sessions for 4-11 year olds

Lots of our sessions have both child AND parent present. Research shows that for neurodivergent children this tends to be the most effective method of learning skills. This way you can help to support your child's learning in the sessions.

Sessions do contain a block of time where, if your child feels comfortable separating from you, they can discuss their experience with Doctor Jo. Doctor Jo usually facilitates this time with a brief activity such as making slime or colouring.

On occasion, Doctor Jo might suggest that it is most beneficial for parent-only sessions. In particular cases this may be very rare, or make up the majority of a session plan. This will depend on your child's needs and ability to engage.

Included in your hourly rate is a comprehensive summary of your session. Doctor Jo understands there is a LOT to take in during sessions, and there is no pressure on you or your child to remember all of this.

Sometimes hour long sessions are simply too intense for this age group. Often tailored resources can help learning in between the sessions, and Doctor Jo will suggest this as and when this feels relevant.

We will never bill for these without your say so.

If there are specific challenges in school then Doctor Jo may suggest putting together reasonable adjustments for a school setting, attending meetings, or if the school is willing, providing training on your child's profile.

It is best practice to communicate with schools, but we will not do so without your consent.

For many children of this age, an initial 4-session plan which focuses on: understanding challenges, communicating differences and suitable adjustments for home and school and teaching age-appropriate emotional regulation strategies is our recommended starting point.

Doctor Jo only works with neurodivergent people. This means sessions are uniquely set up to work to your needs. If sitting across from someone doesn't suit you, we won't do that. If the idea of worksheets makes you feel dread, we won't do that. It's sessions that work with your brain, not against it.

For many neurodivergent adults, diagnosis may have come later in life. You may have experienced a sense of defectiveness or alienation. You may have deep frustrations with yourself or have received negative feedback from others. This can all be highly traumatic. Sessions give you chance to make sense of this

You may wish for parents, your partner or your own children to attend parts of, or all, your sessions. This is completely encouraged in sessions with Doctor Jo. It can sometimes be difficult to communicate your experiences, and if others attending is helpful then this will be facilitated.

Sessions can be intense, and we can cover a lot. Following the session Doctor Jo will always send a summary to help you to get the most from your sessions.

Clinical Psychologists are trained in several therapeutic modalities. Rather than sticking specifically with one kind of therapeutic technique, Doctor Jo uses techniques from CBT, Schema Therapy and Narrative Therapy to work around your needs.