sulis-therapies

How to Talk to Your Child About Starting Therapy

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 22:06:02 GMT

Why the Conversation Matters

Deciding that your child needs therapy is one thing. Actually having the conversation with them is another. Many parents find this one of the most challenging parts of the process, particularly if their child is resistant, anxious or simply does not understand why they are being referred.

This post offers some practical guidance on how to approach the conversation in a way that is honest, age-appropriate and as low-pressure as possible.

How you introduce therapy to your child can have a significant impact on how they approach it. A child who feels forced into something they do not understand is likely to be more resistant and less engaged than one who feels informed, respected and involved in the decision. Taking time to have an honest and thoughtful conversation before the first session can make a real difference to how your child engages with therapy.

Keep it Simple and Honest

You do not need to have all the answers before having the conversation, and you do not need to use clinical language. Keep it simple, age-appropriate and honest. Acknowledge that your child has been finding things difficult, that you want to help, and that speaking to a therapist is one way of getting that help.

Avoid framing therapy as a punishment or a last resort. Avoid telling your child there is something wrong with them. Instead, frame it as a practical step, the same way you might take them to a doctor if they had a physical health problem.

Anticipate their Questions

Your child will likely have questions, and it helps to be prepared. Common questions children and young people ask include: What will I have to talk about? Will you be in the room? Will the therapist tell you what I say? Do I have to go?

Being honest about confidentiality is important. Letting your child know that what they discuss in sessions is private, with the exception of concerns about their safety, can go a long way toward helping them feel safe enough to engage openly.

What if My Child Refuses?

It is not uncommon for children and young people to be reluctant or resistant about starting therapy, particularly teenagers who may feel that therapy implies something is wrong with them or that they are being forced to talk about things they would rather keep private.

If your child is resistant, avoid forcing the issue in a way that increases their anxiety or resentment. Instead, give them some control over the process where possible, letting them know they can stop if they really do not want to continue, or involving them in choosing a therapist. Sometimes simply having an initial consultation with no pressure to commit is enough to reduce resistance.

It can also help to normalise therapy, many young people respond well to knowing that lots of people, including adults they admire, have found therapy helpful.

What to Tell Younger Children

Younger children may need a simpler explanation. Something like "you are going to talk to someone whose job is to help children when they are feeling worried or sad" is often enough. Younger children tend to be less resistant than teenagers and often engage well with therapy once they are there, particularly when the therapist uses creative and playful approaches.

What to Tell Teenagers

Teenagers may need a more direct and honest conversation. Acknowledge their reluctance if it is there, and avoid being dismissive of their concerns. Let them know that therapy is not about being told what to do or having someone analyse them, it is about having a space to talk through what they are finding difficult, with someone who is not their parent or teacher.

At Sulis Therapies, our therapist works exclusively with children and young people and is experienced at building trust with young people who are anxious or reluctant about starting therapy. Get in touch to arrange a free initial consultation and find out how we can help.

Could My Child's Behaviour Be a Trauma Response?

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 21:43:55 GMT

What is Trauma?

When a child or young person has been through something traumatic, the effects do not always look the way parents expect. Many parents assume that a child who has experienced trauma will be visibly distressed, tearful or withdrawn. In reality, trauma in children and young people often presents in ways that are easily mistaken for bad behaviour, emotional difficulties or other conditions entirely.

If your child's behaviour has changed significantly following a difficult experience, or if you have noticed persistent patterns of behaviour that you cannot explain, it is worth considering whether trauma may be playing a role.

Trauma occurs when an event or series of events overwhelms a person's ability to cope, leaving a lasting impact on how they think, feel and experience the world. Traumatic experiences can take many forms, including accidents, bereavement, abuse, neglect, witnessing violence, or prolonged exposure to stress and instability at home.

Not every child who experiences a difficult event will develop lasting trauma. Responses vary greatly from person to person, and factors such as the nature of the event, the child's age, and the support available to them all play a role in how they process what has happened.

What Does a Trauma Response Look Like in Children?

Trauma responses in children and young people are varied and often surprising. Some young people show more recognisable signs, including flashbacks, nightmares, intrusive memories and a heightened startle response. They may actively avoid anything that reminds them of the traumatic experience.

Others present quite differently. Trauma can manifest as anger, aggression or emotional outbursts that seem disproportionate or difficult to explain. It can appear as withdrawal, numbness or a loss of interest in life. Younger children may regress to earlier behaviours, struggle to separate from caregivers, or display their distress through play.

Academic difficulties, problems with concentration and memory, persistent physical complaints and significant changes in sleep are also common. Because these presentations overlap with so many other conditions, trauma is frequently missed or misdiagnosed, and young people can spend years receiving support for the symptoms rather than the underlying cause.

Could My Child's Behaviour Be a Trauma Response?

If your child has been through a difficult or frightening experience and their behaviour has changed significantly since, it is worth considering whether trauma may be contributing. Some questions worth reflecting on:

Has your child's mood, behaviour or functioning changed noticeably following a specific event or period of difficulty? Are they experiencing nightmares, intrusive thoughts or flashbacks? Do they become very distressed in situations that remind them of the difficult experience? Have they become more withdrawn, more aggressive or more emotionally volatile than before? Are they struggling with things they previously managed without difficulty?

You do not need to be certain that your child has experienced trauma before seeking support. If something does not feel right, that is reason enough to get advice.

How Can Therapy Help?

Both Trauma-Focused CBT and EMDR are recommended by NICE as first-line treatments for trauma and PTSD in children and young people, and both are available at Sulis Therapies.

Trauma-Focused CBT helps young people understand the connection between their trauma and their current thoughts, feelings and behaviours, and process what happened in a safe and supported environment. EMDR works by helping the brain reprocess traumatic memories so that they lose their emotional intensity and no longer intrude on daily life. Many young people find EMDR particularly accessible because it does not require them to describe their experiences in detail.

Following an initial assessment, a therapist will recommend the approach best suited to your child's individual needs.

At Sulis Therapies, we specialise in trauma therapy for children and young people, delivered online across the UK. Get in touch to arrange a free initial consultation and find out how we can help.

My Teenager Won't Socialise. Could it Be Social Anxiety?

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 21:43:54 GMT

What is Normal Teenage Self-Consciousness?

If your teenager is increasingly avoiding social situations, making excuses not to see friends, or seems consumed by worry about what others think of them, you may be wondering whether this is just a phase or something more significant. Some degree of social self-consciousness is a normal part of adolescence, but when avoidance becomes the default response to social situations, it may be a sign of social anxiety.

Adolescence brings a heightened awareness of how we are perceived by others. It is completely normal for teenagers to feel nervous in new social situations, to care deeply about how they come across to their peers, and to experience occasional social awkwardness. Most teenagers will have moments of social anxiety without having social anxiety disorder.

