Emma Ballard
Psychologist
Educational and developmental endorsement.
Counselling and Assessments for Children, Teens and Young Adults (St Ives, Sydney)
A person-centred, positive approach is the basis of all counselling sessions. The assumption being that we are all striving to be the best we can be and within all of us is the desire and potential.
About me
I’m Emma, a psychologist with an endorsement in Educational and Developmental Psychology, working in private practice in St Ives, Sydney.
I provide a warm, friendly and compassionate environment and I value the uniqueness of each client. My approach is solution-focused, and I offer practical strategies you can use outside the therapy room.
I draw on evidence-based therapies including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) and using neuroscience to guide the approaches.
My aim is to help each client feel safe, heard and supported while we work through the concerns that brought you in.
“Inviting our thoughts and feelings into awareness allows us to learn from them rather than be driven by them.”
Dan Siegal co- author of “The whole-brain child.”
Emma Ballard
I have over 20 years experience.
Qualifications and professional memberships
• Bachelor of Primary Education (B Prim Ed)
• Bachelor of Education: Special Educational Needs (BEd)
• Master’s Guidance & Counselling (MEd)
• AHPRA registration: PSY0001586037
• Member, Australian Association of Psychologists (AAPi)
Counselling (Children)
I support children with a wide range of concerns, including:
• Parenting advice
• Family changes and adjustment
• Emotional dysregulation, anxiety and mood difficulties
• School refusal and school-based concerns (e.g., bullying, learning difficulties)
• Exploring possible diagnoses (e.g., ADHD, Autism, learning difficulties) and support following diagnosis
• Friendship and relationship difficulties, including sibling conflict
When I work with children under 13, I take a collaborative approach and usually include both the parent and child. Sessions typically involve time with you as a parent (for feedback and support) as well as time alone with your child. Counselling for children aims to be playful, relaxed and skills-based, using a more direct approach to build coping skills and strategies. Resilience Building is the core of my counselling approach.
“Real protection means teaching children to manage risks on their own, not shielding them from every hazard”. Wendy Mogel (The blessing of a skinned knee)
Counselling (Teens and Young Adults)
Teens and young adults often benefit from having a private and confidential space. Depending on age and circumstances, I may include some parent involvement, though many older teens and young adults prefer to attend independently.
I commonly help with:
• Anxiety and mood difficulties
• Exploring specific diagnoses
• School stress and executive functioning skills
• Friendship, relationship and family difficulties
• Self-esteem and personal growth
“Today I choose courage over comfort.” Brené Brown
Confidentiality
All sessions are strictly confidential. I only disclose information when I’m legally required to, or if I’m concerned about a client’s health and safety. When suitable, I will make the client aware of my disclosure.
Assessments
I offer a range of assessments to help build understanding, guide learning support and assist with diagnosis.
Assessment types
• Cognitive assessment: WPPSI–IV or WISC–V
• Academic assessment: WIAT–III, C-TOPP
• ADHD assessment: Conners 4, Conners CPT 3, CAARS 2
• Autism screener: ASRS screener. Please note I don’t offer comprehensive ASD assessments.
Assessments can provide information relevant to:
• Specific Learning Disorder / understanding underachievement
• Giftedness
• ADHD
• Autism (screening)
Fees and rebates
• Payment is made on the day of your appointment. You’re responsible for claiming any rebates.
• For Medicare rebates, please arrange a Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) with your GP before your first appointment. (For children, the plan must be in the child’s name.)
• Rebates may also be available through private health insurance.
• My services may be claimable through the NDIS, depending on your plan.
• Repeated cancellations or cancellations with late notice may incur a cancellation fee.
Contact Emma
Please use the form provided to send me a message. I will contact you as soon as possible, usually within one business day.
