Adolescent Psychology in Melbourne
Dedicated support for young people. Evidence-based therapy and assessment for the challenges of adolescence, delivered in a space that actually feels safe. In person in St Kilda and via telehealth across Australia.
SUPPORTING YOUNG PEOPLE
Adolescence is hard. The right support makes a real difference.
The teenage years are one of the most complex periods of human development. Young people are navigating rapid physical changes, shifting relationships, academic pressure, identity formation, and an increasingly demanding social world, often all at once. For many, this period passes with difficulty but without crisis. For others, it tips into something more serious.
Adolescent mental health problems are common and treatable. Anxiety is the most prevalent, but depression, self-harm, school refusal, disordered eating, and behavioural difficulties are also frequently seen in this age group. The evidence is clear: early support produces better outcomes than waiting for problems to resolve on their own.
At Contemporary Psychology, we work with young people in a way that respects their growing autonomy. We do not simply apply adult therapy to smaller clients. We adapt our approach to where your teen is developmentally, emotionally, and motivationally. We earn their trust before we ask them to do difficult work.
HOW A PSYCHOLOGIST HELPS YOUR TEEN
A safe space to open up
Many adolescents find it easier to talk with someone outside the family. Sessions are confidential and free of judgement. Your teen sets the pace.
Understanding what they're going through
A psychologist helps young people make sense of overwhelming emotions, social pressures, and the physical and identity changes that come with adolescence.
Practical skills that actually help
Evidence-based strategies for managing anxiety, regulating emotions, improving sleep, and navigating relationships, built into real life, not just discussed in a room.
Better family relationships
Adolescent therapy often improves communication within the family. Parents gain insight into what their child is experiencing and how to support without adding pressure.
A foundation for adult wellbeing
Addressing mental health early prevents small difficulties from becoming entrenched. The self-awareness and coping skills built in adolescence carry forward into adulthood.
WHAT WE HELP WITH
Common presentations in adolescence.
Every young person's experience is different. If your teen is struggling with something not on this list, please contact us We are happy to discuss whether we are the right fit.
OUR APPROACH WITH YOUNG PEOPLE
Therapy that meets teens where they actually are.
Adolescents are not mini adults, and effective adolescent therapy is not simply adult therapy delivered to a younger person. Young people need a clinician who understands the developmental context of their difficulties, who can flex between evidence-based structure and genuine human connection, and who earns their trust rather than demanding it.
Many teens arrive at therapy ambivalent or resistant. This is normal and something we work with rather than around. Our psychologists are experienced in motivational approaches that help young people discover their own reasons to engage, rather than going through the motions because a parent arranged it.
Confidentiality is taken seriously. Young people need to know that their space is their own. We work collaboratively with parents within appropriate boundaries, keeping families informed about progress and direction without breaching the trust that makes therapeutic work possible.
Safety before depth
We do not rush. Building a genuine therapeutic relationship with an adolescent takes time and care. We prioritise creating a safe, consistent experience before we ask young people to explore difficult material.
Adapted for developmental stage
Whether we are working with a 13-year-old navigating primary school transitions or a 17-year-old managing VCE pressure and identity questions, our approach adapts to where your teen is, not where we expect them to be.
Involving parents thoughtfully
Parents and caregivers are important partners. We involve families in ways that support the young person's autonomy and the therapeutic relationship, through initial consultations, periodic check-ins, and guidance on how to support at home.
Crisis-aware and clinically supervised
All work with young people involves careful risk assessment. Our psychologists work within a clinically supervised framework and have clear protocols for managing risk, including self-harm and suicidality.
THERAPEUTIC APPROACHES
Evidence-based, not one-size-fits-all.
Our psychologists draw on the approaches with the strongest evidence for adolescent presentations, selected for each young person, not applied generically.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
The most widely researched approach for adolescent anxiety and depression. Helps young people identify unhelpful thought patterns and build practical strategies to shift them.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Particularly useful for adolescents who struggle with psychological flexibility. ACT teaches young people to relate differently to difficult thoughts rather than fighting them.
