Child & adolescent therapy is adapted to the developmental level of the young person.  A strong focus of early sessions will be the building of a trusting therapeutic relationship to help the young person feel safe.

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Parent involvement in sessions will vary according the age and developmental level of the child.  For very young children therapy will mainly be with the parents to provide effective strategies for supporting their children and managing behaviour. For older children and adolescents individual strategies will usually be established with the young person, with parent feedback at the start or end of the session.

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Some common reasons families may seek therapy include:
 

• Managing behaviour

• Seeking or adjusting to a diagnosis

• Coping with anxiety

• Low mood

• Emotional regulation

• Learning needs

• School refusal

• Study skills and exam stress

• Social understanding and skills

• Bullying

• Building self-esteem

• Family relationships

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While clients may already have a mental health diagnosis, this is not a requirement for accessing therapy. Clients are welcome to contact for any life experience or challenge that may be causing them concern, or simply if they’re wanting to explore and enhance their wellbeing.

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Some common reasons adults seek therapy include:
 

• Anxiety

• Depression

• Relationships and attachment

• Stress management

• Parenting support

• Executive functioning skills

• Grief & Loss

• Emotional regulation

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If you are unsure whether we can assist, please send us an enquiry.

Children don’t come with a parenting manual (even though we wish they did!), and parenting kids, especially those that are experiencing challenges, can be a tough job.  School of Life Psychology adopt positive parenting practices to aid communication, build consistency and explore effective strategies to help parents best support their children. 

School of Life Psychology offers a range of assessments, including diagnostic assessments.

Assessments offered include:
 

• Cognitive (WISC-V, WAIS-IV)

• Educational/achievement (WIAT-III, CTOPP-2)

• Adaptive Behaviour (Vineland 3, WHODAS)

• Specific Learning Disorder

• Giftedness

• Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

• Autism Spectrum Disorder

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As an AHPRA Board-approved supervisor, Madeline Sibbing offers clinical supervision to psychologists. This is offered for general peer supervision or as part of internship requirements. Supervision is offered either in-person or via telehealth. Madeline’s supervision style is reflective and client-centred, with the aim of helping supervisees to work out the way forward, while enhancing self-awareness in their work.

School of Life Psychology provides training and consultation services upon request.  These can be provided to parent groups, educators (pre-school, primary and secondary school) and community groups on a variety of topics.  Past training topics include: ​

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• Building social and emotional skills in pre-schoolers

• Troubleshooting behavioural challenges for parents of young children

• Supporting children and young people to regain motivation following the COVID pandemic

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