Support for children and teenagers when something keeps getting in the way.
When something keeps showing up for your child, knowing how to help isn't always easy.
For children and teenagers aged 6–17, from early primary school to the end of high school.
Book a free parent chatYou can see that something is going on.
It might be the worry that seems bigger than the situation. The big reaction to something that seemed small. The "I can't do it" before they've even tried. The teenager who's gone quiet. Avoiding something they used to manage. Or simply a sense that something isn't quite right.
You've probably already tried talking it through, reassuring them, setting boundaries or helping them find a different way forward.
But sometimes knowing what's happening isn't the same as understanding why it keeps happening.
That's where Take Root begins.
Looking behind the behaviour
What we see on the outside doesn't always tell us what's happening underneath.
Children and teenagers are still developing the language and awareness to make sense of what they're experiencing. Sometimes they can tell us exactly what's going on. Sometimes they can't.
And sometimes a behaviour that doesn't make much sense to us is doing something important for them.
We get curious about what they're experiencing, what their response may be trying to do for them, and what could help them feel more able to navigate it.
What we might explore
Take Root is shaped around your child and what they're experiencing. This might include:
How we'll work together
We start by understanding what you've been noticing, then shape the support around your child and what they need.
A free parent/carer conversation
We begin with you, so I can understand what's been happening, what you've already tried and what you'd like support with.
Sessions with your child
Usually weekly, around 30–45 minutes, online or in person at my office in Plenty, Melbourne. Each session is shaped around your child's age and what they're experiencing.
Staying connected
We'll agree from the beginning how parent/carer involvement will work, while giving your child an age-appropriate space to build trust and speak openly. Where it helps, we'll look at ways you can support what's changing at home.
A clear way forward
We'll stay in touch about how the support is progressing, whether continued coaching is the right fit and what the next step might be, while respecting the privacy we've agreed for your child.
What happens in a session?
Sessions are conversational, practical and pitched at your child's age. Depending on what we're working on, we might:
- work through a problem step by step, in a way they can use again on their own
- look at what they already do well, and how they could use that in the situations they find hard
- practise a simple way to call up a calm or confident feeling when they need it
- notice what happens for them in the moments they get stuck, and what might help them respond differently
Everything starts from where your child is, not where we think they should be. The aim isn't to tell them how they should feel or behave. It's to help them understand themselves better and find different ways of responding when something isn't working for them.
Every child needs something different.
Some children may need support with one particular thing. For others, we may discover there is more to explore.
That's why Take Root isn't built around a fixed number of sessions.
Sessions are $130 each. After our first conversation, we'll agree on an approach that makes sense for your child, including roughly how many sessions to start with, before you decide whether you'd like to go ahead.
Book a free parent chatIs Take Root the right support?
Take Root is coaching. It isn't psychology, counselling or a mental health treatment service.
Before we begin, we'll have a conversation about what's happening for your child and whether coaching is an appropriate form of support.
If I don't believe I'm the right person to support them, I'll tell you.
And if what they're experiencing would be better supported by a psychologist, GP or another appropriately qualified professional, I'll recommend that you seek that support instead.
A few things parents often ask
How involved will I be as a parent or carer?
You know your child better than anyone. Your perspective matters, while your child's sense of trust and privacy matters too.
We'll talk from the beginning about how parent/carer involvement will work and, where appropriate, how you can support what's changing outside the coaching room.
Is what my child shares in their sessions confidential?
I want your child to have an age-appropriate space where they can speak openly, while keeping you involved in the overall process.
I won't routinely report the details of our conversations back to you. There are, however, limits to confidentiality, particularly where I have concerns about a child's safety or wellbeing, or where disclosure is required by law.
Wherever appropriate, I'll talk with your child about anything I believe needs to be shared, and why.
We'll talk through exactly how this works before we begin, so both you and your child know what to expect.
Does my child have to agree to coaching?
Before we begin, I'll ask a parent or carer to complete the relevant consent and intake information. I'll also explain the process to your child directly, in a way that's appropriate for their age, and make sure they're comfortable taking part.
Their willingness to participate matters throughout, not just at the start. If at any point they don't want to continue with something we're doing, we'll stop and talk about it.
Not sure what your child needs?
You don't need to have that worked out before getting in touch.
We can start with a conversation about what you've been noticing, what's been happening and whether Take Root feels like the right kind of support.
Book a free parent chat