Child Psychotherapy Perth

Get to know Child Psychotherapy Perth

From Child Psychotherapy Perth's website.

• Our approach

  Psychoanalytic child psychotherapy is a specialist, doctorate-level approach that helps children express themselves through play, creative materials, and talking rather than relying solely on spoken words. This makes it particularly helpful for children who struggle to identify or discuss their feelings. During sessions, younger children primarily communicate through play, while older children and adolescents may use play, creative materials, and conversation together. The approach focuses on helping children develop understanding of troubling emotions and find words to express their worries and feelings, addressing a wide range of emotional and behavioural difficulties including anxiety, depression, trauma, and complex issues other therapies may not have resolved.

• Working with families

  Parents and carers are centrally involved from the start, with the initial consultation held to discuss your concerns in detail and think together about whether psychotherapy might help. Throughout the assessment process, you'll be working collaboratively to determine if this approach is suitable for your child. The practice also offers specialist therapeutic support specifically for parents and carers, recognising their important role in the child's wellbeing and journey.

• Meet the team

  Tracy Christophi is a fully qualified UK-trained psychoanalytic child and adolescent psychotherapist with almost 30 years of experience in specialist Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services. She holds multiple professional qualifications including MCPPAA, MACP, RMN, ACA Level 4, and is a Full Clinical Member of the Child Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy Association of Australia and the UK Association of Child Psychotherapists. Beyond her private practice, she contributes to professional development as a Lecturer in the Master of Counselling & Psychotherapy programme at Edith Cowan University and has particular expertise in relational and developmental trauma, grief, loss, and complex emotional difficulties.

• Your first visit

  The first meeting is typically for parents and carers only, providing an opportunity to discuss your concerns in detail and explore together whether child psychotherapy might be helpful. If it seems suitable, a series of assessment sessions (approximately three sessions) will be arranged to determine if this type of therapy is the right fit for your child. During this process you'll be thinking together about whether this way of working will be beneficial. If psychoanalytic child psychotherapy doesn't seem appropriate, guidance will be offered on what type of help might be indicated instead.