• Children and adolescents may need psychological intervention for a wide range of social, personal, and occupational (school-related) difficulties.

    Personal Difficulties

    These involve internal experiences that impact emotional and psychological well-being:

    • Low self-esteem or poor self-concept

    • Anxiety (e.g. separation anxiety, social anxiety, generalised anxiety)

    • Depression or persistent sadness

    • Anger management difficulties

    • Emotion regulation issues

    • Trauma-related symptoms (e.g. nightmares, hypervigilance)

    • Identity confusion (including gender, cultural, or sexual identity)

    • Sleep disturbances

    • Obsessive-compulsive symptoms

    • Self-harm or suicidal thoughts

    Social Difficulties

    These affect the child’s ability to form and maintain healthy relationships:

    • Poor social skills (difficulty initiating or maintaining peer relationships)

    • Social withdrawal or isolation

    • Bullying (victim or perpetrator)

    • Conflict with siblings, peers, or authority figures

    • Peer rejection or being left out

    • Excessive dependence on caregivers

    • Lack of empathy or perspective-taking difficulties (often seen in ASD)

    School-Related Difficulties

    These relate to performance, behaviour, and engagement in educational settings:

    • Academic underachievement despite ability

    • School refusal or truancy

    • Inattention or hyperactivity (ADHD-related)

    • Test anxiety or performance anxiety

    • Difficulty following instructions or completing tasks

    • Challenging behaviour in the classroom

    • Lack of motivation or school engagement

    When is Intervention Needed?

    Psychological intervention is typically warranted when:

    • These difficulties are persistent or worsening.

    • They cause distress to the child or family.

    • They interfere with daily functioning at home, school, or socially.

  • Adults may seek psychological intervention for a range of social, personal, and occupational difficulties that impact their well-being, relationships, and daily functioning.

    Personal Difficulties

    These relate to internal emotional or psychological challenges:

    • Depression (persistent sadness, hopelessness, loss of interest)

    • Anxiety (generalized anxiety, panic attacks, phobias, health anxiety)

    • Stress and burnout

    • Trauma-related symptoms (e.g. PTSD, flashbacks, hypervigilance)

    • Grief and loss

    • Anger regulation issues

    • Low self-esteem or self-worth

    • Poor emotional regulation

    • Chronic indecision or overthinking

    • Sleep disturbances or fatigue

    • Substance use or addiction

    • Disordered eating or body image issues

    • Existential concerns or identity confusion

    • Relationship with self (e.g. self-criticism, self-sabotage)

    Social Difficulties

    These involve challenges in relationships or community functioning:

    • Difficulty forming or maintaining relationships

    • Conflict with family members, partners, or friends

    • Isolation or loneliness

    • Social anxiety or avoidance

    • Domestic or interpersonal violence

    • Codependency or attachment issues

    • Trust or intimacy difficulties

    • Difficulties with assertiveness or boundary setting

    • Cultural adjustment or acculturation stress

    • Parenting stress or family role conflict

    Occupational Difficulties

    These concern functioning and performance at work or in career settings:

    • Workplace stress or burnout

    • Job dissatisfaction or lack of meaning

    • Career transitions or redundancy

    • Bullying or harassment at work

    • Conflict with colleagues or management

    • Underperformance despite capability

    • Perfectionism or fear of failure

    • Time management or procrastination

    • Difficulty maintaining employment due to mental health

    • Work-related trauma (e.g., first responders, healthcare workers)

    • Balancing work and personal life (work-life conflict)

    When to Seek Intervention

    Psychological intervention is recommended when these difficulties:

    • Persist over time

    • Cause emotional distress or overwhelm

    • Interfere with personal goals, health, or relationships

    • Reduce quality of life or functioning in daily roles

  • Families may seek psychological intervention when challenges disrupt their relationships, communication, or ability to function as a unit. Below is a structured list of common family difficulties that often warrant professional psychological support:

    Communication & Relationship Difficulties

    • Frequent conflicts, arguments, or tension among family members

    • Poor communication or emotional disconnect

    • Parent-child relationship breakdowns

    • Sibling rivalry or ongoing hostility between siblings

    • Lack of emotional support or validation within the family

    Parenting & Child-Rearing Challenges

    • Disagreements on parenting styles (e.g., strict vs. permissive)

    • Struggles with discipline, boundaries, or behaviour management

    • Managing children with emotional, behavioural, or developmental issues (e.g., ADHD, ASD, anxiety)

    • Parental burnout or stress

    • Concerns around school refusal, academic performance, or peer issues

    Mental Health & Illness in the Family

    • Impact of a family member’s mental health condition (e.g., depression, anxiety, substance use) on others

    • Intergenerational trauma or unresolved family history

    • Emotional enmeshment or lack of autonomy between members

    • Struggles with accepting or supporting a member’s identity or choices (e.g., gender, career, relationships)