Normal social self-consciousness tends to be situational. Your teenager may be nervous before a presentation or a new social event, but recovers reasonably quickly and is able to engage with social life without significant impairment.

What is Social Anxiety?

Social anxiety disorder involves a persistent, intense fear of social situations in which a young person feels they may be judged, embarrassed or humiliated. The fear extends beyond obviously high-pressure situations like public speaking or performing, to everyday interactions such as answering a question in class, eating in front of others, or simply being noticed in a public space.

For a young person with social anxiety, the anticipation of a social situation can be as distressing as the situation itself. Many young people with social anxiety spend significant time before a social event worrying about how they will come across, and significant time afterwards replaying and analysing their performance, convinced they said or did something wrong.

How Can Therapy Help?

CBT is the NICE recommended treatment for social anxiety and is highly effective. It helps young people identify and challenge the negative thoughts and beliefs that make social situations feel threatening, and gradually face the situations they have been avoiding in a supported and structured way.

Where social anxiety is rooted in specific distressing experiences such as bullying or humiliation, EMDR can also be recommended following an assessment.

Getting support early gives young people the best chance of developing the confidence and skills they need to engage fully with social life during this critical period of their development.

Signs Your Teenager May Have Social Anxiety

There are several signs that suggest a teenager's social avoidance may be driven by social anxiety rather than simply being an introvert or going through a phase. Consistently avoiding social situations, school events or activities that involve interaction with others. Physical symptoms such as blushing, sweating or feeling sick before or during social situations. Extreme self-consciousness and a preoccupation with how they are perceived by others. Difficulty making or maintaining friendships despite wanting connection. Withdrawing from activities they previously enjoyed as social demands increase. A significant reluctance to attend school, particularly in situations involving group work, presentations or unstructured social time.

Why Doesn't it Just Improve With Time?

Social anxiety tends to worsen rather than improve without support, because avoidance reinforces it. Each time a social situation is avoided, the anxiety associated with it increases. Over time the world of comfortable situations becomes smaller, and the young person becomes increasingly isolated at exactly the age when social connection matters most.

Why is My Child So Clingy? Understanding Separation Anxiety

Fri, 24 Apr 2026 19:17:43 GMT

What is Normal Clinginess?

If your child becomes extremely distressed when you leave, refuses to let you out of their sight, or seems consumed by worry about what might happen when you are not there, you may be wondering whether this is normal or whether something more is going on. Clinginess is common in young children, but when it persists beyond what you would expect for your child's age or intensifies rather than fades, it may be a sign of separation anxiety.

Some degree of clinginess is a completely normal part of early childhood development. Young children are naturally dependent on their caregivers and it is developmentally appropriate for them to show distress when separated from a parent. Most children go through clingy phases, particularly during periods of change such as starting nursery or school, moving house or the arrival of a new sibling.

Normal clinginess tends to be age-appropriate and temporary. As children grow in confidence and trust that their caregiver will return, the clinginess typically reduces naturally without intervention.

When Does Clinginess Become Separation Anxiety?

Separation anxiety disorder is characterised by an intense and persistent fear of separation from a parent or primary caregiver that is beyond what is typical for a child's age and that significantly affects daily life. It is not simply a matter of a child preferring to be close to their parent. The anxiety is genuine, often overwhelming, and can cause significant distress to both the child and the whole family.

A child with separation anxiety may become extremely distressed at the point of separation, refusing to attend school, struggling to sleep alone, or being unable to stay in a room without a parent present. They may spend much of their day worrying about what might happen to their parent or to themselves if they were separated. The anxiety does not switch off when the parent is present, it is always there in the background.

Separation anxiety can affect children and young people of any age, though it is most common in younger children. It can also re-emerge in teenagers, sometimes following a period of stress, a bereavement or a significant life change.

Getting Help

At Sulis Therapies, we treat separation anxiety in children and young people using CBT and EMDR, delivered online across the UK. Get in touch to arrange a free initial consultation and find out how we can help.

Could My Teenager Be Clingy?

Separation anxiety in teenagers can look quite different from how it presents in younger children, and is often missed as a result. Rather than visible distress at separation, a teenager with separation anxiety may show excessive checking in with parents throughout the day, reluctance to socialise or stay at friends' houses, or increasing difficulty attending school. It can be mistaken for social anxiety, depression or simply a preference for home, when the underlying driver is actually a fear of separation.

What Can Help?

Separation anxiety does not tend to resolve on its own, and the avoidance that provides short term relief typically maintains and strengthens the anxiety over time. The earlier support is sought, the easier it tends to be to address.

CBT is highly effective for separation anxiety, helping young people gradually build tolerance for separation and develop the confidence to manage their anxiety without relying on avoidance. Where separation anxiety has developed following a specific distressing event, EMDR may also be recommended following an assessment.

Why Does My Child Have Such Low Self-Esteem?

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 20:49:38 GMT

What is Low Self-Esteem?

If your child consistently speaks negatively about themselves, dismisses their achievements, or seems unable to believe that they are liked or valued by others, you may be wondering why. It can be painful to watch your child struggle with a negative view of themselves, particularly when you can see clearly how capable and worthy they are.

This post explores why low self-esteem develops in children and young people, what sustains it, and how therapy can help.

Low self-esteem is a persistent and deeply held negative view of oneself that affects how a young person thinks, feels and behaves. It goes beyond the normal self-doubt that most young people experience from time to time. A young person with low self-esteem typically has an overwhelmingly negative internal narrative, believing they are unlikeable, unintelligent or fundamentally inadequate in ways that feel fixed and unchangeable.

Crucially, low self-esteem is resistant to evidence to the contrary. A genuine compliment is dismissed, an achievement is attributed to luck, and a criticism confirms what they already believed about themselves. This is what distinguishes low self-esteem from normal insecurity.

Why Does Low Self-Esteem Develop?

Low self-esteem rarely has a single cause. It typically develops as a result of a combination of experiences, relationships and circumstances that accumulate over time.

At Sulis Therapies

At Sulis Therapies, we work with children and young people struggling with low self-esteem, using CBT and EMDR delivered online across the UK. Get in touch to arrange a free initial consultation and find out how we can help.

Why Doesn't it Just Improve on its Own?

Low self-esteem is self-reinforcing. The negative beliefs a young person holds about themselves shape how they interpret experiences, which in turn reinforces the beliefs. A young person who believes they are unlikeable may withdraw from social situations, reducing their opportunities for positive social experiences and confirming their belief that they are not someone others want to spend time with.

Without intervention, this cycle tends to continue and in many cases deepen, particularly during adolescence when identity is being formed and peer relationships become increasingly important.

Difficult experiences

Bullying, criticism, rejection or humiliation, whether from peers, family members or figures of authority, can have a profound impact on a developing sense of self. Repeated experiences of feeling different, excluded or not good enough leave a lasting impression.

