My approach to assessment and treatment

I ensure that everyone I see is fully involved in their treatment plan. At each stage of the assessment and treatment I make sure the people I work with feel included and understand and agree to the plan we devise together.

CAMHS work 0-18
0-12 – Any assessment and treatment done for this age group relies heavily on parents as children at this developmental stage cannot use effectively any previous experience and lack reflective abilities. Parents are crucial to the work I do to help re-establish a more harmonious emotional development as they are ever-present with their children and know them best.

13-18 – For this age group, I tend to work with both the young person and their parents during Assessment and Treatment with, of course, the young person’s prior agreement. I have a pool of colleagues with whom I share the therapeutic work to maintain the confidentiality the young person needs, while ensuring that their parents have an understanding of their child’s emotional situation.

Young Adults 19-25
This is the age range where generally speaking the young person and young adult may be seen individually without their parents receiving support. However, sometimes this is still needed although at a much lower frequency. In such cases, the young person/adult will have to agree to it and will be included in any decision making process.

Adults
Perinatal – Although my work is mother-centred, at this parental stage there will be issues arising related to the new born baby. My knowledge and expertise about the child’s emotional development, and the impact the mother’s emotional situation has on the attachment and shared experience with her baby, will inform the therapy.

In any individuals sessions with adults, the approach I use takes into account the experience of the individual whilst helping them to become more aware of their emotions through which we generate value and meaning in the world around us.