Frequently Asked Questions

We are a family run Centre with a strong passion for children's health and well-being. Our initial clinic opened in London in 2016 and we expanded into a second branch in Kent in 2021. We then opened our adult clinic in 2026.

All of our team are independent, highly specialised clinicians, all appropriately registered dependent on their specialism. Our counselling team are registered members of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy and our therapy and psychology team are registered members of the Health and Care Professions Council. For our assessments, we strictly follow NICE (National Institute of Health and Care Excellence) which is the guidance that NHS follow.

We currently have two branches, one in Chiswick, West London and one in Tunbridge Wells, Kent. The Tunbridge Wells branch is located in the centre of town; 4-6 Dudley Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN1 1LF.

We unfortunately do not have parking available for clients, however our building is very central in Tunbridge Wells. We are just a few minutes walk from Crescent Road Car Park, Meadow Car Park and the Royal Victoria Place Car Park.

We have no membership. The Centre is open to everyone! 

We are a private, independent practice, therefore are not associated with the council or NHS, however we do have close relationships with many local NHS doctors who refer children and families to us. All services are paid for privately by the parents / carers, although many of the children who access our services have EHCPs and local authority funding in place, who fund their sessions with us.

We can provide specialist assessments for a range of neurodevelopmental, learning and mental health needs, including autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia (Developmental Coordination Disorder/DCD), PTSD, OCD, dyscalculia and dysgraphia. Where appropriate, and where this falls within the scope of the relevant clinician and assessment, a formal diagnosis or diagnostic conclusion can be provided, alongside personalised recommendations for ongoing support.

Many of the families who come to us for therapeutic support or ADHD and autism assessments are also on an NHS waiting list. Unfortunately, due to high demand, waiting times can sometimes be lengthy, and families may feel that their child would benefit from support in the meantime. If your child begins working with one of our therapists and is subsequently offered an NHS appointment, you are of course free to end private sessions at any time.

We also work with families who come to us after completing a time-limited period of support through the NHS but feel that their child would benefit from further therapeutic input. Where appropriate, existing reports, assessments and diagnostic information can usually be shared with our team, with your consent, to help inform our work. This may mean that a further assessment with us is not necessary and your child can move directly into regular therapy sessions.

Our child and adolescent therapists also work with children and young people who have sought support through NHS services but have not met the eligibility or clinical thresholds for a particular service. We understand how difficult and frustrating this can be, particularly when you can see that your child is struggling but are unsure where else to turn.

When there are concerns about a child or young person’s emotional wellbeing or mental health, seeking appropriate support at an early stage can be helpful. Addressing difficulties before they become more established may, in some cases, mean that a shorter period of therapeutic support is sufficient.

Our fees are reflective of the highly skilled clinicians working with, although we strive to keep fees competitive and as low as we can, taking into account all clinic costs. All fees are listed beneath each service. We are very upfront with all fees and there are never any hidden costs.

Currently all our services are paid for directly by parents / carers, although many families claim this back via their own insurance. We can send receipts to you that you can pass on to your insurance providers, in order to make a claim.

Behavioural concerns are common, and many families experience periods when their child’s behaviour becomes difficult to understand or manage. Sometimes these difficulties are temporary and respond well to a small amount of additional support. At other times, behaviour can be a way of communicating an underlying emotional, developmental, sensory or communication need.

It can therefore be helpful to consider what may be contributing to the behaviour rather than focusing on the behaviour alone. Difficulties with understanding or using language, expressing needs or navigating social situations can sometimes lead to frustration that presents through behaviour. Where communication is a concern, an assessment with our Speech and Language Therapist may help identify whether your child would benefit from additional support.

Persistent or more complex behavioural difficulties can also sometimes be associated with neurodevelopmental differences such as ADHD or autism, particularly where there are additional concerns around attention, impulsivity, emotional regulation, sensory processing, social communication, routines or development. Behavioural difficulties alone do not necessarily indicate an underlying diagnosis, but where there is a broader pattern of concerns, our Neurodevelopmental Assessment team can advise whether further exploration or assessment may be appropriate.