Social comparison and social media

Young people today are exposed to an unprecedented volume of curated images and highlight reels from their peers. The gap between how others appear to be doing and how a young person feels inside can feel enormous, and chronic social comparison erodes self-esteem over time.

Academic pressure

A young person who struggles academically, or who measures their worth by their performance, can develop a persistently negative view of their abilities that extends to how they see themselves more broadly.

Underlying conditions

Low self-esteem frequently develops alongside or as a result of anxiety, depression, OCD or trauma. In these cases, addressing the underlying condition is an important part of improving self-esteem.

How Can Therapy Help?

CBT is highly effective for low self-esteem. It helps young people identify and challenge the deeply held negative beliefs they hold about themselves, develop a more balanced and compassionate self-view, and build the confidence to engage more fully with the people and opportunities around them.

Where low self-esteem is rooted in specific painful experiences such as bullying, rejection or trauma, EMDR can also be an effective approach, reducing the emotional impact of those experiences and allowing a more positive sense of self to emerge.

Family environment

A home environment characterised by criticism, high expectations or emotional unavailability can contribute to low self-esteem, even without any deliberate intent to harm.

Getting Help for Self-Harm in Children and Young People

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 19:41:24 GMT

What is Self-Harm?

If your child is self-harming, you are likely feeling frightened, confused and unsure of what to do next. Self-harm in young people is more common than many parents realise, and it is always a sign that a young person is struggling and needs support.

This post explains what self-harm is, why young people self-harm, and most importantly how to get the right therapeutic support in place.

Self-harm refers to any behaviour in which a young person deliberately hurts themselves as a way of coping with emotional distress. It most commonly takes the form of cutting, but can also include burning, hitting or scratching. Self-harm is not typically a suicide attempt, though it is always a sign that a young person is in significant distress and needs professional support.

Why Do Young People Self-Harm?

Self-harm is almost always a coping mechanism. Young people who self-harm are typically trying to manage overwhelming emotional pain that they do not know how to express or cope with in any other way. For some it provides a temporary release of emotional tension. For others it provides a sense of control in a situation that feels uncontrollable.

Understanding this is important because it shapes how self-harm needs to be responded to, and what kind of therapeutic support is most effective.

At Sulis Therapies

At Sulis Therapies, we work with young people who are self-harming, addressing both the behaviour and the underlying difficulties driving it. We offer specialist CBT and EMDR for children and young people up to the age of 26, delivered online across the UK. Get in touch to arrange a free initial consultation and find out how we can help.

How Therapy Can Help

Therapy is the most effective route to addressing self-harm in children and young people. The goal of therapy is not simply to stop the self-harming behaviour, but to address the underlying emotional difficulties driving it and help the young person develop healthier ways of coping.

CBT helps young people identify the thoughts, feelings and situations that trigger self-harm, and develop practical alternative coping strategies. Where self-harm is rooted in past trauma or distressing experiences, EMDR can be highly effective in reducing the emotional intensity that drives the behaviour. DBT Skills, which focuses specifically on developing skills for tolerating distress and managing intense emotions, can also play an important role in treatment.

Following an initial assessment, a therapist will recommend the approach best suited to the individual needs of the young person.

Do I Need to Wait for a CAMHS Referral?

No. While a CAMHS referral is one route to support, waiting times can be significant, and self-harm is a situation where getting help quickly matters. A specialist private therapist who works with children and young people can carry out their own assessment and begin treatment relatively quickly, without the waiting times associated with NHS provision.

If You Are Concerned About Your Child's Immediate Safety

If your child is in immediate danger, call 999. If you are concerned about your child's safety but it is not an immediate emergency, contact your GP or take your child to A&E. The Samaritans are available around the clock on 116 123 and can provide support to both young people and parents in crisis.

My Child Refuses to Go to School. What Should I Do?

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 21:02:54 GMT

Is This Just Bad Behaviour?

If your child is refusing to go to school, you are probably feeling a mixture of worry, frustration and helplessness. School refusal can escalate quickly, and the longer it continues the harder it can become to resolve.

This post explains why children and young people refuse school, what is usually driving it, and what you can do to help.

This is often one of the first questions parents ask, and it is worth addressing directly. School refusal is very different from truancy. A child who is truanting is typically avoiding school without their parents' knowledge, and does not show significant distress at the prospect of attending. A child who is refusing school is usually doing so openly, with significant emotional distress, and despite their parents' best efforts to get them there.

School refusal is almost always driven by an underlying emotional or psychological difficulty rather than a deliberate choice to avoid school. Understanding what is driving it is the most important first step.

What Causes School Refusal?

School refusal is rarely about school itself. It is usually a symptom of an underlying condition that makes attending school feel overwhelming or impossible. The most common underlying causes include:

At Sulis Therapies

At Sulis Therapies, we work with many young people experiencing school refusal, addressing the underlying anxiety, depression or other difficulties that are driving it. We offer specialist CBT and EMDR delivered online across the UK. Get in touch to arrange a free initial consultation and find out how we can help.

Why Does It Escalate?

One of the most important things to understand about school refusal is why it tends to worsen the longer it continues. Each day of absence makes returning feel more daunting. Your child falls behind academically, becomes increasingly disconnected from their peers, and the prospect of walking back into school after a prolonged absence can feel overwhelming. The anxiety around returning can become greater than the anxiety that originally drove the refusal.

This is why it is important to act sooner rather than later. The longer school refusal is left unaddressed, the more entrenched it becomes and the harder it is to resolve..

Anxiety

Generalised anxiety , social anxiety and separation anxiety are among the most frequent drivers of school refusal. A young person with anxiety may find the social demands of school, the pressure of academic performance, or simply the prospect of leaving home unbearable.

Depression

Low mood, fatigue and a loss of interest in everyday activities can make the prospect of attending school feel impossible. School refusal driven by depression may develop gradually, with attendance becoming increasingly patchy before stopping altogether.

A Specific Incident

Bullying, a difficult experience with a peer or teacher, or a humiliating social situation can trigger school refusal even in young people who have previously attended without difficulty.

Separation Anxiety

For younger children in particular, separation anxiety can be a primary driver of school refusal. The distress is about leaving home and the caregiver rather than about school itself, and can be intense and difficult to manage even with significant parental support.

What Can You Do?

Talk to the school

Make sure the school is aware of the situation and that they understand school refusal is driven by anxiety or distress rather than deliberate avoidance. Ask what support they can put in place, and whether any adjustments can be made to reduce the pressure on your child.

Avoid long term avoidance

While it may feel like the kindest thing to do, allowing your child to stay home indefinitely without addressing the underlying difficulties makes returning to school harder over time. Where possible, maintain some school attendance or engagement, even if reduced.

Consider therapy

If your child's school refusal is driven by anxiety, depression or another underlying condition, therapy can address the root cause rather than just the symptom. A specialist therapist who works with children and young people can begin treatment relatively quickly, without the waiting times associated with CAMHS.

