What to Expect
1. INITIAL CONVERSATION
In the first instance, we would arrange a free-of-charge 20-minute call. I would like to hear about the difficulties and challenges that your child/young person/family are struggling with and what you/your child/young person feel would be helpful. Young adults will likely prefer to call me themselves.
3. ASSESSMENT
If, at this stage, we agree to move forward, we will arrange a further in-depth consultation for either parents/carers, or the young adult, in which we will discuss the child's or young person's developmental history and history of the presenting (and past) difficulties. During this assessment phase, I will then arrange to meet the child or young person 2-3 times for assessment sessions (either with or without the parent/carer present initially, depending on the child's age and their preferences).
PARENT/CARER SUPPORT
It is sometimes helpful for parent/carer support sessions to run alongside a therapeutic intervention; if possible, this can be with myself but often, it is necessary for this to occur with another qualified Child & Adolescent Psychotherapist.
2 INITIAL APPOINTMENT
Usually, parents / young adult will be invited for an initial appointment to establish the areas of concern. If it is clear that there are significant concerns about the child/young person and these are significantly impeding the person's development or emotional well-being, I may suggest an assessment.
4. REVIEW & FEEDBACK
After the assessment process, if psychotherapeutic support and intervention are required and mutually agreed to by all involved, a treatment plan is put in place to include both sessions and treatment reviews (age dependent). If it is thought that another intervention would be more suitable, I will suggest this and recommend further support. Sometimes, it may not be necessary to offer a child individual psychotherapy, but support and guidance to parents/carers or other agencies involved with the child could be helpful.
VIDEO CONSULTATION
Video consultations may be possible for adolescent treatment, parent/carer support, and consultation work (if appropriate).