Frequently Asked Questions
The Life Skills for Kids programs are designed to meet the needs of all children with the aim to give your child the skills to manage the stresses and strains of everyday life.
These stresses may be:
- Friendship struggles and dramas
- Being bullied, teased, or excluded
- School work pressures
- Difficult or unexpected situations such as family separations, changing schools, loss
- General sense of low self-confidence and self-esteem
In situations where you child is experiencing multiple challenges and developmental difficulties, it is important to assess if the program will be best suited to their needs. For the program to be therapeutic and beneficial to both your child and the other group participants, it is important that they have a sufficient level of skill to manage their behaviour, including attention, concentration, and ability to follow instructions cooperatively. We welcome you to discuss this with us.
The Life Skills for Kids programs are delivered by registered clinical psychologists. A clinical psychologist has a minimum of six years university training and is a specialist in assessing and treating psychological and interpersonal problems, using techniques that have been clinically proven to be effective. All the group leaders specialise in child and adolescent psychology and are experienced in facilitating groups.
All groups are delivered by two or more facilitators. In addition to the lead clinical psychologist, the co-facilitator(s) is a registered psychologist, undertaking post-graduate training in clinical psychology.
For further information, please also see About Us.
Yes we prioritise grouping children with their developmental age group with an approximate 2-3 year age span between participants (e.g. 6-8 year olds, 7-9 year olds, 11-13 year olds). As a result the skills and strategies will be targeted to the child’s developmental stage and needs.
- Medicare Rebates may apply through the ‘Better Access to Mental Health Care Initiative’ if assessed eligible via a GP, private paediatrician or psychiatrist.
- If seeking a referral via your GP, a ‘GP Mental Health Treatment Plan (items 2700, 2701, 2715 or 2717)’ must be completed (please book a double appointment).
- If seeking a referral via a private paediatrician or psychiatrist the referral may be in the form of a letter or note and eligibility for the Medicare rebate is based on the following specialist attendance items:
1. Specialist psychiatrists & paediatricians – items 104 through 109
2. Consultant physician psychiatrists – items 293 through 370
3. Consultant physician paediatricians – items 110 through 133.
- Medicare rebate is $359.40 following full payment. (Please note referral needs to be acquired prior to the initial appointment to be eligible for the full rebate).
- Please click here for future information about Medicare.
- Private health funds offer rebates for clinical psychology services depending on your specific cover – no referral required.
- Medicare or private health receipts will be issued at session 6 and at the follow-up session. The reason for this is that the invoice / receipt can only be processed once your child has attended the sessions noted on the receipt.
Families can be self-referred to the group without a referral. Your child will only require a doctor’s referral if you intend to seek a Medicare rebate if assessed as eligible by your child’s GP, private paediatrician or private psychiatrist.
Private health funds offer rebates for clinical psychology services depending on your specific cover, and no referral is required in this instance.
Yes, eligible people can receive up to 10 individual sessions in a calendar year and up to 10 group therapy sessions in a calendar year where such services are available and seen as appropriate by your referring doctor and the psychologist.
The Life Skills for Kids programs offer a customised program that can be delivered within the school environment to address the needs of students with identified social and emotional issues. It has the important benefit of children practicing the skills with peers who they interact with on a daily basis.
For further information, please also see Schools Program.
Every child who attends the program has an opportunity to learn important social and emotional skills to manage life stresses better and to give them the confidence to build and grow relationships with friends and family.
The more times your child is encouraged to use the new skills at home and school when facing challenges, the greater the benefit you will observe with your child. In addition to the weekly sessions, there is a strong focus on providing parents with information and tips, through weekly parent information sheets and worksheets for the children.
At the follow-up session upon completion of the group sessions, a customised plan will be devised together with you and your child to reinforce and consolidate the skills they have learned and explore any ongoing concerns or issues.
Every child who attends the program has an opportunity to learn important social and emotional skills to manage life stresses better and to give them the confidence to build and grow relationships with friends and family.
The more times your child is encouraged to use the new skills at home and school when facing challenges, the greater the benefit you will observe with your child. In addition to the weekly sessions, there is a strong focus on providing parents with information and tips, through weekly parent information sheets and worksheets for the children.
