Teen Mental Health

Therapy for Teen Depression and Low Mood in Melbourne

Teenagers can experience changes in mood for many reasons. When low mood, irritability, loss of interest or withdrawal continues over time and affects everyday life, professional support may be helpful.

Melbourne Children’s Psychology Clinic provides psychological therapy for teenagers experiencing depression and persistent low mood. We work with young people and families through our Ivanhoe and Hampton clinics.

Enquire About Teen Therapy

Read About Urgent Support

You do not need a GP referral to enquire. Medicare rebates may apply with a Mental Health Treatment Plan from your GP.

Teen Mental Health

Therapy for Teen Depression and Low Mood in Melbourne

Teenagers can experience changes in mood for many reasons. When low mood, irritability, loss of interest or withdrawal continues over time and affects everyday life, professional support may be helpful.

Melbourne Children’s Psychology Clinic provides psychological therapy for teenagers experiencing depression and persistent low mood. We work with young people and families through our Ivanhoe and Hampton clinics.

Enquire About Teen Therapy

Read About Urgent Support

You do not need a GP referral to enquire. Medicare rebates may apply with a Mental Health Treatment Plan from your GP.

Teen Mental Health

Therapy for Teen Depression and Low Mood in Melbourne

Teenagers can experience changes in mood for many reasons. When low mood, irritability, loss of interest or withdrawal continues over time and affects everyday life, professional support may be helpful.

Melbourne Children’s Psychology Clinic provides psychological therapy for teenagers experiencing depression and persistent low mood. We work with young people and families through our Ivanhoe and Hampton clinics.

Enquire About Teen Therapy

Read About Urgent Support

You do not need a GP referral to enquire. Medicare rebates may apply with a Mental Health Treatment Plan from your GP.

Looking Beyond Sadness

Looking Beyond Sadness

Depression is more than an occasional low mood. In teenagers it may involve changes in emotions, thinking, behaviour, physical wellbeing and participation in daily life. Some young people appear sad or tearful; others may seem irritable, numb, exhausted or increasingly disconnected.

Families might notice a loss of interest in activities, pulling away from friends, changes in sleep or appetite, reduced motivation, difficulty concentrating, declining participation at school, or negative thoughts that are hard to shift.

These changes can also have other explanations and do not establish a diagnosis. A qualified health professional can assess what is happening, consider safety and physical health, and discuss appropriate support.

Depression is more than an occasional low mood. In teenagers it may involve changes in emotions, thinking, behaviour, physical wellbeing and participation in daily life. Some young people appear sad or tearful; others may seem irritable, numb, exhausted or increasingly disconnected.

Families might notice a loss of interest in activities, pulling away from friends, changes in sleep or appetite, reduced motivation, difficulty concentrating, declining participation at school, or negative thoughts that are hard to shift.

These changes can also have other explanations and do not establish a diagnosis. A qualified health professional can assess what is happening, consider safety and physical health, and discuss appropriate support.

Recognising changes

A teenage boy standing alone in a park at dusk with his arms folded, looking away

When to seek support

A teenage boy sitting on a sofa looking down at his phone, resting his chin on his hand

When Changes Continue or Affect Daily Life

When Changes Continue or Affect Daily Life

It is worth seeking professional advice when changes are persistent, increasing, causing significant distress, or affecting relationships, education, sleep, self-care or activities the teenager previously valued.

A GP can be a useful starting point. They can consider physical health, medication or other factors, assess immediate concerns, and discuss referral and treatment options. Families can also contact MCPC directly to ask whether psychological therapy may be relevant to a routine, non-urgent enquiry.

It is worth seeking professional advice when changes are persistent, increasing, causing significant distress, or affecting relationships, education, sleep, self-care or activities the teenager previously valued.

A GP can be a useful starting point. They can consider physical health, medication or other factors, assess immediate concerns, and discuss referral and treatment options. Families can also contact MCPC directly to ask whether psychological therapy may be relevant to a routine, non-urgent enquiry.

If a Young Person May Be at Risk

MCPC’s website, email, enquiry form and reception service are not crisis services and may not be monitored outside business hours.

If a young person is in immediate danger, at immediate risk of harming themselves or someone else, or needs urgent medical assistance, call Triple Zero (000) or go to the nearest hospital emergency department.

Lifeline provides 24-hour crisis support on 13 11 14. Kids Helpline provides counselling for young people aged 5–25 on 1800 55 1800.

If you are concerned about self-harm or suicidal thoughts but there is no immediate danger, seek prompt professional advice from a GP or appropriate mental health service rather than waiting for a routine website enquiry response.

How therapy may help

A teenage girl sitting on a footpath laughing, with a friend standing beside her

Psychological Support Tailored to the Young Person

Psychological Support Tailored to the Young Person

Therapy begins with understanding the teenager’s experience, circumstances, strengths, relationships and goals. It also includes considering risk and whether other health professionals or services should be involved.

