Individuals

Where there are particular concerns about children or families, we offer specialist assessment and individual therapeutic support. We also provide specialist training, consultation and supervision for professionals who work with under fives and their families. 

If you are interested in any of these services please contact us. 

Story Stem Assessment Profile (SSAP)

The Story Stem Assessment Profile is an assessment tool developed at Great Ormond Street and the Anna Freud Centre. It is a series of 13 story beginnings, which present children with a range of different family scenarios using doll and animal figures as well as language. The child is then invited to complete the stories in whatever way they like. The assessments also include parent only sessions to help the assessor understand the child’s experiences and parental concerns,

This approach allows assessment of the child’s expectations and perceptions of family roles, attachments and relationships, without asking the child direct questions which might cause them too much conflict or anxiety. It also has the advantage for younger children of allowing both verbal and non-verbal means of expression. This enables children to communicate memories or expectations which are not part of verbally based memory, or which they are anxious about putting into words. The assessment provides detailed insights into the child’s experiences, perspectives and attachment styles, which can be discussed with parents to support their understanding and responses to their child.  

  • • Mixture of in person sessions at your home and online session

  • • Four to five sessions over a period of six to eight weeks, plus detailed report

  • • Delivered by experienced Child Psychotherapist with specialist training in SSAP

Specialist Psychoanalytic Parent Consultations (SPPC)

Specialist Psychoanalytic Parent Consultations provide bespoke, individual support to parents who would like help with understanding their young child’s needs and behaviour, particularly those that they find challenging, distressing or confusing. Sessions are usually offered to parents with children up to the age of five years old.

In SPPC parents and therapist reflect on the emotions and thoughts that might be behind the child’s behaviour, as well as parents’ own feelings and responses to their child. Therapist and parents work collaboratively to develop an understanding of what the child might be ‘saying’ with their behaviour and what sort of responses might be helpful. Developing new understandings their child’s and their own internal experiences helps parents find more ways connect with their child, de-escalate difficult situations, and manage conflicts. Where relevant sessions also focus on the impact of early adversity and trauma on young children’s development, attachment needs and behaviour. 

• Online, parent-only session

• Blocks of eight to 12 sessions offered weekly, fortnightly or monthly,  which can be extended if needed

• Provided by experienced Child Psychotherapist with specialist training in working with very young children and their families, including those affected by early adversity

Make an enquiry

If you would like to partner with us, commission one of our groups or request supervision or consultation please get in touch.