Riverland Allied Health Support
Counselling Services in the Riverland
Face-to-face counselling for children, teens, young adults, and families across the Riverland. We come to you.
Submit a ReferralCounselling for Children, Teens, and Young Adults in the Riverland
Local counselling in the Riverland is genuinely hard to find. For families whose children are on NDIS plans, the challenge is even more specific - finding an NDIS-funded counsellor who works locally, who comes to you, and who actually connects with young people.
That's what we offer.
Our counsellors, Dylan and Gemma, work with:
- Children aged 5+ with anxiety, emotional regulation, or social challenges
- Teens navigating school pressure, identity, and big emotions
- Young adults working toward independence and emotional wellbeing
- Adults with psychosocial disability support needs
- Parents and carers alongside their child's therapy journey
Individual Counselling Services We Offer Across the Riverland
Anxiety and Emotional Regulation
For children and young people who struggle to manage overwhelming emotions, anxiety, and stress. Practical strategies for home, school, and social situations.
Adolescent Counselling for Teens
A non-judgemental space where teens can talk openly about pressure, identity, relationships, and school, and build the skills to manage what life throws at them.
Social Difficulties and Isolation
For children and young people who find social situations challenging, feel on the outside, or struggle to build and maintain friendships.
Confidence and Motivation Building
For young people who've disengaged, shut down, or lost belief in themselves. Rebuilding confidence is slow work, but it's some of the most important work we do.
Trauma Support
For children, teens, and adults who've experienced trauma. Our counsellors work sensitively and at the participant's own pace.
Grief Counselling
Loss affects people of all ages differently. We support children, teenagers, and adults navigating grief in a way that makes sense for who they are.
School-Based Counselling
We bring counselling sessions to schools across the Riverland, removing travel barriers and providing support where many challenges first show up. See how our mobile and school support works.
Psychosocial Disability Support
For NDIS participants with psychosocial disabilities. Our counsellors have experience with psychosocial support and work within NDIS funding frameworks.
A Safe Space to Be Heard
Real connection, real progress. Our counsellors meet your child where they're at - literally and emotionally.
Get in TouchCounselling Near You - How We Deliver Support Across the Riverland
We understand that getting to an appointment in the middle of the week is a real barrier for families in the Riverland. That's why we bring counselling sessions to you.
Sessions can happen:
- At home - in a familiar, comfortable space where your child or young person feels safe
- At school - coordinated with school leadership during the school day, so there's no missed work or travel for families
- In the community - a park, a community space, or wherever feels most natural and comfortable for the participant
We're not a telehealth service. We're a real, local team who shows up in person.
Meet Your Riverland Counsellors
Our counselling team is local, consistent, and genuinely invested in the people they work with. You'll see the same person every session - not a rotating roster.
Dylan Blackley - Director & Counsellor
Dylan is a co-founder of S&C Allied Health and one of our counsellors working with children, teens, and young adults across the Riverland. He brings a background in youth work and community support, with a particular focus on anxiety, emotional regulation, confidence, and trauma.
Dylan's approach is practical and person-led - he meets young people where they're at, in settings where they feel comfortable, and works at a pace that builds genuine trust before getting into the hard stuff. He has majors in Working with Children and Adolescents and Child Development and Effective Parenting, along with a Diploma in Emergency Care.
He also coordinates closely with Emma when participants benefit from both counselling and OT support.
Gemma - Counsellor
Gemma is a counsellor supporting children, teenagers, and adults through anxiety, life transitions, grief, relationship challenges, and emotional wellbeing. She holds a Diploma of Counselling and brings a calm, non-judgmental presence to every session.
Gemma works in whatever setting feels most comfortable - at home, at school, or in the community. She's particularly experienced working with young people who need a safe space to process what's happening in their lives, and with adults navigating significant change.
Sessions with Gemma are led by the client - she creates the space, follows the pace, and builds the kind of relationship where real work can happen.
How Counselling Works - From First Contact to Regular Sessions
- Get in touch - submit a referral online, call us, or simply send an email. We'll be in touch within a few business days to talk through what support you're looking for and answer any questions. NDIS and private enquiries are both welcome.
- First session - we start slowly and focus on building rapport. For children especially, the first sessions are about making them feel comfortable, not rushing into content. There's no pressure to talk about anything before you're ready.
- Regular sessions - once rapport is established, we work through goals at a pace that suits the person. Sessions are consistent, regular, and always with the same counsellor. Frequency is agreed together based on need and availability.
- Progress and communication - we keep you informed along the way. For NDIS participants, we provide progress notes and reports for plan reviews. For private clients, we communicate openly with families and carers where appropriate and with the client's consent.
Why Families Choose Our Riverland Counselling Team
Same Counsellor, Every Time
Your child builds a relationship with one person. That consistency is critical for counselling to actually work.
Face-to-Face, Not a Screen
A real person, in a real room, who travels to wherever works best for your family.
OT & Counselling Together
Our OT and counselling team share strategies and work as a joined-up team - not two separate providers who've never spoken.
Built Around NDIS Funding
We understand NDIS counselling funding and can help you understand how your plan covers the support your child needs.
Frequently Asked Questions About NDIS Counselling in the Riverland
Is counselling covered by NDIS?
Yes. NDIS counselling is typically funded under Capacity Building, either Improved Health and Wellbeing or Improved Daily Living depending on your plan goals. We can help clarify which category applies to your situation when you get in touch.
Do you offer counselling near me if I'm in Berri, Loxton, or Waikerie?
Yes. Our counsellors travel across the Riverland, including Renmark, Berri, Loxton, Barmera, Waikerie, and surrounding areas. We'll confirm your location when you submit a referral.
What age groups do you work with?
We work with children aged 5 and up, teenagers, young adults, and adults. We also support parents who need their own counselling space alongside the support we provide for their children.
What's adolescent counselling and how is it different for teens?
Teenagers have different needs than younger children. Adolescent counselling creates a space where teens can talk about what's actually going on with someone who isn't going to judge or lecture them. Our approach with teens is collaborative and practical, not clinical.
Can my child see an OT and a counsellor at the same time?
Absolutely, and we encourage it when both are relevant. Our OT and counselling teams communicate and coordinate strategies. It's one of the things that sets us apart from providers who work in isolation.