How we work

How to get started with us

The first step in reaching out to us is always a message. We know that this decision is often preceded by many questions and uncertainties, so we aim to provide clear information and professional support at every stage of the process. Below we summarise the concerns you can turn to us with, and describe step by step how registration and the first period unfold.

In what matters can you ask for our help?

At our Centre we provide clinical psychological, child psychiatric, neuropsychological, special educational (remedial) and art therapy care for children, adolescents and their families. Families most often turn to us with the following concerns:

• emotional and mood-related difficulties – anxiety, fears, sadness, self-esteem difficulties, child psychiatric problems;
• behavioural and relational difficulties – managing anger, peer relationships, adjustment at school;
• developmental, attention and learning difficulties, and specific (partial-skill) difficulties;
• questions relating to the autism spectrum – assessment and development;
• processing family changes, crises and losses;
• adolescent difficulties and crisis situations.

If you are unsure which area your difficulty belongs to, that is not a problem: after registration we clarify together what the most appropriate first step would be for you and your child.

How can you register?

You can register for an assessment, consultation or therapy through the registration form on our website. We respond to the completed form within 5 working days at the latest. Based on what you describe, we let you know how it is best to begin. If your message makes it clear, we start directly with the assessment; if not, we recommend an initial orientation consultation.

Orientation consultation

If it is not clear from the registration message how to begin, the process starts with an orientation consultation. This usually takes place with one specialist, and sometimes with two. In the latter case the consultation runs in parallel, with a separate specialist for the young person and for the parents or carers. A short written summary of the orientation consultation and its outcome, including a recommendation, is prepared and provided to the parent or guardian.

Before the first session

Before the first session we send out an anamnesis (case-history) form and a consent declaration, which we ask you to complete and return by email. If you have any previous assessment documents, please attach them by email as well.

How the assessment unfolds

In the assessment phase with children, the psychologist or psychiatrist meets the parents first. Work with adolescents differs from therapy with children. In these cases the clinical specialist often works only with the adolescent, and communicates with the parents in joint parent consultations, in the adolescent’s presence. The first interview then takes place with the adolescent and the parents together or – if desired, and with the parents’ support – with the adolescent alone. After the differential diagnostic phase – usually 3–5 sessions following the first conversation – it is decided what therapy we recommend for the child. You also receive a written opinion on this.