If you have been advised or have decided independently to find a counsellor or therapist for your child, or for your family as a whole, you may wish to explore the possibilities and decide which approach would be most suitable for your situation. Many of the organisations listed below hold lists of approved and accredited practitioners currently working in the UK. Your GP should be able to refer you to specialist help and can be your first port of call.

PSYCHIATRISTS

Royal College of Psychiatrists
17 Belgrave Square
London SW1X 8PG
Telephone:
Fax:
E-mail: rcpsych

Psychiatrists are doctors who have a specialised understanding of the mind. Although it is possible to find psychiatrists privately, the Royal College of Psychiatrists say that it is usual to be referred to a psychiatrist by your GP. You can check with the RCP to see whether a psychiatrist who has been recommended is registered with them. They have a page of information about Child and Adolescent Mental Health with details of audiotapes, books, and factsheets available.

The Welsh Division
Baltic House
Mount Stuart Square
Velindre Road
Cardiff CF10 5FH
Telephone/Fax:

The Scottish Division
9 Queen Street
Edinburgh EH2 1JQ
Telephone:
Fax:

The Northern Irish Division
Forsyth Business Centre
2-14 East Bridge Street
Belfast BT1 3MQ
Telephone:
Fax:

PSYCHOLOGISTS

The British Psychological Society
Head Office
St Andrew’s House
48 Princess Road East
Leicester
LE1 7DR
Telephone:
Fax:
E-mail: enquiry

Psychologists are trained to understand how people behave, think and learn and can help to address a range of problems. There are many specialist areas within the field of psychotherapy but the most relevant to children are clinical child psychology and educational psychology, both of which involve a minimum of six years training. Educational psychologists also have a teaching qualification, teaching experience and a further year studying educational psychology.

Educational psychologists generally work within the school system and in the community. They have many psychological and educational assessment techniques and play a key role in assessing children’s difficulties from an early stage. Every child, parent and state-maintained school is entitled to have access to an educational psychologist.

Clinical child psychologists spend three years as part of their training applying their understanding of psychology through practical work with patients. The sort of problems they might deal with include depression, addictive behaviour and behavioural problems in childhood.

For more information about these specialist categories click on the ‘Search help’ option in ‘Search for a psychologist’, then click on ‘Work Areas’. This database is also the place to search for a local practitioner.

If you are unsure who to approach, your GP can refer you to a psychologist in the private sector, or you can phone the British Psychological Society.

It is worth discussing the cost and duration of treatment and length of sessions with the practitioner in advance.

COUNSELLORS

British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy
BACP House
35-37 Albert Street
Rugby
Warks CV21 2SG
Telephone:
Fax:
E-mail: bacp

This organisation incorporates many different approaches to counselling and psychotherapy. In order to choose the one best suited to your requirements, you will need to describe your situation and have an assessment carried out. Some forms of counselling and psychotherapy focus on the relationship between client/therapist as a way of clarifying underlying problems. Others may involve looking at the past or examining present behaviour and thinking patterns.

In addition to checking the credentials of any counsellor or therapist you are considering, make enquiries about the frequency, duration and cost of sessions. Charges can vary (the association’s guidelines are Ј10 - 80+ per session) and there is often a sliding scale according to your financial circumstances. It is also worth finding out there is a charge made for cancelled appointments.

The association has useful resources including ‘Finding the right therapist’, which may help you identify the kind of practitioner who may be able to help, and ‘What can you expect from counselling and psychotherapy?'. You can use their directory to locate a therapist anywhere in the UK. You can also see your GP for a referral.

PSYCHOTHERAPISTS

There is a range of approaches available within the discipline of psychotherapy. The professional relationship between therapist and client provides a framework within which difficult or painful experiences and emotions can be explored. The UK Council for Psychotherapy gives a brief introduction to each method and provides details of the main organisations to contact (see under Sections & Member Organisations). These include:

Child Psychotherapy

The Association of Child Psychotherapists
120 West Heath Road
London NW3 7TU
Telephone:
Fax:
E-mail: acp

A child psychotherapist can work with children from a very young age. The frequency of sessions will depend on the nature of the problem. Contact the association for details of child psychotherapists in public services or in private practice. They will also be able provide information about reduced fee schemes.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP)
BABCP General Office
Globe Centre
PO Box 9
Accrington, Lancs BB5 0XB
Telephone:
E-mail: babcp

Cognitive and Behavioural Therapies involve the practitioner and client working together to understand problems and how they affect thoughts, feelings and actions. The focus is on the present rather than the past and involves planning changes in behaviour with practical goals and strategies to follow between sessions. The aim is for the client to find more helpful coping mechanisms. This approach is used for problems such as depression, panic attacks, phobias and obsessive-compulsive disorders, and bipolar disorder.

For more detailed information see the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies site. They can also help you find a therapist.

