Kate Hearn Child Psychology Ballarat

Get to know Kate Hearn Child Psychology Ballarat

From Kate Hearn Child Psychology Ballarat's website.

• Our approach

  Therapy is grounded in cognitive behavioural therapy and attachment-informed practice, designed to support emotional and behavioural wellbeing. Sessions are tailored to each child's developmental stage and may involve play, creativity and relational engagement for younger children, while adolescents receive conversation-based support in a safe, exploratory space. The practice operates as neuroaffirming and strengths-based, delivering interventions that are respectful, collaborative and developmentally appropriate. For children, therapy often incorporates play and fun within an environment of acceptance, curiosity and safety, recognising these as fundamental to meaningful and lasting change. Parents are supported as an important part of the therapeutic process throughout.

• Working with families

  Parent and carer involvement is an important part of child and adolescent therapy and is discussed collaboratively from the beginning. The level of involvement varies depending on your child's age, needs and goals, and is reviewed regularly as treatment progresses. Support may involve working directly with your child, with parents and carers, or with both depending on the presenting concerns and developmental needs. While confidentiality is carefully managed in a developmentally appropriate way, information is generally shared with parents in a way that supports your child's wellbeing and therapeutic goals. With your consent, Kate can also liaise with schools, GPs and other professionals involved in your child's care where clinically appropriate.

• Meet the team

  Kate Hearn is a registered clinical psychologist with a Master of Psychology (Clinical), Bachelor of Psychology (Honours), and Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, all from Federation University. She has extensive experience working with infants, children, adolescents and families experiencing emotional, behavioural and relational difficulties, with a particular focus on the parent–child relationship, pre and post-natal mental health, and trauma. Kate is registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency and is a member of the Australian Psychological Society. She is also a registered supervisor and has received recognition including the Services for Australian Rural and Remote Allied Health Scholarship and the 2009 Australian Psychological Society Prize for Excellence in Psychology publications.

• Your first visit

  The first appointment focuses on understanding your concerns, gathering relevant background information and clarifying goals for therapy. Parents are usually involved in the initial session or part of the session, depending on your child's age and needs. For children, this may include play-based or developmentally appropriate engagement rather than relying solely on conversation. The session provides an opportunity to discuss the level of parent involvement going forward, which varies depending on your child's age, needs and therapeutic goals. This collaborative approach helps establish a foundation of trust and safety from the start.