Private Psychiatry for children and Adolescents

If you're considering whether a psychiatrist might be able to help your child, an experienced clinical adviser can listen, offer advice, and help you reach a decision.

It's normal for concerned parents and carers not to know what type of support their child needs. Just call us on 0333 3390115, explain what's been happening, and we'll advise you on what we think will be most helpful for you and your family.

How do I choose a therapist for my child?

The first step is a phone call with our friendly, experienced team of assistant psychologists. Then, if you would like to book an appointment, we can arrange a session with a child and adolescent psychiatrist suited to your child's needs. It's essential to get the fit right, so we always try to match you with a clinician with whom we think you and your child will feel comfortable.

How we work

• Appointments are available at nationwide locations or online
• Sessions usually last between 60-120 minutes, depending on the type of appointment
• You will receive a report that will include a diagnosis and treatment recommendations
• Any further treatment, including medication, can be with us, another provider, or through your local NHS GP

Preparing for the assessment

If your child is nervous about talking to a stranger, they may find it helpful to bring notes or drawings demonstrating how they feel to the session. This approach often helps when a child struggles to explain thoughts and feelings through words alone.

It's natural for you and your child to feel a bit apprehensive before the assessment, but rest assured, we select all our clinicians based on their expertise and their ability to make clients feel at ease, so please try not to worry.

Can I attend the appointment?

We ask parents of children under 18 to attend the assessment with their children. The consultant will want to speak to you about your child's history and current health but may also want some time alone with your child so that they can assess behaviour without parental influence.

How long with the session last? 

Standard appointments last between 60 and 120 minutes. However, assessments for certain conditions and those with more complex requirements may need longer. We will discuss this with you if we think a longer appointment is required.

Should I bring anything to the appointment?

We will send your child's psychiatrist the information you provide in your initial phone call with us. However, before the appointment, we recommend you consider the issues discussed in the call and anything else you feel might be relevant. Make notes if you think it will help, and bring them to the appointment to help ensure you don't forget to mention anything.

Your child's report

Following your appointment, we will send you a full psychiatric report. The time it takes to produce the report often depends on how quickly we receive responses to any questionnaires needed. The report will include a detailed diagnosis, where one is clear, and any treatment recommendations.

Prescriptions

If the psychiatrist recommends medication, we suggest asking your NHS GP if they will be willing to prescribe it. In most cases, your GP will likely issue a prescription upon receipt of your psychiatrist's report. However, they will sometimes refuse to prescribe more expensive medications, such as some of those used to treat ADHD.

What happens after the assessment?

Following your appointment with the psychiatrist, we may recommend that your child see a Psychologist or Psychotherapist for further treatment. We can help arrange this treatment privately or you may wish to be treated by the NHS.

Talk to our team on 0333 3390115.