Is The Younger Years a registered NDIS provider?

The Younger Years is not currently listed as a registered NDIS provider on the NDIS Commission register. They may still support plan-managed or self-managed NDIS participants — contact them to confirm.

What services does The Younger Years provide?

The Younger Years provides Psychology, Behavioural Support and Early Intervention.

Which areas does The Younger Years cover?

The Younger Years is based in Leichhardt, NSW.

How do I connect with The Younger Years?

You can call +61 472 546 630 and visit their website, or send an enquiry through EarlyBloom — it goes straight to the provider and is always free for families.

What ages does The Younger Years work with?

The practice supports children, adolescents and young adults from birth (perinatal period) through to 25 years and beyond.

How do Medicare rebates for psychology work?

Your GP can prepare a Mental Health Care Plan and referral, which lets you claim a Medicare rebate for a set number of sessions per calendar year. The exact number and rebate are set by Medicare.

Do we need a referral?

Not to see a psychologist privately. A GP Mental Health Care Plan and referral are needed to claim Medicare rebates.

When should I consider a psychologist for my child?

If worries, mood, or behaviour are affecting your child's daily life, friendships, or learning, an assessment can help clarify what support would suit.

Is psychology covered by the NDIS?

It can be, where psychological support relates to a participant's disability and plan goals.

The Younger Years · Psychology · Leichhardt, NSW

What The helps with

Individual and Family Therapy

Tailored psychological support for children, adolescents, families and young adults to improve mental health outcomes and general well-being.

Anxiety Programs

Cool Kids Anxiety Program and Teen Chilled anxiety program offered as individual sessions to children and adolescents aged 7-17 following an initial assessment.

Psychometric Testing

A thorough evaluation by a psychologist using standardised tests, interviews and observation to understand a person's cognitive, emotional and behavioural functioning. Results inform diagnosis and guide recommendations for therapy, school adjustments and support services.

Virtual Sessions

Most assessment and therapy services offered online via video or telephone for children, young people, their families and young adults.

Depression Treatment

Psychological therapy and support for people experiencing depression, helping them understand low mood, develop coping strategies and re-engage with meaningful activities. Evidence-based approaches such as CBT, ACT and interpersonal therapy are commonly used.

Emotional Dysregulation Support

Treatment for difficulties in effectively managing and regulating emotions.

Behavioural Support

A therapy approach that reduces challenging behaviours by understanding what is driving them and building supportive routines, environments and skills, so a child can take part more fully at home, school and in the community.

Eating Disorder Treatment

Specialist psychological and medical treatment for conditions such as anorexia, bulimia and binge eating disorder. Treatment is usually multidisciplinary — involving a psychologist, dietitian and sometimes a medical professional — and aims to restore health and build a positive relationship with food.

Early Years and Perinatal Support

Support for families from pregnancy through early childhood, promoting emotional well-being of babies and parents including post-natal depression/anxiety and early attachment and bonding.

Early Childhood Development Support

Support for feeding, sleeping, toileting, behavioural concerns and separation anxiety in early childhood.

School Stress and Academic Support

Support for navigating assessment and examination stress, social and peer difficulties.

Trauma, Grief and Bereavement Support

Support for managing and understanding the impact of trauma and loss on individuals and families.

Autism Spectrum Disorder Support

Ongoing therapeutic and practical support for autistic children and adults to build communication, social, daily living and self-regulation skills. Supports are tailored to the individual's strengths and goals and may be delivered across home, school and community settings.

Parenting Support

Guidance and skill-building for parents and carers to better understand their child's development, manage challenging behaviours and build a warm, secure relationship. Programs may be one-on-one or delivered in groups and draw on evidence-based frameworks tailored to the family's needs.

Our approach

Treatment is tailored to each child's unique needs and developmental stage, drawing from a range of evidence-based therapeutic approaches including cognitive behaviour therapy, dialectical behaviour therapy, attachment-based interventions, and solution-focused brief therapy. Individual and family therapy sessions focus on improving mental health outcomes and wellbeing, with clinicians creating a safe, non-judgmental space where children and families feel comfortable to express themselves. The clinic keeps the therapeutic relationship central to change, working collaboratively with families and other professionals involved in care. Sessions are offered both in person in calm, nurturing clinic environments across Sydney and Perth, and virtually via video or telephone to allow families to access support nationwide.

Working with families

The practice works collaboratively with parents and carers from the first point of contact, with the practice manager endeavouring to match families with the clinician best suited to their needs. Family therapy is offered as part of the service alongside individual therapy, and treatment is tailored to each family's unique circumstances. Clinicians work with parents and carers on topics including parenting support for children with intense emotions or behavioural concerns, early attachment and bonding, post-natal concerns, and managing the impact of trauma and loss on families. The collaborative approach extends to working with other professionals involved in the child's care, ensuring coordinated and holistic support.

Meet the team

The team consists of experienced clinical psychologists, all members of the Australian Psychological Society (APS) and registered with AHPRA. Dr Veronica McLennan is the Founder and Senior Clinical Psychologist directing the Sydney practice, with over 20 years' experience in Child & Youth Mental Health Services. Lindsay McFarlane is the Practice Director in Perth, offering a warm and compassionate approach. The team includes other clinical and educational psychologists such as Dr Brigid O'Leary (experienced educational and developmental psychologist), Natalie Dahora, Andrew Essen, Paige Noble (who emphasises attachment theory), Josephine Atwell, and Romina Gfeller, each bringing specialist skills and experience. Practice managers Kate Higson (Sydney) and Kourtenay (Perth) coordinate intake and support operations, ensuring clients are carefully matched with the right clinician from the start.

Your first visit

At your first appointment, your clinician will conduct a thorough assessment to understand your child's current challenges and needs. Before or at your initial consultation, if you have a GP mental health care plan, you'll need to bring this with you, and you'll be asked to complete a registration form emailed to you prior to your appointment. Following the assessment, your clinician will discuss with you how the practice can best help and work with you to create a tailored treatment plan. The process begins simply by contacting the clinic with a brief summary of the challenges you're facing, and the practice will match your child with the clinician best suited to your needs.

The Younger Years

What families say

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