North Star provides therapeutic services for children and young people aged 3 to 18, as well as support for their caregivers.
At North Star, we view behaviour as communication. Rather than focusing only on the behaviour itself, we seek to understand what a child may be expressing beneath the surface, whether that is stress, anxiety, overwhelm, sensory needs, unmet emotional needs, difficulties with regulation, or challenges feeling safe and connected. Using an attachment-focused, child-centred and neuroaffirming approach, we support children to develop emotional regulation, resilience, confidence, and a stronger sense of safety and connection, while also equipping parents with practical strategies to respond with confidence, compassion, and understanding.
We believe the parent-child relationship is central to growth, healing, and emotional wellbeing. Children thrive when they experience safety, connection, acceptance, co-regulation, and secure relationships with the important adults in their lives.
At North Star, we see the parent as a child's first ‘North Star,’ a steady, safe, and guiding presence who helps them navigate life's challenges and emotional experiences. Through thoughtful parenting, alongside the support of therapy when needed, that external North Star gradually becomes an internal one. Our hope is to help parents create the conditions for their children to develop their own inner ‘North Star,’ one that guides them with confidence, resilience, and self-trust long after they have grown.
We also recognise that growth occurs not only for the child, but for the parent as well. The parenting relationship can offer opportunities for parent reflection, healing, deeper connection, and personal growth, and we work collaboratively with both children and parents to support meaningful and lasting change.
North Star only uses evidence-based interventions tailored to the individual needs of each child and family. We support a wide range of emotional, behavioural, social, developmental, and trauma-related concerns, working collaboratively with families, schools, and other professionals to provide holistic and meaningful support.
What We Can Help With
Support tailored to your child's age, needs and way of experiencing the world.
Elena Sansoni, Clinical Director & Lead Therapist
Elena has worked with children, young people and their families for almost two decades, beginning her career as a primary school teacher before moving into therapeutic and clinical roles.
Her work is grounded in attachment theory and the work of Dr Dan Siegel, with a trauma-informed, ‘bottom-up’ approach: children first need to feel safe and seen before they are able to fully connect, process, learn and grow.
Placeholder image — to be replaced with Elena's professional portrait.
Professional memberships
- The Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA)
- The Australian Counselling Association (ACA)
- The Australian Play Therapists Association (APTA)
A calming guide. A trusted partner. Their North Star.
Book Now