Counselling for children, young people, parents and whole families - developmentally appropriate for the child, practical for the adults, and trauma-informed throughout.
When something goes wrong for a child, it is rarely only the child who is affected — and it is rarely only the child who can fix it. Child and family counselling works with both: the child’s own experience, and the family relationships and routines around them.
Our counselling is delivered by a highly experienced social worker, using approaches matched to the person in the room. For a young child that means play-based and developmentally appropriate work. For a teenager it means being taken seriously rather than managed. For a parent it means practical, respectful conversation without jargon.
For children from around three years of age, counselling is play-informed and paced by the child. We work with:
Whole-of-family, not just the referred child. Very often a child is referred and it becomes clear that a parent is carrying something of their own, or that what the family needs first is practical rather than therapeutic. We can hold both — counselling for more than one family member, and practical wellbeing support alongside it.
Nobody is pushed to disclose before they are ready. Safety and predictability come first, and the pace is set by the client.
A six-year-old is not given adult talking therapy. The method changes with the age and stage of the person in front of us.
We work with families from diverse cultural and language backgrounds, including African and CALD communities, and treat cultural context as central rather than incidental.
Counselling often sits next to real-world problems — housing, school, income, immigration, service systems. We can connect you to advocacy and practical support at the same time.
If you or a child is in immediate danger, call 000. For 24/7 support contact Lifeline on 13 11 14, Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800, 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732, or Safe Steps on 1800 015 188. Our counselling service is not a crisis or after-hours service.
Counselling is available across the Goulburn Region and Melbourne North, including Craigieburn, Epping, Wallan and Seymour.
From around three years of age through to adults. The method changes considerably across that range — play-based for young children, conversational and collaborative for teenagers and adults.
No. You can contact us directly to arrange an initial conversation. We also accept referrals from schools, health professionals and community services.
Yes, with the standard legal limits: we must act where there is a risk of serious harm to you or someone else, or where child safety is involved. We explain this clearly at the first session so there are no surprises.
Often, yes. Some work is best done individually, some with a parent and child together, and some with the wider family. We will talk through what is likely to help in your situation.
Sometimes — therapeutic supports may be funded under Capacity Building — Improved Daily Living where they relate to a participant’s disability. We are an NDIS service provider, not an NDIS registered provider, which affects how your plan can be used. Bring your plan and we will look at it with you.
We will say so. Sometimes what a family needs first is practical support, a specialist service, or a medical assessment. We would rather point you to the right door than fill a session.
Most people we work with combine two or three of these. Mix and match whatever fits your plan.
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