Child Psychologist Gold Coast | Support for Children & Parents
Helping children understand their emotions, build confidence and develop the skills to navigate life's challenges.
When your child is struggling, it can be difficult to know what to do - particularly when they can't explain what is wrong or their behaviour seems to have changed.
You may be noticing more worries, emotional outbursts, school difficulties, friendship problems, separation anxiety, behavioural changes or difficulty coping with everyday situations.
As a psychologist with a background in both psychology and education, I work with children and parents to understand what is happening and develop practical strategies that support your child's emotional wellbeing.
Therapy is tailored to your child's age, developmental stage, personality and individual needs.
When Your Child Is Struggling
Children don't always have the words to explain when something is wrong.
Instead, difficulties may show up through behaviour, emotions, sleep, school, friendships or changes in the way they interact with family.
You might notice that your child: -
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seems more anxious or worried
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has frequent emotional outbursts
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becomes easily frustrated or overwhelmed
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is having difficulty separating from you
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doesn't want to go to school
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is struggling with friendships
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has become withdrawn or less confident
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is having difficulty managing big emotions
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seems more irritable or angry
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is finding everyday situations harder to manage
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is struggling to adjust to change
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has difficulty concentrating or completing tasks
Sometimes it can be difficult to know whether a behaviour is simply part of growing up or whether your child needs additional support.
You don't need to have the answer before seeking help.
The first step is understanding what may be happening and what your child needs.
How I Can Help
Anxiety and Worries
Children can experience worries about school, friendships, separation, new situations, making mistakes or things happening to themselves or people they love.
Anxiety may show up as reassurance-seeking, avoidance, physical complaints, sleep difficulties, clinginess or emotional outbursts.
Therapy can help children understand anxiety, develop coping strategies and gradually build confidence in managing situations that feel difficult.
Emotional Regulation
Some children experience emotions very intensely and find it difficult to calm themselves once they become upset.
This may look like tantrums, anger, crying, shutting down, frustration or becoming overwhelmed by situations that seem small to adults.
Therapy can help children recognise emotions, understand triggers and develop age-appropriate strategies for managing big feelings.
Parents can also learn ways to support their child's regulation at home.
Behavioural Difficulties
Behaviour is often a form of communication.
When children are struggling, difficulties may show up through defiance, anger, meltdowns, arguing, avoidance or other behaviours that can be challenging for parents to manage.
Rather than simply focusing on stopping the behaviour, therapy can help explore what may be underneath it and identify strategies that support both the child and the family.
School Difficulties
School can become overwhelming for children for many different reasons.
Your child may be struggling with anxiety, friendships, academic demands, concentration, perfectionism, learning difficulties, neurodivergence or changes within their school or home environment.
You may notice: -
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reluctance to go to school
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frequent school refusal or avoidance
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morning distress
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difficulty separating from parents
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anxiety about tests or schoolwork
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falling behind academically
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difficulty concentrating
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friendship difficulties
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emotional outbursts after school
My background in education provides an additional understanding of the school environment and the challenges children can experience within it.
Where appropriate and with consent, working collaboratively with parents and relevant school professionals can form part of the support process.
Friendships and Social Difficulties
Friendships become increasingly important as children grow, and difficulties with peers can have a significant impact on confidence and wellbeing.
Your child may be struggling to make friends, manage conflict, understand social situations, cope with being left out or respond to teasing or bullying.
Therapy can help children develop communication, problem-solving and social skills while building confidence in navigating relationships.
ADHD and Neurodiversity
Children with ADHD, autism or other neurodivergent characteristics may experience the world differently and can sometimes find everyday expectations challenging.
Difficulties may include: -
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emotional regulation
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concentration
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impulsivity
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organisation
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transitions and changes
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sensory overwhelm
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friendships
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school expectations
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following routines
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managing frustration
A neuro-affirming approach focuses on understanding your child's individual strengths and challenges rather than expecting them to simply "fit in".
Therapy can help children develop practical strategies while also helping parents understand what their child may need to thrive.
Confidence and Self-Esteem
Children are constantly developing their understanding of who they are and what they can do.
Experiences at home, school and with peers can influence how they see themselves.
A child struggling with confidence may: -
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avoid trying new things
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become very upset when they make mistakes
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compare themselves with others
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be reluctant to speak up
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worry about what others think
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become highly self-critical
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give up easily when something feels difficult
Therapy can help children recognise their strengths, develop more helpful ways of thinking and build confidence in managing challenges.
Supporting Children Through Change
Children can find significant life changes difficult to understand and manage.
This might include: -
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parents separating
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changes in family circumstances
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moving house or school
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the arrival of a new sibling
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friendship changes
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grief and loss
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changes in family relationships
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other stressful experiences
Children may not always talk about how these experiences are affecting them.
Therapy provides a safe space to help children understand their feelings, express themselves and develop strategies for adapting to change.
What Therapy Looks Like for Children
Children don't necessarily experience therapy in the same way adults do.
The approach is adapted to your child's age, developmental stage and personality.
Depending on your child's needs, sessions may involve: -
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talking and storytelling
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drawing and creative activities
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games and activities
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identifying and understanding emotions
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learning coping strategies
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problem-solving
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developing communication skills
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practising ways to manage difficult situations
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building confidence and emotional awareness
The first priority is building a relationship where your child feels safe, understood and comfortable.
There is no expectation that a child will immediately sit down and talk about everything that is worrying them.
How Parents Are Involved
Parents are an important part of a child's support system.
Depending on your child's age and circumstances, therapy may involve your child individually, parent consultations, or a combination of both.
Parent sessions may focus on: -
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understanding your child's behaviour
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identifying triggers
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responding to emotional outbursts
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setting appropriate boundaries
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supporting emotional regulation
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managing anxiety and avoidance
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improving communication
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supporting friendships and school difficulties
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developing practical strategies for home
The aim isn't to blame parents or suggest that you're doing something wrong.
Parenting a child who is struggling can be incredibly difficult, and sometimes having a better understanding of what is happening can make a significant difference.
When You Don't Know What's Wrong
You don't need to arrive with a diagnosis or a clear explanation.
Sometimes parents simply know that their child isn't themselves.
You may be thinking: -
"Is this just a phase?"
"Am I overreacting?"
"Why has my child suddenly changed?"
"Why can't they manage things that other children seem to manage?"
"Am I handling this the right way?"
These are all reasonable questions.
An initial appointment can help us understand what is happening, consider what may be contributing to your child's difficulties and determine what support may be appropriate.
You Don't Have to Work It Out Alone
If you're worried about your child, you don't need to have everything figured out before seeking help.
Sometimes the first step is simply having a conversation about what you've been noticing and working out what might be helpful.
Early support can make a meaningful difference.
Psychologist in Bundall, Gold Coast
In-person appointments and telehealth available.