F.A.Q.

Questions

"What will I tell my child about coming to the appointment?"

Depending on your child's age, ability and why they are attending, you may find some of the following phrases helpful to reassure your child:

"This is a fun place - (Hailey/Bianca/Craig/Mel) will invite them to play games, do art, be active outside, or pat the pets".

"That they can chat about anything they like".

"(Hailey/Bianca/Craig/Mel) help kids with their feelings about things" / "gives them ideas about what to do when they get big feelings"

"They can bring something to show if they choose" (some children like to bring a game, photos, sport or school certificates etc this helps them to feel in control and more confident about coming).

"(Hailey/Bianca/Craig/Mel) job is similar to (name of a school counsellor or guidance officer if they have seen one before) This is often helpful for kids if they have had a positive experience.

MOST IMPORTANTLY PLEASE EMPHASISE THAT OUR ROLE IS A HELPING ROLE. THEY ARE NOT COMING BECAUSE THEY ARE IN TROUBLE.

In my experience, children often want the help.. they don't like having difficulty making and keeping friends or feeling overwhelmed.

If your child is feeling particularly anxious about attending we can make special arrangements including a 'face-time' call prior to the appointment to assist.

"Does my child need to come to the first appointment?"

The first appointment is used to gain an understanding of the child's background, developmental history, and current concerns or goals. Where possible it is preferred to have a parent attend without the child. This provides the opportunity to speak openly, without little ears listening. However, I do understand that this is not always possible and we have plenty of ways to keep them occupied if they need to come along.

Questions

"How can I reduce my wait time on a waitlist?"

By being flexible with the times and days that you are requesting an appointment for. We understand that often parents worry about their child missing school. However, it is not always possible to secure after school appointments due to their popularity. When making this request, we kindly please ask that you consider the severity of your child's concerns, and whether the concern of missing a small amount of school outweighs your child's current mental health needs.

"Do I come into my child's appointments?"

We are happy to be flexible to ensure your child feels safe and comfortable before separating from a parent or caregiver. The goal would be to have your child feel comfortable enough to attend 1-1 appointments on their own as we find this is most therapeutically beneficial (unless there are specific reasons for joint sessions, such as working on attachment together). Every child is different, but we usually find kids settle in fairly quickly and enjoy the time they spend here. We like to have regular and ongoing communication with parents and caregivers.

Thought for the day

At the NASA Space Science Center, there's a bumblebee poster that says:

"The aerodynamic body of a bumblebee is not suitable for flying, but it's a good thing the bumblebee doesn't know it".

The law of physics, the aerodynamic principle says that the width of the wings is too small to hold its huge body in flight, but the bee doesn't know, doesn't know about physics or its logic, and still flies.

This is something we can all do, fly and win anytime before any difficulties and under any circumstances despite what they say. Bumblebees, regardless of the size of their wings.....fly and enjoy life.

- David Attenborough