Adolescent and Young Adult Psychotherapy

I run an evening clinic for adolescents and young adults. Depending on the young person’s age and the circumstances of the referral it may be advisable to have a parent/carer information and support session prior to commencing work with the young person. If the young person being referred is aged 16+ they may have the option of sitting in on this initial meeting. Thereafter the sessions will mostly be conducted with the young person without involvement of parent/carer though there are some exceptions to this.

  • If we are engaged in attachment based therapy the parent/carer of the young person will be involved in the therapy.
  • If the reason for referral is centred on adolescent-parent communication we may agree to engage in joint sessions as part of our treatment goals.
  • It is always an option for a young person to invite parents/carers into a session with them at various points of the treatment
  • If the safety and well-being of the young person is compromised and/or they cannot give me an assurance of their own safety I will involve parents/carers immediately and the young person will be advised of this action.

There are many reasons for adolescents and young adults to be referred to me for therapy and these include, but are not limited to:

  • Self-harm
  • Eating Disorders
  • Anxiety
  • School refusal
  • Bullying
  • Negative risk taking behaviours
  • Attachment Disorders
  • Trauma
  • Peer relationship challenges
  • Social withdrawal/isolation
  • Depression
  • Reactions to life events such as death, divorce, separation, relocation