Family Wellbeing

No cost counselling for children with emotional, behavioural or mental health concerns

Would your child benefit from some support to manage their emotions and behaviour?

Family Wellbeing offers counselling for children who have or are at risk of developing emotional, behavioural or mental health issues.

Our counselling service aims to improve the wellbeing of your child, help you to develop new skills and strengthen family life.

Our evidence-based therapies for children include: cognitive behavioural therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, family therapy and attachment-based therapy.

Parents are invited to be present during therapy.

What do we offer?

  • Child friendly support

    Our clinicians are specialised in providing clinical therapy for young children.

  • Comfortable, friendly environment

    Our counselling rooms are warm, inviting and child friendly.

  • Regular, flexible appointments

    Book appointment times that suit your availability.

  • No cost

    Mental health services are free at Sonder.

Accessing this service

Am I eligible?

To be eligible for Family Wellbeing, your child must:

  • Be aged between 5 and 11 years old;
  • Live in the council areas of Charles Sturt, Port Adelaide Enfield, Salisbury, Playford or Tea Tree Gully and;
  • Have or be at risk of developing an emotional, behavioural or mental health concern and;
  • Have a GP Mental Health Treatment Plan (or be eligible to obtain one shortly after referral).

Who are the Family Wellbeing staff?

The staff in the Family Wellbeing program are qualified and experienced mental health Clinicians.

They are specialised in providing clinical therapy for children and will assess your child’s needs and then provide treatments to help them to manage symptoms.

 How do I access the service?

To get started with Family Wellbeing, you’ll need to visit your GP and request a Child Treatment Plan or Mental Health Treatment Plan.

To find out how to get a Mental Health Treatment Plan, check out our webpage Getting a Mental Health Treatment Plan.

Alternatively, your child can be referred by a school or the Department of Child Protection via our Community Referral Form.

Or you can self-refer by calling us directly on (08) 8209 0700 

Please be informed that starting from July 1, 2023, Sonder will discontinue the provision of Family Wellbeing services in the northern metropolitan region.

As a result, we will not be accepting new referrals for clients residing in the northern region.

We kindly advise referrers and community members to reach out to Adelaide PHN’s Mental Health Enquiry Phone Line at 1300 898 213 for detailed information regarding alternative service options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Information for GPs

To refer a patient to this service, please download the Mental Health Treatment Plan, complete and fax to the Central Referral Unit on 1300 580 249.

Due to program restrictions, Sonder clinicians are not able to provide medicolegal reports or assessments.

Mental Health Treatment Plan

Our recovery-focused approach

We support people living with mental health concerns to improve their wellbeing, live independently and pursue a life with meaning, hope and purpose.

We do this through:

  • Respecting your values, treatment and support preferences.
  • Focusing on and amplifying your strengths.
  • Supporting you to develop and reach personal goals and ambitions.
  • Helping you to develop self-management skills.
Young girl receiving delivering counselling

For Mental Health Emergencies Call 000

If you, or someone you are with, are hurt or need immediate support, please call 000.

Mental Health Emergencies

This service is supported by funding from the Adelaide Primary Health Network through the Australian Government’s PHN Program.