Your Child’s First Psychology Assessment
Booking that first appointment can feel like a big step, and it is completely normal to arrive with a few nerves, yours as much as your child’s. Most families tell us afterwards that it was far less daunting than they expected. This guide walks you through what actually happens in a first session, how to prepare your child, and what you can expect to walk away with.
The first session is mostly about getting to know your child and your family. There is no test to pass and nothing your child needs to prepare in advance.
Around 1 in 7 Australian young people experience a mental health difficulty each year, so if you are seeking support, your family is in very good company.
You do not need a referral to see a psychologist privately, although a Mental Health Care Plan from your GP opens up Medicare rebates.
What Happens on the Day
Every psychologist works a little differently, and the shape of a first session will depend on your child’s age, but most first appointments follow a similar rhythm.
Getting settled
You will be welcomed into the waiting area and given a few minutes to settle before we begin.
The psychologist will usually greet your child directly, at their level, rather than talking over the top of them.
We will explain who we are, what we do, and what is going to happen in the next hour.
The conversation
We will ask what has brought you in, what you have noticed, and what you are hoping might be different.
We will ask about development, health, sleep, friendships, school, and family life, so we see the whole picture rather than one slice of it.
We will talk about privacy and its limits, in words your child can follow.
Time with your child
Depending on age, we may spend part of the session alone with your child, part with you both together, and part with you on your own.
For younger children this often looks like play, drawing, or a game, because that is how children show us what words cannot.
For teenagers, we will usually check in about how much they want shared with you, and we will be upfront about that from the start.
Your child does not have to talk. Some young people chat away in a first session, others say almost nothing at all, and both are completely fine. Our first job is to be someone your child feels safe with. That is worth far more than a full set of answers on day one.
How to Prepare Your Child
Tell them beforehand. Being surprised with an appointment rarely goes well, and most children cope far better knowing what is coming.
Keep it simple and honest. Something like ‘we are going to meet someone whose job is helping kids with worries, and I will be there too’ works for most ages.
Avoid framing it as a consequence. A psychologist is not a punishment for behaviour, and it helps enormously if that is clear from the outset.
Let them bring something. A drink bottle, a fidget, headphones, or a favourite toy can take the edge off an unfamiliar room.
Expect a mixed reaction. Reluctance beforehand is very common, and it usually settles once your child has seen the room and met the person.
What We Will Ask of You
Parents and carers are part of the work, not spectators to it. What you notice at home is some of the most valuable information we have.
Come with a rough sense of what worries you and roughly when it started. Notes on your phone are perfectly fine.
Bring any reports you already have, including school reports, paediatrician letters, speech or occupational therapy reports, and previous assessments.
Tell us about any other professionals involved, so we can work alongside them rather than around them.
Be honest about what has been hard. Nothing you say will shock us, and the fuller the picture, the better the plan.
Practical Things to Know
Sessions usually run for around 50 minutes. It is worth allowing extra time for parking and settling in, particularly for a first visit.
A Mental Health Care Plan from your GP provides Medicare rebates for a set number of psychology sessions each calendar year. Your GP can complete this before your first appointment.
Fees, rebates, and cancellation policies are explained before you book, so there are no surprises.
Bring your Medicare card, your child’s card if they have one, and any referral or care plan.
Ask us anything. Questions about our approach, our experience, or what happens next are always welcome.
What Happens Afterwards
By the end of a first appointment you should have a sense of what we think is going on and what we suggest next. Sometimes that is a course of therapy, sometimes a small number of parent sessions, and sometimes a recommendation for assessment or a referral to someone better placed to help. If we are not the right fit, we will say so, and we will help you find who is.
One session is a beginning, not a verdict. If your child comes out saying it was boring, or you leave feeling you did not cover everything, that is completely normal. Trust and understanding build over time, and there is no rush.
HELPFUL RESOURCES
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1800 55 1800 / kidshelpline.com.au
Free, confidential counselling for young people aged 5 to 25, available 24 hours a day.
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13 22 89 (8am to midnight, 7 days)
Free phone counselling and parenting support for Victorian parents and carers.
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Practical, evidence-based information on child development, behaviour, and wellbeing.
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Mental health support, counselling, and wellbeing resources for young people aged 12 to 25.
