Help for Tics in Melbourne: Personalised and Evidence-Based Support
Struggling with Tics? We Can Help
Tics can appear suddenly. A blink. A sound. A repeated movement. For some people, these episodes are brief and pass unnoticed. For others, they persist and begin to interfere with daily life. This lack of control can lead to frustration, confusion and emotional strain.
At Dynamic Psychotherapy in Melbourne, we support children, teenagers and adults who are experiencing tics. You do not need a diagnosis to begin therapy. We focus on the person, not just the symptoms.
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Submit an intake form below or keep reading for an overview about seeing a psychologist for help with a tic disorder.
What Are Tics and When Is Support Helpful?
Tics are involuntary, repetitive movements or vocalisations. These can include blinking, shoulder jerking, throat clearing or sudden vocal sounds. Tics often increase during periods of stress, tiredness or emotional tension.
You might notice in children:
- Sudden repetitive behaviours or sounds
- Difficulty stopping the behaviour even when they want to
- Avoidance of social settings or increased anxiety
In adults, tics might show up as:
- Embarrassment or self-consciousness in public or work environments
- Ongoing frustration from trying to suppress the urge
- Challenges in relationships or confidence
Tics do not always require therapy. But support can be helpful when they are becoming more frequent, distressing or disruptive to daily life.
Understanding Different Types of Tics
Tics may be part of a larger pattern called a tic disorder. These include:
- Provisional tic disorder, where symptoms last less than a year
- Persistent (chronic) tic disorder, where either motor or vocal tics continue for more than a year
- Tourette syndrome, where both motor and vocal tics occur over a period longer than one year, typically beginning in childhood
Tics often emerge between ages five and ten. Some children outgrow them. Others may carry them into adolescence or adulthood. Tics can also occur alongside anxiety, ADHD, OCD, autism spectrum presentations and learning or emotional difficulties.
At Dynamic Psychotherapy, we work with the full picture. We aim to understand not just the tic itself, but how it impacts a person’s life, wellbeing and relationships.
What Causes Tics?
There is no single cause of tics. They are linked to how the brain regulates movement, emotion and attention. Tics often run in families and may worsen with stress, fatigue or emotional overload.
In some cases, tics develop during stressful periods and fade when the pressure lifts. In others, they reflect a neurological pattern that begins in early development. Emotional tension that cannot be expressed in words may instead be expressed physically. This is particularly true in children who do not yet have the capacity to understand or regulate their feelings.
When defences such as avoidance or suppression collapse, emotional pressure may be redirected into somatic symptoms like tics. In these situations, therapy that builds emotional resilience and regulation becomes essential.
How ISTDP Helps People with Tics
Tics are not always purely behavioural. Many are closely connected to emotional pressure, especially when a person is struggling to recognise, manage or express complex feelings. In these cases, tics may function as a way to discharge unprocessed tension.
Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP) is a structured and emotionally focused approach that helps uncover the underlying emotional factors driving tics. It is particularly effective when symptoms are linked to anxiety or inner conflict.
In ISTDP, we work collaboratively to:
- Recognise emotional tension that builds before a tic occurs
- Understand the anxiety patterns and defences that may be contributing
- Support the ability to stay present with difficult emotions rather than avoiding them
- Resolve internal conflicts that are often outside of conscious awareness
Co-Creating Change explains how symptoms can be the result of unconscious defences against feelings that once felt too painful or dangerous to experience. By helping the person face these feelings in a safe, supportive way, ISTDP reduces the need for symptoms to express what cannot yet be spoken.
As the person builds emotional awareness and resilience, tic frequency and intensity may ease. Therapy also supports parents and carers by helping them respond to tics in ways that reduce fear, reactivity and emotional overwhelm at home.
Our Approach to Therapy for Tics
We use a tailored combination of behavioural and dynamic approaches to support real change and emotional wellbeing.
Behavioural Interventions
We provide evidence-based strategies including:
- Habit Reversal Training (HRT), which increases awareness of the urge to tic and introduces alternative responses
- Comprehensive Behavioural Intervention for Tics (CBIT), which combines HRT with stress management and day-to-day coping strategies
These approaches help reduce tics and restore a sense of control and confidence.
Psychotherapy Focused on Emotion
Many tics are intensified by emotional distress. By addressing both the behavioural patterns and the emotional roots of the symptom, we help reduce the internal pressure that fuels tics. This dual approach can be particularly effective when tics are linked to anxiety, shame or internal conflict.
What Therapy Is Like With Us
From your first session, we create a calm and respectful environment where you can feel safe to talk. We take time to understand your experience and explain what we observe in clear language. Therapy is always tailored to your goals and pace.
For parents, we offer guidance on how to respond to tics with confidence, patience and care. For adults, we provide practical support while working through deeper emotional dynamics where needed.
Reach Out Today
If tics are beginning to affect your daily life, your mood, your child’s confidence or even your peace of mind, support is available.
How to Get Started
- Call or email us to book a session
- Meet in a private and respectful space with an experienced therapist
- Leave with a clear and helpful path forward
We are here when you are ready.
FAQs About Tics and Therapy
What are the early signs of a tic disorder in children?
Tic disorders often begin with small, repeated movements such as blinking, throat clearing or shoulder jerks. These may seem like habits at first. If the behaviour continues for weeks or increases under stress or tiredness, it may be worth seeking support.
Do tics always mean there is something serious going on?
Not always. Many children and even adults have tics that are mild and temporary. However, if tics are persistent, cause distress or affect daily life, therapy can help. Our focus is on supporting emotional regulation, not just diagnosing a condition.
Can tics go away on their own?
Some tics do go away without treatment, especially in children. Others may continue or come and go over time. Therapy is useful when tics are interfering with confidence, school, work or relationships.
What therapy works best for tics?
Research supports behavioural approaches like Habit Reversal Training (HRT) and CBIT. We also use Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP), which addresses the emotional pressure that can trigger or worsen tics. This dual approach is effective for many clients.
Is it better to ignore a child’s tics or bring attention to them?
It depends on the situation. Sometimes drawing attention can increase anxiety. Other times, helping a child understand their experience reduces fear and confusion. In therapy, we guide parents on how to respond in ways that are calm, helpful and supportive.
Are tics caused by anxiety?
Tics are not caused by anxiety alone, but anxiety often makes them worse. In some cases, tics can emerge as the body’s way of expressing unresolved emotional tension. Therapy helps reduce this internal pressure and builds emotional resilience.
Can adults develop tics?
Yes. While most tic disorders begin in childhood, adults can also experience tics, especially during times of high stress or emotional conflict. Therapy can help identify contributing factors and offer relief.
Do I need a diagnosis before starting therapy?
No. You do not need a diagnosis to begin working with us. If tics are affecting your quality of life or your child’s wellbeing, we are here to help.
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