Welcome to Dimity Cowell Psychology

Psychological support for children, teens, young adults, and parents in Ashburton, Victoria

Services

Psychological Therapy

Psychological therapy for children (3-12yrs), teens & young adults (12-35yrs), & parents/caregivers using various evidence-based approaches.
School Liaison

Support for school staff to help them support school-aged children, including attending meetings & providing school support plans.
Parenting Support

Therapy for parents & caregivers, to support them in learning effective ways to understand & support your child, tween, or teen.
Play Therapy

Children's natural medium of communication is play. Play Therapy provides a safe place for children to express feelings, thoughts, experiences, & behaviours for development & emotional growth.

I have a passion for working with young children via the medium of play and place importance on the inclusion of parents in the therapeutic process. Just as adults talk out their feelings, kids play out their feelings.

Hi, I’m Dimity.

Bachelor of Psychology | Graduate Diploma Social Science (Counselling Studies) | Post-Graduate Diploma of Psychology

I am a Registered Psychologist with over 10 years of experience working children and adolescents. I am passionate about working therapeutically with children (3-12yrs), adolescents (12-25yrs), and their parents. As a mum to 3 boys, I have great respect and understanding of the unique challenges of parenthood and the ways children can challenge and delight.

Through my work, I have developed a deep understanding of the effects of trauma on brain development, attachment, and relationships. I’m always amazed at the resiliency and courage of the kids and families I have supported.

My warm, at times playful, approach empowers kids and teens to understand their emotions, build resilience, and improve their relationships. My aim is to support kids and teens be the best version of themselves.

Support for children and adolescents

If your child or teenager is feeling sad, down or anxious and these feelings are getting in the way of their everyday life or causing issues within the family or at school, then it’s important to find out what’s going on and what help is available.
This can include disorders such as generalized anxiety, social anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, selective/situational mutism, separation anxiety, and specific phobias.
Can be linked to anxiety or mood disorders, friendship issues or neurodiverse presentations such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder or Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Relationships play an important role in influencing how children and teens feel about themselves.
Difficulties in the parenting role can cause relationship issues that have a flow-on effect for others in the family. Therapeutic support for relationships can be tailored to the individual child and their circumstances.
School issues relate to a wide range of issues including things such as learning difficulties, social issues, problems with attendance, anxiety, behavioural problems etc.
Support can include things like attending school meetings, providing behaviour support plans for classroom or school camp, providing support and guidance for staff as requested.
Some children and teens are more at risk of mood disorders (e.g. Depression) particularly if they have low self-esteem or low self-worth. Self-esteem can be affected by a multitude of individual, family and situational factors. Sometimes low self-esteem can be the result of bullying, body image issues and difficult life experiences.
Children and teenagers who are surrounded by supportive, attuned parents and caregivers are more likely to experience positive mental health.
Dimity’s aim is to provide a non-judgemental space for parents to discuss their concerns, reflect on their parenting role, and learn about ways they can best support their child or teen who may be experiencing mental health difficulties.

Approaches

Therapy is provided for children, teens, young adults, and parents. It is tailored to the individual, drawing on a variety of evidence-based treatment methods, including:

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy focuses on changing thoughts, feelings & behaviour, which can contribute to common mental health conditions such as depression & anxiety.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy focuses on acceptance of what is out of your personal control & commitment to action that helps you create a meaningful life that aligns with your values.
Child Centred Play Therapy

Child Centred Play Therapy is for children aged 3-10 years experiencing social, emotional, behavioural & relational issues. Children can process inner experiences & feelings through play & symbols.
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy focuses on teaching four core skills - mindfulness, acceptance & distress tolerance, emotional regulation, & interpersonal effectiveness.
Problem Solving Skills

Problem Solving Skills are tailored to the child’s developmental stage, cognitive & language skills. Parents can also be supported with how to foster problem-solving skills & resiliency in their child.
Social Skills Training

Social Skills Training is used to support children via a range of evidence-based strategies such as direct teaching, modelling, encouraging practice opportunities, teaching social rules, scaffolding peer interaction & use of social stories.
Cognitive Behavioural Play Therapy (CBT PT)

Cognitive Behavioural Play Therapy provides a safe environment where the child can use toys, games & role-playing to learn about & express their emotions, confront fears & practice new behaviour.

Frequently Asked Questions

Semi-structured questionnaire-type assessments are provided as part of therapy to track outcomes and inform treatment. Tailored referrals for structured formal assessments can be provided.
Dimity recognises the importance of working collaboratively with parents and including parents in the process via feedback or separate parent sessions. Sometimes parents can be included in sessions if this is relevant to the goals for the child and family.
At the beginning, Dimity will meet with you to talk about your concerns and explain different approaches that may help.
With young children (i.e. early primary school age) it will most likely be play therapy.
In this setting, Dimity will reflect your child’s feelings, help your child develop positive self-direction and set limits for inappropriate behaviour to help your child develop good coping skills. There is no way to know how long play therapy will be needed, each child is different.
Dimity will keep you updated to let you know how things are going or work with you to build parenting skills. You can always ask to meet with Dimity to talk about your concerns or particular situations in which you would like help.
Dimity is not able to offer emergency/crisis support out of hours. In an emergency, please call Emergency Services on 000. Alternatively, please see the below options for crisis support:
Lifeline - 24 hrs/7 days (Crisis support, suicide prevention) Ph: 13 11 14
Beyond Blue- 24 hrs/7 days (Support with depression, anxiety & related disorders) Ph: 1300 22 46 36
Kids Helpline - 24 hrs/7 days (Telephone counselling including crisis support) Ph: 1800 55 1800
Suicide Callback Service - 24hrs/7days (Crisis support and counselling) Ph: 1300 659 467
1800 RESPECT - 24hrs/7days (Domestic, family and sexual violence counselling, information & support) Ph: 1800 737 732

Fees, Rebates, and Policies

The APS National Schedule of Suggested Fees 2024-2025 has the standard 46 to 60-minute consultation fee at $311.00. Dimity’s aim is to make mental health support affordable for families.
Individual Therapy: $250.00
Reports and Letters: Varied charges (requirements discussed)
School meeting attendance: Varied charges, dependent on needs and travel (requirements discussed)
Medicare Better Access: You may be eligible for a Medicare rebate of $93.35 per session if referred by your GP or Paediatrician under a Mental Health Treatment Plan. Please speak with your doctor about if you are eligible prior to your first session.
NDIS: Dimity sees self-managed or plan managed participants through this NDIS. Please ensure you have sent through billing information for invoices if plan managed prior to your initial session.
Please note: Full payment is required following the consultation and can be made by direct deposit or online credit card. Medicare rebates and Private Health insurance can be processed at the practice.
A cancellation and non-attendance policy applies to all appointments.
If you wish to change a scheduled appointment, it is important that you provide at least 48 hours advance notice in order to avoid a cancellation fee for the session.