My Child Has Been Having Panic Attacks. What Should I Do?

Fri, 17 Apr 2026 22:41:52 GMT

What is a Panic Attack?

If your child has experienced more than one panic attack, you are probably feeling worried, confused and unsure of what to do next. Panic attacks are frightening to witness, and knowing that your child has had more than one can feel alarming. This post aims to explain what panic attacks are, when recurring panic attacks become panic disorder, and what help is available.

A panic attack is a sudden episode of intense fear that triggers severe physical reactions despite there being no real or immediate danger. Symptoms typically include a racing or pounding heart, shortness of breath, chest tightness, dizziness, sweating, trembling, nausea and a feeling of unreality or intense dread. Panic attacks usually peak within minutes and are physically harmless, though they are intensely uncomfortable and can feel genuinely life-threatening in the moment.

What is Panic Disorder?

What Can I Do to Help My Child Right Now?

Why is My Child Having Panic Attacks?

Panic attacks can develop for a number of reasons. In some young people they emerge during a period of significant stress or anxiety. In others they seem to come out of nowhere, with no obvious trigger. They are more common during adolescence than many parents realise, and can be particularly frightening for a young person who has never experienced anything like it before.

Understanding why panic attacks are occurring is an important part of treatment, and will be explored during the initial assessment with a therapist.

If your child is having panic attacks, there are several things you can do in the short term to support them.

A single panic attack, while frightening, does not necessarily indicate panic disorder. Panic disorder is diagnosed when panic attacks become recurrent and unexpected, and when the fear of having another panic attack begins to significantly affect daily life.

The anticipatory anxiety, the persistent worry about when the next attack will occur, can be as debilitating as the attacks themselves. Many young people begin to avoid situations in which they have previously had a panic attack, or situations where they fear having one. Public transport, crowded spaces, school, social situations. The list of places that feel unsafe can grow rapidly, and the world becomes increasingly small.

At Sulis Therapies

At Sulis Therapies, we treat panic disorder in children and young people using CBT and EMDR, delivered online across the UK. Get in touch to arrange a free initial consultation and find out how we can help.

What Treatment is Available?

CBT is the NICE recommended treatment for panic disorder, and it is highly effective. It works by helping young people understand the relationship between their thoughts, physical sensations and behaviour, and develop practical techniques to manage the physical symptoms of panic. A central part of the process involves gradual, supported exposure to the situations and sensations that have been avoided, breaking the cycle of anticipatory anxiety and avoidance.

In some cases, where panic disorder is rooted in past distressing experiences, EMDR may also be recommended following an assessment.

Stay calm

Your child will take their cue from you during and after a panic attack. Remaining calm and reassuring, without minimising how frightening the experience is, helps your child feel safe.

Avoid reinforcing avoidance

It is natural to want to protect your child from situations that trigger panic attacks, but excessive accommodation of avoidance can maintain and strengthen panic disorder over time. Gently encourage your child to continue with everyday activities where possible.

Seek support sooner rather than later

Panic disorder tends to worsen without treatment as avoidance becomes more entrenched. Getting the right support in place early gives your child the best chance of recovering quickly.

Does My Child Have OCD or Just Quirks?

Fri, 17 Apr 2026 22:41:51 GMT

What is OCD?

Many children have little rituals, preferences and habits that might raise an eyebrow. Insisting on a specific bedtime routine, arranging toys in a particular order, or needing to touch things a certain number of times. For most children, these are simply quirks, harmless habits that cause no significant distress and fade naturally over time. For others, what looks like a quirk is the beginning of something more significant: Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, or OCD.

Knowing the difference matters, because OCD that goes unrecognised tends to worsen over time, while OCD that is identified early and treated appropriately responds very well to therapy.

OCD is an anxiety-based condition characterised by unwanted, intrusive thoughts known as obsessions, and repetitive behaviours or mental acts known as compulsions that are carried out to relieve the distress those thoughts cause. The relief is temporary, and the cycle continues.

It is important to understand that OCD is not about being neat, organised or particular. While some people with OCD do experience obsessions around cleanliness or order, OCD takes many different forms, and many young people with OCD have no interest in tidiness whatsoever. OCD can involve fears about harm coming to loved ones, fears of acting against one's own values, fears of contamination, or intrusive thoughts of many other kinds.

What is the Difference Between a Quirk and OCD?

My Child Hides Their Compulsions. Could It Still Be OCD?

Signs That Your Child's Habits May Be OCD

There are several signs that suggest a child's habits or rituals may have crossed into OCD territory. They become very distressed if routines or rituals are interrupted or cannot be completed. The behaviours are taking up increasing amounts of time. They seem to be driven by anxiety or fear rather than preference. Your child expresses intrusive or unwanted thoughts that cause them significant distress. The behaviours are interfering with their ability to attend school, socialise or enjoy everyday activities. The habits are escalating rather than remaining stable or reducing over time.

Yes. Many young people with OCD become very skilled at concealing their compulsions, particularly as they get older and become aware that their behaviour is unusual. A child who appears to be managing well at school may be spending significant energy suppressing their OCD throughout the day and then releasing it at home. If your child seems significantly more anxious or distressed at home than their outward presentation suggests, this is worth paying attention to.

The most important distinction between a harmless quirk and OCD is the role of distress and the degree of interference with daily life.

A quirk is something a child does out of preference or habit, without significant distress. If the routine is interrupted or the arrangement is disrupted, they may be briefly annoyed but move on without difficulty. The behaviour does not take up significant time, does not cause significant anxiety, and does not interfere with their ability to function normally.

OCD is different. The compulsions in OCD are driven by anxiety rather than preference. The young person does not want to carry out the compulsion, but feels compelled to do so in order to relieve the distress caused by the obsessive thought. If prevented from doing so, the anxiety increases significantly. The behaviours can take up significant amounts of time, cause considerable distress, and interfere meaningfully with everyday life.

At Sulis Therapies

At Sulis Therapies, we specialise in CBT for OCD in children and young people, delivered online across the UK. Get in touch to arrange a free initial consultation and find out how we can help.

What Should I Do If I Think My Child Has OCD?

If you recognise some of what is described here in your child's behaviour, the most important thing is not to ignore it and hope it resolves. OCD tends to worsen without support, and the earlier it is identified and treated the better the outcomes tend to be.

Speaking to your GP is a good first step.

They can assess your child and, if appropriate, refer to CAMHS or advise on other options. If you would prefer not to wait for a CAMHS referral, a specialist private therapist with experience in OCD can carry out their own assessment and begin treatment relatively quickly.

Is My Child a Hypochondriac?

Fri, 17 Apr 2026 21:00:04 GMT

What is Health Anxiety?