For milder behavioural concerns, our Behavioural Consultant can work directly with parents, without your child needing to attend. Consultations provide an opportunity to discuss the behaviours you are seeing, explore possible triggers and develop practical, individualised strategies that can be introduced at home. For many families, this can be a helpful and cost-effective first step, and some find that only a small number of sessions are required.

We also offer Parent Neurodiversity Coaching for parents of children with diagnosed or suspected neurodevelopmental differences. These sessions can help parents better understand their child’s individual needs and develop approaches to areas such as emotional regulation, routines, boundaries, behaviour and everyday family life.

Where a child’s behaviour appears to be connected to emotional distress, anxiety, difficult experiences or challenges they are struggling to express, support from one of our Child Counsellors or Psychotherapists may be more appropriate. They can work individually with your child to explore what may be underlying their behaviour and help them develop healthier ways of understanding, communicating and managing their emotions.

For children who find it difficult to express themselves verbally, Art Psychotherapy can provide another route into therapeutic support, allowing thoughts, feelings and experiences to be explored through creative expression as well as conversation.

We also offer dedicated Psychoeducation sessions where appropriate, helping children, young people and families develop a clearer understanding of neurodevelopmental differences or a diagnosis and how these may influence emotions, behaviour and everyday experiences.

It is not always easy to know which type of support is most appropriate for behavioural concerns. If you are unsure where to start, please get in touch with us and tell us a little about your child, the behaviours you are seeing and any other concerns you may have. Our team can then help guide you towards the most appropriate next step.

For children who are struggling academically, there can be many possible reasons, and understanding what may be contributing to the difficulty is an important first step.

Emotional difficulties, including anxiety, low mood or worries about home or school, can sometimes affect a child’s ability to concentrate, process information and engage with learning. If your child has been experiencing emotional difficulties, there have been significant changes at home, or they have experienced a recent upsetting or challenging event, it may be helpful to speak with one of our child counsellors or therapists. Therapeutic support can help children make sense of their emotions, develop coping strategies and feel better able to engage with everyday life, including school and learning.

If your concerns appear to relate more specifically to learning or academic progress, an assessment with our Educational Psychology team may be appropriate. Your child’s school may also be able to provide or arrange educational psychology input, so it can be helpful to speak with their teacher or SENCO in the first instance.

An Educational Psychology Assessment provides a comprehensive exploration of your child’s learning profile, including their individual strengths and areas of difficulty. It can help to identify factors that may be affecting their progress and provide practical, personalised recommendations for supporting their learning both at home and in the classroom. We can also provide formal diagnostic assessments for dyslexia where this is the primary area of concern.

It is also worth considering whether speech, language or communication difficulties may be affecting your child’s learning. Difficulties understanding or using language, communicating effectively or processing verbal information can have a significant impact on progress at school. Where these concerns are present, an assessment with our Speech and Language Therapy team may be helpful. If there are broader concerns about your child’s development, attention, social communication or behaviour, our Neurodevelopmental Assessment team can advise on the most appropriate next steps.

Friendship difficulties are a common part of growing up, and most children will experience challenges with their peers at some point. Often, these difficulties resolve with time and support and are not necessarily a cause for concern. However, when friendship problems persist or begin to affect other areas of your child’s life, such as their confidence, self-esteem, emotional wellbeing or willingness to attend school, it can be helpful to explore whether some additional support is needed.

For relatively mild or recent difficulties, a short period of individual support may be enough to help your child understand what is happening, build confidence and develop strategies for managing friendships. More persistent difficulties may sometimes indicate an underlying social, emotional or communication need that would benefit from further exploration.

If you have noticed that your child finds it difficult to understand or use language, express themselves, follow conversations or navigate social communication with their peers, it may be helpful to speak with one of our speech and language therapists. An initial assessment can explore whether communication differences may be contributing to their friendship difficulties and identify any support that could be beneficial.

