Children & Young People
Mental health support for children & teens
Counselling, psychology and school wellbeing support for children and teenagers across Wagga Wagga, Albury, Griffith, Mulwala and surrounding Murray Riverina areas.
Ages
5-18 & families
Support
Counselling, Psychology, School Wellbeing, NDIS (ECI)
Where
South West NSW & Telehealth
Referral
Not required. Medicare rebates available (learn more)
Where do I start?
I'm worried about my child. What kind of help do they need?
You don't need to know whether your child needs a counsellor, psychologist or another type of support before contacting us.
Start with what's happening. Click the tiles below that apply to your situation.
Are you noticing:
Anxiety & worries
Fear, excessive worrying, avoidance or feeling overwhelmed.
yes
Big emotions
Anger, meltdowns, emotional dysregulation or changes in behaviour.
yes
School difficulties
School refusal, bullying, friendships, learning or difficulty coping at school.
yes
Low mood & withdrawal
Changes is mood, confidence, motivation or connection with others.
yes
Family change & grief
Separation, divorce, loss, family conflict or significant change.
yes
Development delays or neurodivergence
Questions about ADHD, autism, development or your child's individual needs or assessment requirements.
yes
Not sure what fits? That's okay.
Most families contact us before they know what they need. Tell us what's happening and we'll help you work out the next step.
Tell us what's happening
Your Options
Three ways we support children and young people
Most families begin with one of these three pathways. You can start anywhere - we'll move things around if a different type of support suits your child better.
Counselling
Feelings, friendships, family change and everyday coping
- No referral or diagnosis needed
- Children, teenagers and parents
- Wagga Wagga, Albury. Griffith, Mulwala and telehealth
Ask about counselling
Psychology
Persistent difficulties, assessment and evidence-based therapy
- Medicare rebates with GP referral
- Registered psychologists
- Face to face (Wagga Wagga, Albury, Mulwala) or by telehealth
Ask about psychology
School Wellbeing
Support delivered where your child already spends their day
- In participating schools (state and private) across Riverina
- Individual and group support
- Arranged with your consent
Ask about school support
Good to know
You don’t need a referral, Mental Health Treatment Plan or diagnosis to book counselling or psychology with us. A Mental Health Treatment Plan is only required if you want to claim a Medicare rebate for eligible psychology services.
A common question
Does my child need a counsellor or psychologist?
Counsellor or psychologist - which does my child need?
Short answer:Â Either can be a good starting point. What matters is what's happening, how long it has been happening, and how much it is affecting everyday life.
Both counsellors and psychologists support children's emotional wellbeing. If you're unsure, you don't have to work it out before contacting us — our team does this every day.
See the full comparison in our FAQs
Counselling may help when...
- something specific has changed, such as separation, a death or a move
- your child is struggling with friendships, bullying or confidence
- you want practical coping strategies and someone to talk to
- the difficulty is recent rather than long-standing
Psychology may be appropriate when...
- difficulties have continued for months or keep returning
- home, school and friendships are all being affected
- you're considering assessment, or have questions about ADHD or autism
- a GP, paediatrician or school has suggested psychological support
You don't have to decide alone
If you're unsure, contact Centacare and talk to us about what's happening. We'll help you understand which service fits.
Ask us about support
Seeing a psychologist
How does child psychology work?
Centacare psychologists work with children, teenagers and families from our clinics in Wagga, Albury, Mulwala and by telehealth across South West NSW. Here is what the process actually looks like.
Step 01
Contact us
Call or send an enquiry. You don't need a referral, a diagnosis or a Mental Health Treatment Plan to start this conversation.
Step 02
Tell us what's happening
You may complete an intake form, speak with our intake team, or provide a Mental Health Treatment Plan if you have one.
Step 03
Organise referral documents if needed
If you'd like a Medicare rebate, you'll need to see your GP for a Mental Health Treatment Plan and referral. Paying privately? This step isn't needed.
Step 04
Attend the first appointment
The first appointment focuses on your child’s background and history. Depending on their age, this may be a parent or carer-only session.
Step 05
Plan what happens next
Your psychologist discusses what may help, how many sessions might be useful, and reviews progress with you as you go.
Ready to ask about psychology?
We'll explain fees, rebates and current availability before anything is booked.
Enquire now
Assessment & Diagnosis
Looking for answers about your child?
When questions about ADHD, autism or development arise, knowing what to do next isn't always straightforward. Psychological assessment can help families better understand their child's needs and explore appropriate pathways for support.
Who conducts it
Registered Psychologists
It usually involves
Interviews, questionnaires and psychometric tests
What you receive
A written report and recommendations
Doctors Referral
Not required. Rebates may be available with specific referrals only*
Our psychologists assess & diagnose
ADHD
Children, adolescents & adults
Cognitive disorders
Children, adolescents & adults
Autism
Children & adolescents
Specific learning disorders
Children, adolescents & adults
What happens during an assessment?