Depending on assessment and individual needs, therapy may involve understanding patterns that affect mood, rebuilding manageable routines, developing ways to respond to difficult thoughts and emotions, strengthening problem-solving and communication, and reconnecting gradually with meaningful activities and relationships.

The therapeutic approach, pace and goals should be discussed with the treating psychologist. Support may form one part of a broader care plan rather than being the only service involved.

Therapy begins with understanding the teenager’s experience, circumstances, strengths, relationships and goals. It also includes considering risk and whether other health professionals or services should be involved.

Depending on assessment and individual needs, therapy may involve understanding patterns that affect mood, rebuilding manageable routines, developing ways to respond to difficult thoughts and emotions, strengthening problem-solving and communication, and reconnecting gradually with meaningful activities and relationships.

The therapeutic approach, pace and goals should be discussed with the treating psychologist. Support may form one part of a broader care plan rather than being the only service involved.

Family Support and Adolescent Privacy

Family Support and Adolescent Privacy

Parents and carers may notice changes before a teenager asks for help. Their observations and support can be valuable, while the young person also needs respect, privacy and involvement in decisions about therapy.

The psychologist can explain how information is shared, the limits of confidentiality, and how family members may be involved. Safety concerns can affect what must be communicated and what other support is needed.

Parents and carers may notice changes before a teenager asks for help. Their observations and support can be valuable, while the young person also needs respect, privacy and involvement in decisions about therapy.

The psychologist can explain how information is shared, the limits of confidentiality, and how family members may be involved. Safety concerns can affect what must be communicated and what other support is needed.

Parents and carers

A parent standing outdoors with two teenagers, one of them looking away

What to expect

Four teenagers sitting along a low wall outside, talking and laughing together

Beginning Therapy for Low Mood or Depression

Beginning Therapy for Low Mood or Depression

Make a routine enquiry

For a non-urgent enquiry, provide information about the teenager’s age, the changes you have noticed, how long they have been present, and how daily life is being affected. Choose our Ivanhoe clinic or Hampton clinic in the enquiry process.

Initial discussion and assessment

The initial work focuses on understanding current concerns, relevant history, goals, safety and whether MCPC is an appropriate service. Other referrals or supports may be discussed.

Individual therapy plan

If therapy proceeds, goals, family involvement and the therapeutic approach are tailored to the young person and reviewed over time.

For broader adolescent support, visit Teen Counselling and Therapy.

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. How is depression different from feeling down?

    Everyone experiences changes in mood. Depression involves a broader pattern of emotional, cognitive, behavioural or physical changes that persist and interfere with life. A health professional should assess the individual rather than relying on a single sign.

  2. How is depression different from feeling down?

    Everyone experiences changes in mood. Depression involves a broader pattern of emotional, cognitive, behavioural or physical changes that persist and interfere with life. A health professional should assess the individual rather than relying on a single sign.

  3. Does a teenager need a diagnosis before seeking therapy?

    Not necessarily. Families can seek professional advice when changes in mood or behaviour are concerning. An initial assessment helps clarify needs, safety and whether the service is appropriate.

  4. Does a teenager need a diagnosis before seeking therapy?

    Not necessarily. Families can seek professional advice when changes in mood or behaviour are concerning. An initial assessment helps clarify needs, safety and whether the service is appropriate.

  5. Will parents or carers be involved?

    Involvement depends on age, needs, consent, privacy, safety and the treatment plan. The psychologist can explain these arrangements at the beginning of the work.

  6. Will parents or carers be involved?

    Involvement depends on age, needs, consent, privacy, safety and the treatment plan. The psychologist can explain these arrangements at the beginning of the work.

  7. Do you provide depression therapy at both clinics?

    MCPC works through Ivanhoe and Hampton clinics. Contact reception to confirm current service and appointment options relevant to your enquiry.

  8. Do you provide depression therapy at both clinics?

    MCPC works through Ivanhoe and Hampton clinics. Contact reception to confirm current service and appointment options relevant to your enquiry.

  9. Can I use the enquiry form if the situation is urgent?

    No. The enquiry form is for routine enquiries and is not an emergency or crisis service. Call Triple Zero (000) if someone is in immediate danger, or use an appropriate crisis or urgent health service.

  10. Can I use the enquiry form if the situation is urgent?

    No. The enquiry form is for routine enquiries and is not an emergency or crisis service. Call Triple Zero (000) if someone is in immediate danger, or use an appropriate crisis or urgent health service.

Enquire

Teenager smiling outdoors, representing confidence, identity and emotional wellbeing in adolescence

Make a Routine Enquiry About Teen Therapy

For non-urgent support, tell our reception team a little about the changes you have noticed and select the clinic relevant to your enquiry.

Enquire Now

Need urgent help? Read the crisis-support information above.