The Leicester Psychology Clinic team offers extensive experience in child and adolescent mental health, especially with looked-after and adopted children. Our child therapy services include:
• Parenting consultation and guidance
• Emotional regulation and anxiety support
• Behavioural concerns
• Attachment issues
• Trauma-informed care
We also offer specialist support funded through the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund (ASGSF). Therapeutic work includes direct sessions with children and young people, parent sessions, and multi-agency consultation.
Psychological Therapy
Psychological therapy, often simply called “therapy”, is a collaborative treatment process rooted in conversation between an individual and a trained mental health professional, which helps to explore thoughts, feelings and behaviours. Therapy is not only for those diagnosed with mental health conditions; it also provides valuable support for those facing everyday challenges, transitions, or periods of personal growth. Through a variety of approaches and techniques, therapy seeks to foster self-awareness, enhance wellbeing, and empower individuals to lead more satisfying lives.
Psychologists differ from Psychotherapists and Psychiatrists in their training. All Psychologists have an undergraduate degree in psychology, and additional training in a specialist branch of psychology to a Doctorate or Masters degree level. This may be in Clinical, Educational, Counselling or Forensic Psychology. Psychologists often specialise in one area of work and undertake specialist training in this area, e.g. neurodevelopmental assessments, and different types of therapy. All practicing Psychologists have to be registered with the Health Care Professionals Council (HCPC).
Therapies Offered
Child and adolescent therapies encompass a variety of therapeutic approaches designed to address mental health issues, emotional challenges, and behavioural concerns. These therapies aim to enhance wellbeing, improve coping strategies, and promote personal growth. We provide a variety of therapies for children, such as:
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for children is a structured, goal-oriented form of psychotherapy that aims to help young individuals understand and change their thoughts and behaviours. It is particularly effective for various issues such as anxiety, depression, and behavioural problems. In CBT, children learn to identify negative thought patterns and how these thoughts influence their emotions and actions.
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR)
EMDR is a psychotherapy approach that helps individuals, including children, process traumatic experiences and reduce the distress associated with them. For children, EMDR is adapted to suit their developmental level and needs. EMDR for children is often engaging and playful, incorporating activities that resonate with their interests. It is effective for a range of issues, including PTSD, anxiety, and other trauma-related symptoms. Overall, EMDR can empower children to process their experiences, leading to improved emotional wellbeing and resilience.
Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP)
Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP) is a therapeutic approach specifically designed for children who have experienced trauma, particularly those with attachment disorders. It focuses on fostering secure attachments and emotional connections between the child and their caregivers. DDP emphasizes the importance of the parent-child relationship in the healing process. It is attachment-relationship focused, the therapist works to create a trusting relationship with both the child and the caregiver, facilitating open communication and emotional exploration.
Parenting Support
Parenting support plays a crucial role in promoting and maintaining a child’s mental health. There are several ways it can be beneficial supporting parents to foster a secure emotional environment where children feel safe to express their feelings. Encouraging open dialogue about feelings, experiences, and concerns helps children articulate their thoughts and reduces feelings of isolation. Parents can be supported to develop healthy coping strategies, problem-solving skills, and emotional regulation, which set a strong example for their children. Parenting support includes being attuned to signs of mental health struggles. Early identification of issues allows for prompt intervention, whether through professional help or supportive strategies at home.
Child Therapy
Child and adolescent psychotherapists are able to treat a wide range of difficulties faced by children and young people across the age range from 0-25 years old, and also can work with their parents. With under-fives, they might help parents and infants to overcome difficulties around sleeping, feeding, aggressive outbursts and tantrums.
In work with older children, they may see those who are experiencing problems with peer relationships, who are underachieving at school or who are demonstrating oppositional behaviour. When working with adolescents and young adults, they may treat young people who have eating disorders, who self harm, who are depressed or anxious or who suffer from insecurity and a lack of confidence.
Child and adolescent psychotherapists may specialise in particular areas, such as work with looked after or adopted children and their carers; children with learning difficulties and disabilities; children and young people with chronic, acute or long-term illness; and children suffering the effects of neglect or abuse.
Work with children, young people and/or parents includes assessment, consultations, short-term or long term, from as few as two to six sessions to regular appointments over several years.
Fill out the form below to enquire about our child and adolescent therapy services, and a member of our team will be in touch within 48 hours
