Common Questions About Individual Therapy for Young People
Starting therapy can feel overwhelming for both young people and their families. Here are answers to the most common questions I receive about individual therapy services for children, teens, and adolescents in the Wollongong and Illawarra area.
What age do you work with for individual therapy?
I provide individual therapy for young people from 6 years old through to 25 years old. I use age-appropriate therapeutic approaches:
Children (6-12): Play therapy, art activities, and child-friendly communication techniques
Adolescents (13-17): Talk therapy, creative approaches, and skills-based interventions
Young adults (18-25): Traditional counselling approaches with focus on independence and life transitions
How do I know if my child needs individual therapy?
Consider individual therapy if your young person is experiencing:
Persistent anxiety or worry that interferes with daily activities
Behavioural challenges at home or school that aren't improving
Trauma responses following a difficult experience
ADHD symptoms affecting their academic or social functioning
Emotional outbursts that seem disproportionate or frequent
Social difficulties or withdrawal from friends and activities
Sleep problems, appetite changes, or other concerning physical symptoms
School refusal or significant academic decline
What's the difference between individual therapy and family therapy?
Individual therapy focuses specifically on your young person's experiences, feelings, and personal goals. It provides them with:
A private space to express themselves freely
Personalised coping strategies
Individual skill development
Processing of personal experiences without family dynamics
Family therapy addresses how family relationships and communication patterns affect everyone's wellbeing. Many families benefit from a combination of both approaches.
What happens in the first individual therapy session?
The first session is about getting to know your young person and making them feel comfortable. We typically cover:
What brought them to therapy (in age-appropriate ways)
Their interests, strengths, and what they enjoy
Any concerns or worries they might have
How therapy works and what to expect
Setting up some initial goals together
For younger children, we might spend time playing or drawing while talking. For teenagers, we focus more on conversation and understanding their perspective.
How long are individual therapy sessions?
Standard sessions: 50 minutes for adolescents and young adults
Child sessions: 45 minutes for younger children (6-12 years)
Shorter sessions: 30 minutes may be appropriate for very young children or those with attention difficulties
How often will my child need therapy sessions?
Initially, I typically recommend weekly sessions to build rapport and momentum. As progress develops, we might move to:
Fortnightly sessions for ongoing support
Monthly check-ins for maintenance and skill reinforcement
As-needed sessions during difficult periods or transitions
The frequency depends on your young person's needs, the severity of their challenges, and how they respond to therapy.
How long does individual therapy take to work?
Every young person is different, but families often notice:
Initial comfort and engagement: 2-4 sessions
Beginning skill development: 4-8 sessions
Noticeable improvements: 8-12 sessions
Significant progress: 3-6 months of regular sessions
Some young people need shorter-term support for specific issues, while others benefit from longer-term therapy for complex challenges like trauma or neurodivergent support.
Common Questions About family therapy
How long does children and family therapy take?
Every family's journey is unique. Some families see improvements in a few sessions, while others benefit from longer-term support. We'll regularly review progress and adjust our approach as needed.
Will my child need to attend every session?
Not necessarily. Some sessions may be family-focused, others individual with your child, and some may be parent-only to develop strategies and provide support.
Do you work with very young children?
Yes, I work with children from early childhood through adolescence, using developmentally appropriate approaches including play therapy techniques for younger children.
What if my child doesn't want to come to therapy?
It's common for young people to feel hesitant about therapy initially. I use engaging, non-threatening approaches and always respect your child's pace and comfort level.
Do you provide school reports or assessments?
While I don't conduct formal psychological assessments, I can provide progress reports and recommendations that may support your child's educational needs when appropriate.