At Chrysalis Psychology & Wellbeing, our child psychologists in Hobart help children, young people, and families understand separation anxiety and build the skills that lead to calmer goodbyes and more confident days. Our psychologists also offer telehealth sessions across Australia.
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The morning starts with tears. Your child clings to your leg at the school gate. Their eyes fill with panic. They beg you not to leave. The teacher gently peels them away, and you walk to your car feeling guilty, worried, and exhausted before the day has even begun.
Or maybe it is bedtime. Your child cannot settle unless you are right there. They call out again and again. They worry something bad will happen while they sleep. They need to know you are safe before they can close their eyes.
Separation anxiety is one of the most common anxiety presentations in childhood [1]. While some level of distress around separation is developmentally normal, particularly in young children, it becomes a concern when the distress is intense, prolonged, or getting in the way of daily life.
Separation anxiety is rooted in attachment and the need for safety. It reflects a child’s difficulty tolerating separation, uncertainty, or perceived threat when away from a trusted caregiver.
Separation anxiety may look like:
Separation anxiety is most common in early childhood, but it can also affect older children and adolescents. It may emerge or intensify after changes such as starting school, moving house, family stress, or illness.
Families may notice:
At Chrysalis Psychology & Wellbeing, we work to understand what is driving the anxiety and support children to feel safer and more confident during separations.
Our teams approach is gentle, evidence-informed, and practical.
We help children and families understand how anxiety works and what maintains separation fears.
We teach strategies to manage anxiety and tolerate distress during separations.
We support children to face separations in a paced, supportive way that builds confidence over time. The Australian Psychological Society recognises gradual exposure as a core component of effective anxiety treatment in children [2].
We provide clear, practical strategies to support consistency and confidence at home and during transitions.
Your first session is about understanding. We listen to what is happening for you, how things show up in your day, and what you hope to change. Together we create a plan that feels clear, supportive, and manageable.
Therapy at Chrysalis Psychology & Wellbeing moves at a pace that feels safe while still supporting steady progress. You remain in control of the process.
Sessions with our psychologists are available face-to-face at our Battery Point rooms in Hobart, Tasmania, and via telehealth for clients anywhere in Australia. Our psychologists are experienced in working with Medicare Mental Health Treatment Plans, DVA, Open Arms, NDIS (self-managedand plan-managed), WorkCover, National Redress Scheme, and private health insurance.
[1] Lawrence,D. et al. (2015). The Mental Health of Children and Adolescents. Department of Health, Canberra. https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/the-mental-health-of-children-and-adolescents?language=en
[2] Australian Psychological Society (2018). Evidence-based Psychological Interventions. https://psychology.org.au/for-the-public/psychology-topics/evidence-based-psychological-interventions
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