Child and Adolescent Psychologist
Counselling for Children and Adolescents
When your child is struggling, the whole family feels it.
As a parent, there are few things more difficult than watching your child or teenager go through something hard — and feeling uncertain about how to help. You might have noticed a change in their mood, a withdrawal from friends or activities they once loved, difficulties at school that weren’t there before, or behaviours that feel out of character and hard to reach. You might have been managing it at home for a while, wondering whether it will pass, before arriving at the quiet but important realisation that some extra support might make a real difference.
That realisation takes courage. And it’s often exactly the right instinct.
Children and adolescents face genuine pressures — at school, in their friendships, within their families, and within themselves. The emotional and psychological challenges they navigate are real, and they deserve to be taken seriously. With the right support at the right time, young people can develop the skills, the resilience, and the self-understanding to move through difficulty and find their way back to themselves.
At BlueSky Psychology, Silvia Benovic offers child and adolescent psychology services in Adelaide, with over twenty years of clinical experience working with young people and their families.
What is child and adolescent psychology?
Child and adolescent psychology is a specialised area of psychological practice focused on the emotional, behavioural, developmental, and mental health needs of young people — from early childhood through to the late teenage years.
A child psychologist or adolescent psychologist works not just with the young person themselves, but often with their family as a whole — because the context a child grows up in, and the relationships surrounding them, are as important as anything happening within the individual. Support is always tailored to the young person’s age, developmental stage, and particular circumstances, and the approach looks quite different depending on whether you’re working with a six year old or a sixteen year old.
The goal is never to pathologise normal development, or to suggest that struggle is unusual. Children and teenagers are navigating a complex world, and sometimes they need a skilled, warm, and neutral space in which to do that — away from the pressures of family, school, and peer relationships.
What brings families to child and adolescent psychology?
There is no single profile of a child or family who benefits from psychological support. Young people come to us for a wide range of reasons, and the concerns that bring families through our door are as varied as the young people themselves.
Mental Health Issues
Some of the more common reasons families seek support from a child or adolescent psychologist include anxiety — which in young people can show up as school refusal, physical complaints before school, clinginess, perfectionism, social withdrawal, or persistent worry that seems beyond what the situation warrants. Depression in children and teenagers can look different from adult depression, and may present as irritability, loss of motivation, withdrawal from friendships, academic decline, or a flatness that parents notice before their child has the words for it.
Behavioural Difficulties
Behavioural difficulties — including defiance, emotional outbursts, difficulty managing frustration, or significant changes in behaviour — are also common reasons families seek support. So too are the effects of trauma, significant family changes such as separation or divorce, grief and loss, friendship difficulties, bullying, identity concerns, and the pressures of academic performance.
Adolescent Struggles
Adolescence in particular brings its own set of challenges — the search for identity, the intensity of peer relationships, the pressure of social media, the transition from school to the next chapter of life, and the emotional volatility that is a normal but sometimes overwhelming part of this developmental stage.
If you’re uncertain whether what your child is experiencing warrants professional support, that uncertainty is itself a reason to reach out.
Signs your child or teenager may benefit from support
Every child is different, and there is no definitive list of signs that psychological support is needed. That said, some of the things parents and caregivers commonly notice before seeking support from a child psychologist or adolescent psychologist include persistent changes in mood that last more than a few weeks, a significant withdrawal from family, friends, or activities that were previously enjoyed, declining performance or engagement at school, increased anxiety, worry, or fearfulness, sleep difficulties or changes in appetite, physical complaints — headaches, stomach aches — without a clear medical cause, emotional outbursts or significant difficulty managing frustration, self-critical or negative talk about themselves, and in older adolescents, any expressions of hopelessness or thoughts of self-harm.
Trust your instincts as a parent. You know your child better than anyone, and if something feels off, it’s worth taking seriously.
Working with Silvia Benovic — child and adolescent psychologist in Adelaide
Silvia Benovic is the Director of BlueSky Psychology and one of Adelaide’s most experienced child and adolescent psychologists. With over twenty years of clinical experience working with children, adolescents, and families across a wide range of settings — including Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, Youth and Parent Services, family centres, and private practice — she brings both deep expertise and genuine warmth to her work with young people.
