A DIFFERENT APPROACH TO SUPPORTING CHILDREN, YOUNG PEOPLE & THEIR FAMILIES
Comfortable, practical support
At The Happy Mango, I offer a more natural, flexible and down-to-earth approach to counselling for young people, children and their families. I work with children and young adults (up to 25), supporting them through a wide range of mental health, social, family and behavioural challenges.
What makes this different is how we do the work.
Not every child or young person feels comfortable sitting in a clinical room talking to a stranger. That’s why I offer outreach sessions, meeting children and young people in spaces where they already feel safe and more like themselves. This might be at home, at school, or even out for a walk.
When the environment feels right, the work becomes easier, more natural, and more effective. It also allows for a level of privacy and discretion that many children, young people and families really value.
If you’re unsure where to start, you’re very welcome to reach out for a free introductory call.
0407 880 622
My work is grounded in clinical psychotherapy and positive psychology, with a strong focus on helping children and young people understand themselves, not just talk about what’s going on.
WHO I WORK WITH
The Happy Mango supports children & young people who may be feeling overwhelmed, anxious, stuck or struggling with emotions, confidence, friendships, family or school challenges.
I also support parents looking for guidance, clarity and a more flexible, approachable alternative to traditional therapy.
HOW I WORK
Together, we explore:
Emotions and how to regulate them
Behaviours and what’s driving them
How the brain works under stress
Patterns in relationships, family dynamics and social situations
Working with families, not around them
Supporting a young person often means supporting the system around them. I offer guidance and support for parents and families so everyone feels more confident, informed and aligned in how they respond and move forward.
A practical, results focussed approach
I offer structured packages of 4 or 6 sessions, designed to create meaningful change without feeling open-ended or overwhelming.
The goal isn’t to keep children and young people in counselling indefinitely, it’s to help them build the tools, insight and confidence to manage life more independently.
That said, ongoing or maintenance sessions are always available for those who want continued support or personal development.
The aim is to help children and young people feel more confident, emotionally aware and capable in everyday life, not dependent on long-term counselling.
What a session can look like
At home
1
Whether it’s sitting on the couch, at the dining table or in the backyard, being in a familiar space can help young people feel more relaxed and themselves.
At school
2
Sessions can take place during the school day in a familiar environment, helping support feel more accessible and less overwhelming.
At a local cafe
3
Sitting over a hot chocolate or drink in a casual setting can help conversations feel more natural and less like traditional therapy.
Out for a walk
4
Walking side-by-side at a local park or beach can ease pressure and help young people open up more comfortably.
Online
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Some young people feel safest connecting from their bedroom, desk or favourite space at home, making online support a flexible and comfortable option.
ABOUT ME
EXPERIENCE AND APPROACH
I bring over 15 years of experience working with children, young people and families in complex frontline settings.
My background includes working in kindergartens and primary schools as a behaviour therapist, before working at Melbourne City Mission (Frontyard), supporting young people experiencing homelessness, and at Windana as a senior alcohol and other drug counsellor and family worker supporting young people and families through addiction and recovery.
This work has involved behaviour change support, emotional education, family work, risk management and navigating complex challenges with calm, practical and relationship-focused support.
These experiences have shaped how I work — grounded, adaptable and focused on what helps in real life, not just in theory.
QUALIFICATIONS & TRAINING
My formal training includes:
Graduate Diploma in Psychotherapy Counselling
Diploma of Positive Psychology and Wellbeing
Diploma of Children’s Services
Accredited peaceful kids facilitator
Completed additional training in:
Working with families
Behaviour change and interventions
Mental health first aid
Applied suicide intervention skills
Dual diagnosis (mental health and substance use)
Managing aggressive and challenging behaviours
Professional Memberships
Member of Australian Counselling Association (ACA)
Member of Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA)
Please note, I am not Medicare registered.
Testimonials
“I cannot recommend Jade highly enough. My daughter had been struggling for years with emotional dysregulation following a traumatic life event, compounded by the Victorian COVID lockdowns. Life at home had become increasingly difficult - she was frequently sad, her social life had suffered, and she had missed a great deal of school. We had tried several psychologists, but my daughter simply could not bear sitting in a room being made to talk. I was at my wit's end when Jade was recommended to me.
My daughter was understandably apprehensive at first, but she warmed to Jade quickly. Within a few weeks, life at home began to change for the better. My daughter not only stopped dreading her sessions - she started looking forward to them. Jade's approach is to meet young people where they are, literally. They typically spend the session walking together, and on wet days Jade comes to us at home. It is a breath of fresh air compared to traditional therapy, and the results have been life-changing - for my daughter, for me, and for her brothers.
If your child has struggled in a clinical setting or resisted help in the past, I would urge you to reach out to Jade. Her warmth, patience and creativity make all the difference.”
— Amy A
“Not sure whether you realise just how much I looked forward to the sessions with you Jade, you were an absolute breath of fresh air and huge ray of sunshine, with your warm and calm energy.
Always so supportive, a wealth of knowledge and you understood…….."how is your young person going this week" even the language you used was so considerate and you would always say "what do you have planned for the rest of the week for you" and how are going to "fill your cup".
We would debrief and I would talk through my fears and what was going on, you always gave me such sound advice and positive reassurance with how I was dealing and handling myself with Benj and the language to use with him.”
— Kerryn T