Frequently Asked Questions

When should I be concerned about my young person?

Adolescent years can be extremely tough. The occasional bad moods or acting out is to be expected. We start to be concerned when there becomes a persistent pattern of unhelpful emotions and behaviours that begin to impact on their normal functioning and is causing significant distress for the young person. 

Where do I start?

It can be hard to know where to go and how to access help for your young person. A good place to start is with your local doctor. They will be able to help and recognise if your young person needs professional support, or if your concerns are just a normal part of development. 

What should I do in a crisis?

If your young person tells you that they want to hurt themselves or want to die, seek urgent professional help. You can do this by calling your local Mental Health Triage Service (24 hours, 7 days a week free service). For the Bendigo region call 1300 363 788. You can also call 000 or go straight to a hospital emergency department. 

Mental Health Triage will complete an initial risk assessment and develop a care plan, to ensure the management of any immediate risk. This care plan may include a referral through to Get Psych'd after any immediate risk has been assessed and managed. 

How to start a conversation with my young person?

Even if you're not sure where to start or what to say, the important thing is to say something. Start the conversation by showing that you are concerned and willing to support them. Provide a space where your young person can share their concerns and what they are going through, listen, without judging or minimising their problems. This can make all the difference and lead to having further conversations around their concerns, and the young person being willing to take the next steps towards seeking professional support. 

Can I speak to a psychologist before my young person's initial appointment? 

We have a comprehensive intake process at Get Psych'd. You will receive and online intake form prior to your young person's initial appointment that provides the opportunity for you to share your concerns with the psychologist. We understand you may have questions prior to the initial appointment. We offer the option of a 10 minute consultation (at no charge) prior to the initial appointment.

How does Get Psych'd involve the parents/carers?

It's important to strike the right balance between involving parents/carers and creating a confidential space for your young person, where they feel comfortable discussing their concerns with their psychologist. In the initial appointment, we discuss this with your young person and explore their key supports (parents/carers, school) and the extent of information that they consent to be shared. 

Establishing the right balance early ensures that your young person knows that we respect their right to privacy, which facilitates their engagement. Where appropriate (and in consultation with your young person) we may include parents/carers towards the end of an appointment to provide updates on progress and/or provide opportunity for involvement in how you can best support your young person within the home environment. 

We also offer brief parent/carer consultations, which can be booked directly with your young person's psychologist, if required. Fees for parent/carer consultations are outlined in our Fees Schedule.