What is Child Psychology?

bullet Child Clinical Psychologists deal with a range of mental health, developmental and relational problems presenting in childhood or adolescence. We aim to promote emotional well-being and personal development and to prevent and reduce psychological distress and dysfunction.

bullet Parents, educators and other professionals often seek the help of a psychologist when they are concerned about a child’s mood, behaviour or development, such as their learning, social relationships and independence. The psychologist will work to identify the problem, understand the cause and contributing factors, and offer help and advice, or devise a therapeutic intervention.

bullet Psychologists follow clinical guidelines (e.g. National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence) and offer evidence-based interventions.  However, the nature and course of therapy is planned collaboratively with children and parents.

Who Can Benefit From Child Psychology?

Children experiencing:

bullet Behavioural and emotional difficulties, presenting at home or in other settings, e.g. anxiety, depression, aggression
bullet Learning difficulties and abilities such as dyslexia or ‘giftedness’
bullet Neurological and mental health problems such as ADHD and autism
bullet Common paediatric and developmental problems relating to sleep, toileting, eating and behaviour

A range of psychological interventions might be applied including:

bullet Behaviour Therapy (Applied Behaviour Analysis, ABA), including individualised behaviour change programmes or an individualised developmental curriculum
bullet Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), typically 6 to 24 sessions
bullet Family and brief therapies (e.g. narrative, solution-focused)
bullet Parenting advice and training (e.g. parent-child interaction therapy)

Support to schools and other professionals

bullet Specialist consultation to schools
bullet Supervision and training of other clinicians and tutors