Who can attend appointments?
Infants, children, adolescents, parents and carers. Support may involve working directly with a child or young person, with parents/carers, or with both depending on the presenting concerns and developmental needs.
Do parents need to be involved in therapy?
Parent involvement is an important part of child and adolescent therapy. The level of involvement will vary depending on your child’s age, needs and goals. This is discussed collaboratively at the beginning of therapy and reviewed as treatment progresses.
What happens in the first appointment?
The first appointment focuses on understanding your concerns, gathering relevant background information and clarifying goals for therapy. For children, this may include play-based or developmentally appropriate engagement. Parents are usually involved in the initial session or part of the session.
Does my child need to talk in therapy?
No. Children often express themselves through play, activities or shared experiences rather than conversation alone. Therapy is tailored to your child’s developmental stage and comfort level and does not rely solely on talking.
What if my child does not want to attend therapy?
It is common for children and adolescents to feel unsure about therapy. Sessions are approached gently and at a pace that supports safety and engagement. Therapy does not rely on forcing a child to talk and instead builds trust over time.
How long does therapy take?
The length of therapy varies depending on the nature and complexity of the concerns and individual goals. Some families attend for short-term support while others benefit from longer-term therapy. This is discussed openly and reviewed regularly.
What ages do you work with?
Infants, children and adolescents. Parent support may also be provided as part of a child-focused intervention.
Do you diagnose mental health conditions?
Clinical psychologists are trained to assess diagnose and treat mental health conditions. Where appropriate, assessment findings and diagnoses are discussed carefully with parents and adolescents and used to guide intervention and support planning.
What is your approach to therapy?
Therapy is grounded in evidence-based practice, including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) and attachment-informed approaches. Interventions are respectful, collaborative and developmentally appropriate. For children, therapy often incorporates play, creativity and curiosity.
Do you offer assessments?
Yes. Kate provides psychological assessments for children and adolescents where clinically indicated. Including cognitive and learning assessments, identification of giftedness and assessment for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Assessment suitability, fees and scope are discussed prior to commencement.
Do you provide court reports?
No. We do not provide court reports, family law assessments or opinions for legal proceedings. The practice is not able to act as an expert witness or provide reports for use in court matters.
Can you speak with my child’s school or other professionals?
With consent, Kate can liaise with schools, GPs and other professionals involved in your child’s care where clinically appropriate.
Do I need a referral?
Referrals are accepted from GPs, paediatricians and other health professionals. Self-referrals are also accepted. A valid GP Mental Health Treatment Plan is required to access Medicare rebates.
Will Medicare support some of my sessions?
Yes. Medicare rebates are available for up to 10 individual and up to 10 group sessions per calendar year under the Better Access initiative via referral from your GP or paediatrician. There is an out of pocket expense.
Is therapy confidential?
Confidentiality is an essential part of psychological practice. Confidentiality is a fundamental part of psychological practice. Information shared in therapy and assessment is treated with care and respect and is stored securely in line with privacy legislation.
For children and adolescents, confidentiality is managed in a developmentally appropriate way. While parents and caregivers are involved in treatment, the child or young person’s privacy is also respected. Information is generally shared with parents in a way that supports the child’s wellbeing and therapeutic goals rather than through disclosure of all session content.
There are limits to confidentiality as required by law and ethical guidelines. Information may need to be disclosed if:
- There is a serious and immediate risk of harm to the client or others
- There are concerns regarding child safety or abuse
- Records are subpoenaed by a court
- Disclosure is otherwise required by law
Further information regarding privacy, record keeping and information sharing is outlined in the practice Privacy Policy.
Is this a crisis service?
No. This is not a crisis or emergency service. If you are concerned about immediate safety please contact emergency services on 000 or a 24-hour crisis support service.
How do I make an enquiry?
To enquire about therapy or assessments please contact the practice directly via email or phone. Referrals and enquiries are reviewed to ensure suitability and availability.
Ethical Practice
Kate is registered with the Australian Health Practitioners Agency and is committed to providing ethical, respectful and evidence-based psychological care. Services are delivered in accordance with the APS Code of Ethics, AHPRA registration standards, and relevant Australian legislation.
Care is guided by professional integrity, respect for individual and family circumstances, and a commitment to providing developmentally appropriate and culturally responsive support. Therapy and assessment practices prioritise the wellbeing and safety of children and adolescents while working collaboratively with parents and caregivers.
Kate engages in ongoing professional development and clinical supervision to ensure practice remains current, reflective and consistent with best practice standards.