Teen Counselling Quickstart: How to Feel Safe Before Session

Counselling for teenagers is designed to feel safe, structured, and practical, so a young person can talk openly and build skills that make everyday life easier. In most teen counselling sessions, the first appointment focuses on what is happening right now, what the teenager wants to change, and what support will feel most helpful at home, school, and with friends. A counsellor will also explain confidentiality in clear terms, outline when a caregiver may be involved, and agree on goals that can be tracked over time, which may include emotional regulation, confidence, communication, and coping strategies as part of a broader plan for therapy.

Preparing for counselling can make the first sessions feel less intimidating, and it is also a common step for many young people in Australia. In the Australian Bureau of Statistics National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing covering 2020 to 2022, 38.8 percent of people aged 16 to 24 had a 12-month mental disorder, which helps explain why early support like teen counselling is in high demand. Practical preparation can be simple, such as writing down the main concerns, noting recent triggers, and choosing one or two goals, while also understanding that a counsellor may draw on approaches like DBT therapy, EMDR therapy, somatic therapy, or family therapy depending on the teenager’s needs, and some families prefer a practitioner aligned with the Australian Counselling Association for added reassurance around professional standards and ongoing development, including counselling courses online and supervised learning.

Need help today? Contact me at Where’s Your Head At on 0499 993 077, visit 20/1 Maitland Place, Norwest NSW 2153, or book an appointment online. If you prefer, ring or book a short phone chat first so I can answer any questions and help you feel prepared for your first session.

Key Takeaways

  • Counselling gives teens a safe, non‑judgemental space to talk about tough emotions and transitions at school and home.
  • Our local services are designed for the needs of Norwest young people and the surrounding community.
  • Thinking about one or two personal goals before your first session helps make the time most useful.
  • Professional support from a qualified counsellor builds a foundation for long‑term wellbeing and mental health.
  • Getting started is simple — call, book online or ask for a brief phone chat if you need more information about hours or availability.

Understanding Teen Counselling: What It Really Means

Teen counselling is a supportive conversation with a trained professional that helps you understand your thoughts, feelings, and actions, especially when life feels confusing, stressful, or overwhelming. Counselling is not about being judged or told what to do. Counselling is about noticing patterns, like what situations trigger worry, anger, sadness, or shutdown, and learning what helps you feel safer and more in control. A counsellor listens carefully, asks clear questions, and helps you name what is going on, because putting feelings into words often makes problems feel smaller and easier to handle.

In teen counselling, you learn practical skills for everyday life using simple steps that make sense, even when emotions feel big. This includes building emotional awareness, which means spotting feelings early in your body and mind, and emotion regulation, which means calming your system before feelings spill over into reactions you regret. You also practise coping skills, like grounding, problem solving, and communication, so you can handle school pressure, friendship stress, and family conflict in healthier ways. Teen counselling is confidential, which means what you say is kept private, with safety limits if there is a serious risk to you or someone else, and the counsellor explains those rules clearly so you know what to expect. Early sessions usually focus on understanding your situation, agreeing on goals you actually care about, and choosing small, realistic steps you can try between sessions so you can see progress in day-to-day life.

The Growing Need for Youth Mental Health Support

Young people’s mental health is a growing concern across Australia. Many teens experience stress, anxiety or low mood that gets in the way of daily life. Local counselling services, including those at Where’s Your Head At in Norwest (20/1 Maitland Place, Norwest NSW 2153), provide a safe place to talk and practical support to help young people cope.

How Counselling Differs from Talking to Friends or Family

Friends and family are important, but counselling is a different kind of support. It’s private, structured and led by a trained professional who can offer evidence‑based approaches and tools that friends or family often can’t. Counselling helps teens build skills to manage emotions, improve relationships and make healthier choices.

Where needed, I’ll also provide information and referrals to other services in the community so you and your family have the broad support you need.

Types of Counselling Approaches I Use with Teens

In teen counselling, my work is based on a clinical formulation rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. I build a shared understanding of what is keeping you stuck by looking at the interaction between thoughts, emotions, behaviours, body stress responses, relationships, and the environments you move through each day. This is often called a biopsychosocial formulation, and it supports a clearer case conceptualisation, meaning there is a map of patterns such as triggers, maintaining factors, protective factors, and the coping strategies you already use. The foundation is a strong therapeutic alliance, which is the sense that you feel heard, safe, and respected, because change tends to happen faster when trust and collaboration are consistent.