Alternatively, if your child would benefit from a safe and supportive space to talk about their experiences, our child counsellors and therapists regularly work with children and young people experiencing friendship difficulties, peer conflict, social anxiety or bullying. Therapy can help them make sense of difficult experiences, develop confidence and self-esteem, and find healthier ways of navigating relationships with others.

In some cases, ongoing difficulties with friendships, social communication or understanding social situations may also be associated with neurodevelopmental differences such as ADHD or autism, and our Neurodevelopmental Assessment team can help you consider whether further assessment may be appropriate.

Our Occupational Therapy team can support children with a range of fine and gross motor skill difficulties that may be affecting their development, independence or participation in everyday activities. An Occupational Therapy Assessment can explore areas such as handwriting, pencil control, coordination, balance, motor planning and general movement skills, helping to identify your child’s individual strengths and areas where additional support may be beneficial. Following the assessment, our Occupational Therapist can provide practical recommendations and activities to use at home or school, or advise whether a programme of ongoing Occupational Therapy sessions would be helpful.

Our Nutritionist provides specialist nutritional support for children and young people at all stages of development, from infancy through to adolescence. For babies and younger children, this can include guidance around weaning, introducing new foods, establishing balanced eating habits and managing fussy or selective eating.

For older children and teenagers, our Nutritionist can provide more individualised support where there are concerns about diet, nutritional intake, energy levels, growth, eating patterns or a restricted range of foods. Sessions aim to understand your child’s individual needs and provide realistic, practical recommendations that can be incorporated into everyday family life.

Where food-related difficulties are more complex or may be connected to sensory, developmental, emotional or medical factors, our Nutritionist can also work alongside other professionals within the team to help ensure your child receives appropriate, joined-up support.

Our Speech and Language Therapist works with children and young people from 18 months to 17 years, providing support for a wide range of speech, language and communication needs. This can include initial screening appointments, to explore whether your child’s development is on track, as well as more comprehensive Speech and Language Assessments where a detailed understanding of their strengths and areas of difficulty is required.

Where additional support is recommended, we can provide regular therapy sessions tailored to your child’s individual needs. These may focus on areas such as speech sounds and clarity, understanding and using language, vocabulary, communication skills, or social interaction.

For children and young people experiencing social communication differences, particularly where there are broader concerns around social interaction, behaviour, sensory needs or development, our multidisciplinary team can also provide formal Autism Assessments where appropriate.

Sleep difficulties are common in childhood and can have a significant impact on a child’s mood, behaviour, concentration, learning and overall wellbeing, as well as on the wider family. Over time, families can understandably find themselves in difficult sleep patterns that can be challenging to change without additional support.

There can be many reasons why a child experiences disrupted sleep. Sometimes difficulties may be related to anxiety, worries, emotional distress, changes in routine or behavioural patterns. In these circumstances, it may be helpful to work with one of our child counsellors or therapists, who can explore whether there are underlying emotional factors contributing to your child’s difficulties and support them in developing strategies to manage these.

Sleep difficulties can also be more common in children with neurodevelopmental differences, including ADHD and autism. However, sleep disturbance on its own would not usually indicate that a child has ADHD or autism. If your child is also experiencing a broader pattern of difficulties - for example with attention, impulsivity, emotional regulation, sensory processing, social communication, routines or behaviour - it may be helpful to discuss these concerns with our Neurodevelopmental Assessment team to consider whether further exploration or assessment would be appropriate.

If your child does not require one-to-one therapeutic support and you are primarily looking for practical guidance around establishing healthier sleep habits and routines, our Behavioural Consultant can work with you to understand your family’s individual circumstances. A consultation can provide personalised, practical strategies to help improve bedtime routines, address unhelpful sleep patterns and support more settled sleep for the whole family.

