Therapy for teens and young adults in Williamstown

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Grounded in Care

Therapy built on connection.

Helping young people (10+) struggling to hold it all together through individualised, neurodiversity-affirming support.

(03) 7042 9979
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Therapist: Emma Lapierre
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Therapist: Emma Lapierre
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Recognising the signs

You don’t have to hold it all together on your own.

Many young people who find their way here describe themselves as overthinkers, big feelers, or high achievers… who are exhausted from trying to do it all alone.

You might recognise yourself in one (or more) of these:

  • You’re doing everything: school, sport, work, friendships, but your brain won’t switch off, and you feel drained all the time.

  • You’ve tried to “think your way out” of the anxiety, overthinking, or self-doubt... But the same feelings keep coming back.

  • You’re chasing big goals, but the inner critic constantly tells you that you're not good enough, or your fear of failing makes it hard even to enjoy what you love.

  • Emotions hit hard and fast, sometimes shutting you down, sometimes leading to blow-ups, self-harm, or regret later.

Therapy Pathways

Mental health support that helps young people thrive in life and in what they love

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Individual Therapy

One-on-one mental health support for adolescents, teens, and young adults who feel overwhelmed by overthinking, big emotions, and pressure to hold it all together.

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Coaches, Teams, & Sporting Clubs

A space to learn, grow, and feel less alone. Our groups help young people connect with others who truly understand them, while building skills that support confidence and emotional well-being.

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Parent Support & Guidance

Partnering with the adults who support young people to strengthen wellbeing, confidence, and performance in sport and in life.

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Areas of Focus

Care for what matters most

From anxiety and stress to relationships and life transitions, our specialties reflect the real challenges young people face. We approach each area with care, curiosity, and evidence-based support to help you move forward in ways that feel right for you.

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    ADHD Support

    For when focus, motivation, and organisation feel like a constant battle. We work together to understand your brain, reduce overwhelm, and build strategies that help you feel capable, not constantly behind.

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    Anxiety & Overwhelm

    For when your thoughts won’t switch off, your body is tense, and everything feels like too much. We help you find calm, feel more in control, and move through life without constant worry weighing you down.

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    Depression, Low Mood, & Burnout

    For when you feel numb, stuck, or just exhausted. We work to help you find clarity in the heaviness and reconnect with a sense of purpose and energy.

    Learn more
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    Life Transitions & Identity

    For when everything is changing: school, friendships, sport, who you’re becoming. We help you navigate the uncertainty, process big emotions, and build confidence in who you are.

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    Self-harm & Safer Coping

    For when emotions feel so intense that hurting yourself seems like the only relief. We create safety and build new ways to cope, so you don’t have to carry the pain alone.

    Learn more
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    Athlete Mental Health & Performance

    For when you love your sport but the pressure, comparison, or fear of failure makes it hard to enjoy. We support both your wellbeing and your goals, so you can feel grounded and confident both inside and outside of sport.

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We prefer clarity over mystery

Here is exactly what the onboarding process looks like at RYSE:

step ONE

Connect →

Book your free consultation call where you’ll talk through what brings you to therapy, and schedule your first session. It’s an opportunity to explore what you’re looking for and whether we’re the right fit for your needs.

Sesson One

Explore →

You’ll meet with your therapist and get to know each other. They’ll further explore what’s been going on for you. You’ll discuss your goals, concerns, and hopes for therapy. This is your space to be heard and understood.

Session TWO & THREE

Plan →

After a couple of sessions, we’ll decide together what support looks like for you. We’ll set goals that feel realistic, helpful, and flexible, something that actually fits your life. 

Ongoing

Grow at your own pace →

With regular sessions, you’ll learn new ways to handle big feelings, reduce stress, and feel more grounded. We’ll adjust as you grow and your needs change.

review & transition

Grow at your own pace →

There’s no set timeline. We’ll review together and decide when to slow down or finish in a way that feels right for you.