At the follow-up session upon completion of the group sessions, a customised plan will be devised together with you and your child to reinforce and consolidate the skills they have learned and explore any ongoing concerns or issues.
In some instances, siblings ages may fall in the same age grouping. We do encourage siblings to participate in separate groups, however, if this is not possible we can discuss ways for them to both attend jointly.
Parents do not participate in the group sessions with their child. Parents are welcome to drop and leave, or stay nearby on site depending on your child’s needs. Each week parent information sheets are provided outlining the content and skills covered each session, with suggested language and tips to encourage consolidation of the skills at home and school.
Each week parent information sheets are provided outlining the content and skills covered each session, with suggested language and tips to encourage consolidation of the skills at home and school.
How do I know if the program is suitable for my child?
The Life Skills for Kids programs are designed to meet the needs of all children with the aim to give your child the skills to manage the stresses and strains of everyday life.
These stresses may be:
- Friendship struggles and dramas
- Being bullied, teased, or excluded
- School work pressures
- Difficult or unexpected situations such as family separations, changing schools, loss
- General sense of low self-confidence and self-esteem
In situations where you child is experiencing multiple challenges and developmental difficulties, it is important to assess if the program will be best suited to their needs. For the program to be therapeutic and beneficial to both your child and the other group participants, it is important that they have a sufficient level of skill to manage their behaviour, including attention, concentration, and ability to follow instructions cooperatively. We welcome you to discuss this with us.
What qualifications do the group leaders have?
The Life Skills for Kids programs are delivered by registered clinical psychologists. A clinical psychologist has a minimum of six years university training and is a specialist in assessing and treating psychological and interpersonal problems, using techniques that have been clinically proven to be effective. All the group leaders specialise in child and adolescent psychology and are experienced in facilitating groups.
All groups are delivered by two or more facilitators. In addition to the lead clinical psychologist, the co-facilitator(s) is a registered psychologist, undertaking post-graduate training in clinical psychology.
For further information, please also see About Us.
Will my child be in a group with children of a similar age?
Yes we prioritise grouping children with their developmental age group with an approximate 2-3 year age span between participants (e.g. 6-8 year olds, 7-9 year olds, 11-13 year olds). As a result the skills and strategies will be targeted to the child’s developmental stage and needs.
Can I get a Medicare or private health rebate on services provided?
- Medicare Rebates may apply through the ‘Better Access to Mental Health Care Initiative’ if assessed eligible via a GP, private paediatrician or psychiatrist.
- If seeking a referral via your GP, a ‘GP Mental Health Treatment Plan (items 2700, 2701, 2715 or 2717)’ must be completed (please book a double appointment).
- If seeking a referral via a private paediatrician or psychiatrist the referral may be in the form of a letter or note and eligibility for the Medicare rebate is based on the following specialist attendance items:
1. Specialist psychiatrists & paediatricians – items 104 through 109
2. Consultant physician psychiatrists – items 293 through 370
3. Consultant physician paediatricians – items 110 through 133.
- Medicare rebate is $359.40 following full payment. (Please note referral needs to be acquired prior to the initial appointment to be eligible for the full rebate).
- Please click here for future information about Medicare.
- Private health funds offer rebates for clinical psychology services depending on your specific cover – no referral required.
- Medicare or private health receipts will be issued at session 6 and at the follow-up session. The reason for this is that the invoice / receipt can only be processed once your child has attended the sessions noted on the receipt.
Does my child need a doctor’s referral to attend?
Families can be self-referred to the group without a referral. Your child will only require a doctor’s referral if you intend to seek a Medicare rebate if assessed as eligible by your child’s GP, private paediatrician or private psychiatrist.
Private health funds offer rebates for clinical psychology services depending on your specific cover, and no referral is required in this instance.
My child is already seeing a psychologist individually under a mental health care plan, are they still eligible for a rebate on group sessions?
Yes, eligible people can receive up to 10 individual sessions in a calendar year and up to 10 group therapy sessions in a calendar year where such services are available and seen as appropriate by your referring doctor and the psychologist.
Is the program available to be delivered in my child’s school?
