Child & Adolescent Psychology
Excellence in Child Clinical Psychology
Child and Adolescent Psychology and Therapy
Supporting Your Child or Teen Through Life’s Challenges
At Mindworx Psychology, we are passionate about helping children and teenagers navigate the complexities of growing up. Whether your child is struggling with anxiety, depression, school refusal, emotional regulation, or behavioural concerns, our team of child and adolescent psychologists provides trauma-informed, neuroaffirming, evidence-based therapies tailored to their needs.
Is Your Child or Teen Struggling?
As a parent, it can be tough to know how to support your child when they are feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or withdrawn. Some signs that your child or teenager might benefit from professional support include:
- Persistent worries, anxiety, or panic attacks
- Mood swings, sadness, or signs of depression
- School avoidance, school refusal or a sudden drop in academic performance
- Social withdrawal, friendship difficulties, or bullying
- Defiance, anger outbursts, or behavioral concerns
- Difficulty managing big emotions or coping with change
You’re not alone, and help is available. Our experienced child psychologists and teen therapists provide strategies that work – helping young people develop the confidence, resilience, and coping skills they need to thrive.
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About Child Therapy & Clinical Psychologists for Teenagers
How We Help: Tailored Therapy for Children & Teens
At Mindworx Psychology, we use evidence-based approaches to support emotional wellbeing in children and teenagers. Our team of child psychologists and adolescent psychologists are experienced in working with children and adolescents to provide therapy.
Many of us have trained in a wide range of therapies and can offer programs such as:
- Cool Kids Program
- Chilled Program for Teens
- Westmead Feelings Program
- Parent-Child Interaction Therapies
- Circle of Security
Our experienced child psychologists and teen therapists provide strategies that work – helping young people develop the confidence, resilience, and coping skills they need to thrive.
What are anxiety disorders?
From infancy, through childhood and into adolescence, fears develop which parallel development in our children’s cognitive development. They also parallel development in social competencies and concerns.
This means that it is common for a 6 month old to be afraid of loud noises, or for separation anxiety to appear in toddlers. It’s common for fears of natural disasters to emerge around ages 5-7 years, and for performance and social rejection fears to emerge in middle childhood and adolescence.
But when anxiety persists, or seems extreme, it should be assessed.
Grief & Loss in Children and Adolescents
Grief is a deeply personal experience, and for children and adolescents, it can be particularly complex. The loss of a loved one, a pet, a family separation, or even significant life changes – such as moving schools – can bring overwhelming emotions that young people may struggle to express or understand.
At Mindworx Psychology, we know that grief doesn’t follow a set timeline. Children and teenagers grieve in their own way and at their own pace – sometimes showing sadness, sometimes withdrawing, and sometimes expressing their pain through frustration, anxiety, or changes in behaviour.
Signs Your Child May Be Struggling With Grief
While grief is a natural response to loss, some young people find it especially difficult to process. Signs that your child or teen may need extra support include:
- Emotional changes – Intense sadness, anger, guilt, or numbness
- Behavioural shifts – Increased withdrawal, irritability, or acting out
- Changes in sleep or appetite – Difficulty sleeping, nightmares, or a loss of interest in food
- Struggles at school – Difficulty concentrating, declining grades, or school refusal
- Ongoing distress – Grief that feels “stuck” or overwhelming over time
How We Support Children & Teens Through Loss
We help young people navigate grief in a healthy way by providing a safe space to express their feelings and process their loss. Our psychologists use age-appropriate, evidence-based approaches to support children and adolescents, including:
- Therapeutic conversations & creative expression – Talking, drawing, storytelling, or play therapy to help younger children process emotions
- Coping skills & emotional regulation – Teaching practical tools to manage waves of grief
- Memory-making & meaning-making – Finding ways to honour and remember a loved one
- Family guidance & parental support – Helping caregivers understand and support their child’s grief journey
Grief doesn’t mean forgetting – it means learning to carry love and loss in a way that allows healing. If your child or teen is struggling with grief, early support can help them feel less alone and develop the resilience to move forward in a way that feels right for them.
Contact us today to find out how we can help.
Sleep Problems in Children & Adolescents
Good sleep is essential for a child’s emotional well-being, brain development, and overall health. Yet, many children and teenagers struggle with sleep problems, from difficulty falling asleep to frequent night wakings or feeling exhausted during the day. When sleep challenges persist, they can affect mood, attention, learning, and behavior, making everyday life more difficult for both young people and their families.
At Mindworx Psychology, we help children, teens, and parents understand the root causes of sleep difficulties and develop strategies for restful, healthy sleep habits.
Common Sleep Challenges in Young People
While occasional sleep struggles are normal, persistent sleep issues can signal an underlying concern. Some common sleep difficulties include:
- Difficulty falling asleep (sleep-onset insomnia) – Taking a long time to fall asleep, often due to anxiety, overthinking, or difficulty winding down.
- Frequent night wakings – Waking up multiple times during the night and struggling to go back to sleep.
- Early morning waking – Waking too early and being unable to return to sleep.
- Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome (DSPS) – A common issue in teenagers, where their body clock shifts later, making it hard to sleep before midnight and wake up early for school.