If your child constantly worries about being ill, frequently complains of physical symptoms that have no clear medical cause, or seeks repeated reassurance that they are not seriously unwell, you may have found yourself wondering whether they are simply a hypochondriac. The term is often used dismissively, but what many parents are actually observing is health anxiety, a recognised and treatable condition that deserves to be taken seriously.

Health anxiety is a persistent and excessive preoccupation with having or developing a serious illness, that continues despite medical reassurance and in the absence of significant physical symptoms. It is more common in children and young people than many parents realise, and it can be genuinely debilitating.

For a young person with health anxiety, minor physical sensations such as a headache, a racing heart or an unfamiliar ache are interpreted as evidence of something serious. The reassurance that follows, whether from a parent, a GP or an internet search, provides only temporary relief before the cycle begins again.

Is It Just Attention Seeking?

When Does Worry About Health Become a Problem?

What Does Health Anxiety Look Like in Young People?

Health anxiety can present in a number of ways. Some young people seek constant reassurance from parents or medical professionals. Others spend significant time researching symptoms online, which typically makes the anxiety worse rather than better. Some repeatedly check their body for signs of illness, monitoring their heartbeat, feeling for lumps or taking their temperature multiple times a day. Others avoid medical information, programmes or conversations about illness entirely, for fear of what they might learn.

Frequent visits to the GP or school nurse with physical complaints that have no clear medical cause are also common, as are physical symptoms such as headaches and stomach aches that are driven by anxiety rather than genuine illness.

Some degree of health awareness is normal and healthy. Health anxiety becomes a problem when the worry is persistent and excessive, when it causes significant distress, or when it begins to affect a young person's ability to attend school, socialise or take part in everyday activities. If your child's health worries are taking up significant amounts of their time and energy, and if reassurance is providing only temporary relief before the cycle begins again, it is worth seeking support.

This is a question many parents ask, and it is worth being direct: health anxiety is not attention seeking. A young person with health anxiety genuinely believes their fears are well founded, and the distress they experience is very real. Dismissing their concerns or telling them they are fine is unlikely to help, and can leave them feeling unheard and more anxious.

At the same time, repeated reassurance, while a natural parental response, inadvertently maintains the anxiety by reinforcing the idea that the fears are legitimate and that reassurance is the way to manage them.

At Sulis Therapies

At Sulis Therapies, we treat phobias in children and young people using CBT and EMDR, delivered online across the UK. Get in touch to arrange a free initial consultation and find out how we can help.

When Does a Fear Become a Phobia?

Fri, 17 Apr 2026 20:22:47 GMT

What is a Normal Childhood Fear?

Most children are afraid of something. Spiders, dogs, the dark, loud noises, needles. Childhood fears are extremely common and in most cases a completely normal part of development. For many children, these fears fade naturally as they get older and gain confidence and experience. For others, a fear intensifies rather than diminishes, beginning to limit their daily life in ways that go well beyond typical childhood anxiety. At that point, it has become a phobia.

Understanding the difference between a normal childhood fear and a clinical phobia matters, because the two require very different responses. This post explains what sets a phobia apart, how to recognise one, and what to do if you think your child may have developed one.

Normal childhood fears are age-appropriate, widely shared, and do not significantly impair daily functioning. A young child who is afraid of the dark, a primary school child who is nervous around dogs, or a teenager who dislikes spiders. These are common fears that most children experience at some point.

Normal fears may cause some distress in the moment, but they do not prevent the child from living their life. They do not typically lead to significant avoidance, and they tend to reduce naturally over time as the child matures.

What is a Phobia?

Common Phobias in Children and Young People

When Should I Seek Help?

If your child's fear is causing them significant distress, driving avoidance of everyday situations, or limiting their ability to participate in school, social life or family activities, it is worth seeking support. You do not need to wait until the fear has become completely debilitating. The earlier a phobia is addressed, the easier it tends to be to treat.

Why Phobias Don't Just Go Away

One of the most important things to understand about phobias is why they tend to worsen rather than improve without support. At the heart of most phobias is avoidance. When a feared object or situation is encountered, the anxiety that follows is intense and immediate. Avoiding it brings rapid relief, and that relief powerfully reinforces the avoidance. Over time, the feared object or situation becomes more threatening in the mind, and the range of things that need to be avoided in order to feel safe gradually expands.

This is why waiting for a phobia to resolve on its own is rarely effective. The avoidance that provides short term relief is the very thing that maintains and strengthens the phobia over time.

Phobias can develop around almost any object or situation, but some are particularly common in children and young people. Emetophobia, the fear of vomiting, is one of the most common and most frequently searched phobias in young people, and can have a significant impact on eating, socialising and school attendance. Needle phobia is also very common and can have serious implications for a young person's physical health if it leads to avoidance of medical treatment. Other common phobias include fear of dogs, spiders, heights and enclosed spaces.

A phobia is an intense, persistent fear of a specific object, situation or experience that is out of proportion to any actual danger and does not resolve without support. The key distinction between a normal fear and a phobia is the impact it has on daily life.

When fear begins to drive avoidance, limiting what a young person can do, where they can go, or how freely they can live, it has become something worth addressing. A child who refuses to go to school because there might be a dog nearby, a teenager who will not eat in public because of a fear of vomiting, or a young person who avoids all medical appointments because of a needle phobia. These are not normal fears. They are phobias that are significantly affecting daily life.

At Sulis Therapies

At Sulis Therapies, we treat phobias in children and young people using CBT and EMDR, delivered online across the UK. Get in touch to arrange a free initial consultation and find out how we can help.

Emotional Dysregulation or Bad Behaviour: What's the Difference?

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 22:37:14 GMT

What is Emotional Dysregulation?

If your child has frequent, intense emotional outbursts that seem disproportionate to the situation, you may have been told, or may have wondered yourself, whether it is simply bad behaviour.

It is one of the most common and most painful questions parents in this situation face, because the answer has significant implications for how you respond, how you seek help, and how you feel about your child and yourself as a parent.

This post aims to explain what emotional dysregulation is, how it differs from deliberate misbehaviour, and what you can do if you think your child may be struggling with it.

Emotional dysregulation refers to a persistent difficulty in managing emotional responses in a way that is proportionate to the situation. Young people with emotional dysregulation experience emotions that are more intense than those of their peers, that escalate very quickly, and that take much longer to settle. What might seem like a minor frustration to others can trigger an extreme reaction, and the young person often has little control over this.

Emotional dysregulation is not a diagnosis in itself, but a feature associated with a number of conditions including ADHD, autism, anxiety, depression and trauma. It can also occur without any underlying diagnosis.

What Does Emotional Dysregulation Look Like?

What Can Help?

At Sulis Therapies

At Sulis Therapies, we work with children and young people struggling with emotional dysregulation, using CBT, DBT Skills and EMDR delivered online across the UK. Get in touch to arrange a free initial consultation and find out how we can help.

How is This Different from Bad Behaviour?

