Craig Parker • Psychologist • Beaumaris

A psychologist your teenager can talk to.

Warm, experienced psychological support for teenagers (13+), in person in Beaumaris or online. Medicare rebates available.

Taking new clients — appointments usually available within one to two weeks.

Book appointment Email Craig

AHPRA registered • AAPi member • Beaumaris, Bayside Melbourne

Not sure what your teenager needs?

You might be noticing them pull away, worry more than usual, or struggle with school, friendships or how they feel about themselves. Sometimes it is heavier than that: low mood that lingers, self-harm, or thoughts of suicide. It can be hard to know whether it is a phase or something they need real support with, and whether they are even open to talking. Therapy works best when a young person has some willingness of their own, and part of my work is helping that develop rather than assuming it is already there.

Anxiety and school pressure  worry, panic, perfectionism, study stress, school refusal, OCD
Low mood and self-esteem  flatness, lost motivation, body image, depression
Friendships and social world  social anxiety, bullying, finding where they fit
Identity  working out who they are, sexuality and gender
Family conflict and anger  arguments at home, shutting down, blowing up

I also work with grief and loss, and at the heavy end: self-harm and thoughts of suicide.

You don't have to work it out on your own.

Getting started

Finding the right starting point

Young people come to therapy in different ways, and the right first step depends on where your teenager is. These are the usual ways we begin. If you are not sure which fits, start with an email and we can work it out together.

When they are willing
Most common

Start with your teenager

The first session is theirs. For teenagers under 16, I usually sit down with you together for the first ten minutes or so to set things up, then the rest of the session is their space. For 16 and over, whether you come in at the start is up to the two of you. This works best when your teenager is open to giving counselling a go.

When you are weighing it up

Start with a conversation with you

If you are considering the options for your child, or unsure whether they are ready, we can begin with a session for you. It is a chance to think through what is going on and what the best path might be, before your teenager is asked to commit to anything. Sometimes the most useful support is one that works through you as parents, and we can talk about whether that fits.

To start with a session for yourself, book under your own name and note in the comments that it is a parent consultation, or just email me. A session that is just you is a full private fee, since the Medicare rebate needs your teenager present.

Craig Parker, psychologist

Who your teenager will be talking to

Somewhere your teenager can feel at ease.

More than anything, I want your teenager to feel comfortable here. I am warm and open, I care about the young people I work with, and I take what matters to them seriously. A lot of teenagers arrive unsure, and that is completely okay. There is no pressure to open up before they are ready, and once they feel at ease, they usually do, in their own time.

I have spent fifteen years in mental health, including years counselling teenagers and young adults at a youth service, and I adapt to the young person in front of me rather than running them through a set programme.

Evolve is my own practice, so when you book, your teenager sees me, every session. I grew up nearby, and Beaumaris has been home to my practice for the better part of a decade.

My work draws on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Schema Therapy, Ericksonian Brief Therapy and mindfulness. Registered with AHPRA and a member of the Australian Association of Psychologists (AAPi).

— Craig

Trust and involvement

Confidentiality, and your involvement

For therapy to work, a young person needs to trust that what they say stays between us. At the same time, you are their parent, and you need enough to feel reassured. We set this up openly in the first session, together, so nobody is guessing.

What your teenager shares is kept confidential, with one clear exception: anything to do with their safety, or someone else's. Beyond that, we agree together how and when you are kept in the loop, rather than passing messages behind their back. For younger teenagers that usually means more regular contact with you; as they get older, more of it sits with them. We set the approach as we go, and revisit it whenever it needs revisiting.

How it works
01

Book or email

Book online in under a minute. If you would rather start with a conversation for yourself, note it in the booking comments or send me an email.

02

The first session

What this looks like depends on the starting point above. Either way it is unhurried, and a chance for everyone to see whether we are the right fit.

03

The ongoing work

The therapy is collaborative and at your teenager's pace. We agree together how and when you are kept informed, so their trust is protected and you are never left in the dark.

Fees & Medicare

What will it cost?

Session fee
$220
50 minutes
→
Medicare rebate
$101.55
with a GP plan
→
You pay
≈$118
per session

No referral is needed to book privately; the Mental Health Care Plan from your GP is only for claiming the rebate.

Sessions can also be funded through TAC, WorkCover and NDIS:

TAC WorkCover NDIS Private health

Beaumaris, Thursdays and Fridays.

17 South Concourse, Beaumaris VIC 3193, in Bayside Melbourne, with online sessions available. Easy parking. The counselling room is up a flight of stairs; if stairs are a barrier, online sessions are available.

Families come from across the bay: Black Rock, Sandringham, Hampton, Brighton, Cheltenham, Mentone, Parkdale, Mordialloc and surrounds.

The counselling room at Evolve Psychology, Beaumaris
The room where your teenager and I will meet, upstairs at 17 South Concourse.
Common questions
My teenager is not sure they want to come. What then?

That is common, and it does not have to be a dead end. You can start with a session for yourself to think through the options and the best path, or we can keep the first session low key and simply see how your teenager finds it. Willingness often grows once a young person feels they are not being managed.

How soon can my teenager get in?

Usually within one to two weeks, sometimes sooner. Appointments run Thursdays and Fridays; the online booking page shows the next available times in real time.

What will we actually pay per session?

About $118 with a Mental Health Care Plan: the $220 fee minus the $101.55 Medicare rebate. Without a plan, the full $220.

What ages do you see?

Teenagers from 13, and adults. For younger children I am not the right fit, and I am glad to point you elsewhere.

How involved will I be as a parent?

We agree this openly in the first session. What your teenager shares stays confidential, with the clear exception of anything about their safety or someone else's, and beyond that we decide together how and when you are updated.

Do you do ADHD or autism assessments?

No. I do not provide assessments or diagnoses. I do work with the emotional side of being a neurodiverse teenager, such as anxiety, self-esteem and school stress. If your teenager has an NDIS plan, support may be funded through it.

Does my teenager need a referral?

No. You can book privately any time. A GP Mental Health Care Plan just lets your teenager claim the Medicare rebate.

Can we use Medicare for a session that's just me?

Not under your teenager's plan. Their Mental Health Care Plan only covers sessions with them present, so a parent-only meeting is a full private fee. You can claim a Medicare rebate if you have your own Mental Health Care Plan from your GP, for your own sessions.

Can we use private health insurance?

Some extras policies cover counselling with a psychologist. Check your cover with your insurer. For any one session you can claim either the Medicare rebate or private health, not both.

Is the room wheelchair accessible?

Unfortunately not. The counselling room is up a flight of stairs and there is no lift. If stairs are a barrier, online sessions are available; mention it when you get in touch and we will work out what suits.

When you're ready.

Book online, or get in touch by email or SMS. I'm usually in session during the day, so I'll return your message at my earliest opportunity, typically within one business day. If you'd prefer to talk things through by phone first, send your contact details and a good time to call, and I'll arrange a brief conversation.

And if you're not sure whether this is the right fit for your teenager, the first session is how we find out. There's no obligation past that.

Book appointment Email Craig SMS 0490 247 960
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