Our Practitioners

Meet Emma!

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    Emma Lapierre (she/her)

    MSW, Accredited Social Worker

    Principal Clinician/Founder of RYSE

    Individual Therapy

    Emma supports adolescents, teens, and young adults through ADHD, anxiety, overwhelm, and high-pressure moments. Her work focuses on helping people feel grounded, more confident, and enjoy their lives.

    Read Bio
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Room to Breathe

The Space

The therapy space (Williamstown)

Our Williamstown therapy office has been intentionally designed to feel calm, private, and supportive. With warm lighting and comfortable seating, the space is created to help your nervous system settle, making it easier to slow down, feel at ease, and engage in meaningful therapy. This is a space built for connection, not just appointments.

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Online therapy (Australia-Wide)

That same sense of care and focus carries into our online therapy sessions. We use a secure telehealth platform to ensure privacy and confidentiality, while creating a calm, distraction-free environment for therapy. Whether you’re joining from home or elsewhere, you’ll receive the same grounded, intentional support available in-person.

FAQs

Am I ready for this?

You don't need to be in crisis to start.

  • We work with adolescents, teens, and young adults experiencing anxiety, depression, ADHD, self-harm, emotional regulation difficulties, and stress or performance pressure in sport, school, or daily life.

  • Neurodiversity-affirming therapy embraces neurodiversity, instead of focusing on changing someone, this approach celebrates unique strengths and experiences, while taking into account the challenges and sensory-related needs with individualized support. It’s especially helpful for people with ADHD, autism, or other neurodivergent traits, providing a supportive space to thrive.

  • We currently conduct in-person sessions on Mondays and Tuesdays, with telehealth available through Wednesday and Thursday evenings.

    Our hours vary throughout the week; click here to see the next available appointment times.

  • Cancellations must be made 24 hours in advance. Cancellations made within 24 hours of your appointment will incur the full session fee.

  • In your first session, we’ll take it slow. We’ll chat about what brought you to therapy and what you’re hoping to work on. You may be asked questions to best understand your current challenges, goals, and interests. We will explain confidentiality and its limits.

    You don’t have to prepare anything or worry about what to say, but it's okay if you want to and feel more comfortable being prepared for your first session.

    In your first session, we’ll take it slow. We’ll chat about what brought you to therapy and what you’re hoping to work on. You may be asked questions to best understand your current challenges, goals, and interests. We will explain confidentiality and and its limits.

    You don’t have to prepare anything or worry about what to say, but it's okay if you want to and feel more comfortable being prepared for your first session.

    Online Therapy: You will receive an SMS reminder two days before your appointment and a private Zoom link one day before your appointment.

    We will connect online at your scheduled time.

    In-Person Therapy: You will receive an SMS reminder two days before and an email reminder the day before your appointment.

    When you arrive to 93 Ferguson St., Williamstown, VIC for your scheduled appointment time. You can enter the building through the path and the side door to the left of the building.

    We will retrieve you from the waiting room at your scheduled appointment time.

    Across the first 1-3 sessions, you and your therapist will discuss next steps, frequency of sessions that works for you, and a plan together that supports your therapy goals.

  • Therapy isn’t always a straight path, it can take time to see progress. If you ever feel like things aren’t clicking, have a chat with your therapist about it. Your therapist will check in with you regularly too to ensure you’re still working towards your goals. 

    Therapy should always be a collaborative process, we may need to adjust our treatment plan, approach, or goals. Together we can tweak our approach or explore new strategies to make sure you’re getting what you need.

  • No, you don’t need a doctor’s referral to book a session. Just reach out, and we can get started whenever you’re ready.

  • While we’re not available for crisis support between sessions, you can reach out to provide us with updates, scheduling adjustments, or if there's any reminders you might need in-between sessions.

    If you find yourself in an emergency, please reach out to your local mental health triage line or seek immediate assistance from 000.

Still wondering something?

Just message us - we’re happy to help!

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