Helping Children Heal, Grow and Thrive
Child and family therapy in Bayside Melbourne, supporting children, teenagers and their families. Evidence-informed therapy for children and young people aged 3 to 18, alongside practical, compassionate support for the parents and caregivers who walk beside them.
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North Star provides therapeutic services for children and young people aged 3 to 18, as well as support for their caregivers.
At North Star, we look beyond behaviour to understand what a child may be communicating underneath, whether that is anxiety, overwhelm, sensory needs, difficulty regulating, the impact of trauma, or a need for greater safety and connection. Our approach is attachment-focused, neuro-affirming and developmentally responsive, supporting children to build confidence, resilience, emotional regulation and a stronger sense of self. We believe the parent-child relationship is central to growth and healing. A parent can be a child’s first North Star - a steady, safe and guiding presence who helps them navigate difficult emotions and experiences. Over time, with connection, support and the right therapeutic help when needed, children can begin to develop their own inner North Star: a growing sense of confidence, resilience and self-trust. We work collaboratively with children, parents and, where appropriate, schools and other professionals. Therapy is tailored to the individual child and family, using evidence-informed approaches to support a wide range of emotional, behavioural, developmental and trauma-related concerns.
Elena Sansoni
Child & Family Therapist | Founder
Elena has worked with children, young people and families for almost two decades.
She began her career as a primary school teacher before moving into therapeutic and clinical roles, including work as a Child Behavioural Therapist in private practice and as a Behaviour Analyst, Therapist and Counsellor within the Department of Education.
Her clinical interests include anxiety, trauma, emotional regulation, attachment and the ways a child’s experiences can shape their behaviour, relationships and development.
Elena helps families look beneath the surface of behaviour to better understand what a child may be feeling, struggling with or trying to communicate. Her approach is trauma-informed, attachment-focused and developmentally responsive, with a strong emphasis on helping children feel safe, understood and supported.
At the heart of her work is the belief that children already hold an incredible capacity for growth, healing and resilience. As a mother herself, Elena also brings a personal understanding of the complexity, vulnerability and growth that can come with parenting and family life.
Qualifications & training
- Master of Education (thesis), Monash University
- Master of Applied Behaviour Analysis, Monash University
- Master of Counselling, Monash University
- Child-Centred Play Therapy (CCPT)
- CBT for children and young people
- ACT Kidflex
- Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (TF-CBT)
Professional memberships
- The Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA)
- The Australian Counselling Association (ACA)
- The Australian Play Therapists Association (APTA)
- Association for Behaviour Analysis Australia (AUABA)
What We Can Help With
Children and young people can experience difficulties for many different reasons. Sometimes concerns show up through anxiety or withdrawal; at other times they appear as big emotions, changes in behaviour, difficulties at school or challenges within relationships. At North Star, we support children and young people experiencing:
Anxiety & Worry
Including separation anxiety, social anxiety, excessive worry, fears and phobias, and school-related anxiety.
School Avoidance / School Can’t
Support for children and young people who are finding it difficult to attend, remain at, or cope with school.
Emotional Regulation & Big Feelings
Including difficulty managing anger, frustration, sadness, worry or overwhelm.
Big or Challenging Behaviours
Including tantrums, aggression, emotional outbursts, defiance and behaviour that may be communicating distress or unmet needs.
Low Confidence & Self-Esteem
Supporting children who struggle with self-doubt, confidence, perfectionism or feeling “not good enough”.
Low Mood, Withdrawal & Disengagement
Including loss of interest, shutdown, social withdrawal, reduced motivation and emotional disconnection.
Friendship, Sibling & Family Difficulties
Including peer conflict, friendship changes, sibling relationships and challenges within family relationships.
Bullying & Peer Difficulties
Supporting children and young people who have experienced bullying, exclusion, friendship breakdowns or other difficult peer experiences.
Grief & Loss
Helping children process bereavement and other significant experiences of loss and change.
Divorce, Separation & Family Change
Supporting children as they adjust to parental separation, changes between households, blended families and other significant changes within family life.
Adjustment & Life Transitions
Including moving house, changing schools, family changes, illness, significant transitions and other experiences that may feel difficult or overwhelming.
Social & Emotional Difficulties
Support with understanding emotions, relationships, coping with social situations and developing a stronger sense of self.
Neurodivergence-Related Support
Neuroaffirming support for challenges such as sensory overwhelm, emotional regulation, masking, transitions, self-understanding and navigating environments that may not fit a young person’s needs.
Trauma & Difficult Experiences
Support following single-incident trauma, complex or repeated trauma, abuse or neglect, relational disruptions and other frightening, overwhelming or distressing experiences.
Parent Counselling & Support
We also offer individual counselling and support for parents who may be feeling overwhelmed, anxious, low in mood, uncertain about becoming a parent, or finding parenting emotionally challenging.
These sessions focus on the parent’s own experiences, emotions and wellbeing, helping them develop greater understanding, confidence and self-compassion in their parenting role.
Where North Star is already providing therapy to a child or young person, we do not provide separate individual counselling or psychotherapy to their parent or caregiver. This helps maintain clear therapeutic boundaries and protect the child or young person’s privacy and confidentiality.
Professional memberships
- The Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA)
- The Australian Counselling Association (ACA)
- The Australian Play Therapists Association (APTA)
- Association for Behaviour Analysis Australia (AUABA)
Child Therapy in Bayside Melbourne
North Star Child Therapy is located in Black Rock in Melbourne’s Bayside, supporting children, teenagers and families from Black Rock, Beaumaris, Sandringham, Hampton, Brighton, Cheltenham, Highett, Mentone and surrounding areas.
Learn more about child-centred play therapy, pre-teen and teen counselling, trauma therapy for children and teenagers and parent counselling and support.
Supporting children. Strengthening families. Helping young people find their own North Star.
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