Support for Children & Adolescents (8+)

accepting new clients

Clinical Support & Counselling

Veronique loves working with children and young people – every session is different and full of creativity. Therapy with kids isn’t just about talking; it can involve play, movement, visual aids, and other engaging approaches that allow young people to express themselves in ways that feel natural and safe.

She also deeply enjoys working with teenagers, with all the complexities, questions, and challenges that come with this stage of life. Adolescence is a time of exploring identity, independence, friendships, and figuring out where you fit in the world. Veronique sees this as an exciting (and sometimes messy) journey and values creating a space where teenagers feel respected, understood, and supported to work things out in their own way.

Veronique provides holistic, strength-based support for children and adolescents aged 8 and up. Her approach is trauma-informed and neuro-affirming – recognising the impact of past experiences, while also valuing and celebrating the unique ways each young person thinks, feels, and interacts with the world.

Veronique offers a range of support options, including telehealth, video consultations, and face-to-face visits, depending on the client's location and preferences. If you’re curious about the support options available and want a safe space to work through things in your own way, you’re welcome to reach out to Veronique directly.

 

Support For Young People

Compassionate and Holistic Care

Veronique, founder of Exploring Minds, is a Credentialed Mental Health Nurse with 15 years’ experience in the field. Her commitment to a person-centred approach underscores her dedication to empowering clients to take charge of their own well-being.

By integrating her understanding of both physical and mental health, along with evidence based therapeutic approaches like CBT and DBT, Veronique offers a comprehensive approach to care. She recognises the direct connection between physical and mental well-being, guiding clients towards making meaningful changes in both areas for optimal outcomes.

A Safe and Supportive Space

As a trauma-informed care educator, Veronique's insights into the impact of early childhood experiences on long-term outcomes, enables her to implement a trauma informed framework. Veronique ensures that clients feel safe and supported throughout their healing journey. 

Veronique’s easy going and non-judgmental approach, assists in her ability to connect with people of all ages, from teenagers, through to older adults.

Focus Areas

Sessions are engaging, age-appropriate, and responsive to each young person’s needs, and explore:

  • Mental health assessment, planning, psychotherapy, and counselling

  • Emotional well-being around anxiety, worry, or low mood

  • Suicidal thoughts and non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), with a focus on safety and compassionate support

  • Strengths and strategies for school and life challenges

  • Confidence, identity, and self-esteem

  • Skills for emotional regulation and coping

  • Communication and navigating friendships and relationships

  • Understanding and embracing neurodivergence (such as ADHD or autism)

How To Book

Contact Veronique to discuss your child or adolescent support needs and book an appointment.

 

Growing up today comes with unique challenges. From primary school through to the teenage years, young people may experience stress, worry, or changes in mood as they navigate friendships, school expectations, family dynamics, and developing their sense of self.

Book a Consultation

Investment

  • Comprehensive Mental Health Assessment: $180 (80min)
    Includes a thorough mental health assessment and journey planning session.

  • Single Telehealth Consultation Fee: $140 (50min)

  • In-Clinic Single Session Fee: $160 (50min)

A Flexible Approach

Support with Veronique is always led by the young person. Depending on location and preference, sessions can take place in-clinic, at home (location dependent), or outdoors using walk-and-talk or play-and-talk styles. This flexibility helps create safe, comfortable spaces where young people feel heard and understood.

How To Book

Veronique offers a free initial phone or video call for new clients, typically lasting 5–10 minutes. This gives you the chance to meet, share your needs, and get a feel for whether there’s a good rapport. If another support option may be more suitable, Veronique will guide you towards the right direction to ensure you receive the most appropriate care.

Further consultations are available via telehealth or in one of the flexible formats listed above.

To learn more, or to book an appointment, contact Veronique.

About Veronique

Veronique is a highly experienced credentialed mental health nurse, with a Masters of Mental Health Nursing and over 15 years of diverse expertise in a variety of mental health care settings.

Her easy going and approachable nature fosters meaningful connections with clients across age groups, backgrounds, and diverse mental health concerns.

Veronique understands the importance of rapport and connection between the clinician and the client for successful and meaningful counselling and mental health support.

Frequent Questions

  • No, you do not require a GP referral or a mental health plan to see Veronique. However, Veronique does encourage communication with GPs to ensure continuity of care.

  • If you are under the age of 18 years old and living at home, parental consent is required.

  • Veronique prioritises the confidentiality of client information, adhering strictly to professional standards. Confidentiality may only be breached in cases of imminent safety risks or upon court-ordered requests. Veronique commits to transparent communication with clients, discussing any potential breaches beforehand and disclosing only essential information when necessary, ensuring the utmost respect for privacy and trust.

  • Exploring Minds services, while not eligible for a Medicare rebate at present, offer valuable support at competitive rates, potentially more affordable than seeing a psychologist even with a Medicare rebate. Though the ACMHN continues to advocate for Medicare rebates for credentialed mental health nurses, Veronique ensures accessibility to quality care, while attempting to keep it at affordable costs.

  • Veronique's client-centred approach ensures flexibility in the number of sessions, without any predetermined cap. Since her service is not funded, the frequency and duration of sessions are determined collaboratively between Veronique and her clients, allowing for personalised care tailored to individual needs and goals.

  • While Veronique is unable to prescribe medication, her expertise as a mental health nurse allows her to offer comprehensive medication education and facilitate communication with general practitioners regarding medication management. By providing valuable insights and support in this aspect of treatment, Veronique ensures that her clients receive holistic care that addresses both their mental health needs and medication-related concerns.

  • Absolutely, NDIS clients are welcome to seek support from Veronique. While she may not be a registered NDIS provider, she has experience working with NDIS clients and can assist by writing support letters and collaborating with NDIS coordinators as needed. Veronique strives to ensure that individuals receiving NDIS support receive the necessary assistance and advocacy to navigate their mental health journey effectively.