Youth Counselling in Bayside Melbourne
Growing up can bring new experiences, changing relationships and increasing expectations. For some young people, these changes can feel difficult to navigate, particularly when they are trying to understand their emotions, manage challenges or find their place at home, at school and within their friendships.
At Calming Paws Therapy, counselling provides young people with a safe and supportive space to talk, reflect and develop practical ways of managing the challenges they may be experiencing. Sessions are tailored to each young person's age, developmental stage, communication style and individual needs, with a focus on building trust and creating a space where they feel heard, respected and understood.
How Youth Counselling Can Help
Youth therapy may support young people who are experiencing anxiety and worry, difficulties managing emotions, low confidence or self-esteem, friendship or relationship challenges, school or study pressures, changes within their family or difficulties with motivation and coping.
Counselling can help young people develop a better understanding of their emotions, recognise their strengths and build practical strategies they can use in everyday life. It can also provide an opportunity to talk openly with someone outside their usual circle of family, friends and school.
Sometimes a young person may know exactly what is troubling them. At other times, they may simply feel overwhelmed, stuck, frustrated or unsure of how to move forward. They do not need to have a diagnosis or a specific problem to benefit from counselling.
A Counselling Approach That Meets Young People Where They Are
Building a trusting therapeutic relationship is an important part of counselling. Young people are encouraged to have a voice in their counselling experience, and sessions are adapted to suit their individual needs and communication style.
Sessions may involve therapeutic conversation, creative activities, practical exercises, problem-solving or strategies for managing emotions, relationships, school and everyday challenges. There is no expectation that a young person needs to talk about everything straight away. Counselling can develop at a pace that feels comfortable for them.
Where appropriate, accredited therapy dog Winnie may also be incorporated into counselling sessions. For some young people, having Winnie present can provide a more relaxed way to connect and engage in the counselling process.
What Can Parents and Carers Expect?
An initial consultation with a parent or carer provides an opportunity to discuss what has been happening and what support may be helpful. Sessions with the young person are 50 minutes and are guided by their individual needs and therapeutic goals.
Parents and carers remain an important part of the support process. Where appropriate, parent consultation and practical suggestions may be provided to help support the young person outside of sessions, while respecting their developing independence and privacy.
Youth Counselling FAQ’s
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I work with children and young people from the early years through to young adolescence. Each young person's individual needs, developmental stage and circumstances are considered when determining whether counselling is appropriate.
Counselling for youth is so much more than just sitting in a room and talking. The young person leads the way, keeping everything at a pace that feels safe, comfortable, and genuinely helpful for them. Depending on what they enjoy, our sessions can blend natural conversation with fun games, creative arts and crafts, or spending time with Winnie. These gentle, hands-on approaches help young people let their guard down, express their feeling
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While anxiety is a common driver of school refusal, a young person might struggle to attend for many different reasons. These can include separation anxiety, social worries, academic stress, friendship difficulties, or simply feeling overwhelmed by the school environment. Because every person's experience is unique, identifying these specific root causes is the vital first step in helping them.
School refusal is a complex issue that builds over time, meaning there is rarely a quick fix. Helping a youth return to school requires patience, time, and a collaborative effort between the child, family, school, and professionals. The ultimate goal is to understand the child's individual needs, ease their distress, and gradually rebuild their safety, confidence, and ability to engage with school again.
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Where appropriate, Winnie may be incorporated into a counselling session. Her involvement is guided by the young person's comfort, preferences and individual needs.
Beginning with an introduction to Winnie, the initial session also covers how to interact safely and respectfully with all dogs.
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When your young person feels overwhelmed, it can be hard to know what to do or say. Often, the best place to start is simply by being there for them. You don’t need to have the answers or fix things straight away. Give them a chance to talk if they want to, listen without judgement, and let them know you understand that things feel difficult right now. Sometimes, they might not want to talk at all, and that’s okay too. Just knowing you’re there can make a difference.
If things are feeling like too much, you can help them work out what needs to be done now and what can wait. Encourage them to take a break, get outside for a bit, have something to eat or do something they enjoy. Try not to put pressure on them to feel better straight away or tackle everything at once. Small steps are enough, and sometimes what they need most is a little time, some understanding and the reassurance that they don’t have to work it all out on their own.
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Finding a counsellor your young person feels comfortable with can make a real difference. It's important to find someone they feel they can connect with. Some teenagers prefer someone who gives them time to open up, while others feel more comfortable with a relaxed, practical approach. It can also help to involve your teenager in choosing a counsellor so they feel they have some say in the process.
Counselling doesn't always mean sitting across from someone and talking about feelings. Depending on the young person's needs and interests, sessions might include games, creative activities or other ways of exploring what's going on. Building trust can take time, and your teenager doesn't need to feel comfortable sharing everything in the first session. The aim is to find someone they feel comfortable with and can gradually build a connection with, at their own pace.
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Calming Paws Therapy provides counselling in Highett and across Melbourne's Bayside area, including Hampton, Moorabbin, Brighton, Sandringham, Black Rock, Beaumaris and Cheltenham.
If you're considering counselling for your young person and would like to discuss whether Calming Paws Therapy may be a good fit, you are welcome to get in touch to talk about their individual needs.
