Initial Consultation
The first consultation is an opportunity to:
Discuss your concerns and what has led you to seek support
Consider your child’s development and family circumstances
Hear different perspectives within the family
Discuss the most appropriate form of support
For children, this will usually begin with parents or carers. Depending on age and needs, the child may also attend. Adolescents and young adults may attend independently.
Following the consultation, I will discuss my initial thoughts and recommendations. This may include:
Psychotherapy assessment
Parent work
Early years intervention
Solution-Focused Brief Therapy
Another appropriate form of support
If I am not the right person to help, I will discuss alternative options with you.
Psychotherapy Assessment
An assessment usually takes four to six sessions and provides an opportunity to:
Understand the child or young person’s difficulties
Explore their experiences in a safe setting
Consider what type of support may be most helpful
Allow the child or young person to experience the therapeutic process
At the end of the assessment, recommendations and next steps will be discussed with the child, young person or family.
Confidentiality
Psychotherapy is private and confidential, allowing children and young people to explore difficult thoughts and feelings safely.
Session content is not routinely shared with parents, carers or other professionals
Confidentiality may need to be broken if there is a significant risk of harm
Information may also need to be shared where required by law or professional obligations
Where possible, I will discuss this with you beforehand
What to Expect
Beginning Therapy
If therapy is agreed:
Sessions will usually take place at a regular weekly time
Fees and frequency will be agreed beforehand
Confidentiality and its limits will be explained
Parent reviews and communication will be discussed
Arrangements for missed sessions and holidays will be agreed
Progress will be reviewed regularly
Face-to-Face Appointments
Face-to-face appointments take place at the Zellig building in Birmingham.
Please arrive shortly before your appointment
Wait in the reception area
I will meet you at the agreed time and accompany you to the therapy room
Please avoid arriving significantly early unless this has been arranged
Parent & Carer Reviews
Parent or carer reviews usually form part of individual child and adolescent psychotherapy.
These provide an opportunity to:
Discuss progress and emotional development
Share relevant changes at home, school or within the family
Consider how best to support the child
The detailed content of therapy sessions remains private. Reviews instead focus on broader themes, progress and support needs.
The level of parental involvement will depend on the child’s age and individual circumstances.
Supporting Your Child
Children may feel anxious before therapy or need time to settle afterwards.
Parents can help by:
Being available without pressuring their child to talk
Asking a simple question such as “How did it go?”
Allowing the child to decide how much they want to share
Avoiding repeated or detailed questions about the session
Keeping the time after therapy calm and allowing space to settle
If you have concerns about your child’s wellbeing or safety, please contact me so we can consider what support may be needed.