Melbourne Adolescents Seek Mental Health Support As School Pressures Mount

Mental health clinicians across Melbourne are reporting increased demand for adolescent counselling as young people contend with academic pressures, social media influences and the challenges of identity development. More families are seeking support for teenagers who feel overwhelmed by school expectations, friendship dynamics and the transition toward adulthood.

Adolescents aged roughly 12 to 18 can experience anxiety, academic stress, friendship difficulties and self esteem concerns that benefit from early intervention. Access to professional counselling gives young people a space to talk about their experiences, learn emotional regulation skills and build resilience before unhelpful patterns become entrenched.

True Self Space, a psychotherapy practice based in Templestowe, provides specialised support for both adolescents and adults in Melbourne’s north eastern suburbs. The practice offers in person sessions at its Templestowe rooms as well as secure online telehealth appointments for clients across Melbourne and interstate.

Melanie Pontikis, a PACFA and IFS registered psychotherapist, works as a counsellor in Templestowe with teenagers experiencing anxiety, identity questions and difficulties managing school or family relationships. Her work is grounded in trauma informed, relational approaches that emphasise emotional safety, curiosity and self compassion.

The practice draws on Internal Family Systems therapy, sometimes called parts work, together with attachment based perspectives. This framework helps clients explore different parts of themselves, including those that carry fear, shame or self criticism, while developing more supportive inner relationships.

True Self Space also offers trauma counselling in Templestowe for adults who are processing the longer term impacts of difficult experiences. Sessions are paced carefully to help clients stay grounded while exploring how trauma affects both mind and body, with the aim of strengthening inner stability and fostering more authentic connection with self and others.

Adult counselling at the practice may focus on anxiety, low self worth, people pleasing patterns or difficulty coping with major life changes. Across both adolescent and adult work, sessions centre on creating a space where clients feel seen, heard and understood.

The practice operates as a privately billing service and does not require a GP referral. Fees are outlined on the services page, and free 15 minute consultations are available so prospective clients can ask questions, clarify goals and decide whether the therapeutic approach feels like a good fit.

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