Early Childhood - 'Under 5 Program'          [Back To Services Page]   

Being a parent is difficult. It can be hard to get help when you need it. The aim of this program is to help your infants, toddlers, pre-schoolers and yourselves when there are difficulties and to give this assistance as early as possible. For more information, follow this link.

Who needs help?

You may need help if You:
Are concerned your child may have emotional and behavioural problems;
Feel stressed and overwhelmed;
Have a rebellious toddler who may be out of control;
Feel desperate and worry you may harm your child;
Feel out of touch or worried about your child’s development.

How can a clinical psychologist help?

The areas where we can assist include:
Helping you try out new ways of dealing with family problems.
Helping your children develop social skills so they can get on better with other children and adults.
Bringing you into contact with other parents to share experiences and support from each other.
Organising additional support for you and your family from other services within the community.

What we can offer?

We can help provide assessments to understand the cause of the problem. This usually involves an initial family session, followed by possible a home visit. We can offer counselling and other forms of therapy on an outpatient basis. Regular group meetings are held for you and your children.

What does the 0-5 Program offer?

Consultation, assessment and treatment are offered to families with children under the age of five years. Disturbances in behaviour, state and affect regulation, and attachment are appropriate referrals.

Disorders common in this age group include:

• attachment disorders (problems with bonding)
• disorders of sleep
• feeding and eating disorders eg non-organic failure to thrive
• elective mutism
• traumatic stress disorder possibly following family breakdown, chronic illness, severe trauma
• non-compliant, disruptive behaviour

Referring agents could ring or write and include the salient information to be addressed, listing previous interventions which have been undertaken, as well as any medications that the child may be on.

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