Helping children make sense of big feelings and build skills for everyday life.
If your child is experiencing big feelings, meltdowns, anxiety, school stress or friendship challenges, it can be hard to know how best to support them. Many families reach out when everyday struggles begin to feel overwhelming — or when they want guidance to help their child feel calmer, more confident, and more understood.
At Melbourne Children’s Psychology Clinic (MCPC), we provide warm, evidence-based counselling for children aged 4–12. We help children understand and express their feelings, develop coping strategies, and build resilience — while working closely with parents to support confidence and connection at home and school.
When Counselling May Be Helpful
Counselling may be helpful when a child is experiencing ongoing emotional or behavioural challenges that are affecting everyday life.
Frequent Worry or Separation Difficulties
Ongoing worry, fear of separation, or difficulty coping with new or unfamiliar situations.
Big Feelings or Emotional Overwhelm
Strong emotions that lead to overwhelm, meltdowns, frustration or difficulty calming down.
Low Confidence or Withdrawal
Reduced confidence, ongoing sadness, or withdrawing from activities or friendships.
Friendship and Social Challenges
Difficulty making or maintaining friendships, or feeling unsure how to join in with others.
Attention or Impulsivity Difficulties
Challenges with focus, organisation or impulsive behaviour that impact daily functioning.
School-Related Stress
Stress or pressure related to learning, school expectations or keeping up with peers.
Adjusting to Family Changes
Emotional difficulties linked to changes such as separation or blended family arrangements.
Recovering From Overwhelming Experiences
Ongoing distress following frightening or overwhelming experiences.
How We Work
Common Concerns We Support
We support children across a range of emotional, behavioural and developmental concerns, including:
Emotional & Behavioural Wellbeing
Emotional regulation and big feelings
Anxiety (including separation, social and generalised anxiety)
Low mood, reduced confidence and withdrawal
Perfectionism and performance pressure Grief and bereavement
Neurodevelopmental & Attention Differences
ADHD and executive functioning differences
Autism and neurodivergent developmental profiles
Selective Mutism
Social & School Challenges
Friendship and social confidence challenges
School avoidance (“school can’t”) and school-related distress
Trauma & Body-Focused Experiences
Recovery after overwhelming experiences
Trichotillomania and other body-focused habits
What to Expect
The first session includes time with both you and your child to understand what has been happening at home and at school, what feels hard, and what matters to your family. We take time to get to know your child through conversation, play, drawing or other activities depending on age and comfort.
Ongoing sessions are engaging and supportive. Children learn skills gradually while feeling safe and understood. Parents are involved throughout, with guidance and practical strategies to use between sessions — so progress continues at home and school.
Take the Next Step
We’re here to answer questions and help you determine whether counselling may be a good fit for your child.