Silvia holds a Masters degree in Clinical Psychology alongside graduate qualifications in family therapy and relationship counselling. She is a Fellow of the College of Clinical Psychologists of the Australian Psychological Society — one of the highest levels of professional recognition in the field. Her approach with young people is collaborative, developmentally informed, and always attentive to the whole family context.
Silvia works with children and adolescents experiencing anxiety, depression, behavioural difficulties, trauma, grief, family transitions, friendship and social difficulties, identity concerns, and the range of emotional and psychological challenges that arise during childhood and adolescence. She also works with parents who are navigating the challenges of supporting a young person through difficulty — because sometimes the most helpful thing is working with the adults around a child, rather than the child directly.
Silvia draws on a range of evidence-based therapeutic approaches such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, play therapy and systemic and interpersonal therapy in her work with young people, selecting and adapting the approach to suit each individual child or adolescent and what they’re navigating.
How does child and adolescent psychology actually work?
One of the questions parents most commonly ask is what a psychology session with their child or teenager actually looks like — and whether their child will be willing to engage.
The honest answer is that it depends on the young person, their age, and what they’re coming in for. With younger children, sessions often incorporate play, drawing, storytelling, or other age-appropriate activities that allow them to express and explore their experience in ways that feel natural and safe. With adolescents, the approach tends to look more like a conversation — though always one that’s paced according to what the young person is comfortable with, and never pushed beyond what they’re ready for.
Building trust with a young person takes time, and Silvia understands this. There is no pressure to disclose everything in the first session, and young people are never made to feel that there is a right or wrong way to engage with the process. The goal is always to create a space where they feel genuinely safe — perhaps one of the few spaces in their life that is entirely theirs, without the weight of parental or peer expectations.
Parents are an important part of the process too. Depending on the young person’s age and the nature of the concerns, Silvia will work with parents to help them understand what their child is experiencing and how they can best provide support at home. Family sessions may also be offered where appropriate.
Confidentiality is handled thoughtfully and in an age-appropriate way — young people are more likely to engage openly when they trust that what they share is respected, and this is always balanced carefully against the duty of care that applies in any work with minors.
Supporting parents through the process
Parenting a child or teenager who is struggling is one of the most emotionally demanding experiences there is. Alongside the worry comes a particular kind of helplessness — the sense of wanting desperately to fix something and not knowing how.
Part of Silvia’s work with families is supporting parents to understand what their child is experiencing, to adjust their responses in ways that help rather than inadvertently hinder, and to feel more confident and less alone in navigating what can be genuinely difficult territory. This isn’t about placing blame or suggesting that parents have done something wrong. It’s about working together — because the adults in a young person’s life are often the most powerful resource they have.
If you’re carrying worry about your child and would find it helpful to talk with someone yourself, we’d encourage you to reach out. Sometimes the first conversation is simply about working out where to start, and we’re here for that.
Medicare and the Better Access Scheme for young people
Child and adolescent psychology sessions at BlueSky Psychology are eligible for Medicare rebates under the Better Access Scheme, in the same way as adult psychology sessions.
To access rebates, a parent or guardian will need to take their child to a GP to discuss their mental health concerns and obtain a Mental Health Care Plan and referral letter. Young people under the age of 18 can access up to ten rebated psychology sessions per calendar year under this scheme.
If you’re unsure about the Medicare process or how a Mental Health Care Plan works, please don’t hesitate to contact us — we’re happy to walk you through it before your first appointment.
Child and adolescent psychologist in Adelaide — getting started
If you’re concerned about your child or teenager and would like to explore whether psychological support might help, we’d warmly encourage you to get in touch. You don’t need to have everything figured out before you call — a conversation about what you’re noticing and what you’re hoping for is a perfectly good place to start.
Silvia sees children and adolescents at our Adelaide CBD practice. Online and phone sessions may also be available where appropriate — please contact us to discuss your particular situation and needs.
To make an appointment with Silvia or to find out more about child and adolescent psychology at BlueSky Psychology, please call us on 08 8212 3944, email info@blueskypsychology.com.au, or book online. You’ll find us at Level 10, 108 King William Street, Adelaide.
Frequently asked questions about child and adolescent psychology
At what age can a child see a psychologist? Children can benefit from psychological support at any age. The approach is always tailored to the child’s developmental stage — with very young children, sessions often look quite different from those with older children or adolescents, incorporating play and creative activities rather than traditional conversation.
