Child & Adolescent Psychiatry UK

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Young girl in her bedroom engaged in a virtual therapy session with a psychiatrist.

What is Child & Adolescent Psychiatry?

Adolescence is a critical time for personal development. It is also the age when most (75%) of mental health difficulties develop. Sometimes these difficulties are noticeable by persistent feelings of sadness, worry, stress, concentration issues, or deliberate self-harm. 

It’s vital to understand that with the right help, most people will make a good recovery. Child adolescent psychiatrists are specialised doctors who work with young people up to the age of 18, their families, and all those around them (e.g. GP’s, other medical professionals, therapists, schools and teachers and children services). 

Child & adolescent psychiatry can recognise and diagnose early onset psychosis and mood disorders in people aged 8 + and treat these conditions with medication when needed. They create tailored treatment plans for your young person with an end goal of helping them get better, manage their condition, and live happy, fulfilling lives. 

They can refer and liaise with the entire BetterCare team to make sure any future appointments are arranged smoothly, efficiently, and without any stress.

"BetterCare were there for our son when nobody else was. After months of desperate searching for medical professionals, BetterCare provided us with adolescent psychiatry services of the highest standards. The psychiatrist diagnosed and began treating our son efficiently and thoroughly with excellent results. Ongoing care is provided with a minimum of fuss and adheres to the long term plan we have crafted together with BetterCare. The onboarding process was clear and comprehensive and very efficiently processed. The level of personal care that BetterCare provide to our son, and ourselves is invaluable in terms of confidence and attention. I have recommended BetterCare several times and will continue to do so in the future."

Anonymous
What mental health conditions do we treat?

Common difficulties that children and adolescents seek treatment for include: 

As part of the initial consultation and included in the treatment fee, the psychiatrist will have already received and reviewed your young person’s intake form,  medical records, medical or additional referrals and supporting documents.

They will research any and all relevant areas of concern pre consultation and start the 60 minute appointment with insight into the child’s medical history and possible treatment options.

This consultation takes place with the young person, one or both parents and the psychiatrist.  Your child’s psychiatrist will work with them to understand their mental state and wellbeing. Information about family and personal history is also gathered to provide appropriate treatment recommendations.

Our child psychiatrists are very empathetic, not only towards the child but also towards the whole family environment, so they usually make everyone feel understood and comfortable. They will approach situations in a thoughtful and reflective way, tackling issues sensitively and tactfully. 

After carefully evaluating all the information gathered during the assessment, your child’s psychiatrist will make their conclusion. 

You will then receive your Initial Psychiatric Assessment Document (IPAD) by email. This will include a clear diagnosis (where one can be given), and personalised treatment recommendations.

Your child’s psychiatrist may suggest additional treatment options, such as referral to one of our own experienced psychologists, occupational therapists and/or medication. 

Treatment Options

Block of Treatment – 6-8 weeks (€XXX) – Includes:

Pay-As-You-Go – Initial €900 + €XXX per follow-up – Includes:

We offer flexible payment options designed to suit your budget, including a Book Now, Pay Later option with Klarna, so you don’t have to delay essential care.

For personalised payment options, please contact our office directly.

We also accept most major UK health insurers, including Bupa, AXA Health, Aviva, and VitalityHealth.

If you are concerned about your child, contact us today to schedule an appointment. We’ll help identify the cause and guide you in providing the support they need.

What's different about BetterCare?


Our team includes experienced clinicians like psychiatrists, psychologists, therapists, mental health nurses and non-medical prescribers who work collaboratively where needed to help you make positive changes in your life.

Referrals within the BetterCare team are seamless, efficient and quick, should further therapeutic intervention be needed or recommended.

Get started with BetterCare

Ready to arrange an appointment?
Contact our team by phone, email or through our contact form and we’ll help you arrange a suitable appointment.

Not sure which service is right for you?
Start with a free 15-minute consultation, and we’ll help you work out the most suitable next st

FAQS

Frequently Asked Questions

Seeing a child and adolescent psychiatrist for the first time can seem daunting. Below are some frequently asked questions we receive which may be useful ahead of the first appointment.

No. A common misconception is that psychiatrists are focused only on medication treatment. The truth is that medication is only one of many treatment options that they consider in their recommendations. Their role is to weigh the risks and benefits of a variety of treatment options, discuss them with parents/guardians, and support families in making a decision that is best for their child and family.

After the initial block, your psychiatrist will recommend a continued care plan if needed. This might include additional psychiatric sessions, psychotherapy, or referrals to other professionals within BetterCare.

Yes. BetterCare works in coordination with NHS CAMHS, local authority children’s services, and educational support teams where appropriate. Our assessments and reports are designed to meet UK clinical standards and can be shared with these services to help ensure that children, adolescents, and families receive timely and appropriate support.

Where necessary, we also collaborate with schools, SENCOs, and other public services to support educational planning, EHCP applications, or ongoing therapy interventions.

Yes, we understand that life happens. We ask for at least 48 hours’ notice for cancellations or rescheduling. We'll do our best to accommodate changes.

If you are wondering whether your child might benefit from a psychiatric assessment, contact our knowledgeable Intake team to learn more about your options. Call us at  020271124996 or contact us online anytime. 

We know that cost should never be a barrier to care.

That’s why we offer flexible payment options designed to fit your budget and lifestyle — including a Book Now, Pay Later option with Klarna, so you don’t have to put off getting the support you need.

If you’d like a personalised payment option, simply get in touch with our team and we’ll be happy to arrange it for you. 

Yes. A GP referral letter is required to access Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Services.