We can provide formal autism assessments and diagnosis, as well as a range of therapeutic and practical support for children and young people who already have a diagnosis of autism. Our multidisciplinary team recognises that every autistic child has their own individual profile of strengths, differences and support needs, so recommendations and interventions are tailored to the individual child and their family.

Our Parent Neurodiversity Coaching provides parents and carers with a supportive space to develop their understanding of their child’s neurodivergence and explore practical approaches that can be used at home. Sessions may include psychoeducation to help families better understand autism and associated areas such as sensory needs, emotional regulation, communication, behaviour and executive functioning. Consultations can take place via video call without your child needing to be present, allowing parents to discuss concerns openly and develop strategies relevant to everyday family life.

Our Child Counselling and Psychotherapy team is experienced in supporting autistic children and young people who may be experiencing anxiety, low mood, difficulties with friendships, emotional regulation or other challenges. Therapy provides a safe, supportive space to explore thoughts, feelings and experiences in a way that is appropriate to the child’s developmental and communication needs.

For children who may find it more difficult to express themselves through words alone, Art Psychotherapy can provide an alternative way to communicate and explore emotions and experiences. The use of art materials and creative approaches can make therapy more accessible for some autistic children and young people, without requiring artistic ability or relying solely on verbal communication.

Our Speech and Language Therapy team can support autistic children with areas such as understanding and using language, functional communication and social communication. Our Occupational Therapy team can provide support with sensory processing, fine and gross motor skills, everyday activities, self-care and developing greater independence.

We can also provide Nutritional Therapy where there are concerns around diet or eating. Autistic children can sometimes experience sensory preferences, restricted food choices or selective eating, and our Nutritionist can work with families to explore nutritional intake and develop realistic, individualised strategies around food.

We can provide formal ADHD assessments and diagnosis, as well as a range of therapeutic and practical support for children and young people who already have a diagnosis of ADHD. Our multidisciplinary approach recognises that ADHD can affect children differently, with individual strengths and support needs across areas such as attention, executive functioning, emotional regulation, learning, relationships and everyday life.

Our Parent Neurodiversity Coaching provides parents and carers with individualised support to navigate the practical realities of parenting a child with ADHD. Sessions can focus on specific challenges at home, such as routines, boundaries, emotional regulation, organisation and behaviour, helping parents develop realistic strategies that work for their child and family.

We also offer dedicated Psychoeducation sessions for children, young people and/or their parents following an ADHD diagnosis. These sessions provide an opportunity to develop a greater understanding of ADHD, including how it may affect areas such as attention, impulsivity, executive functioning, emotions and everyday experiences. Psychoeducation can help children and families make sense of a diagnosis, recognise individual strengths and difficulties, and identify strategies that may be helpful moving forward.

Our Child Counselling and Psychotherapy team is experienced in supporting children and young people with ADHD. Therapy can provide a safe space to explore emotions, frustrations, friendships, self-esteem, anxiety and other difficulties, while also helping children develop a positive understanding of themselves and their neurodivergence.

For children who find it more difficult to express their experiences through words alone, Art Psychotherapy offers an alternative way to explore thoughts, feelings and experiences through creative expression. This can provide an accessible therapeutic space without relying solely on verbal communication.

If ADHD is having a significant impact on your child’s experience of school or learning, an Educational Psychology Assessment can provide a broader understanding of their individual learning profile. This can identify strengths and areas of difficulty and provide personalised recommendations for strategies, adjustments and support at school and at home.

Our Occupational Therapy team can support children with ADHD where there are difficulties with areas such as sensory processing, organisation, motor skills, self-care, routines and independence. Practical strategies can be developed to make everyday activities more manageable and support greater independence.

We can also provide Nutritional Therapy where there are concerns about diet, nutritional intake or eating patterns. Our Nutritionist can offer practical and individualised guidance around balanced nutrition, taking into account your child’s preferences, routines and wider needs.

Question not answered? Feel free to contact us here.

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