No referral is needed. You can book directly through the website. If you are accessing support through NDIS, a support coordinator, plan manager or family member may also assist with arranging an appointment.

Yes. Growing Pains provides counselling and mentoring support for children and young people. Sessions are tailored to the young person’s age, developmental stage, needs and communication style. Support may include emotional regulation, confidence building, managing school stress, social challenges, family conflict and behaviour support.

Yes. Parent and carer involvement can be very helpful, especially when supporting children and young people. Sessions may include practical strategies for communication, behaviour, routines, emotional regulation and supporting wellbeing at home and school.

The first session is an intake appointment. This is a chance to understand what has brought you to counselling, discuss your goals, explore relevant background information and decide what support may be helpful moving forward. For children and young people, this may also include speaking with a parent or carer.

Standard counselling sessions are usually 60 minutes. Extended sessions may be available where more time is needed, such as for complex family situations, couples work or more detailed planning and support.

Yes. Online sessions may be available depending on your needs and circumstances. Online counselling can be a helpful option for adults, parents, carers or young people who feel comfortable engaging through video or struggle to fit their counselling appointments around their busy schedule.

Yes. Couples counselling is available for people wanting to improve communication, rebuild connection, manage conflict or work through relationship challenges in a safe and structured space.

Yes. Family conflict support can help families improve communication, understand patterns of conflict, reduce tension and develop more practical ways of responding to challenges at home.

Yes. Growing Pains can support eligible NDIS participants where counselling or capacity-building support aligns with the person’s goals. This may include emotional regulation, social skills, confidence, daily functioning, family communication and support to build independence.

No, at this stage, we are unable to accept clients that wish to see a mental health professional through Medicare or Private Health Insurance.

Educational advocacy and support helps children, young people and families navigate school-related concerns. This may include support around school stress, learning needs, behaviour concerns, communication with schools, reasonable adjustments, attendance issues and connecting with appropriate supports.

No. Growing Pains does not provide formal diagnosis. However, counselling can support people who are exploring or awaiting assessment, already have a diagnosis, or need help with emotional regulation, behaviour, routines, school stress, relationships and everyday functioning.

Yes, counselling is confidential. There are some limits to confidentiality, such as when there are concerns about safety, risk of harm, child protection, legal requirements or when information needs to be shared with consent to support coordinated care. Confidentiality will be discussed clearly at the beginning of support.

This depends on your goals, needs and circumstances. Some people only need a small number of sessions to work through a specific issue, while others benefit from longer-term support. This can be discussed during the intake session and reviewed as counselling progresses.

That is okay. Children and young people often need time to build trust. Sessions can be adapted to include conversation, activities, practical strategies, creative approaches or parent/carer support. The focus is on creating a safe and respectful space, not forcing someone to talk before they are ready.

Appointments can be booked through the Book Now button at the top of the page. You can choose the service that best matches your needs, select an available time and complete the booking process online.

Payment can be made securely by card at the time of booking or appointment. Growing Pains accepts major debit and credit cards. Invoices or receipts can also be provided where required, including for self-managed or plan-managed NDIS participants.