Support That Makes Sense for All Kinds of Minds
At Better You HQ, we offer down-to-earth coaching and counselling that meets you where you’re at. Whether you’re navigating big emotions, everyday challenges, or exploring life through a neurodivergent lens, we take the time to understand what’s going on beneath the surface. Our approach is practical, supportive, and tailored — helping you build the clarity and skills to move forward with confidence.

Parents Are Raving About Our VR Therapy
Is Your Child Anxious, Struggling to Read Social Cues or Emotionally Regulate?
Whether a child is neurodivergent or simply finding social situations challenging, navigating friendships and group settings can be confusing—and real-world practice can feel overwhelming.
Our VR therapy helps kids build social, communication, and behavioural skills—step by step, in a safe and supportive virtual space. They get to practise real-world connection, conversations, and friendship-building with zero pressure.
What Can Coaching and Counselling Help With?
More Than You Might Think!
At Better You HQ, we support kids, teens, parents and NDIS participants who are finding it hard to manage big feelings, tricky behaviour or social struggles. Whether it’s anxiety, emotional outbursts, friendship challenges or navigating neurodivergence like autism or ADHD — we’re here with warmth, experience and practical support.
Using a mix of counselling and coaching, we help families uncover what’s really going on beneath the surface and build skills that last — from emotional regulation to social confidence.

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Prue Longstaff,
Better You HQ Founder and
ACA Registered Counsellor
About Prue
Prue is a qualified and ACA registered counsellor and educator based in Mansfield, Victoria. She brings extensive experience across mental health, education, and disability support. Prue works in private practice through her clinic, Better You HQ, and is a counsellor for Geelong Grammar School — one of Australia’s most prestigious independent schools.
She is trained in childhood trauma through the Australian Childhood Foundation, a certified Tuning in to Teens® facilitator with Melbourne University, and both trained in and an advocate for Dr Ross Greene’s Collaborative & Proactive Solutions (CPS) model.
As founder of Better You HQ, Prue offers practical support for families facing anxiety, neurodivergence, and behavioural challenges, blending counselling, coaching, and education with tools that truly help.
What We Do
Clear guidance. Real support. Coaching, counselling, assessments, and NDIS services that make a difference.
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Are you a NDIS registered provider?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.
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Will I be involved in the process as a parent?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.
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Do you offer assessments or a clear plan?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.
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How do I know if we need counselling?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.
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Do I need a GP's referral for therapy?No, you do not need a referral to attend Better You HQ for therapy or counselling.
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What can you help with?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.
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How often are sessions?Sessions often begin weekly or fortnightly, and we can space them out more over time as confidence and skills grow.
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Will getting a Mental Health Care Plan (MFCP) from a GP to see a psychologist affect my future?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
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Will counselling and coaching actually help?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).
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My child doesn't want to go to, what can I do?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.
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How many sessions will I need?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.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Clinic Hours:
Monday: Geelong Grammar School
Tuesday: Geelong Grammar School
Wednesday: 9am - 7pm
Thursday: 9am - 7pm
Friday: 9am - 7pm
Email: prue@betteryouhq.com.au
Address: Links Road, Mansfield, VIC 3722