Finding the right psychologist for your child can feel overwhelming, especially when you're juggling waitlists, funding and your child's needs. This guide explains what child psychology involves, how to choose a provider in Darwin, and what to expect from costs and NDIS funding. We currently feature a number of Darwin-based providers offering assessments and therapy for emotional, behavioural and developmental needs.
Early Start Australia Durack offers occupational therapy and speech and language pathology for children and young adults (birth to 13 years), with early intervention programs like ESDM, AAC, DIR/Floortime, school readiness, and social skills groups. Services delivered in clinic, via telehealth, and mobile in-home/school/community/remote visits.
Territory Psychology is a private psychology practice offering evidence-based therapy (CBT, ACT, solution-focused) to parents, adolescents, adults and older adults, including veterans, ADF, police and Medicare/private referrals, via face-to-face and telehealth sessions.
Wisemind Psychology offers psychology services with nationally registered psychologists. No specific ages, NDIS registration, telehealth, or waitlist details are mentioned on the site.
Psychology practice in Durack and Winnellie, NT, providing individual therapy, cognitive assessments, relationship counselling and group programs to children, teenagers, adults, couples and families across the Northern Territory. Currently accepting new referrals for 2026.
Darwin-based psychology clinic offering face-to-face and telehealth services for adults, children, adolescents and First Nations clients, including ADHD assessments, court/legal assessments, and NDIS referrals. Not specifically paediatric-focused; no named practitioners or waitlist mentioned.
Early Start Australia Fannie Bay offers speech pathology and occupational therapy for children birth to 13 years (broader services to 16 years), including allied health assistants and group programs. Services delivered in-clinic, via telehealth, and in home, school, and community settings across Darwin, Palmerston and rural NT.
Clinical Psychology Assessment and Consultancy in Fannie Bay, NT offers psychology services, with one practitioner (Cheryl) providing telehealth-only sessions; contact via phone or email for details.
Clinical psychology practice offering therapy, counselling, assessment (autism, ADHD, cognitive) and workshops, with telehealth options. Serves across the lifespan; no NDIS registration or waitlist details specified.
Child psychologists work with children and their families to understand and support emotional, behavioural, social and developmental challenges. This can include assessment (to better understand how your child thinks, learns and copes) and therapy (to help build skills and strategies). Common areas include anxiety, big emotions, difficulties at school, sleep, friendships, grief and loss, trauma, and behaviours that are hard to manage at home.
Some psychologists also complete cognitive or developmental assessments, which can be useful for understanding learning needs or as part of a broader picture (for example, when other professionals are also involved). The approach is usually collaborative — psychologists tend to work closely with parents and carers, and sometimes with teachers, so the support carries across the different parts of a child's life.
Every child has ups and downs, but you might consider reaching out to a psychologist if you notice:
You don't need to wait for things to reach crisis point. Early support can make a real difference, and a psychologist can help you understand whether ongoing therapy is needed.
Many child psychologists work with children from around 3 or 4 years of age through to adolescence, though this varies by clinician. For very young children, sessions often focus heavily on working with parents. As children get older, they may take a more active role in their own sessions. Always check that a provider works with your child's specific age group before booking.
The first session is usually an intake or assessment appointment. Often the psychologist will spend time with parents or carers alone to gather background and understand your concerns, goals and your child's history. Depending on your child's age, they may then meet your child, sometimes through play, drawing or conversation rather than formal questions.
Expect the first appointment to focus on building rapport and forming an initial understanding rather than solving everything straight away. The psychologist should explain their proposed approach, roughly how many sessions might be helpful, and how they'll involve you as a parent. Bring along any relevant reports (from school, GP or other therapists) if you have them.
In Australia, psychology sessions generally range from around $200 to $260 for a standard session, though fees vary between providers. The NDIS publishes price caps for registered providers, and these are updated periodically — it's worth checking the current NDIS Pricing Arrangements for the exact figures. Fees quoted here are general ranges only and can change, so always confirm costs directly with the provider.
Under the NDIS, psychology support usually falls under Capacity Building — Improved Daily Living. If your child has NDIS funding under this category, you may be able to use it for assessments and therapy that relate to their disability-related goals. Not all funding can be used for every service, so check your child's plan and speak with your plan manager or support coordinator if you're unsure.
Outside the NDIS, some families access rebates through a GP Mental Health Treatment Plan (Medicare) for a set number of sessions each year. A private health extras policy may also cover part of the cost. Ask each clinic which options they support.
When comparing providers, consider:
Taking the time to ask these questions helps you find a psychologist who's the right fit for your child and family.
Or read the full child psychology guide, or browse all Darwin providers.
If you notice persistent worry, sadness, big behaviours, withdrawal, or difficulties at school or with sleep that don't ease over time, it may help to seek support. You don't need to wait for a crisis — a psychologist can help you understand whether ongoing therapy is useful. Your GP can also be a good first point of contact.
Psychology support usually falls under Capacity Building — Improved Daily Living in an NDIS plan, and can be used for therapy or assessments linked to your child's disability-related goals. Check your child's plan and confirm with your plan manager or support coordinator. If your plan is NDIA-managed, you'll generally need a registered provider.
Sessions in Australia generally range from around $200 to $260, though fees vary between providers. The NDIS sets price caps for registered providers, which are updated periodically, so check the current NDIS Pricing Arrangements. Medicare rebates or private health extras may reduce costs — always confirm fees directly with the provider.
Many child psychologists see children from around 3 or 4 years through to adolescence, but this varies by clinician. For younger children, sessions often focus on working with parents. Always check that a provider works with your child's specific age group before booking.
Waitlists can vary a lot between clinics, and demand in Darwin can be high. Some providers may have several months' wait while others can see you sooner. It's worth contacting a few providers directly to ask about current waitlists and whether telehealth might be available sooner.