For a parent
When to be concerned
Most teenagers go through hard patches, and most come through them.
What is worth noticing is a change that lasts more than a couple of weeks: pulling away from friends, losing interest in things they used to enjoy, sleeping or eating very differently, marks dropping, or anger and irritability that is not like them.
None of these proves anything on its own. Taken together, and lasting, they are a good reason to talk to someone.
How to raise it
Choose a calm moment, not the middle of an argument.
Say what you have noticed, not what you think is wrong. “You have seemed very tired lately” is easier to hear than “something is wrong with you”.
Listen more than you speak. Ask whether they would be willing to talk to someone, and let them look at this page.
What the first session involves
A parent or guardian makes the first appointment, by phone.
At the start I explain to you and your teenager, together, how I work and what stays private.
What I will and will not tell you
I do not report back on what your teenager says in a session.
I will tell you, in general terms, how things are going. I will always tell you if I believe your child is at risk of serious harm.
To make an appointment, please phone the rooms.
For a teenager
What therapy actually is
It is a private conversation with someone whose job is to listen and to help you make sense of things.
You are not in trouble, and it does not mean something is wrong with you.
You can ask anything
How it works, how long it takes, what I write down. You can also say when you do not want to talk about something.
What stays private
What you tell me stays between us. I do not go back to your parents with what you said.
There is one exception. If I thought you were in serious danger, I would have to tell someone who can keep you safe. I explain this before we start, so there are no surprises.
How to get here
You can phone the rooms yourself, or you can come with a parent.
If things are very bad right now, do not wait for an appointment. Go to Get help now.
The information on this website is general information. It is not psychological advice, not a diagnosis, and not a substitute for a consultation.