Telehealth for children and parents, anywhere in Australia

Not every family can get to Erina, and not every child does their best in an unfamiliar room. I offer video sessions for children and parents Australia-wide, and for many families they work very well.

How it works with young children

With children under about seven, telehealth usually means shorter sessions with a parent in the room, a lot of play and drawing on both ends of the screen, and more of the work happening through parent sessions. With older children, video sessions look much like in-person ones: we talk, we draw, we make plans. Some children find it easier to open up from the comfort of their own bedroom, surrounded by their things.

Parent coaching and Tuning in to Kids sessions are especially well suited to video: no travel, no babysitter, and they can happen after bedtime.

What you need

• A laptop, tablet or phone with a camera, and a reasonable internet connection
• A quiet-ish spot (perfect quiet is not required)
• Paper and something to draw with, for younger children
• A link, which I send before each session; nothing to install

Medicare and NDIS

Video sessions attract the same Medicare rebate as in-person sessions under a Mental Health Treatment Plan, and you don't need to have seen me in person first. NDIS self-managed and plan-managed plans can fund telehealth sessions too. Full details are on the Fees and rebates page.

Who it suits, and who it doesn't

Telehealth suits families outside the Central Coast, families in regional and rural areas, parents who can't get away during business hours, and children who feel safer at home. It suits some children less well, particularly very young children who need a lot of hands-on play, and I'll be honest with you if I think in-person sessions or a local provider would serve your child better.