Consultation
To seek a consultation with me does not necessarily mean that your child or adolescent needs to start psychotherapy.
Sometimes, depending on the presenting problem, few consultations maybe enough to throw some light into a situation that has been ‘tricky’ and difficult for the child and the parents to understand or cope with. Talking about the difficult situation in a safe and neutral environment can lessen the dramatic aspect of it. It can also enable the child or young person and parents to process and digest their feelings about a particular situation so that a new understanding can emerge.
However, in other cases further psychological investigation is required in order to establish what could be causing the child’s emotional distress. When this is the case, I work with the parent[s] and the child or young person to explore what the problem might be and we work together toward restoring emotional balance.
Initial Meeting
The first meeting is an initial contact during which you tell me your concerns about your child. At the end of the meeting I will tell you if I can help and what I can offer you and your child. You do not have to commit to further consultations or to psychotherapy for your child in this first meeting.
Following an assessment, if psychotherapy for your child is agreed, we will discuss a mutually convenient time for the sessions.
Duration of Therapy
It is realistic to undergo three sessions in order to be able to assess whether child psychotherapy is appropriate for your child.
Depending on the presenting symptoms, psychotherapy can be short term between 10 to 12 sessions or long term, 28 sessions or more.
Psychotherapy is not a quick fix. It requires patience and commitment from all parties involved. In the course of your child’s psychotherapy I will meet regularly with you to discuss the work. You may also contact me at any time to let me know of any concern or progress. An ongoing dialogue between you and I is an important part of your child’s psychotherapy.