We start with a history-taking appointment where we ask about your child, your family and what you're noticing. Our Psychologists then use standardised questionnaires and psychometric tests along with gathering information from your child's school where that is helpful and consented to.
You finish with: a written report explaining your child's strengths and difficulties, what a diagnosis does or doesn't mean and what to consider next including referrals we can help you make or continued support with our team. An optional feedback session is also available.
See how psychology appointments work
Signs that often lead families to assessment
- your child struggles to make or keep friends
- your child is very sensitive to noise, texture or change
- learning, focus or classroom behaviour is causing concern
- a GP, paediatrician or school has raised ADHD, autism or learning concerns
- you want a clearer picture about your childs' cognitive strengths and weaknesses before deciding what helps next
ECI for Young children
NDIS support for younger children under 7
Concerned about your child's development?
If you have questions about your young child's development, behaviour, communication or participation in everyday life, Centacare's Early Childhood Intervention team may also be able to help.
Early Childhood Intervention is a separate NDIS-registered service for children under 7 with developmental delays or disabilities. It supports families to build practical skills and strategies for everyday life.
Explore Early Childhood Intervention (ECI)
Wondering whether assessment is the right next step?
Send us an enquiry and we'll explain the process, cost, wait times along with answering any other questions you may have.Â
Ask about assessment
Seeing a psychologist
Do I need a Mental Health Treatment Plan?
Only if you want a Medicare rebate for psychology appointments. You can contact Centacare first and organise the plan while you wait.
Who writes it?
Your GP
Appointment
Book a longer GP visit
Covers
Rebated psychology sessions
Needed for counselling?
No
How do I get a Mental Health Treatment Plan for my child?
Short answer:Â Book a longer appointment with your GP, explain what you're noticing, and ask about a Mental Health Treatment Plan and referral to a psychologist.
Your GP will talk with you and your child, complete the plan and write a referral. Take along anything useful like school reports, notes about sleep or mood, friendships behaviours, aversions, restrictions and anything else you have noticed along with any previous assessments.
What will psychology actually cost us?
Short answer:Â Medicare pays a rebate for each eligible session and you pay the gap. We confirm the current fee and rebate before your first appointment.
If cost is a concern, tell us. We'll be upfront about what is available and about lower-cost options, including counselling and school-based support.
Read our fees and rebates FAQs
School wellbeing
What if the problem is at school?
School refusal, bullying, friendship trouble and difficulty coping in the classroom are among the most common reasons families contact us.
My child refuses to go to school. Can Centacare help?
Short answer:Â Yes. School refusal is one of the most common reasons families contact us, and support may involve counselling, psychology, or working alongside your child's school.
Where a school takes part in our School Wellbeing Program, support can be arranged in the school itself. With your consent, practitioners can also share practical strategies with teachers.
Talk to us about school support
How school support works
In participating schools
Individual and small-group wellbeing support during the school day.
Alongside your family
Parents stay involved. We work with you, not around you.
With your consent
Nothing is shared with your child's school without your permission.
Support near you
What support is available where we live?
Centacare South West NSW has staffed offices in Wagga, Albury, Mulwala & Griffith. Other communities are supported through participating schools, telehealth and scheduled outreach so it's worth checking what is available near you.
Wagga Wagga
Centacare has a staffed office in Wagga Wagga with counselling & psychology appointments available face to face.
Counselling
Face to face in Wagga Wagga, plus telehealth
Psychology
Face to face in Wagga Wagga, plus telehealth
School Wellbeing
Delivered in participating schools
Early Childhood Intervention
In homes, early education settings and the community
Nearest clinic for surrounding areas:
Alfredtown, Ashmont, Bomen, Boorooma, Bourkelands, Cartwrights Hill, Collingullie, Coolamon, Currawarna, East Wagga Wagga, Estella, Forest Hill, Galore, Ganmain, Glenfield Park, Gobbagombalin, Gumly Gumly, Humula, Junee, Kapooka, Kooringal, Ladysmith, Lake Albert, Lloyd, Lockhart, Mangoplah, Mount Austin, North Wagga Wagga, Oura, San Isidore, Springvale, Tarcutta, Tatton, The Rock, Tolland, Turvey Park, Uranquinty, Wagga Wagga, Yerong Creek.
Questions parents ask us
Getting help for your child
These are the questions our intake team is asked most often.
Getting started
If something is affecting your child’s mood, behaviour, sleep, friendships, learning,
confidence or family life, it may be worth reaching out for support. You don’t need to
wait until things become severe, and your child does not need a diagnosis.
What if I don’t know what kind of support they need?
That’s completely okay. Many families contact us before they know exactly what type of support they need. Tell us a little about what’s happening and we’ll help you work out the most appropriate starting point.