This is the question that matters most to many parents, and it is worth being direct about it. Bad behaviour, in the traditional sense, involves a degree of deliberate choice. A child who knows the rules, understands the consequences, and chooses to break them anyway is behaving badly. A child who is overwhelmed by an emotional response they cannot control is not making a choice in the same way.

The distinction is not always clean. Young people with emotional dysregulation can also sometimes behave badly in the conventional sense. But the explosive, disproportionate, difficult-to-control reactions that characterise emotional dysregulation are not primarily a discipline problem. They are a regulatory problem, and they require a different response.

Parents of children with emotional dysregulation often describe feeling like they are walking on eggshells, never knowing what might trigger an episode. They frequently report that standard approaches to behaviour management do not work, and may even make things worse. This is a common and significant sign that what they are dealing with is dysregulation rather than straightforward misbehaviour.

Understanding that emotional dysregulation is not deliberate misbehaviour is the first step. The second is getting the right support in place.

Therapy, particularly CBT incorporating DBT Skills, can be highly effective in helping young people develop the skills to understand and manage their emotional responses. DBT Skills, which stands for Dialectical Behaviour Therapy Skills, provides concrete tools for tolerating distress, regulating emotions and improving relationships. These are skills that do not come naturally to young people with emotional dysregulation, but that can be learned with the right support.

Where emotional dysregulation is rooted in past traumatic or distressing experiences, EMDR may also be recommended following an assessment.

Emotional dysregulation can present in a number of ways. Explosive anger, shouting, aggression or physical outbursts are perhaps the most visible. But it can also manifest as intense distress, crying or emotional shutdown in response to situations that others find manageable. Some young people swing rapidly between extremes, appearing fine one moment and completely overwhelmed the next.

A key feature is the disproportionate nature of the response. The reaction does not match the trigger, and the young person struggles to bring themselves back to a regulated state even when they want to.

Is My Child Depressed or Just a Typical Teenager?

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 22:23:54 GMT

What Does Normal Teenage Behaviour Look Like?

Teenagers can be moody, withdrawn, irritable and uncommunicative. This is normal. Adolescence is a turbulent time, and some degree of emotional volatility is a natural part of growing up. But for parents who are watching their child struggle, it can be genuinely difficult to know whether what they are seeing is typical teenage behaviour or something that needs professional attention.

This post aims to help you understand the difference between normal teenage moodiness and depression, and what to do if you are concerned.

Normal teenage behaviour includes mood swings, irritability, a desire for privacy and independence, conflict with parents, and periods of low motivation or low mood. Teenagers are navigating significant physical, social and emotional changes, and their behaviour reflects that.

Normal teenage moodiness tends to be episodic. Your teenager may be difficult one day and perfectly fine the next. They will still have moments of enjoyment, humour and connection. Their difficulties, while real, do not tend to significantly impair their ability to function in everyday life over a sustained period.

What Does Depression Look Like in Teenagers?

When Should I Seek Help?

At Sulis Therapies

At Sulis Therapies, we offer specialist private CBT and EMDR therapy for teenagers and young people with depression, delivered online across the UK. Get in touch to arrange a free initial consultation and find out how we can help.

How Long Has It Been Going On?

One of the most useful questions to ask is how long the difficulties have been present. A difficult few days or even a difficult couple of weeks is not necessarily cause for concern. Two weeks or more of persistent low mood, withdrawal or loss of interest, particularly with no obvious explanation, is worth taking seriously.

It is also worth thinking about whether there has been a change. Has your teenager become noticeably different over the past few weeks or months? Have things that they previously enjoyed lost their appeal? Has their engagement with school, friends or family changed significantly? A clear and sustained change in your child's mood, behaviour and functioning is one of the most important signals that something beyond typical teenage behaviour may be going on.

If your child has been experiencing persistent low mood or other symptoms of depression for two weeks or more, it is worth speaking to your GP. If your child is expressing feelings of hopelessness about the future, talking about not wanting to be here, or showing any signs of self-harm, seek help without delay.

You do not need to be certain that your child is depressed before seeking support. If you are concerned, that is reason enough to get advice. Early intervention makes a significant difference to how quickly and fully a young person recovers from depression.

Depression is different from normal teenage moodiness in several important ways. Rather than being episodic, depression is persistent. A young person with depression will experience low mood, loss of interest and other symptoms consistently over a period of weeks or months, rather than in response to specific events or triggers.

Common signs of depression in teenagers include a persistent low or flat mood that does not lift, withdrawal from friends, family and activities they previously enjoyed, a significant drop in school attendance or performance, changes in sleep, either sleeping excessively or being unable to sleep, changes in appetite and weight, persistent fatigue and lack of energy, difficulty concentrating, and a pervasive sense of hopelessness or worthlessness.

In teenagers, depression can also present as irritability and anger rather than visible sadness, which can make it easy to mistake for typical teenage behaviour. A teenager who has become significantly more hostile, argumentative or emotionally volatile over a sustained period may be experiencing depression rather than simply going through a difficult phase.

ARFID vs Fussy Eating: What's the Difference?

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 22:02:35 GMT

What is Fussy Eating?

Most young children go through phases of fussy eating. Refusing vegetables, insisting on the same meal every day, rejecting foods based on colour or texture. These are common behaviours that most parents will recognise. For the majority of children, fussy eating is a phase that resolves on its own over time. For some, however, what looks like fussy eating is something quite different: a recognised clinical condition called Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder, or ARFID.

Understanding the difference between fussy eating and ARFID matters, because the two require very different responses. This post explains what sets ARFID apart, how to recognise it, and what to do if you think your child may have it.

Fussy eating, sometimes called picky eating, is extremely common in young children. It typically involves a preference for familiar foods, a resistance to trying new things, and strong opinions about texture, appearance or smell. Most fussy eaters will eat a reasonable range of foods across different food groups, even if the range feels frustratingly limited to their parents.

Fussy eating tends to peak between the ages of two and six and gradually improves as children get older. It does not typically cause significant nutritional deficiencies, significant distress, or meaningful limitations on a child's ability to participate in everyday social situations involving food.

What is ARFID?

Does My Child Need a Diagnosis?

At Sulis Therapies

At Sulis Therapies, all sessions are delivered online, giving families across the UK access to specialist CBT and EMDR therapy for children and young people without the need to travel. Get in touch to arrange a free initial consultation and find out how we can help.

How to Tell the Difference

The distinction between fussy eating and ARFID is not always immediately obvious, but there are several signs that suggest a child's eating difficulties may have moved beyond typical fussy eating.

The range of accepted foods is extremely limited, often to fewer than twenty foods, and may be narrowing over time rather than expanding. Mealtimes are a source of significant and consistent distress for the child, beyond typical reluctance or negotiation. The child's eating is affecting their nutrition or growth, with a GP or dietitian expressing concern about their weight or development. Social situations involving food, such as school lunches, parties or eating out, cause significant anxiety or avoidance. The difficulties have persisted well beyond the age at which fussy eating typically resolves, with no improvement over time.