The Life Skills for Kids programs offer a customised program that can be delivered within the school environment to address the needs of students with identified social and emotional issues. It has the important benefit of children practicing the skills with peers who they interact with on a daily basis.
For further information, please also see Schools Program.
How would my child benefit from attending?
Every child who attends the program has an opportunity to learn important social and emotional skills to manage life stresses better and to give them the confidence to build and grow relationships with friends and family.
The more times your child is encouraged to use the new skills at home and school when facing challenges, the greater the benefit you will observe with your child. In addition to the weekly sessions, there is a strong focus on providing parents with information and tips, through weekly parent information sheets and worksheets for the children.
At the follow-up session upon completion of the group sessions, a customised plan will be devised together with you and your child to reinforce and consolidate the skills they have learned and explore any ongoing concerns or issues.
What will my child do in the sessions each week?
Every child who attends the program has an opportunity to learn important social and emotional skills to manage life stresses better and to give them the confidence to build and grow relationships with friends and family.
The more times your child is encouraged to use the new skills at home and school when facing challenges, the greater the benefit you will observe with your child. In addition to the weekly sessions, there is a strong focus on providing parents with information and tips, through weekly parent information sheets and worksheets for the children.
At the follow-up session upon completion of the group sessions, a customised plan will be devised together with you and your child to reinforce and consolidate the skills they have learned and explore any ongoing concerns or issues.
I have 2 children who I think would benefit can they both attend?
In some instances, siblings ages may fall in the same age grouping. We do encourage siblings to participate in separate groups, however, if this is not possible we can discuss ways for them to both attend jointly.
Do I stay with my child during the session?
Parents do not participate in the group sessions with their child. Parents are welcome to drop and leave, or stay nearby on site depending on your child’s needs. Each week parent information sheets are provided outlining the content and skills covered each session, with suggested language and tips to encourage consolidation of the skills at home and school.
How do I as a parent help my child at home and school with the new skills they will learn?
Each week parent information sheets are provided outlining the content and skills covered each session, with suggested language and tips to encourage consolidation of the skills at home and school.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Life Skills for Kids programs are designed to meet the needs of all children with the aim to give your child the skills to manage the stresses and strains of everyday life.
These stresses may be:
- Friendship struggles and dramas
- Being bullied, teased, or excluded
- School work pressures
- Difficult or unexpected situations such as family separations, changing schools, loss
- General sense of low self-confidence and self-esteem
In situations where you child is experiencing multiple challenges and developmental difficulties, it is important to assess if the program will be best suited to their needs. For the program to be therapeutic and beneficial to both your child and the other group participants, it is important that they have a sufficient level of skill to manage their behaviour, including attention, concentration, and ability to follow instructions cooperatively. We welcome you to discuss this with us.
The Life Skills for Kids programs are delivered by registered clinical psychologists. A clinical psychologist has a minimum of six years university training and is a specialist in assessing and treating psychological and interpersonal problems, using techniques that have been clinically proven to be effective. All the group leaders specialise in child and adolescent psychology and are experienced in facilitating groups.
All groups are delivered by two or more facilitators. In addition to the lead clinical psychologist, the co-facilitator(s) is a registered psychologist, undertaking post-graduate training in clinical psychology.
For further information, please also see About Us.
Yes we prioritise grouping children with their developmental age group with an approximate 2-3 year age span between participants (e.g. 6-8 year olds, 7-9 year olds, 11-13 year olds). As a result the skills and strategies will be targeted to the child’s developmental stage and needs.
- Medicare Rebates may apply through the ‘Better Access to Mental Health Care Initiative’ if assessed eligible via a GP, private paediatrician or psychiatrist.
- If seeking a referral via your GP, a ‘GP Mental Health Treatment Plan (items 2700, 2701, 2715 or 2717)’ must be completed (please book a double appointment).
- If seeking a referral via a private paediatrician or psychiatrist the referral may be in the form of a letter or note and eligibility for the Medicare rebate is based on the following specialist attendance items:
1. Specialist psychiatrists & paediatricians – items 104 through 109
2. Consultant physician psychiatrists – items 293 through 370
3. Consultant physician paediatricians – items 110 through 133.
- Medicare rebate is $359.40 following full payment. (Please note referral needs to be acquired prior to the initial appointment to be eligible for the full rebate).