Psychology may be helpful when concerns have been ongoing, are significantly affecting your child’s everyday life, or are occurring across different areas such as home, school or friendships.
A psychologist may also be appropriate when you are considering a psychological assessment, diagnosis or evidence-based therapy.
At Centacare, individual psychology therapy generally begins from around 6 years of age, depending on the child and their needs. For younger children, support often involves working closely with parents and carers.
Contact us if you’re unsure and we can help you work out the best option.
Psychology, Medicare & referrals
No. You can contact Centacare and book a private psychology appointment without a referral, Mental Health Treatment Plan or diagnosis.
If you would like to claim a Medicare rebate, you will need an eligible referral pathway.
For many people, this is a Mental Health Treatment Plan and referral from their GP.
Other Medicare pathways may also apply, including a GP Chronic Condition Management Plan.
Usually not. If you are eligible, Medicare provides a rebate towards the cost of the appointment, and you pay the remaining gap. The rebate depends on the Medicare pathway and type of psychology service. We can confirm the current fee and applicable rebate before your first appointment.
You can view estimated out of pockets expenses here.
Yes. Yes. You can contact us and book an appointment before seeing your GP.
However, if you want to claim a Medicare rebate for your first appointment, the appropriate referral needs to be in place by the time of that appointment.
Under a Mental Health Treatment Plan, eligible people can receive Medicare rebates for up to 10 individual mental health treatment services per calendar year.
An initial referral can be for up to six sessions, with a further referral required for additional sessions.
Some people may also be eligible for psychology through a GP Chronic Condition Management Plan.
This may provide Medicare rebates for up to five individual allied health services per calendar year, shared across eligible allied health professions. Your GP determines whether this pathway is appropriate for you.
No. A Mental Health Treatment Plan provides Medicare rebates for eligible mental health treatment services and cannot be used to cover a diagnostic assessment.
However, people under 25 years of age who are being assessed for a complex neurodevelopmental condition, including autism, may be eligible for Medicare rebates
under the Complex Neurodevelopmental Conditions and Eligible Disabilities pathway.
Under this pathway, a referral from a paediatrician or psychiatrist is required. Please
contact us to discuss this option further.
It varies. Some children and families need only a small number of sessions, while others benefit from longer-term support.
Your psychologist will discuss goals with you, review progress regularly and talk with you about how many sessions may be helpful.
Your child's appointment
It depends on your child’s age, needs and the reason for the appointment. Parents or carers are often involved in part or all of a younger child’s appointment. Older children and teenagers may spend some time speaking with the psychologist on their
own. Your psychologist will explain how the appointment will work and involve you where appropriate.
Is counselling confidential for teenagers?
Largely, yes. What a young person shares is kept private, with limited exceptions where there is a risk of serious harm or where the law requires disclosure. Those limits are explained to your teenager in plain language at the start.
Depending on your child’s age, the first session may be with the parent or carer alone. This gives the psychologist an opportunity to gather background information and understand what has been happening.
Your psychologist may talk with you about your concerns, your child’s strengths and
development, family and school life, and what you would like help with. Together, you’ll discuss possible goals and what the next steps might look like.
That’s okay. Children and teenagers do not have to arrive ready to talk about everything.
Psychologists use different ways of building rapport and helping young people feel comfortable. Depending on your child’s age, this might include conversation, activities, drawing, games or simply taking time to get to know each other.
ADHD, autism & assessment
Yes. Psychologists with appropriate training can assess and diagnose ADHD and
autism.
While a psychologist can assess and diagnose conditions such as ADHD, autism and specific learning disorders, as well as assess cognitive functioning, we recommend
involving a paediatrician or psychiatrist to support ongoing treatment planning.
A paediatrician or psychiatrist is required if you would like to explore medication management, as psychologists cannot prescribe medication.
An assessment is designed to better understand a person’s strengths, difficulties and determine whether they meet criteria for a diagnosis.
Therapy is ongoing support focused on goals such as managing anxiety, regulating emotions, improving relationships, building skills or coping with difficulties.
Some people have an assessment without therapy, while others may benefit from both.
School
Yes. School refusal is one of the most common reasons families contact us, and support may involve counselling, psychology, or working alongside your child’s school.
Schools can and often do help families make contact, and where a school participates in our School Wellbeing Program, some support is arranged through the school directly.
With your consent, practitioners can share practical strategies with your child’s school. Nothing is shared without your permission. Our School Wellbeing program also has an arm dedicated to supporting teachers.
Individual counselling, group programs in participating schools and practical support for parents on working with the school.
For more visit School Wellbeing Program
Questions parents ask us
Your don't need the right words to get started
Send us a short message about what you're noticing. Our intake team will reply with options including services outside Centacare if they suit your child better.
Enquiry form
This form is not for emergencies. If your child is in immediate danger, call 000.