When the main difficulty is intense emotion or rapid mood shifts, I use skills-based work that targets affect regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness, which are areas often taught in DBT therapy. When anxiety is the core issue, I use structured strategies that focus on cognitive distortions, attentional bias, avoidance cycles, and graded exposure, so you can test feared situations safely and build mastery over time. When low mood and withdrawal are present, I focus on behavioural activation, routine stabilisation, and values-guided action to reduce shutdown patterns and rebuild motivation. When the body is doing a lot of the talking, such as tight chest, nausea, headaches, restlessness, or numbness, I use body-based stabilization and interoceptive awareness skills, which are central in somatic therapy, so you can notice early warning signs and settle autonomic arousal before it spikes.

When past experiences keep intruding into the present, such as strong reactions that feel out of proportion, flashback-like moments, or persistent hypervigilance, I use a trauma-informed plan that prioritises safety, stabilisation, and work inside your window of tolerance. If trauma processing is clinically appropriate and you are ready, I may use EMDR therapy as part of that plan, with careful pacing and consent. When stress is strongly shaped by what is happening at home, I include systemic assessment and family systems concepts, which are the basis of family therapy, so patterns like conflict loops, roles, boundaries, and communication breakdowns are addressed instead of placing the full burden on you. Across all of this, I keep the language clear and practical, so you understand why a strategy is being used and how it connects to daily life, and I maintain professional development and ethical practice standards consistent with expectations many families associate with the Australian Counselling Association, including supervision and ongoing learning, such as counselling courses online, where they support competence.

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy for Emotional Regulation

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) blends skills training and mindfulness to support emotional control and safer responses when emotions feel overwhelming. It’s often helpful for teens who have intense mood swings or struggle with relationship conflict.

Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing Therapy

Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy supports processing of traumatic memories so they cause less distress. EMDR can be effective for teens who have experienced a single traumatic event or ongoing stressful experiences.

Somatic Therapy for Body‑Mind Connection

Somatic Therapy works with body sensations and grounding techniques to release tension and reduce stress responses. It’s especially useful when trauma or ongoing stress is showing up as physical symptoms.

Summary of approaches and typical benefits:

Therapy typeFocusBenefits
CBTThought patterns and behaviours, with practical skill buildingReduces anxiety and depression symptoms and improves stress management
DBTEmotion regulation, mindfulness, and interpersonal skillsBuilds coping skills, improves relationships, and reduces impulsive or risky behaviours
EMDRProcessing distressing or traumatic memoriesLowers distress linked to past experiences and supports better daily functioning
Somatic therapyBody, mind connection and nervous system regulationReduces physical tension and supports recovery from stress and trauma responses

If an approach requires specialist training (for example, EMDR or intensive DBT programs), I’ll only proceed if I’m trained and confident; otherwise, I’ll refer to a suitably qualified psychologist or program. If you’d like more information about any option or local programs, ask at booking, and I’ll point you to the best resources for your situation.

What Happens in Your First Teen Counselling Session

Feeling nervous before your first counselling session is normal, and the first appointment is designed to feel low-pressure and predictable. You start by meeting the counsellor and learning how the space works, including confidentiality, informed consent, and the safety limits that apply if there is a serious risk to your safety or someone else’s safety. You also get a simple overview of the session structure, such as how long sessions usually run, how often you meet, and what you can do if a topic feels too big to talk about on the day.

Early on, the counsellor usually does a light intake and asks questions to build a clear picture of what life looks like for you right now. This can include a presenting concern, a brief psychosocial history, what stress looks like in your body, your sleep and energy patterns, how school and friendships are going, and what support you already have. Some counsellors also do a gentle risk screening to check things like safety, overwhelm, and coping, because this helps create a plan that matches your needs without pushing you too fast. The focus is on understanding your patterns, including triggers, emotions, and behaviours, so nothing feels random or confusing.

Before the session ends, you and the counsellor usually agree on a few clear goals, and what happens next, so you leave knowing what you are working toward. This can include identifying your strengths, building emotional awareness, practising emotion regulation and simple coping skills, and setting a short session agenda for next time based on what matters most to you. If it helps, the counsellor may suggest one small between-session practice, like noticing triggers, using grounding when stress rises, or tracking what changes your mood, but it stays realistic and matched to your day-to-day life.

Meeting Me and Building Initial Rapport

When we first meet, I’ll introduce myself, explain how I work and invite you to ask any questions. Building trust is a priority; you won’t be forced to talk about anything you’re not ready for. The session is a conversation where we get to know each other and decide if we’re a good fit.