Does my child have to want to come? Ideally, yes — but it’s common for young people, particularly adolescents, to be reluctant at first. Often that reluctance eases once they’ve had a session or two and experienced the space as genuinely safe and non-judgmental. It can help to frame the appointment as a chance to talk to someone neutral, rather than emphasising the idea of something being wrong.
Will Silvia tell me everything my child says in sessions? Confidentiality in child and adolescent psychology is handled carefully and in an age-appropriate way. Silvia will discuss what information is shared with parents at the outset, in a way that is appropriate to the young person’s age and the nature of the concerns. There are circumstances — particularly where safety is a concern — where information will be shared with parents or other relevant parties.
How long will my child need to see a psychologist? This varies enormously depending on the young person, the nature of their concerns, and how they engage with the process. Some children and adolescents benefit from a relatively brief period of support; others find longer-term work more helpful. Silvia will discuss this with you as the work progresses.
Can I be involved in my child’s sessions? Parental involvement is an important part of the process, particularly for younger children. The nature and extent of that involvement will depend on your child’s age, what they’re comfortable with, and what’s most likely to be helpful. Silvia will always work collaboratively with families to find the right balance.
How do I know if my child needs a psychologist or a psychiatrist? A psychologist works with young people using evidence-based therapeutic approaches. A psychiatrist has a medical background and is able to prescribe medication. For most children and adolescents, psychological therapy is the appropriate starting point. If medication is indicated, Silvia will discuss this with you and facilitate a referral to the right professional.
How do I make an appointment for my child? Please call us on 08 8212 3944, email info@blueskypsychology.com.au, or book online. We’re always happy to have an initial conversation about your child’s needs before you commit to an appointment.
Ready to take the first step?
Your wellbeing matters to us. When you’re ready to take the first step, we’re here to support you on your journey.
Your Adelaide Psychologists
Our practice is dedicated to facilitating a safe place where you can explore your challenges and find your path to greater well-being. We have an experienced and diverse team who focus on establishing a safe and compassionate therapeutic alliance and use evidence-based therapeutic approaches for our counselling services. Treatment can be delivered in-person or via Telehealth.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my child needs to see a psychologist?
You might consider seeking professional support if you notice persistent changes in your child’s mood or behaviour, withdrawal from friends or activities they once enjoyed, difficulties at school that were not there before, frequent emotional outbursts or anxiety, significant changes in sleep or eating, or behaviours that feel out of character and are hard to reach. You do not need to wait for a crisis — early support often leads to better outcomes.
What happens in a child's first psychology appointment?
Typically, the psychologist will meet with the parent(s) first — either separately or together with the child, depending on age — to understand the concerns, the child’s developmental history, and family context. The psychologist will then meet with your child in a warm, age-appropriate way. For younger children this may include play-based interaction; for teens, it is more conversational.
What ages does BlueSky Psychology work with?
BlueSky Psychology provides therapy for children, adolescents, and their families. The practice’s director, Silvia Benovic, has over twenty years of clinical experience working with young people across Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, family centres, and private practice, and holds a Masters in Clinical Psychology with additional qualifications in family therapy.
What issues can a child psychologist help with?
A child psychologist can help with anxiety, depression, behavioural difficulties, trauma, grief, family transitions (such as separation or divorce), friendship and social difficulties, school-related challenges, identity concerns, anger and emotional regulation, and the full range of psychological challenges that affect young people.
Will my child need medication?
For most children and adolescents, psychological therapy is the recommended starting point. If medication is considered appropriate, the psychologist will discuss this with you and facilitate a referral to the right professional (typically a paediatrician or child psychiatrist). Medication decisions are always made in collaboration with the family.
How do I explain seeing a psychologist to my child?
For younger children, you might explain that they are going to see someone who talks with kids about their feelings — especially when those feelings get really big and hard to manage. For older children and teenagers, you can be more direct: explain that a psychologist is a professional who helps people work through challenges, and that seeing one is a positive and normal step.
Is parent involvement part of the therapy process?
Yes. Parent involvement is an important component of effective child and adolescent therapy. Depending on the child’s age and the nature of the concern, the psychologist may include parents in sessions, provide guidance on strategies to use at home, or hold separate parent sessions to support the family as a whole. The approach is always collaborative.