psychology for children, teens & families in Geelong and the Bellarine

Worried your child has lost their spark? Reignite your child's wellbeing with an experienced psychologist.

Low Pressure evidence-based therapy for kids & teens to build confidence, manage emotions and navigate challenges with practical strategies.

NO WAIT-LIST FOR TEENS

ONLINE & IN-PERSON

CLICK BELOW TO WATCH FIRST!

NEXT STEP:

Complete the enquiry form and our psychologist will be in touch to confirm their availability.

The secret to getting ahead, is getting started.

Get Started

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Super Simple 3 Step Process

1. Complete The Enquiry Form

Complete the enquiry form and our psychologist will call you to discuss your situation, confirm we can support you, answer your questions and reserve an appointment.

2. Arrange Your Medicare Rebate

You don't need a referral from your GP to reserve your appointment. Once you have booked your session, you can visit your GP to set-up a care plan to claim your Medicare rebate.

3. Attend Your First Session

We will send you an online intake form to collect relevant information and speed up the process at your first appointment.

We look forward to meeting you.

Ready to get started?

Professional memberships

& associations

A safe, supportive space for trauma, anxiety, depression, & life’s difficult moments

Child & Teen Therapy

Support your child to navigate school stress, friendships, and family pressures and mental health concerns. Our sessions give them a safe space to explore feelings, build confidence, and develop practical strategies for everyday challenges. Help your child feel heard, understood, and more in control.

Parent Support

Worried about your child’s mood, behaviour, anxiety, or withdrawal? Parent support sessions give you clear insight into what may be happening and practical strategies you can use immediately. Feel more confident in your parenting, respond more calmly under pressure, and strengthen your relationship with your child.

Family Therapy

Bring your family closer and resolve ongoing conflicts. Family therapy provides a structured space to improve communication, understand each other, and work together more effectively. Build stronger connections and create a calmer, more supportive home.

Depression, Stress

& Burnout

Feeling drained, low, or constantly under pressure? Therapy helps your child identify what’s contributing to stress or burnout and develop strategies to regain energy and balance. Your teen can start feeling lighter, more focused, and capable of handling daily challenges.

OCD, Anxiety

& Panic

Intrusive thoughts, compulsions, or sudden panic attacks can be overwhelming. Therapy equips children with tools to manage triggers, reduce distress, and regain control over their day-to-day life so they can feel steadier, more confident, and better able to cope.

Anger, Irritability

& Tension

Struggling with your child's frustration, tension, or frequent irritability? Therapy helps them understand emotional triggers, manage reactions, and respond calmly under pressure so they can improve relationships, reduce stress, and feel more in control of their emotions.

Trauma & PTSD

When children have been through something distressing, it can show up as anxiety, withdrawal, anger, or changes in behaviour. Therapy provides a calm, structured space for teens to process what’s happened and begin to feel safer and more in control. Parents are supported with guidance to better understand what their teen may be experiencing and how to respond.

School Refusal

When getting your child to school has become a daily battle. Therapy helps uncover what may be driving the avoidance — such as anxiety, overwhelm, social stress, or burnout — and develops practical strategies to gradually rebuild confidence with school. Parents receive guidance to respond in ways that reduce conflict and support their teen’s return to learning.

Neurodivergent Support

Support for young people with ADHD, autism, or other neurodivergent profiles who may be struggling with school, emotions, or relationships. Sessions focus on understanding how your child's brain works and developing practical strategies that make daily life more manageable. Parents gain clearer insight and tools to support their teen’s strengths and challenges.

Proven Strategies, Tailored To Your Child

Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT)

acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT)

Trauma focussed cbt

(Tf-CBT)

Solution Focussed Therapy

Comprehensive behaviour intervention for tic

(CBIT)

Exposure response prevention

(ERP)

functional behaviour analysis

motivational interviewing

family therapy

interpersonal skills training

parenting support

See Behind The Scenes of Therapy

watch joe answer questions about therapy from other clinicians

CONTENT IS FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES, CONSULT with YOUR medical practitioner PRIOR TO APPLYING STRATEGIES

Why Reassurance Isn't Enough For Anxiety

In this supervision session, Joe explains the components of anxiety and how anxiety only has to say 'yeah but what if?' to keep you stressed out

Play through the script

In this supervision session, Joe explains how playing through the script can be a powerful way of processing emotions related to distressing thoughts and feelings

Explaining Therapy to Kids + Teens

In this supervision session, Joe explains how to orient child clients to therapy and explain the limits to confidentiality and privacy.

Roll with Resistance

In this supervision session, Joe explains how to help clients build confidence talking about topics without directly addressing the issue.

You're In The Right Place If You Want Things To Change

When your child is struggling, the most important thing is getting them the right support.

We work directly with your child to build skills and confidence, while helping you stay informed and clear on how to support them outside of sessions.

  • Understand what’s really going on beneath their child’s behaviour — not just manage the surface

  • Feel more confident responding to big emotions, instead of second-guessing every decision

  • Know they’re doing the right things — not just trying everything and hoping something works

  • Help your child build real coping skills, not just “get through the day”

  • Have a plan that actually makes sense for your child — not generic advice

  • Turn emotional outbursts into moments your child can learn from

STILL wondering

if therapy is right for you?