Confidentiality Explained: What Stays Private and What Doesn’t

Confidentiality is taken seriously. What you share stays private unless there’s a risk of harm to you or others, or disclosure is required by law (for example, mandatory reporting). I’ll explain these boundaries clearly and point you to more detailed information if you’d like.

Setting Goals and Expectations Together

By the end of the first session, we’ll agree on one or two goals and how we’ll measure progress. Sessions are typically 50 minutes, and we’ll talk about how often to meet based on your needs. You might find it helpful to bring a short list of topics or a couple of questions, for example: “What would success look like for me?” or “How will we keep track of progress?”

The first session is about starting a supportive counselling journey at a comfortable pace. I’m here to support you and answer any questions as we go.

Step-by-Step: How to Prepare Before Your First Session

Preparing for your first counselling session in general is mainly about making the experience feel clearer, calmer, and more useful. Start by noticing your emotional state and naming it, because emotional awareness helps reduce uncertainty and supports early rapport and a strong therapeutic alliance. Write a short check in for yourself that covers what you are feeling, what has been hardest recently, and what you want life to look like after a few sessions, because this gives the counsellor a clear presenting concern and helps shape the first intake discussion. It can also help to remind yourself that the first appointment is usually focused on informed consent, confidentiality and its safety limits, and a simple explanation of the session structure, so you know what to expect and how your information is handled.

Before you go, make a small notes list that sets an easy session agenda, such as one problem you want less of, one skill you want to learn, and one strength you want to keep using, so early goal setting feels practical. Add a few questions that help you feel in control, like how progress is tracked, what happens between sessions, and whether referrals are suggested if extra support would help. If the first session is teen counselling, it is also useful to decide what level of parent or guardian involvement feels supportive while still respecting privacy boundaries. If professional standards matter to you, you can ask whether a practitioner aligns with the Australian Counselling Association or similar professional bodies, and if you want background learning, choose reputable counselling courses online or trusted mental health education sources rather than random content, so the information you bring into therapy supports your goals and the counsel you are seeking.

Step 1: Acknowledge Your Feelings About Starting Counselling

Take a moment to notice how you really feel about starting counselling — nervous, hopeful, unsure. Naming those feelings can make them easier to manage. Try a simple prompt: “Right now I feel… because…”

Step 2: Write Down What You Want to Talk About

Jotting down a short list before you come helps guide the session. Try three quick prompts: 1) One problem you want less of, 2) One thing you want to learn, 3) One thing you want to keep doing. If you want to read more about options and programs, I can send reliable information or links to trusted resources rather than recommending random online courses.

Step 3: Prepare Questions to Ask Me

Preparing a couple of questions gives you control and helps you feel informed. Useful examples: “What will our sessions look like?” “How will we know if things are improving?” or “What other resources or referrals might help?” Bring these to the first meeting or ask them during a short phone chat before booking.

Step 4: Discuss Expectations with Your Parents or Guardians

If your parents or guardians are involved, talk with them about what you want from counselling and how much privacy you expect. If there’s a disagreement about privacy or attendance, tell me,, I’ll explain how we handle confidentiality and can offer resources or support to help the family plan together.

Preparation stepDescriptionBenefits
Acknowledge your feelingsReflect on how you feel about starting counsellingReduces anxiety and helps you arrive calmer
Write down topicsList a few issues or goals you want to coverKeeps the session focused and efficient
Prepare questionsNote the questions you want to ask your counsellorClarifies expectations and builds trust
Discuss expectationsTalk with parents or guardians about roles and privacyKeeps everyone aligned and reduces conflict

What Parents Should Know About Teen Counselling

When a young person starts teen counselling, parents and caregivers still have a meaningful role, even though the sessions focus on the teen’s experience. Counselling supports your teen to build insight, strengthen emotional regulation, and develop healthier coping skills that translate into daily life at school, at home, and in friendships. Your support is most helpful when it creates stability outside the session, such as calm communication, predictable routines, and fewer high-pressure demands for immediate change.

A key part of effective teen counselling is confidentiality, which gives your teen a private space to speak honestly and build trust with the counsellor. In the first session, a counsellor should explain informed consent and privacy boundaries clearly, including safety limits if there is a serious risk to your teen or someone else. Respecting these boundaries does not mean you are excluded; it means the therapeutic space stays psychologically safe, and that often increases engagement and progress over time.

