CAYA Psychology
Geelong
Therapy for children, teens & adults with tics and Tourette syndrome
This can include:
- Self-consciousness or fear of negative attention
- Avoidance of social situations, work meetings, or public spaces
- Increased anxiety or frustration when trying to suppress tics
- Feeling misunderstood by others
- Fatigue from constant monitoring or effort to “hold things in”
Therapy focuses not only on tics, but on how you relate to them and how much space they take up in your life.
Living with tics or Tourette syndrome can be frustrating, embarrassing, and exhausting — particularly when other people misunderstand what’s happening. I work with children, teens, and adults who experience motor and vocal tics, including Tourette syndrome, whether these have been present since childhood or developed later in life.
Many people seek therapy not to “get rid” of tics entirely, but to reduce their impact, manage associated stress or anxiety, and feel more confident navigating daily life
What Tics and Tourette Syndrome often looks like in real life
Tics are sudden, involuntary movements or sounds that can be difficult or impossible to fully suppress. They often fluctuate over time and can be affected by stress, fatigue, excitement, or attention.
People may experience:
- Repetitive movements such as blinking, facial movements, head jerks, or shoulder shrugs
- Vocal tics such as throat clearing, sniffing, or sounds
- A strong urge or uncomfortable sensation before a tic occurs
- Temporary ability to suppress tics, followed by a rebound
- Increased tics during periods of stress or pressure
- Worry about being noticed, judged, or misunderstood
Tourette syndrome involves both motor and vocal tics and often occurs alongside other difficulties such as anxiety, OCD, ADHD, or emotional regulation challenges.
You don’t need to have all of these, and your experience doesn’t need to match anyone else’s to be valid.
How therapy can help with Tics and TS
- Better understand your tics and the factors that influence them
- Reduce stress and tension that can exacerbate tic frequency
- Learn strategies to manage urges and responses to tics
- Address anxiety, shame, or frustration linked to symptoms
- Improve confidence in social, work, and relationship settings
For some people, therapy also involves structured behavioural approaches. For others, the focus is on coping, acceptance, and reducing secondary distress.
My Approach
Client centred: We focus on what matters most to you
Practical and Grounded: not overly technical or jargon heavy
Collaborative: You are not pushed faster than you are ready to go
Evidence Based: Uses principles of Comprehnsive Behavioural Intervention for Tics (CBIT) in a flexible, supportive way
Non Judgemental: There is no expectation to suppress or hide symptoms
Is therapy right for you?
You might consider seeking support if:
- Tics are interfering with work, study, or social life
- Stress or anxiety is making symptoms worse
- You’re feeling self-conscious, frustrated, or worn down
- You want support that goes beyond “just ignore it”
You don’t need a formal diagnosis to start therapy.
Therapy details
- Therapy is available for children, teens & adults
- Sessions are offered in person and via telehealth
- Appointments are confidential and paced to your needs
If you’re unsure whether what you’re experiencing is Tics or Tourette Syndrome, we can explore that together.
Taking the next step
If Tics are affecting your life or someone you care about and you’d like support, you’re welcome to get in touch to discuss whether therapy might be a good fit.
- Contact us to make a confidential enquiry
Frequently asked questions
A psychologist provides a structured space to talk through thoughts, emotions, and patterns that may be contributing to stress or difficulty. Sessions focus on understanding what's going on, identifying unhelpful patterns, and developing practical strategies to manage challenges more effectively
In Australia, psychologists (and other health professionals) are not allowed to use client testimonials. This rule is to protect clients' privacy and to avoid creating unrealistic expectations about outcomes.
Instead of reviews, it can be more useful to focus on the connection with your therapist. The first session is an opportunity to get a sense of how we work together and whether the approach feels right to you.
No. Many people start therapy without a clear explanation of what's wrong. Part of the process of therapy is working together to clarify concerns and priorities over the first few sessions.
The first session usually focuses on understanding your background, current concerns, and goals. You can ask questions about the process and discuss what you would like to get out of therapy. There is no expectation to share everything all at once.
Therapy is a confidential, structured conversation guided by professional training. The focus is on patterns, strategies, and practical change rather than informal advice or reassurance.
Sessions focus on current challenges, relevant past experiences, and patterns that affect how you think, feel and respond. The content is guided by your priorities and what feels most useful to address
Therapy is collaborative. Rather than giving instructions, the aim is to help you understand your options, learn about your experience of symptoms, develop skills and strategies to try, and make informed decisions about your situation.
Sessions are purposeful and guided by agreed goals. Some people prefer a more structured approach with specific strategies, while others benefit from open exploration. The approach can be adjusted over time.
No. Some people attend for a small number of focused sessions, while others choose to work together for longer. This can be reviewed regularly.
That's common. Your psychologist helps guide the conversation. You don't need to prepare or organise your thoughts beforehand.
No. Many people attend therapy to navigate stress, changes in life, or improve coping skills. Seeking support is a practical step rather than a sign of failure.
Talking about difficult topics can sometimes feel uncomfortable. Sessions are paced carefully to keep the process manageable and focused on constructive change.
Fit is important. If something is not helpful, it's discussed openly and the approach can be adjusted. You are not obligated to continue if it doesn't feel useful.
This varies depending on your goals and the issues involved. Some people notice useful shifts within a few sessions while more complex concerns can take longer. Progress is reviewed regularly.
Therapy aims to increase understanding, reduce distress and build practical coping strategies. Outcomes differ between people and depend partly on engagement with the process.
Some approaches include practising strategies between sessions. Consistent attendance and active participation tend to support better outcomes.
Many people start with weekly or fortnightly sessions and adjust frequency over time depending on their needs and availability
50 minutes (plus 10 minutes for your therapist to write notes and complete any administrative tasks).