About Us

Our Mission

We work to improve child and family mental health, building hope and aspiration for the future

Commitment

We are committed to helping our children and families get the right mental health care, when and where they need it most.

We are committed to working closely with our professional partners to think together about how to achieve the best possible outcomes for our children.

Finally, we are committed to facing the challenges in our work and always striving to provide the best service we can.

Collaboration

We believe that real success comes from collaboration. We know that building effective relationships with others (such as professionals, families and commissioners) is the key to ensuring positive outcomes for the people we work with. It is only by working in partnership with each other, sharing expertise and understanding that we can, together, make a difference to young lives and build brighter futures.

Quality

We believe that our children, young people and families deserve the best quality care possible. Our staff have undergone extensive, specialist training in working therapeutically with children, young people and parents and have the skills to provide the best environment in which to bring about change. As a team, we work tirelessly to continually improve the service, using the voices of our clients to lead the way.

How We Work and what to expect from the therapeutic process

Family

Psychotherapists do not believe in working with clients in isolation. We feel instead that human difficulties can often arise or be further complicated by a range of internal and external factors (such as difficult early experiences or family adversities) which is why it is imperative that we work closely with the network around the child or family to understand these influences and scaffold any change the client may make through therapy.

Observation

In the room, psychotherapists tailor their approach to the individual client and work in an age-appropriate way. They are trained to respond to the way a child or young person wishes to communicate. During an individual session, young children do not usually talk directly about difficult things but may communicate through play using the toys provided or through the art materials. Older children may also play or create whilst teenagers might talk more about their feelings. To a trained eye these are powerful forms of communication which may express how a child or young person feels.

Relationship

The relationship between the child and the therapist is central to the treatment. Through the relationship with the therapist in a consistent setting, the child or young person may begin to feel able to express their most troubling thoughts and feelings. Confused, frightened, hurt, angry or painful feelings can gradually be put into words rather than actions. The therapist can help the child make sense of their own experience and develop their own individuality and potential. The client may then begin to feel less anxious, more able to learn and better equipped to sustain friendships and other relationships.