Progress in therapy is often gradual and not always linear, so it helps to look for small functional changes rather than instant mood shifts. Your teen may feel tired, quieter, or more emotional after a session because processing can temporarily increase awareness of feelings that have been avoided. You can support this by using low-pressure check-ins, asking what support would help at home, and staying curious rather than interrogating for details. If home dynamics are contributing to stress, counsellors may involve parents at times to improve communication, boundaries, and routines, while still protecting your teen’s privacy and keeping the focus on wellbeing.

Your Role in Supporting Your Teen’s Journey

Balance is important. Open communication and gentle encouragement help, but respect their privacy if they’re not ready to share everything. Let them know you’re available, ask simple check‑in questions and offer practical support (rides to appointments, reminders about homework or self‑care). Remember that progress can be gradual, steady support and patience matter.

Simple scripts that can help start the conversation include: “I’m proud of you for trying counselling, do you want to tell me how it went?” or “If there’s anything you want me to help with after a session, I’m here.”

When Family Therapy Might Be Beneficial

Individual counselling helps the teen, but family therapy can be useful when family dynamics are contributing to difficulties. Family therapy provides a structured space for everyone to share perspectives, improve communication and work toward practical solutions together.

We can discuss whether occasional family sessions, a short program, or separate parent coaching would best support your family’s needs.

Understanding Confidentiality Boundaries as a Parent

Confidentiality is taken seriously in counselling. Generally, what your teen says in session is private unless there is a risk of harm to them or others, or disclosure is required by law (for example, mandatory reporting). I will explain these limits clearly and discuss how we can keep you informed while respecting your teen’s privacy.

If you ever have safety concerns, for example, thoughts of self‑harm or imminent risk, contact emergency services or a crisis line immediately (000 for emergencies). You can also ask me for referrals to parenting programs, community resources or specialist services if more support is needed.

What to Expect During Ongoing Counselling Sessions

Ongoing counselling sessions usually become more comfortable and more useful over time because you build a steady therapeutic alliance with your counsellor. Each session is a confidential space where you can explore thoughts, feelings, and behaviours without being judged, and where patterns start to make more sense. You might notice that early sessions focus on clarity, meaning you and your counsellor work together to understand triggers, stress responses, and what happens before and after difficult moments, so the support is based on your real-life experience rather than guesses.

Most ongoing teen counselling sessions follow a simple structure, so you know what to expect. You often start with a short check-in, including mood, stress level, sleep, school or friendship pressure, and anything important that happened since the last session, then you agree on a clear session agenda. After that, the work is practical, such as building emotional awareness, strengthening emotion regulation, and practising coping skills you can use at school, at home, or when you feel overwhelmed. Your counsellor might also include psychoeducation, which means explaining how stress, anxiety, or low mood can affect the brain and body in everyday language, so the strategies feel logical and easier to use.

You can also expect some form of progress tracking, which might be as simple as noticing what feels easier, what still feels hard, and what changes show up in your daily functioning. That is often called progress monitoring, and it helps you stay focused on goals rather than just talking about problems. Your counsellor may suggest small between-session practice tasks, sometimes called home practice, like trying a new communication approach, using a grounding strategy during stress, or keeping a short note of situations that trigger strong feelings, so the skills become real and usable outside the room.

If you are a teen and parents or caregivers are involved, ongoing counselling usually includes clear boundaries about privacy and roles, so you can speak freely while still having appropriate support at home. Your counsellor may invite a caregiver into part of a session when it helps with practical changes, communication, or reducing conflict, but confidentiality and informed consent remain central. If you ever feel unsure about how the process works, you can ask directly, because good counsel includes helping you understand the plan, the next steps, and what progress can realistically look like.

Typical Session Structure and Duration

Sessions are typically 50 minutes. We start with a quick check‑in about how you’ve been, then focus on a couple of priorities for the session. Sessions usually combine talking, reflection and short practical exercises to build new skills.

The relationship between you and your counsellor is one of the most important parts of getting better, it’s built on trust, respect and working toward clear goals.

How We’ll Measure Progress Together

Progress is a team effort. We’ll use simple check‑ins and goal reviews so you can see what’s changing and what still needs work. If something isn’t helping, we’ll try a different option or adjustment together.

  • Spotting patterns that hold you back
  • Learning new coping strategies for stress and anxiety
  • Improving emotional regulation and relationships

What Homework or Practice Might Look Like Between Sessions

Sometimes I’ll suggest short, doable tasks between sessions, for example, keeping a mood diary, practising a breathing exercise, or trying a small behavioural change. These activities are optional but often help progress between sessions.

If you’d like telehealth instead of face‑to‑face, mention it when booking, and I’ll arrange an option that fits your schedule. I’m here to support you each step of the way.