Psychoanalytical Psychotherapy

British Confederation of Psychotherapists
West Hill House
6 Swains Lane
London N6 6QS
Telephone:
Fax:
E-mail: mail

The Scottish Association of Psychoanalytical Psychotherapists
18 Young Street
Edinburgh, EH2 4JD
Telephone:
Fax:

Psychoanalytical psychotherapy offers a confidential place in which the client’s unconscious inner world can be reflected in the client/therapist relationship.

The treatment can be effective for a range of psychological disorders or for underlying feelings of depression. Children can also be treated. It is usual to have an initial consultation to see if therapy is appropriate. This type of therapy generally involves a long-term commitment. The cost and frequency of sessions, which can vary, would be discussed with the therapist.

To find a therapist, you can order a of the national register (cost Ј20) from the BCP (see below), or ask them to send photocopies of the pages for your area. They suggest you take advice from your GP or medical professionals.

Some members of the society provide reduced fee schemes for children and adolescents. (Refer to the Association of Child Psychotherapists above.)

FAMILY THERAPISTS

The Institute of Family Therapy 
24-32 Stephenson Way
London NW1 2HX
Telephone:
Fax:

IFT provides a range of services for families with young children and adolescents. The organisation is geared towards working with larger family groups to resolve relationship issues, although it is possible to arrange one-to-one sessions. Their Centre for Child Focused Practice aims to help families prevent or address the sort of problems which might otherwise require psychiatric treatment. The Family Mediation Service can help parents to deal with the practical and emotional questions that arise from separation or divorce.

The Association for Family Therapy has a useful page explaining the principles behind family therapy.

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS

Occupational therapists can help children to overcome mental, emotional and physical disabilities and enable them to function independently. This includes children with developmental difficulties. The treatment may involve practising or relearning everyday activities such as dressing, bathing and eating or practising selected work, play or leisure activities. Occupational therapists are awarded B.Sc. degrees after three years of training.

The British Association and College of Occupational Therapists 
106-114 Borough High Street
London SE1 1LB
Telephone:
Fax:

SPEECH-LANGUAGE THERAPISTS

Speech-language therapists specialise in communication development and the conditions which cause delays and disorders in children and are trained to provide the appropriate intervention. Although they can help children of any age, the bulk of their work is with 2 to 5 year olds with language, speech and fluency difficulties.

The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists is a professional body which awards licences and maintains a register of practising members. They provide a brief guide to the work of speech and language therapists and information about how to contact one.

2/3 White Hart Yard
London SE1 1NX 
Telephone:  

I CAN is the national educational charity for children with speech and language difficulties.

Speech-language pathologist Caroline Bowen’s website has a comprehensive list of FAQS about Children’s Speech Sound Disorders.

ARTS THERAPISTS

Music Therapists

Music therapy is based on the belief that everyone can respond to music. It can, for example, be used to help children suffering from emotional and behavioural problems, learning difficulties, physical illness and communication disorders. During a session the music therapist will improvise using a piano and their own voice and the child will be encouraged to respond vocally or using a range of percussion instruments. This creates a relationship in which emotions can be expressed and reflected without the use of words. Each session is recorded so that responses and progress can be monitored. Music therapists, who must be accomplished musicians in their own right, undergo a two-year training before they are able to practice.

The Association of Professional Music Therapists has a comprehensive introduction to music therapy on their website and produces a small number of pamphlets. Contact them at APMToffice for details of music therapists working near you.

Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy UK offers useful general information about music therapy and details of their centre in North London. Go to their referral page if you are looking for a therapist in the London area.

Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy
2 Lissenden Gardens
London NW5 1PP
Telephone:

Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy in Scotland
Room 1, Community Buildings
8 Academy Lane
Loanhead
Midlothian EH20 9RP
Telephone:

Art Therapists

Art therapists are state-registered professionals with additional postgraduate training. Children may be referred for this sort of therapy by a teacher, an educational psychologist, a GP, Social Services or their own parent. They will be recommended either to take part in individual or group sessions. Within the framework of these sessions, which may last from three weeks to three years, children use art materials to express emotions arising from a variety of emotional and physical causes. Art therapy can form part of a multi-disciplinary approach for the treatment of autism. Contact the association for a of their register of art therapists working in the UK.

British Association of Art Therapists
24-27 White Lion Street
London N1 9PD
Telephone:
Fax:

Drama Therapists

British Association of Dramatherapists
41 Broomhouse Lane
Hurlingham Park
London SW6 3DP
Telephone:

A professional body involved in the promotion of dramatherapy as a healing activity. Dramatherapists usually combine their specialised training with another professional skill such as teaching, nursing, social work, occupational therapy or psychiatry. The purpose of dramatherapy is to gain insights and promote self-awareness through creative expression and involvement with others. It allows individuals, alone or in groups, to enact situations and view their own experiences from an aesthetic distance and try out alternative strategies of behaviour. Contact the association for details of accredited therapists.