- Please click here for future information about Medicare.
- Private health funds offer rebates for clinical psychology services depending on your specific cover – no referral required.
- Medicare or private health receipts will be issued at session 6 and at the follow-up session. The reason for this is that the invoice / receipt can only be processed once your child has attended the sessions noted on the receipt.
Families can be self-referred to the group without a referral. Your child will only require a doctor’s referral if you intend to seek a Medicare rebate if assessed as eligible by your child’s GP, private paediatrician or private psychiatrist.
Private health funds offer rebates for clinical psychology services depending on your specific cover, and no referral is required in this instance.
Yes, eligible people can receive up to 10 individual sessions in a calendar year and up to 10 group therapy sessions in a calendar year where such services are available and seen as appropriate by your referring doctor and the psychologist.
The Life Skills for Kids programs offer a customised program that can be delivered within the school environment to address the needs of students with identified social and emotional issues. It has the important benefit of children practicing the skills with peers who they interact with on a daily basis.
For further information, please also see Schools Program.
Every child who attends the program has an opportunity to learn important social and emotional skills to manage life stresses better and to give them the confidence to build and grow relationships with friends and family.
The more times your child is encouraged to use the new skills at home and school when facing challenges, the greater the benefit you will observe with your child. In addition to the weekly sessions, there is a strong focus on providing parents with information and tips, through weekly parent information sheets and worksheets for the children.
At the follow-up session upon completion of the group sessions, a customised plan will be devised together with you and your child to reinforce and consolidate the skills they have learned and explore any ongoing concerns or issues.
Every child who attends the program has an opportunity to learn important social and emotional skills to manage life stresses better and to give them the confidence to build and grow relationships with friends and family.
The more times your child is encouraged to use the new skills at home and school when facing challenges, the greater the benefit you will observe with your child. In addition to the weekly sessions, there is a strong focus on providing parents with information and tips, through weekly parent information sheets and worksheets for the children.
At the follow-up session upon completion of the group sessions, a customised plan will be devised together with you and your child to reinforce and consolidate the skills they have learned and explore any ongoing concerns or issues.
In some instances, siblings ages may fall in the same age grouping. We do encourage siblings to participate in separate groups, however, if this is not possible we can discuss ways for them to both attend jointly.
Parents do not participate in the group sessions with their child. Parents are welcome to drop and leave, or stay nearby on site depending on your child’s needs. Each week parent information sheets are provided outlining the content and skills covered each session, with suggested language and tips to encourage consolidation of the skills at home and school.
Each week parent information sheets are provided outlining the content and skills covered each session, with suggested language and tips to encourage consolidation of the skills at home and school.
How do I know if the program is suitable for my child?
The Life Skills for Kids programs are designed to meet the needs of all children with the aim to give your child the skills to manage the stresses and strains of everyday life.
These stresses may be:
- Friendship struggles and dramas
- Being bullied, teased, or excluded
- School work pressures
- Difficult or unexpected situations such as family separations, changing schools, loss
- General sense of low self-confidence and self-esteem
In situations where you child is experiencing multiple challenges and developmental difficulties, it is important to assess if the program will be best suited to their needs. For the program to be therapeutic and beneficial to both your child and the other group participants, it is important that they have a sufficient level of skill to manage their behaviour, including attention, concentration, and ability to follow instructions cooperatively. We welcome you to discuss this with us.
What qualifications do the group leaders have?
The Life Skills for Kids programs are delivered by registered clinical psychologists. A clinical psychologist has a minimum of six years university training and is a specialist in assessing and treating psychological and interpersonal problems, using techniques that have been clinically proven to be effective. All the group leaders specialise in child and adolescent psychology and are experienced in facilitating groups.
All groups are delivered by two or more facilitators. In addition to the lead clinical psychologist, the co-facilitator(s) is a registered psychologist, undertaking post-graduate training in clinical psychology.
For further information, please also see About Us.
Will my child be in a group with children of a similar age?
