If you’re reading this, it’s probably because someone in your life – maybe your mum or dad – has suggested that it may be a good idea to talk to someone like me.
Reasons Young People See Me
Young people come to see me, clinical psychologist, for a whole range of reasons. Here are some reasons you might want to get some help.
- Maybe things get you down and make you feel miserable.
- Maybe you worry a lot or get scared and anxious about doing things that other people seem to find easy.
- Maybe things are tough at school or at home.
- Maybe something has happened to you and you just can’t seem to get over it.
Whatever the reason you may wonder what can be done to help and feel pretty scared about talking to someone. Most people do! This page is here to give you some idea of what talking to a clinical psychologist might be like so that at least you will know what to expect.
Our First Meeting
The first time we meet we will talk for about an hour. When I meet a young person for the first time it will usually be with their mum and dad. This is so that I can hear all about you and any difficulties you may have been having from you as well as the people in your family who know you best.
Not everybody will agree about what has been happening – but that’s ok – it is just helpful for me to get as much information as possible. I will then talk to you and your parents about whether it would be helpful for us to meet again and what we might do that could help.
I would like to talk to you alone as well for a time – but it is fine for someone to be with you if you prefer. If it is difficult to talk we may write things down or draw pictures. It is my job to help you to find the best way to tell me about yourself and your worries.
If there are worries about your learning at school we may do some tests to see what you are good at and what you find more difficult. I may ask you to fill in some questionnaires.
I want you to know that you can talk to me in private and I will not tell other people about what you have said unless you want me to or unless I am worried that you might be hurt by someone or something.
What I Do to Help
There are a whole range of things we can do that may be helpful. Sometimes talking on your own or with your family is the most important thing. Sometimes learning to be more relaxed or to tackle problems differently is what makes the difference. I have worked with lots of young people and will have a number of ideas for things that you can try. The most important thing is to find ways that work to help you and your family with what you are struggling with.
If there are questions you have it may be helpful to write them down and bring them with you (it’s not always easy to remember at a first meeting!). I will always be interested in what you have to say and what you want to know.