What is the difference between an adolescent psychologist and a regular psychologist?

Adolescents require a different counselling approach compared to children and adults. Adolescent or teen psychology is specifically for adolescents who are in transition between childhood and adulthood, typically referring to young people aged 13-19 years old. This period of transition can be exciting, and full of discovery as teens begin to figure out who they are, what they like, and their unique personality traits. However, between puberty, school, and new challenges, it’s not uncommon for teens to experience a roller coaster of emotions, hormones, and anxieties. Teenagers experience lots of physical, cognitive and psychosocial changes during this period of their lives. This affects how they feel, think and interact with the world around them. An adolescent psychologist helps them navigate their unique challenges through this lifestage. They are trained to interpret the behaviours of adolescents and focuses on supporting their development into adulthood.

New Vision Psychology offer a variety of counselling services, that are tailored to meet the needs of your teenager. Across our five Sydney locations, we are proud to provide a compassionate environment that works for both parents and children. Our registered and clinical psychologists are available to provide assessments or diagnosis through in-person sessions, or telehealth consultations. Our psychologists use their extensive training to provide tailored support to every teen and their family.

How do I know if my teenager should see a counsellor?

It is not always obvious or easy to determine if your teenager needs professional support through counselling. However, there are signs that you can look out for such as a sudden change in behaviour or mood, difficulties with learning, withdraw from social activities, long periods of sadness, and regressive behaviour.

Adolescents with mental health disorders and neurodevelopmental disorders such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) will display different symptoms, at different severity, and at different stages in their life. As a parent, it is important to understand the symptoms of the most common disorders and monitor how your child is feeling and behaving.

Here are some common disorders and symptoms to look out for:

• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) – low concentration, cannot sit still, interrupts others talking
• Conduct Disorder – aggressive, deceitful, disobeys rules (behavioural problems)
• Anxiety Disorder – restlessness, panicking, trouble sleeping
• Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) – hostile, anger episodes
• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) – does not make eye contact, uses noises to get attention, does not pick up on others expressions
• Eating Disorders – unhealthy relationship with food, over or undereating
• Depression – long periods of sadness, irregular sleeping, mood swings, crying, self-esteem issues
• Learning Disorders – does not speak, repeats a few words, learning difficulties

If you have any concerns regarding your teenager’s happiness or mental health, our experienced team of compassionate child psychologists are always available to speak with you as a parent, organise a session with your teenager, and conduct a thorough assessment if necessary. Our mental health professional experts are here to support your family with the right treatment plan, to help manage and overcome any challenges your teenager is living with.

Will I need a referral to book an appointment with an adolescent psychologist?

No – it is not mandatory to obtain a referral from a doctor to book an appointment with us, or to see a adolescent psychologist. Often, a parent’s intuition is the strongest indication that seeing a professional psychologist would be beneficial. However, if you teenager has already been diagnosed with a mental health disorder, you might be eligible for a Medicare rebate with a GP Mental Health Care Plan.

Will the teenager attend the session on their own? Can parents attend?

Teenagers will often attend the counselling sessions on their own, to discuss their emotions, feelings, and concerns without parental guidance. This allows psychologists to create a space where teenagers are be able to communicate without fear of judgement or reprimand from parents. This enables them to establish trust and confidentiality, which are essential to the therapeutic relationship.

It’s understandable that parents will want to understand how their teen are progressing. They can meet separately with the psychologist, where the psychologist can report about their teenager’s progress, without revealing details of their discussions. The psychologist will require consent from the teen before sharing any personal information with their parents. In some instances, parents may want to attend sessions together with their teen, and this may be arranged when required.

How long will my teenager need to see a psychologist?

This depends on their mental health, concerns, and goals. Our adolescent psychology team will generally complete treatment when your teen has achieved their goals, and is functioning in a positive, sustainable way at home and/or at school.