    Separation, Divorce & Blended Family Stress

    • Parental separation or divorce and its impact on children

    • Co-parenting challenges across households

    • Adjustment issues in blended families or with step-parents/siblings

    Grief, Loss & Life Transitions

    • Death of a family member

    • Migration, relocation, or displacement

    • Major financial stress, unemployment, or housing instability

    • Illness, disability, or caregiving demands within the family

    Crisis & Trauma Situations

    • Substance use or addiction in a parent or child

    When to Consider Family Therapy

    • When problems persist or affect multiple members

    • If the family environment feels unsafe, disconnected, or dysfunctional

    • To prevent issues from escalating further

    • To strengthen resilience, communication, and emotional bonds

  • A WorkCover or CTP (Compulsory Third Party) participant may require psychological intervention to address a range of psychological, emotional, and functional challenges stemming from their injury or traumatic event. Below is a structured list of such difficulties:

    Emotional and Psychological Difficulties

    • Adjustment issues related to sudden injury or disability

    • Depression due to loss of function, independence, or lifestyle

    • Anxiety, especially around re-injury, future health, or uncertainty

    • Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms following a traumatic accident

    • Grief and loss over life changes, including loss of role or identity

    Work-Related and Occupational Issues

    • Fear of returning to work or reinjury anxiety

    • Loss of confidence or self-worth related to occupational capacity

    • Difficulty coping with modified duties or new work environments

    • Interpersonal strain with employers, colleagues, or case managers

    • Loss of income and associated financial stress

    Social and Personal Functioning

    • Isolation due to reduced mobility or social engagement

    • Strained relationships with family due to role changes or emotional distress

    • Role conflict at home (e.g., being unable to parent or contribute as before)

    • Low motivation, withdrawal, or inactivity

    Pain and Physical Limitations

    • Chronic pain contributing to mood disturbances and emotional dysregulation

    • Sleep difficulties due to pain or emotional distress

    • Reduced tolerance for stress, frustration, or setbacks

    Recovery and Adjustment Process

    • Difficulty navigating the claims system or medical processes

    • Frustration with delayed recovery or lack of progress

    • Uncertainty about future goals or purpose

    • Poor coping skills and reliance on maladaptive behaviours (e.g., avoidance, substance use)

    When to Refer for Psychological Support

    • When emotional distress interferes with rehabilitation or daily function

    • If there’s difficulty engaging with treatment or RTW plans

    • If the person exhibits signs of mental health disorders (e.g., depression, anxiety, PTSD)

    • To improve motivation, resilience, and coping during recovery

  • A National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) participant may benefit from psychological intervention to support emotional wellbeing, build functional capacity, and enhance participation in daily life. Psychological input can be especially valuable in addressing barriers related to mental health, behaviour, communication, and self-regulation. Below is a structured outline of such difficulties:

    Emotional and Psychological Difficulties

    • Anxiety around change, transitions, or unfamiliar environments

    • Mood instability or frequent emotional outbursts

    • Depression, low self-esteem, or a sense of hopelessness

    • Difficulty managing frustration, disappointment, or setbacks

    • Trauma-related symptoms or past adverse experiences

    Social and Interpersonal Challenges

    • Difficulty forming or maintaining friendships and social relationships

    • Limited understanding of social cues, leading to misunderstandings

    • Social withdrawal or avoidance due to past negative experiences

    • Vulnerability to bullying, exclusion, or exploitation

    • Communication difficulties impacting connection with others

    Personal Functioning and Daily Life

    • Challenges in maintaining self-care routines (e.g., hygiene, nutrition, sleep)

    • Dependency on carers due to emotional or behavioural difficulties

    • Difficulty tolerating changes in routine or unexpected events

    • Low motivation to engage in purposeful activity or therapy

    • Inconsistent emotional regulation impacting family dynamics

    Educational and Vocational Participation

    • Struggles to focus, stay on task, or follow instructions

    • Behavioural difficulties in structured settings like school or programs

    • Reduced engagement in learning or training environments

    • Anxiety or lack of confidence in trying new tasks or roles

    • Difficulty adjusting to supported or open employment settings

    Behavioural and Sensory Regulation

    • Tantrums, meltdowns, or physical outbursts in response to stress

    • Impulsivity, rigidity, or difficulty with transitions

    • Self-harming behaviours or risk to self/others during distress

    • Sensory sensitivities leading to avoidance or distress in certain settings

    When to Refer for Psychological Support

    • When behavioural issues interfere with learning, relationships, or daily functioning

    • If there are signs of mental health conditions like anxiety or depression

    • When the participant struggles with emotional regulation or distress tolerance

    • To support carers in managing behaviours or building consistent strategies

    • To improve participant motivation, coping skills, and overall wellbeing