Gledswood Hills, Kingswood and online
Therapy for young people with oppositional defiant disorder.
Monday to Friday, 9am to 4:30pm, or leave a message and we'll call you back.
We're away from the phones right now. Send an enquiry and we'll get back to you by the next business morning.
- No GP referral needed to book
- Medicare rebates with a GP Mental Health Treatment Plan
- NDIS and WorkCover clients welcome
Most first calls take just a few minutes.
What it can look like.
It’s normal for kids to push boundaries. When defiance becomes frequent, intense and disruptive, it may be Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD): a persistent pattern of anger, irritability and resistance to authority that affects home, school and friendships. Children with ODD aren’t “bad kids”. They’re often struggling with frustration and feeling misunderstood.
- Frequent arguing with adults or refusing requests
- Deliberately breaking rules or testing limits
- Intense anger, irritability or resentment
- Blaming others for mistakes
- Low tolerance for frustration
These behaviours aren’t a reflection of poor parenting or a lack of care.
How we approach oppositional defiance
Our psychologists use approaches grounded in evidence, with parents at the centre of the work.
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Understanding your child’s experience
Your psychologist starts with what’s going on for your child, including when conflict flares, what tends to set it off and how it plays out at home and school. You’ll talk about what brought you here and what you’d like to change.
- 2
Choosing an approach together
Your psychologist explains the options and why they might suit your child, then you agree on a plan together.
- 3
Reviewing the plan together
Along the way, your psychologist checks progress with you and your child, using measures chosen for your child and what they’re working on, and adjusts the plan if needed.
What support can include
- Parent management training Practical tools for responding to challenging behaviour.
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) Helps kids understand the link between thoughts, feelings and actions.
- Emotion regulation skills Ways to calm down, manage frustration and express feelings.
- Problem-solving skills Thinking through conflicts and other ways to respond.
- Family coaching Working on communication and teamwork at home.
- Strengths-based identity work Encourages kids to see themselves as more than their defiance.
Who you’ll see
A psychologist who fits.
You’ll see one of our 25+ psychologists, at Gledswood Hills, Kingswood or online. All our psychologists are registered with AHPRA.
- 1
Our Client Care team answers
Client Care are the people who answer our phones. You don't need a GP referral, and you don't need to have it all worked out before you call.
- 2
We ask a few questions
Who it’s for, what’s going on, in person or online, and whether you have a GP Mental Health Treatment Plan, NDIS or WorkCover.
- 3
We match you
We’ll match you with a psychologist who fits, then find a time that works for you both. You can also ask for someone by name.
Depth behind the person you see
Your child sees one psychologist. Behind them is a practice that invests in what they know: training through the year, supervisors on staff, and time set aside to keep up with the research.
Trained for the work in front of them
Our psychologists train through the year, and we train together when we take on a new approach.
Enough of us to match your child properly
With 27 psychologists, we can put your child with someone who works with their age, what's going on, and how they like to work.
Keeping up, on purpose
New research, new frameworks and new tools get tested against what we already do. What earns its place stays.
If something isn’t working.
Tell us, or tell your psychologist. Here’s what can happen next.
Ask for a different psychologist
We aim to get it right first time. If not, tell us and we’ll match you with someone else.
Talk it through with your psychologist
Your psychologist reviews the plan with you, and can talk your care through in supervision. All our psychologists work with regular supervision and shared clinical standards.
Wondering about medication?
If medication might be worth considering, we can write to your GP or paediatrician with what we’ve found, with your consent.
Before you book.
Where
Two locations, or online
See your psychologist in person at Gledswood Hills or Kingswood, or have your sessions online.
Fees and rebates
Medicare
No GP referral needed to book. With a GP Mental Health Treatment Plan, we process your Medicare rebate on the spot, and it’s usually paid into your account within 24–48 hours.
Funding
NDIS and WorkCover
NDIS and WorkCover clients welcome.
Questions parents ask.
Can’t see yours? Our Client Care team can help on 1300 151 110.
How does Unbound Minds support children with oppositional behaviours?
We look beyond the behaviour to understand the triggers, whether that’s frustration, anxiety or difficulties with regulation. Sessions focus on healthier ways for children to express themselves, and practical tools for parents for conflict at home.
Do you work with parents directly, or just the child?
Parents are central to the process. We equip you with step-by-step strategies for responding to challenging behaviour, setting clear boundaries, and staying calm under pressure. This helps carry what you work on in sessions into home life.
How can I tell if my child’s behaviour is “defiance” or just normal testing of limits?
All children push back at times, especially during developmental stages like early childhood or adolescence. Oppositional defiance becomes a concern when the behaviours are frequent, intense, and consistently disrupt family life, school, or friendships.
What should I do during an argument with my child?
Avoid power struggles in the heat of the moment. Staying calm, giving space and revisiting the issue later can prevent escalation. We help parents develop de-escalation techniques and a consistent approach.
Can oppositional behaviour be linked to other challenges?
Yes. Oppositional behaviours often overlap with conditions such as ADHD, learning difficulties, or anxiety. That’s why we look at your child’s broader needs, so strategies fit what’s actually driving the behaviour.
Start with a phone call.
We’ll listen, ask a few questions and match your child with a psychologist who fits.
Monday to Friday, 9am to 4:30pm, or leave a message and we'll call you back.
We're away from the phones right now. Send an enquiry and we'll get back to you by the next business morning.
Locations
Gledswood HillsLevel 2, 25/13 Digitaria Drive, Gledswood Hills. We call from (02) 8319 1945.
KingswoodLevel 3, 302/13 Barber Avenue, Kingswood. We call from (02) 8528 4620.
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Unbound Minds provides general mental health information and professional psychological services. This website is not a substitute for personalised advice, diagnosis or treatment.