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Hatsch

Youth Mental Health Support & Wellbeing Counselling in Melbourne

Supporting Young Minds to Find Their Calm, Clarity, and Voice.Neuro-affirming mental health and wellbeing support for young people aged 8 to 25. Combining clinical social work approaches with play-informed techniques to help you navigate life’s challenges on your own terms.🔥Free session is available
Take the pressure off. If you are unsure whether this is the right fit for you or your young person, you can book a free first session, subject to availability.

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About Hatsch

You've found a Space Where You Don’t Have to Just Talk.At Hatsch, we believe that therapy shouldn't feel like a test or a clinical interrogation.For an 8-year-old, the world is explored through action and imagination.
For a 25-year-old, the world is often a juggle of identity, stress, and transition.My approach bridges these worlds. As an AASW Accredited Social Worker (and currently pursuing Accreditation as a Mental Health Social Worker), I provide a safe, neuro-affirming space where we focus on your story, not just a label.Whether we are using play-based tools to process big feelings or clinical strategies to manage anxiety, my goal is to help you build a toolkit of confidence that lasts long after our sessions end.If you're someone who feel stuck, burnt out, or unsure where to start, Book your free session here!We support young people aged 8 to 25 experiencing:🔴 Anxiety, low mood, or school stress
🔴 Family or friendship conflict
🔴 Anger, frustration, or emotional overwhelm
🔴 Procrastination or motivation struggles
🔴 ADHD, autism, or neurodivergence-related challenges
🔴 Low self-esteem or confidence issuesSessions are practical, supportive, gentle, and conversational. We focused on what matters most to the young person right now, not on long forms or clinical jargon, just honest talk and simple strategies.

Our Services (What We Do)

For the Younger Ones: Ages 8–12
🔴Play-Informed Wellbeing: Children don’t always have the words for "anxiety" or "trauma," but they can play them out. I use therapeutic play techniques, drawing, games, and creative expression, to help kids process emotions and build resilience.
🔴School & Social Navigation: Helping children manage the pressures of the classroom and the complexities of friendships in a way that feels natural and fun.For the Teens & Young Adults: Ages 13–25
🔴Neuro-Affirming Support: Specialized care for ADHD, Autistic, and neurodivergent individuals. We focus on self-advocacy and understanding your unique brain, not "fixing" it.
🔴Transition & Mental Health: Support for school-leavers, university students, and young professionals navigating burnout, low mood, or life-stress.
🔴Creative Expression: Even for adults, talk therapy can be exhausting. I offer creative ways to explore identity and solve problems without the pressure of constant eye contact and clinical jargon.

Hatsch Counsellor

Hi, I’m Ya Ker. I’m an AASW-Accredited Social Worker (Master of Social Work, Federation University) dedicated to the mental health and wellbeing of young people aged 8 to 25.My journey to founding Hatsch was shaped by a background in community mental health, school-based programs, and the wellness sector. This experience taught me that true healing is holistic, it’s about how our lifestyle, physical health, and emotions all connect.In my sessions, I move away from "clinical" jargon. Whether we are using evidence-based tools like CBT and ACT, or exploring big feelings through play-informed techniques, my goal is to provide a low-pressure space where you can be yourself and find practical ways to move forward.🎓 Professional Credentials
🔴AASW Accredited Social Worker: Committed to the highest ethical and clinical standards in Australian Social Work.🔴AMHSW Candidate: Currently pursuing accreditation as a Mental Health Social Worker, specializing in high-level clinical support.🔴Play-Informed Practitioner: Integrating therapeutic play and creative modalities to help young people achieve their wellbeing goals.Based in Melbourne | Offering in-person sessions.

Session & Fees & Free Sessions

How We Work
At Hatsch, sessions are designed to help young people (aged 8–25) feel calmer, clearer, and more confident. We focus on practical support and emotional wellbeing, providing a neuro-affirming space where the goal is progress, not just a diagnosis.Because therapy doesn't have to happen in a sterile room, I offer flexible ways to connect:🔴Creative & Play-Informed Sessions: Using creative tools to explore big feelings.🔴Walk & Talk: Getting outdoors for a more natural, side-by-side conversation.🔴Café Chats: Meeting in a relaxed, everyday setting (available in Melbourne).🧾Funding & Payment Options:
NDIS: If you are an NDIS participant (Self-Managed or Plan-Managed), you can typically access these sessions using your existing funding with no out-of-pocket costs.
Private Sessions: Competitive private rates are available for those not on the NDIS.📣Financial Accessibility:
I believe mental health support should be accessible. I offer reduced-fee and limited pro bono spots for families and young people doing it tough. If you're facing financial barriers, please reach out, we’ll work something out together.

A Note on Medicare & Rebates
Currently, Hatsch sessions sit outside the Medicare "Better Access" scheme. While I am an Accredited Social Worker moving toward Mental Health Accreditation (AMHSW), our current focus is on social and emotional wellbeing rather than medical diagnostics.What this means for you:✅No Referral Needed: You don’t need a GP Mental Health Treatment Plan to start. You can book directly and begin when you're ready.✅Low-Pressure & Practical: Our work is focused on your day-to-day life and practical goals, free from the constraints of clinical labeling.✅Collaborative Care: If we find that specialized clinical support (like a Psychologist or GP) is needed, I will help guide you and your family to the right local services, such as Headspace.

Ready to see if we’re the right fit?

I offer a free first session for all new families and young people. No pressure, no long forms, just a chance to see if our approach feels right for you.

Book a Session / Contact

Whether you want to apply for a free first session, book a formal session, refer a young person, or ask a question, start here. We will get back to you within one business day.📍 Based in Melbourne

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Mini Q & A

I am not sure if Hatsch is the right fit. What should I do?
You can apply for a free first session to see how it feels. It is a gentle way to try it out before deciding anything.Do I need a GP referral?
No referral needed. You can book directly, it’s simple, private, and you don’t have to go through any medical steps first.Can I get a Medicare rebate?
Not at the moment. Hatsch isn’t part of the Medicare Better Access program, because our focus is emotional support and wellbeing rather than clinical therapy. That means you can reach out early, without needing a diagnosis or treatment plan.What happens in the first session?
The first session is a chance to get to know each other and talk about what’s going on. We’ll explore what’s been feeling tricky, what’s been helping (or not), and what you’d like to change. There’s no pressure, no forms or labels, just conversation.Is it confidential?
Yes. What’s said in sessions stays private. The only time something might be shared is if there’s a serious safety concern, and even then, we’ll always talk about it first.What if things feel bigger than we expected?
That’s okay. If it ever seems like you’d benefit from extra clinical help (like a psychologist, GP, or headspace), we’ll help you connect with the right service. You won’t have to figure it out alone.

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