Frequently Asked Questions

We understand that therapy comes with lots of questions

What does a psychologist actually do?

A psychologist provides a structured space to talk through thoughts, emotions, and patterns that may be contributing to stress or difficulty. Sessions focus on understanding what's going on, identifying unhelpful patterns, and developing practical strategies to manage challenges more effectively.

Why aren't there reviews / testimonials on your website?

In Australia, psychologists (and other health professionals) are not allowed to use client testimonials. This rule is to protect clients' privacy and to avoid creating unrealistic expectations about outcomes.

Instead of reviews, it can be more useful to focus on the connection with your therapist. The first session is an opportunity to get a sense of how we work together and whether the approach feels right to you.

Do I need to have a clear problem before I book?

No. Many people start therapy without a clear explanation of what's wrong. Part of the process of therapy is working together to clarify concerns and priorities over the first few sessions.

What happens at my first appointment?

The first session usually focuses on understanding your background, current concerns, and goals. You can ask questions about the process and discuss what you would like to get out of therapy. There is no expectation to share everything all at once.

How is therapy different from talking to friends or family?

Therapy is a confidential, structured conversation guided by professional training. The focus is on patterns, strategies, and practical change rather than informal advice or reassurance.

What do we actually talk about in sessions?

Sessions focus on current challenges, relevant past experiences, and patterns that affect how you think, feel and respond. The content is guided by your priorities and what feels most useful to address.

Will you tell me what to do?

Therapy is collaborative. Rather than giving instructions, the aim is to help you understand your options, learn about your experience of symptoms, develop skills and strategies to try, and make informed decisions about your situation.

How structured are sessions?

Sessions are purposeful and guided by agreed goals. Some people prefer a more structured approach with specific strategies, while others benefit from open exploration. The approach can be adjusted over time.

Do I have to commit to long-term therapy?

No. Some people attend for a small number of focused sessions, while others choose to work together for longer. This can be reviewed regularly.

What if I don't know what to say?

That's common. Your psychologist helps guide the conversation. You don't need to prepare or organise your thoughts beforehand.

Does coming to therapy mean something is wrong with me?

No. Many people attend therapy to navigate stress, changes in life, or improve coping skills. Seeking support is a practical step rather than a sign of failure.

Will therapy make things feel worse before they feel better?

Talking about difficult topics can sometimes feel uncomfortable. Sessions are paced carefully to keep the process manageable and focused on constructive change.

What if therapy doesn't work for me?

Fit is important. If something is not helpful, it's discussed openly and the approach can be adjusted. You are not obligated to continue if it doesn't feel useful.

How long does it take to see results?

This varies depending on your goals and the issues involved. Some people notice useful shifts within a few sessions while more complex concerns can take longer. Progress is reviewed regularly.

How much effort is involved in sessions?

Some approaches include practising strategies between sessions. Consistent attendance and active participation tend to support better outcomes.

How often are sessions scheduled?

Many people start with weekly or fortnightly sessions and adjust frequency over time depending on their needs and availability.

How long is a therapy session?

50 minutes (plus 10 minutes for your therapist to write notes and complete any administrative tasks).

How do I know if therapy is working?

Your progress towards your goals is reviewed at the beginning and end of each session. Some signs that therapy is helping include clearer understanding of patterns, improved coping, less stress, and changes in how challenges are managed day-to-day.

Do you accept Private Health Insurance?

Yes. We can process your private health insurance claim for you.

Can I get a Medicare Rebate?

A Mental Health Treatment Plan or a referral from your Paediatrician/Psychiatrist allows you to access up to 10 rebated sessions per calendar year.

Do you accept NDIS funding?

Yes. We are able to accept NDIS participants whose funding is self-managed or plan-managed. We are unable to accept funding that is NDIA managed.

Do I need a Referral?

You do not need a referral from a GP or medical specialist to see a psychologist; however, you will not be able to receive a medicare rebate without one.

Director & principal psychologist

Joe Lewsey

BPsych (Hons), MPsych(Ed), MAAPi

I’m a Registered Psychologist based in Geelong, with over 12 years' experience working with children, teens and their families across schools and private practice. I have experience supporting teens, families, and their schools through complex and often stressful situations.

AHPRA Registered, Medicare Provider

Advanced Educational & Developmental Psychology Training

AHPRA Psychology Board Approved Clinical Supervisor

Trusted by 400+ clients since 2016

7,700 hour of Therapy and Assessment provided

This service is likely a good fit for teenagers and families who are looking for thoughtful, developmentally informed psychological support during adolescence.


I work well with kids and teens who:

Want a space where they feel listened to and taken seriously

Prefer practical strategies to manage emotions, anxiety, and disrupted mood

May not know exactly what they need, but know something isn't quite right

Might be hesitant about attending therapy

I work well with parents who:

Want to support their teen without pushing or being overly controlling

Want to understand their teen better

53 Shannon Ave, Manifold Heights VIC 3218, Australia

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