- Nightmares & night terrors – Disruptive dreams or sudden night wakings that cause distress.
- Restless or poor-quality sleep – Tossing and turning, frequent waking, or feeling unrefreshed after sleep.
Long-term sleep issues can impact mood, attention, memory, and emotional regulation, making it harder for children and teenagers to thrive at school and in daily life.
What Causes Sleep Problems?
Sleep disturbances can be linked to many factors, including:
- Anxiety & stress – Worries or an overactive mind preventing relaxation.
- Screen time & technology use – Blue light exposure from phones, tablets, or gaming before bed disrupting melatonin production.
- Poor sleep habits – Inconsistent bedtime routines, late-night studying, or irregular sleep patterns.
- Neurodevelopmental differences – Children with ADHD, autism, or sensory sensitivities often struggle with sleep regulation.
- Environmental factors – Noise, temperature, or an uncomfortable sleep space.
How We Help
At Mindworx Psychology, we use evidence-based strategies to help children, teens, and parents develop better sleep habits and address the root causes of sleep difficulties. Our approach includes:
- Cognitive-behavioral strategies for sleep (CBT-I) – Teaching children and teens how to manage anxiety and racing thoughts at bedtime.
- Anxiety management – Beating fears of the dark, seperation anxiety and settling to sleep
- Screen & technology management – Helping young people create healthy boundaries with screens before bed.
- Relaxation techniques – Guided relaxation, mindfulness, and breathing exercises to calm the nervous system.
- Building a healthy sleep routine – Establishing consistent sleep schedules and bedtime habits to support natural sleep cycles
- Parent guidance & support – Helping families implement effective strategies to improve their child’s sleep quality.
A good night’s sleep can make a world of difference to a child’s mood, focus, and overall well-being. If your child or teenager is struggling with sleep, we’re here to help.
Contact us today to find out more about how we can support your family.
Find the Right Psychologist for Your Child
Choosing a Child or Teen Psychologist
We understand getting the right fit of child psychologist or adolescent psychologist will be important. Both you and your child need to be comfortable with the person you choose, and comfortable with the methods of assessment and the type of treatment or therapy chosen.
Our team is trauma-informed and neuroaffirming. Skills building is a large part of cognitive behavioural therapy. Our team also draw from other types of therapy, such as DBT, ACT, EMDR and others to help your child achieve their goals.
Our intakes officer will take the time to ensure that you are properly matched.
How to get referred to our child and adolescent psychologists
Your child’s psychologist
We are an accredited Specialist Allied Health and Behaviour Support provider for NSW public schools. Our child and adolescent psychologists work closely with primary schools, preschools and high schools in the Hills District, and across Sydney to improve the mental wellbeing of children of all ages – from preschool through to teenagers.
When coming to our private practice for face to face, or for telehealth support:
- No referral is required: Children and families may opt to work privately with our team of child and adolescent psychologists.
- Referral from GP or Paediatrician – allows for Medicare rebate claiming
Children and teens may be referred to us through their school, paediatrician or GP for help and support. We often work in conjunction with the school learning support team, school counsellors and with class teachers. When necessary, we can visit schools or pre-schools to conduct assessments or to ensure a collaborative approach to solving problems.
A collaborative, holistic approach to mental health and wellbeing underpins our work. We want to read any reports you have already received from an OT, Speech Pathologist or Paediatrician. We always recommend that your child or teen has a GP check up, as well as an eye check and a hearing test prior to your appointment. We believe excellence in clinical psychology assessments starts with a very wide lens – and that involves the careful collection of evidence, as well as timely liaison with your child’s team.
Ready for Change?
You’re not alone, and help is available.
At Mindworx Psychology, we are passionate about helping children and teenagers navigate the complexities of growing up. Whether your child is struggling with anxiety, depression, school refusal, emotional regulation, or behavioural concerns, our team of child and adolescent psychologists provides trauma-informed, neuroaffirming, evidence-based therapies tailored to their needs.
Child Counselling
Child and Adolescent Clinical Psychology involves counselling, but our counselling skills are not the entirety of treatment. We use counselling skills to deliver evidence based treatments that make a difference – and bring change. We want to solve your child or teenager’s problems, not just talk them through. For that reason, Clinical Psychology for children often involves the building of skills for life.
All of our Psychologists offer a wide range of therapies. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy, Interpersonal Therapy (IPT), Narrative Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, Schema Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR), Emotion Focused Therapy… the list is long.
The good news is that you don’t have to work out what your child will need – based on symptoms, problems, and goals, your therapist will use an eclectic, tailored mix of gold standard therapies. We know one size doesn’t fit everyone, and we understand that the goal in seeking help is to get better – whatever that means for your unique situation.
If you are ready for change, we are here to help. We look forward to talking with you.
To make an appointment call us on 02 7801 3481 or request an appointment using our online form
Our Location
Suite 206, 10 Century Circuit, Norwest Central, Baulkham Hills, NSW 2155
Fees & Insurance
You do not need a GP referral to book an appointment at Mindworx Psychology.
Medicare Rebates are available if you have a valid referral from a GP, Psychiatrist or Paediatrician.
Your Private Health Fund may offer cover for Psychology Services – you can check this directly with your fund.