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
A skills-based approach effective for emotional dysregulation, self-harm, and intense interpersonal difficulties. Builds distress tolerance and emotion regulation skills.
Narrative Therapy
Helps adolescents separate their identity from their problems and rewrite the story they tell about themselves, especially useful for self-esteem and identity work.
Motivational Interviewing
Meets young people where they are. Useful when an adolescent is ambivalent about therapy or change. Builds intrinsic motivation without pressure.
Trauma-Informed Care
All of our work with adolescents is underpinned by an understanding of how trauma shapes the developing brain and body. We create safety before we ask young people to process difficult material.
EARLY SUPPORT MATTERS
Don't wait for the situation to escalate.
Many parents contact us saying they wish they had reached out sooner. The adolescent years move quickly, and difficulties that begin as manageable (a little more withdrawal, some resistance at school, periods of low mood) can deepen significantly if left unaddressed.
You do not need to be in crisis to make an appointment. If something feels off, trust that instinct. An assessment with one of our psychologists will clarify what is happening and whether and what kind of support would be helpful.
Getting the right help at the right time is one of the most meaningful things a parent can do for their child's long-term wellbeing. Reach out today.
Signs worth paying attention to
Withdrawal from family and friends, declining school performance, changes in sleep or eating, persistent irritability, loss of interest in activities, talk of hopelessness or being a burden. These warrant a conversation with a professional.
It's not about labelling your child
Seeing a psychologist does not mean something is fundamentally wrong with your teen. It means you are taking their experience seriously and giving them access to skilled support at a time when it can make a real difference.
The therapeutic relationship is everything
Research consistently shows that the quality of the relationship between a young person and their clinician is the most powerful predictor of outcomes. We take the matching process seriously. If the fit is not right, we will tell you.
ADOLESCENT ASSESSMENTS
Understanding your teen's mind, not just their behaviour.
Sometimes therapy alone is not enough to understand what is driving a young person's difficulties. Comprehensive psychological assessment provides a clear picture of cognitive strengths and challenges, information that is essential for effective support at school, in therapy, and at home.
Our assessments go beyond a diagnosis. They map your teen's individual profile: how they process information, where their strengths lie, and what kinds of environments and strategies are most likely to help them thrive. Parents, teachers, and the young person themselves receive meaningful, actionable feedback.
Assessments are conducted by registered psychologists with specific training in psychometric evaluation. Results are explained in plain language and followed up with a recommendations report suitable for schools and other treating clinicians.
Cognitive Assessments
A comprehensive evaluation of intellectual ability, processing speed, working memory, and executive function. Used to understand overall cognitive capacity and identify areas of relative strength or difficulty. Commonly used for school planning, accommodation requests, and understanding why a bright young person may be struggling academically.
Specific Learning Disorder (SLD) Assessment
Evaluates for dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, and other learning differences that affect reading, writing, and numeracy. Includes standardised measures of academic achievement alongside cognitive testing. A confirmed SLD diagnosis supports access to adjustments and support through schools and NAPLAN/VCE.
Neurodevelopmental Assessment
Comprehensive evaluation for ADHD and autism spectrum conditions in adolescents. Includes structured clinical interviews, standardised rating scales completed by parents and teachers, and direct clinical observation. Provides clarity for families who have long suspected a neurodevelopmental difference and need a formal understanding to access appropriate support.
FEES AND REBATES
Transparent pricing. Multiple funding options.
Session fees for adolescent psychology are the same as our standard individual rates, ranging from $165 to $300 depending on your clinician.
To access a Medicare rebate, your teen's GP will need to issue a Mental Health Treatment Plan. This provides a rebate of $101.55 per session for up to 10 sessions per calendar year. We process rebates on the spot.
Private health insurance extras may also provide a partial rebate per session depending on your fund and level of cover.
Ready to take the first step?
No referral required to book. Appointments typically available within the week. In person in St Kilda and via telehealth across Australia.
Please note: we do not offer crisis services or immediate emergency response. If your teen requires urgent support, please call the Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800, Lifeline on 13 11 14, or attend your nearest emergency department.