For Families
When you first start to worry about your child it can be difficult to know whether you're being over-anxious or whether there is real cause for concern. Some situations do improve by themselves, others become more difficult.
Talking to friends, family, your health visitor, child's teacher or doctor can all be helpful. They may offer reassurances, helpful advice or simply support you. Perhaps they'll suggest you seek further advice from a specialist.
Taking that first step to get in touch can seem daunting. We would suggest you ring us or send an e-mail to see whether we might be right for you and your family. We can then take it from there.
Free initial conversation
You can telephone us or contact us by e-mail to give us a brief description of your concerns. It may be that we can reassure you at that point and we do not need to take it any further.
One-off Appointments
We can arrange a one-off appointment typically lasting an hour. We can then discuss in detail any particular concerns that you might have about your child's development or well-being. This can work well with concerns about toileting, sleeping, crying, eating, a particular habit or behaviour your child has and, sometimes, managing tantrums. It is also useful if you have questions about different parenting approaches or just want a general discussion about the emotional health and development of your child.
We are also pleased to announce the launch of our specialist sleep clinic, for children of all ages.
Full Assessment
Where concerns are more complex, longstanding or relationship based, it is advisable to have a full assessment. This takes about an hour and a half and we can summarise the information in a letter for you and your GP. It is likely that this will lead to further appointments.
Meeting again
If we do arrange to meet again, this will be a decision we have made together based on the information you have given us. Any on-going work (an intervention) is individually tailored, based on this shared understanding.
Antenatal and Postnatal Sessions
During pregnancy there is an understandable focus on the physical health of the mum-to-be and the developing baby. During the third trimester, this includes thinking about delivering the baby safely. However, this is also an incredibly emotional time for both parents. As well as excitement and wonderment it is only natural to feel anxious at times - anxious about the birth but perhaps also anxious, or at least curious, about life with a baby.
So many people seem to have strong views about raising a new baby. Unfortunately, they don't always agree!
We run antenatal and postnatal sessions where you can have a chance to think about what your views are on a range of issues: do you leave a baby to cry or rush to pick them up? Is it possible to spoil a baby? Is it better to feed on demand or by the clock? To swaddle or not to swaddle? There's a lot to think about.
We can tell you about all of the latest evidence and theory around the emotional wellbeing of infants. You can learn about the bonding and attachment research; learn how to tell what your baby wants and needs; find out just how amazing your baby is from the moment they're born - and before.
We're learning more and more about baby brain development and just how important those first few months are in shaping who your child will become. This session provides the opportunity for you to make informed decisions about your parenting.
We can come to your antenatal or postnatal group or can see small groups at our premises in Henley in Arden.
Each group is individually tailored to the questions and concerns of its members. We can meet once or more but need at least two hours.
If you would prefer, we can think about all of these issues and more on an individual basis.