CHILDREN
& ADOLESCENTS
Children and Adolescents have different needs and behavioural
patterns to adults, and one another, and frequently respond better to a
psychologist who has experience working with them.
Counselling
For our full explanation of Psychological
Services, please click here
“Research has
shown that 14% of Australian children and adolescents aged 4-17 have
mental health problems and that only one out of every four of these
young people receive professional health care. As well, adolescents
with mental health problems report a high rate of suicidal thoughts and
other health-risk behaviour including smoking, drinking and drug use.“
Australian
Government, Department of Health & Aging
Children
Mary Temple has many years of experience working with children
and parents. If your child is having difficulties, it is best to get
help whatever their age. If your child is under four, the initial
appointment will be with the parents (rather than the child) to discuss
the various issues in detail. A strategy will then be suggested for how
best to move forward with the child and parents.
Adolescents
Research has shown that the adolescent brain goes through a
huge period of growth during this stage of life, at times resulting in
huge swings towards risk taking behaviour or depression. In addition to
the physical changes taking place, teenagers on the brink of adulthood
struggle with their place in the world. They may feel like they don’t
fit in, and that no one understands them. They may stop listening to
the people who care most about them, which is when the independent ear
of a professional can help.
Parenting
Parenting places enormous stress on adults, whether it be a
new born baby or a rebellious teenager. Many mums and dads struggle to
keep it all together, especially when their child appears to behave
irrationally. Sometimes you may even find that your parental instinct
is a replication of your own parent’s behaviour, for better or worse.
Parental Counselling helps work through the issues you are
facing, teaches you more about why your child behaves the way s/he
does, and provides you with positive techniques to overcome these
obstacles.
Learning
Difficulties
For our full explanation of Learning Services, please
click here.
Please note that the Temple Clinic does not offer tutorial services,
but will assess underlying strengths, weaknesses, issues and solutions.
Children
Appointments can be made for any child
four years old and upwards. It is important to identify learning
difficulties as soon as possible before it affects a child’s long term
self esteem and attitude towards schooling. Identifying a problem
relieves the child’s sense of shame that they are struggling, and
techniques can be used to overcome obstacles. Learning difficulties are
not a sign of a low intelligence, conversely, many dyslexic children go
on to excel at school once they receive support for their condition.
Please note: It is best for children under 9 years
to be scheduled into morning appointments, as they tire easily.
Adolescents
If your teenager is struggling at school,
an assessment will provide recommended techniques for improvement as
well as diagnose any impairments or special needs. An assessment may be
submitted to the Department of Education to gain recognition for
special needs, which could result in some of the following:
- A reader for exams and assignments
- Extra
reading time during exams
- Improved lighting
conditions during schooling and exams
- Extended
deadlines for assignments
- Reading materials
submitted on larger print or coloured paper
- Special
consideration of marks or entry to tertiary study
Gifted
& Talented
The Gifted
& Talented often require extension work at school, or they will
become bored, and may develop behavioural problems. In order to access
school resources, you may need to provide the school with a
professional assessment outlining areas of giftedness and
recommendations. Click here
for more on G&T.
Highly intelligent
children and adolescents frequently find their intelligence a barrier
to forming strong friendships amongst their peers, resulting in
emotional distress. One of the benefits of the Temple Clinic is our
duality as both Educational Consultant and Psychologist, which allows
us to provide both educational assessment and discuss psychological
strategies and techniques to help the Gifted & Talented.
Please note:
It is best for children under 9 years to be scheduled into morning
appointments, as they tire easily.