Yes we prioritise grouping children with their developmental age group with an approximate 2-3 year age span between participants (e.g. 6-8 year olds, 7-9 year olds, 11-13 year olds). As a result the skills and strategies will be targeted to the child’s developmental stage and needs.
Can I get a Medicare or private health rebate on services provided?
- Medicare Rebates may apply through the ‘Better Access to Mental Health Care Initiative’ if assessed eligible via a GP, private paediatrician or psychiatrist.
- If seeking a referral via your GP, a ‘GP Mental Health Treatment Plan (items 2700, 2701, 2715 or 2717)’ must be completed (please book a double appointment).
- If seeking a referral via a private paediatrician or psychiatrist the referral may be in the form of a letter or note and eligibility for the Medicare rebate is based on the following specialist attendance items:
1. Specialist psychiatrists & paediatricians – items 104 through 109
2. Consultant physician psychiatrists – items 293 through 370
3. Consultant physician paediatricians – items 110 through 133.
- Medicare rebate is $359.40 following full payment. (Please note referral needs to be acquired prior to the initial appointment to be eligible for the full rebate).
- Please click here for future information about Medicare.
- Private health funds offer rebates for clinical psychology services depending on your specific cover – no referral required.
- Medicare or private health receipts will be issued at session 6 and at the follow-up session. The reason for this is that the invoice / receipt can only be processed once your child has attended the sessions noted on the receipt.
Does my child need a doctor’s referral to attend?
Families can be self-referred to the group without a referral. Your child will only require a doctor’s referral if you intend to seek a Medicare rebate if assessed as eligible by your child’s GP, private paediatrician or private psychiatrist.
Private health funds offer rebates for clinical psychology services depending on your specific cover, and no referral is required in this instance.
My child is already seeing a psychologist individually under a mental health care plan, are they still eligible for a rebate on group sessions?
Yes, eligible people can receive up to 10 individual sessions in a calendar year and up to 10 group therapy sessions in a calendar year where such services are available and seen as appropriate by your referring doctor and the psychologist.
Is the program available to be delivered in my child’s school?
The Life Skills for Kids programs offer a customised program that can be delivered within the school environment to address the needs of students with identified social and emotional issues. It has the important benefit of children practicing the skills with peers who they interact with on a daily basis.
For further information, please also see Schools Program.
How would my child benefit from attending?
Every child who attends the program has an opportunity to learn important social and emotional skills to manage life stresses better and to give them the confidence to build and grow relationships with friends and family.
The more times your child is encouraged to use the new skills at home and school when facing challenges, the greater the benefit you will observe with your child. In addition to the weekly sessions, there is a strong focus on providing parents with information and tips, through weekly parent information sheets and worksheets for the children.
At the follow-up session upon completion of the group sessions, a customised plan will be devised together with you and your child to reinforce and consolidate the skills they have learned and explore any ongoing concerns or issues.
What will my child do in the sessions each week?
Every child who attends the program has an opportunity to learn important social and emotional skills to manage life stresses better and to give them the confidence to build and grow relationships with friends and family.
The more times your child is encouraged to use the new skills at home and school when facing challenges, the greater the benefit you will observe with your child. In addition to the weekly sessions, there is a strong focus on providing parents with information and tips, through weekly parent information sheets and worksheets for the children.
At the follow-up session upon completion of the group sessions, a customised plan will be devised together with you and your child to reinforce and consolidate the skills they have learned and explore any ongoing concerns or issues.
I have 2 children who I think would benefit can they both attend?
In some instances, siblings ages may fall in the same age grouping. We do encourage siblings to participate in separate groups, however, if this is not possible we can discuss ways for them to both attend jointly.
Do I stay with my child during the session?
Parents do not participate in the group sessions with their child. Parents are welcome to drop and leave, or stay nearby on site depending on your child’s needs. Each week parent information sheets are provided outlining the content and skills covered each session, with suggested language and tips to encourage consolidation of the skills at home and school.
How do I as a parent help my child at home and school with the new skills they will learn?
Each week parent information sheets are provided outlining the content and skills covered each session, with suggested language and tips to encourage consolidation of the skills at home and school.