Children and Young People Counselling
When a child or young person is struggling, our counselling service offers them a space to talk, cope, and find their way forward.
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It can be difficult to watch your child go through a hard time. Our children and young people’s program focuses on a counselling service that provides a safe and inclusive space where your child can feel seen, heard, and supported without judgment. Our experienced counsellors work through what’s happening in their lives, whether they are feeling anxious, struggling at school, or dealing with big changes. We’re here to help them build resilience and develop helpful ways of coping, so they can feel more like themselves again.
Who is this for?
Our children and young people counselling service supports children and young people who may be:
- Feeling anxious, sad, angry or overwhelmed
- Struggling at school or with friendships
- Struggling with mental health concerns
- Coping with bullying, grief or major life changes
- Facing difficulties with emotional regulation or behavioural issues
- Spending too much time online or withdrawing from others
We provide counselling in Melbourne and Victoria for children from primary school age through to adolescents and young adults, tailoring support to each stage of development to improve emotional wellbeing and help them build resilience.
What can I expect?
Our job is to help you feel comfortable and supported.
When you first get in touch, one of our friendly client services officers will explain our fees and help you book your session, whether you prefer to meet at one of our locations or online.
Before your first session you’ll be asked to fill out registration and consent for service forms. This helps us understand your situation better and explains the counselling process and your rights around privacy and confidentiality.
During your first session (which lasts about 50 minutes), your counsellor will:
- Discuss confidentiality and privacy with you.
- Ask questions to understand what’s been happening in your life.
- Explore any underlying triggers or factors that may be contributing to your situation.
- Talk about what you hope to get out of counselling.
We usually begin by meeting with a parent or caregiver to better understand the difficulties your child has been experiencing and determine the best way forward. Your child will then meet with one of our experienced child and youth counsellors in a warm, inclusive and welcoming setting.
What the process looks like:
Step 1 – Parent/Caregiver Intake
We meet with you to understand your concerns, goals and family context.
Step 2 – Initial Sessions
A qualified counsellor will build trust with your child or young person, discussing their experiences and identifying the most appropriate support approach.
Step 3 – Ongoing Counselling
All child counselling sessions use age-appropriate, evidence-based strategies and are designed to help your child or young person to feel comfortable, understood and supported.
Sometimes, the issues affecting children or young people are best addressed with the whole family involved. The counsellor you see will discuss this with you and your child, if this is the best way forward.
How can we help?
Our child and young person counselling services are focused on building resilience, improving communication and managing emotions. We support children and young people to:
- Express and manage their emotions in healthy ways
- Improve their confidence and build resilience
- Better manage school stress, family changes or peer conflict
- Improve relationships and communication skills
- Develop helpful coping strategies for life’s ups and downs
How to book
Getting started is simple. Just reach out to our client services team who will answer any questions, talk you through fees and help you book your first appointment. While sessions are usually available quickly, wait times can vary depending on location.
Program fees
Fees are scaled based on your income. Concession rates are available.
Please let us know if you are experiencing financial hardship. Fee variation or relief can be assessed and applied.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. We are proud to support all children and young people regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, culture or ability. Our organisation is accredited under:
- Health and Community Service Standards
- Rainbow Tick Standards
- National Standards for Mental Health Services
Fees are scaled and based on your income and the type of counselling you’re accessing (individual, relationship or family).
Fees will be explained when you book your first session. If your financial situation changes, let us know and we’ll adjust fees with you.
We work with children from primary school age right through to adolescents and young adults.
Parents or caregivers are often involved, especially during the intake and feedback stages. Ongoing involvement will depend on your child’s needs and the counsellor’s recommendations.
No referral is required. You can contact us directly to make a booking.
No, children and young people, and other counselling services delivered at Relationship Matters are not eligible for a rebate from Medicare and/or Private Health Insurance.
Yes. Protecting your privacy and wellbeing is central to how we work. The only exceptions are where there are concerns about safety or harm or where we are required to release your information as required by law.
Yes. We offer online sessions. If you would prefer to connect online, we’ll guide you through the process.
Absolutely. Please let us know if you have a carer or would like a support person to attend with you.
📞 Call us on 1300 543 396
📧 Email: contact@relationshipmatters.com.au