A formal ARFID diagnosis is not required to seek therapeutic support. If your child's eating difficulties are causing significant distress, affecting their nutrition or growth, or limiting their ability to participate in everyday life, it is worth seeking specialist help regardless of whether a formal diagnosis is in place.

That said, a diagnosis can be helpful in accessing support through school and other services, and in giving the whole family a shared understanding of what is happening and why.

ARFID is an eating disorder characterised by a severely limited range of accepted foods, or a significant avoidance of eating altogether, that is not related to body image or a desire to lose weight. It is driven instead by one or more of the following: sensory sensitivities to the taste, texture, smell, colour or appearance of food; a fear of adverse consequences such as choking, vomiting or allergic reactions; or a general lack of interest in food and eating.

Unlike fussy eating, ARFID does not tend to improve naturally over time. Without support, the range of accepted foods typically stays the same or narrows further, and the impact on nutrition, growth, daily functioning and quality of life becomes increasingly significant.

What Can Help?

ARFID does not respond to the approaches that parents are often advised to try with fussy eaters, such as repeatedly offering rejected foods, insisting that a child tries at least one bite, or removing preferred foods to encourage variety. These approaches can increase anxiety around food and make ARFID worse.

The most effective treatment for ARFID is specialist CBT, adapted specifically for the condition. CBT for ARFID addresses the thoughts, feelings and behaviours maintaining the food avoidance, and supports young people to gradually expand their range of accepted foods at a pace that feels manageable. It requires a therapist with specific training in ARFID, as it differs significantly from general eating disorder therapy.

Online Therapy for Children: Does it Really Work?

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 21:56:01 GMT

What Does the Evidence Say?

If you are considering online therapy for your child, you may have reservations about whether it can be as effective as face to face therapy. It is a reasonable question, and one that many parents ask. This post looks at what the evidence says, what the practical advantages of online therapy are, and what to consider when deciding whether it is right for your child.

The research on online therapy is now substantial, and the evidence is clear: for CBT and EMDR, online delivery is just as effective as face to face therapy. Multiple large-scale studies have found no significant difference in outcomes between online and in-person therapy, and this finding holds across a range of conditions including anxiety, OCD, depression and trauma.

The growth of online therapy during and after the pandemic accelerated research in this area significantly, and the evidence base has strengthened considerably in recent years. Online therapy is now endorsed by major health bodies and is increasingly the norm rather than the exception.

Does Online Therapy Work for Children Specifically?

Are There Any Downsides?

At Sulis Therapies

Why Many Young People Prefer Online Therapy

For many children and young people, the idea of sitting in an unfamiliar room with a stranger and talking about their difficulties is daunting. Online therapy removes several of the barriers that make face to face therapy feel intimidating.

Being in their own home, in a familiar and comfortable environment, makes it easier for many young people to relax and open up. There is no journey to an unfamiliar location, no waiting room, and no transition from the outside world into a clinical setting.

For anxious young people in particular, removing these additional stressors can make a significant difference to how comfortably they engage with the therapy.

Teenagers in particular often respond well to online therapy. Communicating via a screen is second nature to most teenagers, and many find it easier to discuss difficult topics from the privacy of their own space.

Online therapy is not right for every child in every situation. Very young children may find it harder to engage via a screen, and some children with particular needs may benefit from the physical presence of a therapist. For most children and young people, however, online therapy is a highly effective and often preferable alternative to face to face sessions.

A stable internet connection and a private space in which to have sessions are the main practical requirements. Most families are able to meet these requirements without difficulty.

Yes. Research specifically examining online therapy for children and young people consistently supports its effectiveness. In fact, for many young people online therapy is preferable to face to face sessions for reasons we will come to shortly.

CBT and EMDR, the two therapies offered at Sulis Therapies, are both well-suited to online delivery and have strong evidence bases for online effectiveness.

How Much Does Child Therapy Cost in the UK?

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 21:27:45 GMT

What Does Private Child Therapy Cost?

If you are considering private therapy for your child, cost is likely to be one of your first questions. This post aims to give you a clear and honest picture of what private child therapy typically costs in the UK, what affects the price, and whether there are any ways to reduce the cost.

The cost of private child therapy in the UK varies depending on the type of therapy, the therapist's experience and qualifications, and where they are based. As a general guide, CBT sessions typically cost between £60 and £120 per session, with most experienced and accredited therapists charging in the region of £80 to £100. EMDR sessions tend to be slightly more expensive, reflecting the longer session length and additional training, and typically cost between £80 and £130.

At Sulis Therapies, CBT sessions cost £85 and last 50 to 60 minutes. EMDR sessions cost £100 and last 90 minutes.

What Affects the Cost?

Therapists with higher levels of training and accreditation, such as BABCP accreditation for CBT, typically charge more. BABCP accreditation is a rigorous professional standard requiring therapists to meet specific criteria around qualifications, supervised clinical practice and ongoing professional development. It is widely regarded as the benchmark for CBT practitioners in the UK and is a reliable indicator of quality.

Does Private Health Insurance Cover Child Therapy?

At Sulis Therapies

At Sulis Therapies, we offer specialist private CBT and EMDR therapy for children and young people up to the age of 26, delivered online across the UK. We offer a free initial consultation to discuss your child's needs and find out how we can help, with no obligation to proceed.

How Many Sessions Will My Child Need?

The total cost of a course of therapy depends not just on the cost per session but on the number of sessions needed. This varies significantly depending on the individual and the nature of their difficulties. A typical course of CBT for a child or young person involves between eight and twenty sessions, though some young people need fewer and others more. EMDR can sometimes produce significant results in fewer sessions, particularly where the difficulties are linked to a specific event.

Following an initial assessment, your therapist will be able to give you a clearer indication of the likely number of sessions needed.

Some private health insurance policies cover CBT and EMDR, either in full or in part. It is worth checking your policy carefully before assuming you need to pay out of pocket. Key things to check include whether your policy covers mental health treatment, whether there are any exclusions for pre-existing conditions, and whether you need a GP referral before accessing cover.

If you are covered, your insurer will typically have a list of approved therapists. It is worth checking whether the therapist you are considering is on that list before proceeding.

Is Private Therapy Worth the Cost?

This is a question only you can answer, but it is worth considering the cost of private therapy in the context of the alternative. For many families, the alternative to private therapy is waiting twelve months or more for CAMHS support , during which time their child's difficulties may worsen and the impact on their daily life, schooling and relationships may increase. The cost of a course of private therapy, while significant, is often considerably less than the long-term cost of leaving difficulties unaddressed.

Qualifications and Accreditation

Several factors influence the cost of private child therapy.

Experience

More experienced therapists, particularly those with specialist experience in working with children and young people, typically charge more than those who are newly qualified.