Common Concerns Teens Have About Counselling and My Answers

It is normal to feel unsure about starting teen counselling, especially if you do not know what to say or you are worried it will be awkward. The first sessions are structured to feel safe and manageable, so you can start small and build comfort over time. You are not forced to talk about anything before you are ready, and if you feel overwhelmed, the pace slows down and the focus shifts to helping you feel steady. The aim is a supportive therapeutic alliance, where you feel respected and understood, not judged, and where it is okay if you cry, shut down, or feel angry, because those responses can be part of how your nervous system reacts to stress.

A common worry is confidentiality, and you should expect a clear explanation of informed consent and privacy boundaries, including the safety limits if there is serious risk to your safety or someone else’s safety. If you are worried about parents finding out everything, you can ask what is shared and what stays private so expectations are clear from the beginning. It is also normal to wonder if counselling is working or whether your problem is serious enough, and progress is usually measured through small, real life changes like better sleep, fewer blow ups, less avoidance, improved concentration, or healthier communication. You can give feedback if the fit does not feel right, ask questions at any time, and if you are given between session practice, it should be simple and realistic so you can build coping skills and emotion regulation in everyday situations without feeling pressured.

Will I Be Forced to Talk About Things I’m Not Ready For?

No. Counselling is a safe, non‑judgemental space and you are in control of what you share. We can start small — for example, the first session might be a short check‑in and a couple of coping strategies you can try that week. If you don’t want to talk about something yet, that’s fine; we’ll move at a pace you choose.

What If I Don’t Connect with My Counsellor?

Connection matters. If you don’t feel the fit, tell me, we can discuss what’s not working and try to improve it. If it still doesn’t feel right, I’ll help you find another counsellor or a different service in the community. Asking for a change is okay and quite common.

How Long Will I Need to Attend Sessions?

There’s no fixed answer — it depends on your goals and difficulties. Some teens come for a few weeks to learn specific skills; others work on deeper issues over several months. We’ll check progress together and change the plan if life or needs change.

Can I Talk About Anything Without Judgement?

Yes, counselling is a judgement‑free zone. You can share anything, and I’ll listen and support you. If there are safety concerns (for example, thoughts of self‑harm or risk to others), I must act to keep you safe and will explain that process to you. Otherwise, your sessions are confidential.

If you still have questions or want to talk through any worries before booking, contact Where’s Your Head At in Norwest. We’re here to support your wellbeing and help you find the right options.

Counselling Services

Common counselling services you will see in many practices include individual counselling for stress, anxiety, low mood, grief, or life transitions, teen counselling or counselling for young people for school pressure, friendships, identity, and emotional overwhelm, and family therapy when conflict patterns at home are affecting everyone. Many practices also provide couples counselling to improve communication, rebuild trust, and change repetitive relationship patterns, and some offer adjunct supports like youth mentoring for teenagers who respond better to practical guidance and goal setting than traditional talk-based sessions. A smaller but still common category is values-aligned care, such as Christian counselling, which some clients choose when personal beliefs and decision-making are closely connected.

At Where’s Your Head At in Norwest, the service mix reflects many of these commonly available pathways, including counselling and psychotherapy for individuals, counselling for young people, family therapy, couples counselling, and youth mentoring, which can be particularly relevant if you are exploring options for a teenager and want either individual support or family-level change. Practical access is also a common feature families look for, and appointments can be delivered in person as well as via video call or phone call, which can help teenagers stay consistent around school and extracurricular schedules.

Counselling and Psychotherapy for Young People

We offer targeted counselling and psychotherapy for adolescents and young adults (age ranges discussed at booking). These sessions address identity, school pressures, friendships and transition to adulthood, delivered in a teen‑friendly, strengths‑based way.

Youth Mentoring Programs

Our youth mentoring programs pair young people with positive role models for ongoing support, personal development and goal‑setting. Programs can be standalone or complementary to individual counselling.

Christian Counselling Options

For those who prefer faith‑integrated care, we provide Christian counselling options that respect spiritual beliefs alongside therapeutic goals.

Family Therapy Sessions

Family therapy is available for families who want to improve communication, resolve conflict or work through practical issues together. Sessions can include joint family meetings or separate parent sessions as needed.

Credentials and referrals: our counsellors are experienced practitioners who work within professional and ethical standards. If specialised assessment or a psychologist referral is needed, we can support that referral pathway (for example via a GP mental health plan) and point you to local resources and programs.

