Psychology for Kids

15/10/2025

09/10/2025

World Mental Health Day — October 10

Supporting the mental health of children and teens starts with small, everyday moments.

At Psychology for Kids, we know that mental health isn’t just about coping when things go wrong, it’s about building the skills and connections that help young people feel safe, confident and valued.

Here are some simple ways parents can nurture mental wellbeing at home:

1. Check in regularly
Ask open questions like “What was tricky about today?” instead of “Are you okay?” This invites more honest answers.

2. Name and normalise emotions
When you label feelings (“It sounds like you’re feeling disappointed”) you help your child understand that all emotions are valid and manageable.

3. Model calm
Children learn how to regulate emotions by watching us. Take a breath, pause, and show it’s okay to take time to settle.

4. Keep routines steady
Predictability helps young people feel safe. Even small rituals, a bedtime chat or morning walk can make a big difference.
5. Reach out early
If your child’s worries, mood, or behaviour are affecting daily life, professional support can help them learn healthy coping skills and rebuild confidence.

Every small moment of connection matters.
When we listen, validate, and respond with care, we strengthen our children’s mental health, one conversation at a time.

23/09/2025

10/09/2025

WORLD SU***DE PREVENTION DAY 💛

Today we pause to shine a light on atopic that is often kept in the dark: Su***de. For children and young people, feelings of hopelessness can feel overwhelming and isolating. Su***de is the leading cause of death for young Australians, especially those aged 15-24. In 2023, su***de accounted for 31.8% of deaths in the 15-17 age group in Australia.

As child & adolescent Psychologists, we see every day how powerful connection, compassion and listening without judgment can be. Young people don’t need adults to have all the answers, they need adults to notice, to ask and to walk alongside them when things feel heavy. Remind them they are not alone. Every child and adolescent deserves to feel seen, supported and valued.

Parents and carers seek help if you: Notice changes in the young persons mood, sleep, appetite, school attendance or social withdrawal. Stay connected in consistent ways and show them that it’s safe to talk.

If you or a young person you know Is struggling:

* Call Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800
* Call Lifeline 13 11 14
* Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636
* In an emergency, call 000

***depreventionday

08/09/2025

Life can be super busy and overwhelming at times, whether it’s school, friends, social media, or family pressures. That is why self care is so important. Self care isn’t just about bubble baths and movie nights. It’s about looking after your whole self, including your mind, body and emotions very day.

11/08/2025

BUILDING HONEST RELATIONSHIPS

In adolescence, relationships with friends, family, and mentors shape who young people become. It can be tempting to surround ourselves with people who only tell us what feels good or what we want to hear. But true loyalty, true growth and true friendship comes from those who care enough to be honest with us, even when the truth is tough. Geniune friends typically care enough about you to speak the truth, trusting that your friendship is strong enough to handle it.

However, it’s important to remember that honesty should come from people who truly respect and care for you. Truth from a genuine friend is different from criticism that’s abusive.

As psychologists, we encourage teens to embrace relationships built on trust, respect, and where honesty is at the heart of communication.

For adolescents:
* Seek friends who challenge, not just flatter you or follow you blindly.
* Value honesty as a gift, but recognise the difference between honest feedback and abuse.
* Know that true loyalty means standing by you with truth, respect, and support.
* Encourage honest conversations by sharing your feelings and thoughts openly.
* If a friend is trusting you enough to be real with you, attempt to see their intent.
* Take time to think about the feedback. Is there something useful you can learn here? Sometimes honest feedback helps us grow in ways compliments cannot.
* Ask yourself the question, Could their view be different from mine but still valid?
* Respecting a friend’s honesty doesn’t mean you have to agree with it. It’s okay to share your own truth and explain how you see things differently.
* Avoid shutting down or stonewalling when you disagree with a friend. Everyone sees the world through their own lens, and different truths can coexist.

27/07/2025

We know life can be busy — between school, work, and after-school activities, it’s not always easy to make it to an in-person appointment. That’s why we offer telehealth sessions, so your child or teen can access professional psychological support from the comfort of home.

Telehealth is a flexible, effective option for:
✔️ Anxiety, low mood or emotional regulation
✔️ Behavioural concerns
✔️ Parent support and guidance
✔️ Social challenges
✔️ School-based stress or transitions
✔️ Building resilience and coping skills

We use age-appropriate tools, interactive strategies, and a warm, engaging approach to help young people feel comfortable and supported, even through a screen.

If you’ve been thinking about support but haven’t known where to start, telehealth could be a great first step.

Appointments available during school hours or after school
Suitable for families across Australia
Secure, confidential platform

12/06/2025

BOAT & SUPPORT CREW METAPHOR

As child & adolescent psychologists, one of our favourite ways to assist young people to understand coping is by using the boat and support crew metaphor.

When life gets hard, many young people try to paddle through storms alone. It’s important to encourage them to invite someone into their boat so that they don’t have to try and cope on their own.

Every person in a young persons crew plays a different, but important role. Some help guide, some listen, some help to distract with fun and others sit with the young person so they are not alone when it feels like they are sinking.

You may like to try this with you child:

* Ask them to draw a boat
* Fill it with trusted people or pets that they rely on. “Who do you trust to be in your boat?”
* Talk about the role that each person plays in helping. “How could they help and how do you let them know you need them?”

Helping a young person become more aware about who is in their boat will build emotional awareness and will remind them that they are not alone.

24/05/2025

Dr. William Dobson, a leading researcher in ADHD, found that children with ADHD receive more negative messages than their peers by the time they’re 12 years old.

That’s more times where they’re told:
“Stop that!”
“Why can’t you sit still?”
“What’s wrong with you?”
“Can’t you just be like your sister/brother?”
“Try harder.”

This constant stream of criticism doesn’t just hurt, it shapes how they see themselves, often leading to low self-esteem, anxiety, and disconnection from learning.

Instead we could focus on:

- What the child can do
- How they think differently
- Where their strengths shine
- What supports could make things easier for them

Every child deserves to feel seen, supported, and capable.

19/05/2025

Too often, children struggling with their emotions are misunderstood or dismissed. The truth? Mental health issues in children and adolescent’s are real—and ignoring them can do real harm.

Below are the most common myths and the truths every parent, teacher, and carer needs to know.

12/05/2025

Let’s debunk some of the harmful myths and misconceptions about neurodiversity and replace them with facts that reflect lived experience in order to form the foundation of true inclusion.

06/05/2025

Feeling anxious before a big game, comp, or tryout? Totally normal.

Anxiety in sport isn’t weakness. It’s your body getting ready. Pressure means you care. Anxiety means your brain is on alert.

But too much anxiety? That can mess with focus, confidence, and fun.

But you’ve got tools and you’ve got this. Here’s how to manage it like a pro.