Psychotherapy for Children & Adolescents
Children experience difficulties like stress, anxiety, and depression at times in their lives, which can be effectively addressed through therapy.
"The child, when she plays, is in a relationship with the desire of the Other, and it is within this game that we must listen to her." Jacques Lacan
Child Psychologist in Melbourne: Support For Children and Their Parents
Bita is a child psychologist based in Melbourne, offering psychotherapy and consultations for children of all ages, from infancy through adolescence (0–16 years). She works collaboratively with families to address concerns arising at home or in school, including emotional, behavioural, and developmental difficulties.
Common Issues Addressed
The children Bita sees may present with a range of concerns, such as:
- Anxiety or withdrawal
- Autism spectrum presentations
- Peer difficulties and social conflict
- Attention, concentration, or listening problems
- ADHD related tendencies
- Regulation
- Difficulties listening to and following classroom instructions
Behavioural issues, including persistent conflict at home, are often signs of deeper distress. These expressions can signal an underlying issue, or unresolved tension, requiring a particular listening and understanding that can be understood and worked through with appropriate psychological support.
These difficulties may include anxiety, autism, peer conflict, attention and listening problems and ADHD tendencies, regulation issues and struggles with following classroom instructions.
Child Therapy
Bita’s clinical work is grounded in a psychoanalytic framework. Rather than focusing solely on behavioural change, this approach invites reflection on the meaning of a child’s difficulties within the family, school, and broader interpersonal contexts.
The Child's Symptoms Have Meaning
When a child is anxious, aggressive, withdrawn, or struggling in school, Lacan suggests we see these not just as problems to fix, but as messages. A child’s behaviour might be a way of speaking through actions, because they don’t yet have the words for what they feel.
What Can Help?
The eminent psychoanalyst and psychiatrist, Jacques Lacan posited that listening to the chilld especially through their play, drawings, or stories can help us understand what they're trying to say. Working with parents is often part of this process. It’s not about blaming anyone, but about understanding the family members' unconscious positions that might be affecting the child. In short, Lacan’s message is:
When a child is struggling, we need to look at their relationships and listen closely. Their behaviour often has something important to tell us.
Therapy becomes a space for the child's experience to be heard, symbolised, and made sense of over time. Work with parents is essential particularly depending on the ages of the child, as care, unconscious messages, and the child's inner world are explored together through play, talking and drawing.
Starting Therapy For The Child
To begin, book an appointment with child psychologist Melbourne, where we can discuss your observations and concerns privately. I will speak with you regarding your child's early life, family history, education, and background to discuss my specific recommendations. As part of this work together, I may work with you and your child or I may suggest family sessions in my practice to discuss to understand together what may be going on for the child.
Working With the Parent/s
Depending on the nature of the difficulties, Bita may work directly with the child or suggest parent–child sessions. These conversations help us work through and come to a shared understanding about the sources of difficulty, what therapy hopes to address, the historical, and contexts involved in the child’s experience.
Ongoing Support
Each family’s experience is unique. As the therapeutic work unfolds, Bita pays close attention to the unspoken aspects of what may be troubling your child, and how this is unconsciously communicated through behaviour, affect, and interaction.
Child Psychologist Melbourne: Expertise
Working with The Child
As a psychologist working with children in Melbourne, I commenced my clinical training many years ago, working in primary schools with children facing a range of complex challenges, including autism spectrum, severe developmental issues, attentional difficulties, ADHD, psychotic disorders, anxiety, and depression.
Working through Sources of Difficulty
In my experience, these difficulties were sometimes triggered from significant transitions or changes within the family, such as illness, the loss of a loved one, migration, or even the passing of a family pet - events that carry profound meaning and importance for children.
My approach is collaborative and based in psychoanalytic theory, which emphasises the important role of family upbringing, relationships and childhood experiences. A key aspect of this work involves speaking with the parents to support the child's therapeutic journey. I am here to listen, understand together, and address the difficulties emerging for the child and within your family in the sessions.
Child Psychologist Melbourne: FAQs About Sessions & Structure
Effective treatment benefits from a supportive and collaborative approach. I am here to understand and help address the challenges you face regarding your child.
What is the session structure?
The first step is to book an appointment to indicate whether you prefer to see Bita, Psychologist in Hawthorn or Belgrave practice. Ideally, both parents come to the initial session. If one parent is overseas, we can arrange a hybrid session to ensure they can talk about the child too. In cases where only one parent is involved, or if there are family orders or separated families, I can conduct separate discussions with each parent.
I don’t get along with the other parent, and we have different parenting styles. Do they have to come?
Parental disagreements are important and may be relevant to discuss in the session. However, parent sessions with me are distinct from couple therapy sessions. If it is determined that both parents need therapy, I can address that directly with each parent during the session.
For the purpose of addressing issues related to your child, it’s important to focus on the child and the perspectives shared by the parents or other caregivers. Disagreements between parents are separate and discussed in individual therapy sessions.
Can I use Medicare rebates for my child's sessions?
Yes, and as of 2023, Medicare allows two of the child's parent-only sessions to be counted under a child’s mental health care plan. You may also be eligible to obtain your own separate plans depending on need. For information on obtaining a valid referral for your child, please visit the FAQ page. (see valid Medicare referral checklist FAQ).