Child Therapy in Inner West Sydney

Inner Child Psychology provides child therapy in Alexandria, Balmain and the Inner West of Sydney. We support children experiencing anxiety, low mood, big emotions and challenges with emotional regulation, offering evidence-based therapy in a warm and child-centred environment.

Enquire About Child Therapy

How can Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) help my child?

Our child therapy services offer evidence-based, client-centred Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) interventions, for children struggling with anxiety and/or low mood.

CBT helps children:

understand the connection between their thoughts, feelings, and behaviours
develop healthier thought patterns
build an emotions 'toolbox' of practical tools and coping strategies
build resilience and improve overall mental wellbeing.

Theraplay-Informed Supports

Our child therapy services integrate Theraplay principles, which is a playful, attachment-based therapeutic approach that focuses on strengthening the emotional bond between the child and their caregivers.

Theraplay can help with:

attunement, connection, and a sense of safety
children's emotional regulation
developing healthy relationships
enhancing self-esteem in a nurturing and supportive environment.
By fostering secure attachment and positive interactions, Theraplay plays a vital role in supporting children's emotional and relational well-being.

What is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)?

Our child therapy services offer evidence-based Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). ACT is a type of cognitive behavioural therapy that helps build a meaningful life by increasing psychological flexibility (the ability to be present, open up, and do what matters), clarifying youre values and taking effective action.

ACT helps children:

cope with, accept and adjust to difficult situations
increase self-awareness by noticing and recognising their thoughts and feelings without getting caught up in them
see things from different perspectives
stay connected to the present moment, even when unpleasant thoughts, feelings and bodily sensations show up
flexibly navigate changing life demands while difficult thoughts and feelings arise

What is Dialectical Behaviour Therapy?

Our child therapy services offer evidence-based Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) skills. DBT is a skills-based approach that helps children manage big emotions while also feeling accepted for who they are. It balances acceptance and change, giving children practical strategies alongside validation and support.

DBT was originally developed for people who experience emotions very intensely and has been adapted for young people (DBT-A). Parents and caregivers are an important part of the process and are supported to learn and practise the skills alongside their child or teenager.

DBT helps children:

understand and manage intense emotions
build skills to tolerate distress and get through difficult moments safely
improve communication and relationships with family and friends
develop mindfulness skills to stay calm and grounded in the present
reduce impulsive or unhelpful behaviours.

What is Trauma-Informed practice?

Our child therapy services integrate trauma-informed practice. This means we recognise that difficult or frightening experiences can affect how a child feels, thinks, behaves and relates to others. Therapy is paced at the child’s comfort level, with a strong focus on safety, trust, choice and collaboration, so children are never pushed to talk about things they aren’t ready to share.

Trauma-informed practice helps children:

feel safe, supported and in control during therapy
build skills to recognise and calm strong emotions and body responses
strengthen trusting relationships with caregivers and others
build resilience and move forward at their own pace.

What is Mindfulness?

Our child therapy services integrate mindfulness, which involves focusing attention on the present moment with curiosity and kindness. Using simple, child-friendly activities such as breathing exercises, sensory games and guided imagery, children learn to notice what’s happening in their minds and bodies without judgement.

Mindfulness can help children:

calm their body and mind when feeling worried or overwhelmed
build focus and concentration
notice and name their emotions
respond to challenges, rather than react.

Mindfulness is an integral part of many therapeutic modalities (e.g. CBT, ACT, DBT).