Anxiety & worry
Separation anxiety, school worries, fears and social anxiety, with practical tools for children and parents.
Psychology
Child & adolescent psychology in Melbourne’s northern suburbs
Warm, child-led psychology for anxiety, big feelings, trauma, grief, behaviour and neurodivergence, with support for the whole family.
Medicare rebates with a Mental Health Treatment PlanNDIS, WorkCover & TACIn clinic or by telehealth
Wonderful Mind’s psychologists help children, teenagers and families with anxiety, big feelings, trauma, grief, behaviour, self-esteem and neurodivergence. Sessions are child-led and neuro-affirming, using play, creative activities and evidence-based therapies such as CBT, ACT, DBT and EMDR. We see families at our Doreen and Craigieburn clinics and by telehealth, with Medicare rebates, NDIS, WorkCover and TAC accepted.
Is psychology right for my child?
Signs your child might benefit from seeing a psychologist
- Worries, fears or tummy aches that get in the way of school, sleep or friendships
- Big feelings, anger or meltdowns that are hard to settle, at home or after school
- Changes after something difficult, such as family separation, loss, an accident or violence
- Withdrawing, low mood, or losing interest in things they used to enjoy
- Struggles with self-esteem, identity or friendships
- Masking at school and falling apart at home
- You simply feel stuck and want a fresh perspective
What we help with
Common reasons families come to us
Big feelings & anger
Understanding what sits underneath meltdowns and building regulation skills, together.
Trauma & family violence
Trauma-informed therapy for children affected by family violence, accidents, medical trauma or migration. EMDR available.
Grief & loss
Gentle support after the death of someone close, separation, or other big losses.
Neurodivergence
Neuro-affirming support for autistic children and those with ADHD or PDA, including masking and burnout.
Self-esteem & identity
A safe, inclusive space for young people exploring identity, including LGBTQ+ young people.
Low mood & life changes
Support through depression, stress, adjustment and life transitions.
Behaviour support
Positive behaviour support plans that respond to the needs behind behaviour. Learn more.
Assessments
Autism, ADHD, cognitive and educational assessments. See assessments.
Our approach
Child-led, neuro-affirming and trauma-informed
Children are the experts in their own experiences. We listen, respect their pace and include them in decisions about their care. Sessions often use play, art and movement, because that is how many children say what words cannot.
We never try to make a neurodivergent child “look typical”. We help them understand themselves, and help the adults around them adjust.
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) skills
- EMDR and trauma-focused therapy
- Schema therapy for adolescents
- Play- and art-informed psychology
- Mindfulness and regulation skills
- Parent coaching and family sessions
How it works
What to expect
- 01
First call
Our intake team learns what is happening, checks your funding and matches you with the right psychologist.
- 02
Parent consultation
A 90-minute first appointment with parents or carers, to understand your child’s story and agree on goals.
- 03
Regular sessions
50-minute sessions, usually weekly or fortnightly, in clinic or by telehealth.
- 04
Reviews
We check progress with you regularly, and share reports with schools, GPs or the NDIS when you want us to.
Our psychologists
Meet the psychology team
Clinical, registered and provisional psychologists, with clinical supervision from a Board Approved Supervisor.
Marta Musis
Registered Psychologist
Master of Educational and Developmental Psychology
AHPRA registered
Samia Dar
Provisional Psychologist
Applied Psychology (Clinical), Social Science
AHPRA registered (provisional)
Michael Thermos
Provisional Psychologist
BPsych (Hons), Master of Clinical Psychology (in progress)
AHPRA registered (provisional)Provisional psychologists are registered with AHPRA and practise under the supervision of an experienced psychologist.
More ways we help
Telehealth, WorkCover and TAC
Telehealth across Australia
Many psychology sessions can happen online, which helps busy families, teens who prefer their own space, and people outside our local area.
WorkCover and TAC
Our psychologists are registered with WorkCover and TAC. We support people after workplace or transport accidents with trauma-informed therapy, CBT, ACT and mindfulness, covering sleep, coping, relationships and return to work, and we coordinate with your GP and other providers.
Fees
Psychology fees and rebates
| Service (one hour) | Fee |
|---|---|
| Psychology session | $252.99 |
| Clinical psychology session | $290.00 |
| Medicare rebate, psychologist (with a Mental Health Treatment Plan) | $101.55 |
| Medicare rebate, clinical psychologist | $149.05 |
Your first parent consultation is billed as 1.5 hours. Up to 10 rebated sessions per calendar year under Better Access. NDIS participants are billed under their plan. All fees and funding options.
Psychology questions
What does a child psychologist do?
A child psychologist helps children and teenagers understand and manage their feelings, thoughts and behaviour. At Wonderful Mind that might look like play, drawing, games or conversation, depending on your child’s age and what helps them feel safe. We also work closely with parents so the strategies carry over into home and school.
Do I need a referral to see a psychologist?
No. You can book directly. To claim a Medicare rebate you need a Mental Health Treatment Plan and referral from your GP, psychiatrist or paediatrician.
How much does a psychology session cost?
A one-hour session with a psychologist is $252.99 and with a clinical psychologist is $290.00. With a valid Mental Health Treatment Plan, Medicare rebates of $101.55 (psychologist) or $149.05 (clinical psychologist) may apply. See Fees & funding for the full list.
Is psychology covered by the NDIS?
Yes, when it supports your child’s NDIS goals. Psychology is usually funded through Capacity Building supports. We work with self-managed, plan-managed and NDIA-managed participants.
What happens in the first appointment?
Your first appointment is usually a 90-minute parent consultation without your child. We learn about your child’s history, strengths and what is worrying you, then agree on goals and next steps together.
How long is each session?
Regular sessions are 50 minutes of therapy plus 10 minutes to close, review and plan, billed as one hour.
Do you see teenagers and adults?
Yes. Our psychologists see children and adolescents, and several also work with adults, parents and carers. We also support WorkCover and TAC clients.
Can sessions be online?
Yes. Telehealth sessions are available Australia-wide for many psychology services, as well as at our Doreen and Craigieburn clinics.
Do you work in languages other than English?
Yes. Our psychology team includes clinicians who speak Armenian, Pashto and Urdu. Ask our intake team when you book.
Psychology near you
Child psychologists across Melbourne’s north
Related services
Psychology Assessments
Autism, ADHD, cognitive and educational assessments with clear, practical reports.
Play & Filial Therapy
Child-centred play therapy and parent-led filial therapy for big feelings and hard experiences.
Positive Behaviour Support
Trauma-informed, neuro-affirming behaviour support plans for home and school.
Not sure where to start?
Tell our intake team what you are noticing. We will match your child with the right clinician, or a small team if they need more than one kind of support.