Anxiety & Depression Support
Support for children and teenagers living with worry, fear or low mood, and for the parents trying to work out how much of it is just a phase.
Practical, evidence-informed support for children managing worry and low mood.
Australian young people experience a mental health condition annually
of Australian children experience significant anxiety disorders during school
of lifelong mental health challenges emerge before age fourteen
teenagers experience low mood impacting their daily school routines
Sources: Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW).
Feelings, not phases
Worry and low mood in young people often get put down to a phase, or to being difficult. Sometimes that is exactly what it is. Often it isn’t — and it rarely looks the way adults expect, showing up as irritability rather than sadness, stomachaches rather than tears, avoiding rather than complaining. What matters is the pattern: how long it has been going on, and how much of your child’s life it now takes up. When worry starts deciding what your child will and won’t do, or the things they enjoyed stop being enjoyable, that’s worth taking seriously rather than waiting out.
Worry and low mood in young people often get put down to a phase or being difficult.
Often it isn’t — and it rarely looks the way adults expect.
How it frequently presents:
- Irritability rather than sadness
- Physical stomachaches rather than tears
- Quiet avoidance rather than complaining
What matters is the pattern, how long it has lasted, and how much life it takes up. When worry starts ruling decisions or joy fades, it’s worth taking seriously.
What parents notice
Parents often describe a child who has become harder to reach. The questions that need answering over and over, school mornings that have turned into a negotiation, the party invitation quietly declined. Or a teenager spending more time in their room, snapping more, sleeping badly, no longer interested in what used to matter to them. Some children can name exactly what they are worried about. Many can’t, and simply feel it somewhere in their body instead. You don’t need to be certain that something is wrong before getting in touch — being unsure is a perfectly good reason to talk to someone.
Parents often describe a child who has become harder to reach or increasingly withdrawn.
Common parent observations:
- Unending reassurance: Questions needing answers over and over
- Morning friction: Everyday school routines turning into negotiations
- Social withdrawal: Party invitations or activities quietly declined
- Teen changes: Spending more time isolated, snapping, or sleeping badly
Many children cannot name what they fear and feel it physically instead. Being unsure is a completely valid reason to reach out.
How therapy works
Anxiety and low mood respond well to being understood before they are tackled. We spend time working out what your child is afraid of, what they have started avoiding, and what that avoidance is quietly costing them. From there the work is practical and paced: small steps back towards what worry has taken away, and skills for noticing thoughts rather than believing every one of them. Younger children do much of this through play. Teenagers usually prefer to talk. Parents stay involved at a level that suits your child’s age, and we are always clear with you about what we are doing.
Anxiety and low mood respond well to being understood before they are tackled.
Our practical approach:
- Uncover what your child fears and what avoidance costs them
- Take small, paced steps back toward what worry has taken away
- Teach skills to notice thoughts without believing every one
- Tailor modalities: Play for younger kids, conversation for teens
Parents stay involved at a comfortable level, with complete transparency every step of the way.
What to expect
Anxiety rarely disappears altogether, and it isn’t meant to — the aim is that it stops running the show. For a lot of young people the first shift comes from doing one avoided thing and surviving it, which makes the next one easier. Low mood tends to lift more slowly than worry does, and often after activity returns rather than before. You’ll have a shared plan, strategies your child can reach for in the moment, and a clearer sense of what helps them and what doesn’t. We review progress with you honestly, including the times when something isn’t working and needs changing.
Anxiety rarely disappears completely — the goal is to stop it running the show.
Key expectations for progress:
- First breakthroughs: Doing one avoided task and realising they can survive it
- Mood shifts: Low mood lifts gradually, often after activity resumes
- Practical tools: Actionable strategies your child can reach for in the moment
- Honest reviews: Ongoing progress checks to adjust what isn’t working
You’ll leave with a clear, shared plan and strategies designed for everyday life.
How We Help You
Reach out for an initial conversation. We’ll listen to your concerns, answer your questions, and guide you on the best support pathway for your family.
We meet to understand your child’s patterns, triggers, and goals, creating a practical, tailored support plan for home, school, and daily life.
We work collaboratively with your child and family using evidence-informed strategies, regularly reviewing progress together to ensure ongoing fit and support.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a referral to book?
No. You can contact us and book directly.
If you’d like to claim a Medicare rebate, you’ll need a Mental Health Care Plan from your GP, paediatrician or psychiatrist first. We’re happy to explain how that works if you’re not sure where to start.
How do I know if it's anxiety or just my child's personality?
It’s a fair question, and often the answer is both. Plenty of children are naturally cautious, and that’s not a problem to be fixed. What we look at is cost: whether worry is stopping your child doing things they want to do, and whether it’s growing.
My child is talking about not wanting to be here. What should I do?
Take it seriously and don’t wait. Contact your GP today, or call Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 or Lifeline on 13 11 14. If you think your child is in immediate danger, call 000.
We are not a crisis service, and we’d rather tell you that plainly than have you waiting on an appointment.
Should I be making my child go to school?
There’s rarely a clean yes or no, and it depends a great deal on what’s driving the avoidance. Generally, the longer a child is away, the harder returning becomes — so we usually work towards a graded return rather than a full stop or a hard push.
Will my child need medication?
Psychologists don’t prescribe, so that’s a conversation for your GP, paediatrician or a psychiatrist. For most children and young people, psychological therapy is the first thing tried, and it’s often enough on its own — for some, a combination of therapy and medication works best. If medication is something you’d like to explore, we’re happy to work alongside your GP or psychiatrist, and with your consent we can share relevant information so everyone’s working from the same picture.
My teenager doesn't want to come. Is there any point?
Often, yes. Plenty of teenagers arrive reluctantly and thaw once they realise the sessions are theirs rather than a report card for their parents. We’d rather start with an unwilling teenager than not start — and if they truly won’t engage, we can work with you instead.
What ages do you work with?
We support children and young people from early childhood through to age eighteen, and their parents. The approach changes considerably with age: play-based work for younger children, and more direct conversation and skills work with teenagers.
Do you work with NDIS participants?
Yes. We see children whose plans are self-managed or plan-managed, and we can invoice your plan manager directly.
If you’re not sure how your child’s plan is managed or what it will cover, bring the details to your first appointment and we’ll go through them with you.
What happens in the first appointment?
Mostly talking and listening. We’ll ask what’s been happening, how long for, what you’ve already tried, and what you’d most like to change. With younger children we’ll often start with you alone. You’ll leave with an initial sense of direction, though a full plan usually takes a session or two.
Can you talk to my child's school?
Yes, with your consent. Schools often see a different side of a child, and consistency between home and classroom makes a real difference.
That might be a phone call with a teacher or wellbeing coordinator, written suggestions you can pass on, or a classroom observation where it would be useful.
Do you offer telehealth appointments?
Yes. Telehealth suits teenagers and parent sessions particularly well, and it helps families who would otherwise be travelling a distance to see us.
Younger children generally do better in the room, so we’ll talk through which mix makes sense for your child.
How many sessions will we need?
It varies. Anxiety work is often a focused block rather than something open-ended, while low mood can take longer. We’ll review progress with you regularly rather than committing you to a set number at the start.
How soon could we be seen?
Get in touch and we’ll tell you what’s actually available rather than a general answer. Availability moves through the year, so it’s always worth asking.
Let's start the Conversation
- For urgent support, please contact Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 or Lifeline on 13 11 14. This form isn't monitored 24/7.
- Melbourne & Mornington Peninsula
- Telehealth Available Australia-Wide
- 1300 233 211
- Send us a message via form
