Child, Teen and Family Therapist in Mansfield—Support for Life's Challenges

We’re not currently a registered NDIS provider, we’re still able to support families with self-managed or plan-managed NDIS funding. If that’s you, you’re able to access our services at Better You HQ.

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.

After you've submitted an enquiry via the contact form, email or phone, I will promptly call or text you to make contact. From there, we’ll have a brief chat to understand what you’re looking for and determine if our services are the right fit for your child and family. If you decide to proceed, we’ll book an initial consultation at a time that works for you. You’ll also receive some intake forms via email to complete before your first session so we can make the most of our time together.

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.

Yes! I’m a qualified child and family counsellor, registered with the Australian Counselling Association and with a Working with Children Check (WWC). I have professional training in child development, trauma, neurodiversity, and mental health, with hands-on experience supporting children and families in both counselling and school settings. I specialise in working with children experiencing anxiety, emotional regulation difficulties, autism, ADHD, and social or behavioural challenges. My approach is evidence-based and developmentally appropriate, using strategies like emotion coaching, play-based therapy, and CBT-informed programs tailored to each child’s needs. Beyond qualifications, I know that connection is key. Clients are more likely to thrive in therapy when they feel safe and understood — and creating that space is always my first priority.

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.

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

Therapy 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.

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

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).

The terms psychotherapy and counselling can often be used interchangeably, but they do have distinct differences: Counselling typically focuses on addressing specific issues and is usually short-term, providing you with strategies to handle current life challenges. Psychotherapy (also known as cognitive treatment or psychological therapy), on the other hand, dives deeper into understanding underlying patterns and chronic issues, often requiring long-term treatment. Both approaches are integral parts of our services at Better You HQ to provide comprehensive support for children and families.

It’s not uncommon for children and teens to feel unsure or resistant about therapy. 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.

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.