Practical Preparation: What to Bring and How to Book

The easiest first step for any first counselling appointment is to choose the format that feels most doable right now, because consistency matters more than the perfect setup. Where’s Your Head At offers sessions in person, via video call, or via phone call, so you can pick what fits around school, work, transport, or comfort levels. If you are unsure whether teen counselling is the right fit, a simple low pressure option is to start with a brief introductory call so you can ask practical questions about how sessions work and what to expect. From there, you can book an appointment online or call the practice directly on 0499 993 077.

For your first appointment, bring only what helps the session run smoothly and keeps your mind clear. The most useful items are a short notes list with your main concerns, any key dates or recent changes you want to mention, and one or two goals you would like to work toward during therapy. If you are a parent or caregiver supporting a teen, it can help to bring a brief summary of what you are noticing at home or school, plus any relevant background that supports the counsellor’s understanding, without needing to share every detail. If there is paperwork you have already been asked to complete, bring that as well, and if the teen uses anything that helps with regulation, such as water, a sensory item, or a notebook, it is fine to bring it to support comfort and focus during counselling.

To find the Norwest location, appointments are listed at 20/1 Maitland Place, Norwest NSW 2153, and you can confirm the exact room details when you book, so arrival feels straightforward. A simple way to reduce first session stress is to plan to arrive a few minutes early, keep your notes accessible, and start the session by naming what you want help with most, because this makes the first conversation clearer and more productive from the beginning.

How to Book Your Session Online at Where’s Your Head At

Booking is simple — visit our website and choose a time that suits you. If you’d prefer, call 0499 993 077 or email info@wheresyourheadat.com.au for help with booking, questions about hours or to request a short phone chat.

To book online, follow these steps:

  • Visit our website at Where’s Your Head At.
  • Go to the booking section and pick a date and time.
  • Fill in the required details and confirm.
  • You’ll receive a confirmation email with appointment details and directions.

Please check our cancellation policy when you book — if you need to change a day or time we’ll do our best to help.

Conclusion

Teen counselling can support young people through the tougher parts of adolescence by giving them a consistent, confidential space to explore worries, build coping skills, and strengthen day to day wellbeing. At Where’s Your Head At in Norwest, sessions are designed to stay practical and person centred, so the focus stays on what is happening in your teen’s life right now and what needs to change to make things feel more manageable.

Support is tailored to the individual, whether a teen is experiencing anxiety, low mood, relationship stress, or simply needs a steady place to talk and organise thoughts. If parents or caregivers are involved, the goal is to support the teen while still respecting confidentiality, with clear explanations about privacy boundaries and the safety limits that apply.

If you want to get started, you can book online or call for a brief phone chat to ask questions and check availability. You can also discuss what sessions look like, what to expect from counselling, and whether referrals may be helpful, such as linking with a psychologist, local programs, or a GP discussion about a mental health plan when appropriate.

For support today, contact me at Where’s Your Head At on 0499 993 077, visit 20/1 Maitland Place, Norwest NSW 2153, or book an appointment online. If you’d like, call or book a short phone chat first so I can answer any questions and help you feel prepared.

FAQ

Are you registered with the Australian Counselling Association?

Yes. At Where’s Your Head At I am a member of the Australian Counselling Association and work to professional and ethical standards so you can expect qualified, safe care.

What specific types of therapy do you offer for teenagers?

I offer a range of evidence‑based approaches to match your needs, including cognitive and behavioural approaches, DBT for emotional regulation, somatic methods for body‑mind work and EMDR for processing traumatic memories. We’ll discuss the best option for the issues you’re facing.

Can we involve my parents in the sessions?

Yes — parental involvement is flexible. Sometimes brief family sessions or parent consultations are helpful; other times individual sessions work best. We’ll agree a plan that respects privacy while supporting family wellbeing.

Do you offer remote support or online resources?

I offer telehealth sessions for those who prefer to meet online. These follow the same professional standards as face‑to‑face sessions. I can also point you to reputable local resources and programs if additional support is needed.

Where is your practice located and how do I book?

My practice is in Norwest, NSW. You can book a teen counselling session on my website or call 0499 993 077. If specialised assessment or a psychologist referral is needed, I can assist with that referral pathway.

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I’m here to listen, understand, and help you figure out where your head is at.

PLEASE NOTE:
If you or anyone you know are in crisis or in need of urgent intervention, please contact the 24-hour counselling service Lifeline on 13 11 14, or if it’s an emergency, please contact 000.

Jonathan Righetti

Australian Counselling Association / College of Supervisors

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