We believe every child has the right to be safe, happy and empowered to thrive
About Us
At The Youth Mind Collective, we are committed to providing exceptional child and adolescent psychology services both in our Geelong clinic and across Australia via telehealth. Our experienced psychologists are passionate about supporting children, teens, and their families through a wide range of emotional, social, and behavioural challenges.
We take a holistic, flexible, and neurodiversity-affirming approach to therapy, ensuring that every child feels understood, respected, and empowered to reach their full potential. Collaboration is at the heart of what we do—we work closely with parents, educators, and other professionals to develop personalised strategies that help children thrive.
With a strong emphasis on empathy, authenticity, and creating a positive, engaging environment, we make therapy fun and enjoyable, while still focusing on meaningful growth. We believe that laughter, play, and creativity are essential parts of the journey, helping children build resilience, develop essential skills, and grow in their own unique way. Whether in-person at our Geelong clinic or online, we are here to provide the guidance and tools families need to navigate life’s challenges with confidence.
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Our Purpose
We exist to bring a holistic, flexible and neurodiversity-affirming approach to child psychology to empower children to thrive.
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Our Vision
To ensure every child has access to early intervention therapy, equipping them with the tools, skills, and resilience to embrace life’s challenges and enhance their overall wellbeing.
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Our Mission
We create a safe, supportive environment where children and adolescents achieve their best outcomes through collaboration, strong therapist-client relationships, and individualised care that nurtures self-acceptance.
Our Values
Respect: We treat everyone with kindness, empathy, and dignity, valuing their time and preferences. We foster mutual respect among clients, parents, and therapists, ensuring personalised care that honours individual needs and priorities.
Curiosity: We approach conversations with curiosity and go beyond the surface to truly understand each child’s unique world, honouring their lived experiences and perspectives.
Authenticity: We communicate honestly and transparently, building trust through genuine interactions and sharing expertise in a clear, respectful way.
Acceptance: We celebrate diversity and inclusion, creating a welcoming, equitable environment where everyone feels valued and safe.
Flexibility: We adapt to your changing needs and offer tailored care through flexible and mutual respect of your time, resources, and preferences.
Fun: We embrace and celebrate joy, playfulness, laughter and creativity while we do the hard work to make every experience engaging and enjoyable.
Meet Our Psychologists
Tessa Andrews
Director
Educational and Developmental Psychologist
BPsych (Hons), MPsych (Ed&Dev)
Tessa is an Educational and Developmental Psychologist with extensive experience supporting children and adolescents facing a wide range of challenges, including anxiety, depression, neurodevelopmental differences such as ADHD and autism spectrum disorder, learning difficulties, intellectual disability, and challenging behaviours. With years of experience in primary school settings, Tessa is dedicated to providing both intervention and psychological assessments that empower children to succeed and reach their full potential.
Passionate about collaboration, Tessa works closely with parents, educators, and other professionals to create personalised strategies that support children in building resilience, self-esteem, and essential life skills. She is dedicated to fostering a safe and nurturing environment that embraces neurodiversity and honours each child’s unique strengths. With a deep commitment to individualised care, Tessa ensures that every child feels respected, understood, and empowered to thrive.
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She believes that each child's journey should be met with empathy and a genuine commitment to their wellbeing, recognising the importance of tailored support in promoting long-term emotional resilience and growth.
Drawing on a variety of therapeutic approaches, including Cognitive-Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dr. Ross Greene’s Collaborative and Proactive Solutions (CPS) model, Attachment Theory, strength-based approaches, and play therapy, Tessa ensures that each child’s therapy is flexible, respectful, and tailored to support their individual journey.
Tessa is a proud member of the Australian Psychological Society (MAPS) and is fully registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).