Yarraville Health Group Information

The Yarraville Health Group also offers a psychology service for children and adolescents, from birth to 18 years of age. While children and adolescents experience many of the same mental health problems as adults they often present in a different way. Children can have difficulties expressing their worries verbally, and may do so through their actions. Parents may recognise a change in their child's behaviour such as increased irritability, angry or aggressive behavior, sleep problems, a change in appetite, tearfulness, or refusal to attend school. Children may complain of feeling unwell, when no physical illness is identified. While teenagers have better skills in describing their worries, they may feel embarrassed about doing so. A Psychologist will be able to help you clarify whether your child's change in behavior is part of normal development, or reflects a mental health issue. Psychologists who work with children and adolescents use a range of techniques, which are age appropriate, to support them to express their concerns. Strategies which are play based, or tap into themes which appeal to adolescents, are often used. Treatment for young people usually involves parents, or caregivers, in some way. We hope the information below may answer any questions you may have about our service. What happens in my appointment? On the day of your appointment, please arrive 5-10 minutes to complete a contact information form. During your first appointment the psychologist will ask about your concerns and reasons for seeking help. The psychologist will also explore background factors that may have led to these problems, and will seek to fully understand your unique situation. Sometimes questionnaires are used to assist with this process. Following the assessment process, your psychologist will discuss a treatment plan with you. This plan will be flexible to meet any change in priorities that arise during the sessions. Treatment length will vary with each individual depending on a number of circumstances. Some people ...