Psychological Services
Psychological Services
The experienced psychologists at Helping Hands provide assessment and therapy for clients and families with developmental, educational, socio-emotional and mental health needs. Our psychologists work with clients of all ages and are passionate about utilising evidence based and neuro-affirming approaches, supporting clients to achieve their goals while respecting and celebrating diversity. Psychology sessions can be completed in a range of settings (clinic, school, kinder and home), developing a safe and trusting relationship and ensuring skills are both functional and generalisable to every-day life.
The Helping Hands psychology team can provide the following assessment services:
- Autism assessment
- ADHD assessment
- Cognitive assessment
- Assessment of specific learning disorders
- Assessment of adaptive functioning
- Assessment of anxiety disorders and mental health concerns
Psychological Services
The Helping Hands psychology team provide support using evidence- based approaches in the following areas:
- Mental health and wellbeing
- Socio-emotional development
- Cognitive development
- Fears, aversions, trauma
- Parent and family support
- Liaise with schools regarding learning engagement and behaviour challenges
- Self-esteem, self-advocacy and understanding of neurodivergence
Our Kinder/School Therapy and Consultation service is designed to provide comprehensive support for disabled children in educational settings. Through individualized therapy sessions and expert consultations, we work closely with schools and families to create an inclusive and nurturing environment. Our goal is to ensure that every child receives the tailored care and attention they need to succeed academically, socially, and emotionally. By fostering collaboration between educators, parents, and therapists, we help children overcome challenges and unlock their full potential.
How we can help you
Collaborative Problem Solving with Parents
Psychologists work closely with parents to address challenging behaviours and emotional difficulties through a collaborative problem-solving approach. Sessions provide a supportive environment where parents and psychologists jointly identify underlying issues, discuss the child’s emotional and behavioural patterns, and develop practical strategies that align with the child’s needs. Parents are empowered with tools to implement these strategies at home, fostering consistency in addressing challenges. The approach helps build a stronger parent-child relationship by encouraging open communication, understanding, and shared problem-solving.
Comprehensive Psychological Assessments
Psychologists conduct in-depth assessments to gain a clear understanding of a child’s cognitive, emotional, and behavioural development. These assessments may include standardised testing, observational analysis, and interviews with both the child and parents. The goal is to identify strengths, areas of concern, and any underlying factors contributing to learning difficulties, behavioural challenges, or emotional regulation issues. Following the assessment, psychologists provide detailed reports with recommendations for interventions, therapies, or further support, offering parents valuable insights to guide their child’s progress both at home and in school.
Emotional Regulation and Stress Management
Psychologists provide individualised support to help children understand and manage their emotions. Through play-based interventions, mindfulness techniques, and cognitive-behavioural strategies, children learn how to identify triggers and develop practical tools for managing anxiety, frustration, and overwhelming emotions. This process equips them with the confidence to handle emotional challenges they may face at home or in educational settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are many reasons why children may need a psychological assessment. This could be to pinpoint your child’s strengths and areas for improvement, to assess your child’s abilities across various domains, including oral language, reading proficiency, comprehension and fluency, written expression, and mathematical skills. This could also be to receive comprehensive results and recommendations that can assist in securing funding from schools, Centrelink, or the NDIS.
The best psychological therapy for children often depends on the child’s specific needs, age, and the nature of their difficulties. Here are some widely used and effective therapies for children:
- Play Therapy: This therapy uses play as a way for children to express their feelings, thoughts, and experiences. It can be particularly useful for younger children who might not have the verbal skills to express themselves clearly.
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): CBT helps children understand and change negative thought patterns and behaviours. It’s effective for issues like anxiety, depression, and behavioural problems. Adaptations of CBT for children often include more visual aids and interactive elements.
- Attachment-Based Therapy: This therapy focuses on improving the attachment between a child and their caregivers. It’s particularly useful for children with issues related to attachment and bonding.
- Family Therapy: Sometimes, issues arise from family dynamics. Family therapy involves working with the entire family to improve communication and resolve conflicts.
Each child is unique, so a combination of these approaches might be used based on their individual needs and circumstances. This will be determined through various assessments and developing an understanding of the child and their needs.
Individualised therapy that uses a neurodiverse affirming approach. Our psychologists can conduct 1:1 therapy or parental support and training. Our psychologists will determine what is best practice for each client. Collaboration with the child’s community such as family, school or kinder teachers and other allied health teams.
Behavioral and emotional signs, social and developmental issues, academic and cognitive concerns, trauma or significant life changes.
Psychology may be partly or fully covered by Medicare, NDIS, mental health care plans (MHCP), private health insurance and other funding sources.