Experienced. Knowledgeable. Skilful.
Our Specialist Consultations are aimed to support parents and/or carers reflect upon and negotiate through the various challenges of parenting a child with mental health challenges, neurodivergence (such as Autism or ADHD) and/or additional educational needs. We can also help you when your child is reluctant to engage with help or when you need to a guide to navigate the complex Special Educational Needs landscape
Consultations - we share our Expertise
What Are Consultations?
Our Consultants will review Consultation information you provide via a form before meeting and, as part of your Consultation, they will agree with you key tasks and a Plan for you to do moving forward. The number of sessions can vary however parents and carers generally have one to three Consultations - we recommend that you start with the first Consultation and agree with the senior clinician the frequency and number of follow-on sessions according to the key tasks and Plan. You may find that the one session is all you need.
It is possible that you are encouraged to try a new approach or idea, or you may be reassured about certain approaches that you are already taking. You may be advised to seek further support for your child or you may be guided to a specific group or parenting intervention. You may be invited to reflect upon your own childhood or relationship as parents and how these guide the way you are as a parent.
Please note that we also provide a longer-term Parenting Intervention service with our Psychotherapists (please see, ‘Treatments’ section).
Educational Psychology Consultations
‘Education is what survives when what has been learnt has been forgotten’
Sadly, for a high proportion of the children and young people we see, the educational system does not meet their individual needs. Sara - an expert at providing Educational Psychology Assessments and Reports for EHCP Plans, along with providing Expert Witness Statements for SEN Tribunals - can help you navigate and understand the different options you have navigating the Special Educational Needs landscape for your child.
Some of the issues Sara can help with:
Learning (academic) challenges at school
Emotional and/or behavioural issues at school
Emotional Based School Avoidance or Non-Attendance (EBSA or EBSNA). Also known as School Avoidance and (in the past) School Refusal
School Anxiety
Low Self-Esteem and Loss of Confidence due to specific learning challenges
Clinical Psychology Consultations
‘The kids that need the most love will ask for it in the most unloving ways’
Actually, this can be true for all children at some point in their development, especially during adolescence. If you have a child with a mental health difficulty and/or neurodiversity, you will know this only too well. We are here to understand your experiences and reflect on how you got to where you are, support you and guide you to a happier, calmer and more fulfilled future meeting your values as parents. Julien works extensively with autistic children and young people and their parents, with parents where there is Child-to-Parent abuse and violence, with young adults (say, at university) and with young people who may be self-harming or experiencing suicidality.
Help! My child doesn’t want to be seen!
This happens a lot. If your child is really struggling but does not want to be seen, we can think together about how you can help you child indirectly, such as through your responses and behavioural patterns. We can think together about how to encourage and motivate (healthy) help-seeking behaviours. We can consider different approaches to challenging and aggressive behaviours and/or school avoidance. We can advise on when and how to bring in extra resources in to the system around your child, and when and how to seek outside help.
Some of the Conditions we can help with:
Feeling low in mood, depressed or generally sad
Feeling worried or fearful
Panic and Panic Attacks
Phobias
Friendships and Relationship Issues
Anger and Aggression
Coming to terms with one’s identity and identity issues
Gender and Sexuality
Eating Problems
Family Problems and Relationships
Low Self-Esteem and Confidence
Trauma and Traumatic Experiences
Emotional Based School Avoidance or Non-Attendance (EBSA or EBSNA). Also known as School Avoidance and (in the past) School Refusal
Self-Harm and Suicidality
Urges and Unhelpful Behaviours, such as Addictions
Impulsiveness and Inattention
Adjusting to Physical Health Challenges