Your Child’s Wellbeing
If you’re noticing emotional, behavioural, or social differences in your child—or you simply want to better understand and support them—our team is here to help. Early, compassionate support can make a meaningful difference in a child’s confidence, resilience, and long‑term wellbeing.
Book a child therapy appointment today to begin a supportive, evidence‑based process tailored to your child’s unique needs. You’re welcome to contact us to discuss your concerns, ask questions, or learn more about how our Clinical Psychologists can support your child and family.