Online vs In-Person

Online therapy is often slightly less expensive than in-person therapy, as it removes the therapist's overhead costs associated with maintaining a physical premises.

How to Find a Private Child Therapist in the UK

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 21:07:29 GMT

Why Choosing the Right Therapist Matters

If you have decided to pursue private therapy for your child, the next step is finding the right therapist. With so many options available, it can feel overwhelming to know where to start.

This guide explains what to look for, where to search, and how to make sure you are choosing someone who is properly qualified and experienced.

The relationship between a young person and their therapist is one of the most important factors in the success of therapy. Getting it right from the start, finding someone who is properly qualified, experienced with children and young people, and a good fit for your child, makes a significant difference to outcomes.

What Qualifications Should a Child Therapist Have?

Therapy is not a regulated profession in the UK in the same way that medicine or nursing is, which means that in theory anyone can call themselves a therapist. This makes it particularly important to check qualifications and accreditations carefully before proceeding.

For CBT , look for a therapist who is accredited by the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies, known as the BABCP. BABCP accreditation requires therapists to meet rigorous standards of training, supervision and continuing professional development, and is the gold standard for CBT in the UK.

For EMDR , look for a therapist who is an accredited member of EMDR UK, the professional body for EMDR therapists in the UK.

It is also important to check that the therapist has specific training and experience in working with children and young people. Many therapists work primarily with adults, and working with children and young people requires additional training, a different skill set, and an understanding of child development and family dynamics.

What Questions Should I Ask?

At Sulis Therapies

At Sulis Therapies, we offer specialist private CBT and EMDR therapy for children and young people up to the age of 26, delivered online across the UK. Our therapist is BABCP accredited and a member of EMDR UK, and has over twenty years of experience working exclusively with children and young people. Get in touch to arrange a free initial consultation and find out how we can help.

Where to Find a Private Child Therapist?

There are several ways to find a qualified private therapist for your child. Online therapist directories allow you to search by specialism, therapy type and age group, and can be a useful starting point. Professional bodies such as the BABCP and EMDR UK also maintain searchable registers of accredited therapists.

Whichever route you take, the most important thing is to verify the therapist's qualifications and experience before proceeding. A listing in a directory is not in itself a guarantee of quality.

Once you have identified a potential therapist, it is worth asking a few questions before committing to sessions. How much experience do they have working with children and young people? What specific conditions do they specialise in? What is their approach to involving parents in the therapy process? Do they hold a current DBS check?

A reputable therapist will be happy to answer these questions and will welcome the opportunity to discuss whether they are the right fit for your child.

Should I Choose an Online or In-Person Private Therapist?

Online therapy has become increasingly mainstream and the evidence consistently supports its effectiveness. For many young people, particularly teenagers, the comfort and privacy of their own home makes it easier to engage openly in sessions. Online therapy also removes the need to travel and makes specialist therapists accessible to families anywhere in the UK, regardless of location.

If you are based in a rural area or a part of the UK where specialist child therapists are limited locally, online therapy significantly expands your options.

A Note on Cost

Private therapy involves a cost per session that varies depending on the therapist and the type of therapy. It is worth checking whether your child is covered by private health insurance before ruling out private therapy on cost grounds. Some insurers cover CBT and EMDR, and the cost of sessions may be partially or fully covered by your policy.

My Child Has Been Diagnosed with OCD. What Now?

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 19:58:35 GMT

What Does an OCD Diagnosis Mean?

If your child has just been diagnosed with OCD, you may be feeling a mixture of relief that there is finally a name for what has been happening, and anxiety about what comes next. An OCD diagnosis can feel overwhelming, particularly if you do not know much about the condition or what treatment involves.

This post aims to give you a clear picture of what the diagnosis means, what help is available, and what you can do right now to support your child.

Avoid providing excessive reassurance

An OCD diagnosis means that your child has been assessed as having Obsessive Compulsive Disorder , a condition characterised by unwanted, intrusive thoughts known as obsessions, and repetitive behaviours or mental acts known as compulsions that are carried out to relieve the distress those thoughts cause. The relief is temporary, and the cycle continues.

It is important to understand that an OCD diagnosis is not a life sentence. OCD is a well-understood condition with highly effective treatments, and the majority of young people who receive appropriate therapy make significant improvements. The diagnosis is the first step toward getting the right help in place.

It is also worth knowing that OCD exists on a spectrum of severity. Some young people experience relatively mild symptoms that have a limited impact on their daily life, while others are significantly affected. Where your child sits on that spectrum will influence the recommended treatment approach and the likely timeline for recovery.

What Treatment is Available?

The NICE recommended treatment for OCD in children and young people is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy with Exposure and Response Prevention, known as CBT with ERP. This is a specific form of CBT that helps young people gradually face the thoughts and situations that trigger their OCD, without carrying out the compulsion. Over time this breaks the cycle and significantly reduces the hold OCD has over daily life.

In some cases, EMDR may also be recommended, particularly where OCD is rooted in past traumatic or distressing experiences. Following an assessment, a therapist will advise which approach is most appropriate for your child.

In more severe cases, medication may also be recommended alongside therapy. Your GP or a psychiatrist can advise on this.

What Can I Do to Support My Child at Home?

It is natural to want to reassure your child when they are distressed, but repeated reassurance can inadvertently strengthen OCD by confirming that the obsessive thoughts are worth worrying about. Try to acknowledge your child's distress without engaging with the content of the obsession.

Resist accommodating compulsions

Similarly, helping your child carry out compulsions or modifying family routines to avoid triggering OCD can maintain and strengthen the cycle. This is very difficult in practice, and should be approached gradually and ideally with guidance from a therapist.

Talk to your child's school

Make sure the school is aware of the diagnosis and understands how OCD may be affecting your child's ability to concentrate, complete work and participate in school life. Most schools can put reasonable adjustments in place to reduce the pressure on your child while they are waiting for treatment.

Continuity

In CAMHS, your child may see different clinicians at different points in their care. In private therapy, they will typically work with the same therapist throughout, which allows for a more consistent and continuous therapeutic relationship.

At Sulis Therapies

At Sulis Therapies, we specialise in CBT and EMDR for children and young people with OCD. We typically have availability within a matter of weeks, and offer a free initial consultation to discuss your child's needs and find out how we can help. You do not need a referral and there is no waiting list.

Learn about OCD

Understanding the condition is one of the most useful things a parent can do. The more you understand about how OCD works, the better placed you will be to support your child without inadvertently reinforcing their symptoms. OCD Action and OCD UK are both reputable organisations with good resources for parents.

Should I Go Through CAMHS or Private Therapy?

If your child has been diagnosed by CAMHS, they may already be on a waiting list for treatment. If the diagnosis has come through a GP, school or private assessment, you will need to decide whether to pursue treatment through CAMHS or privately .

CAMHS is free but waiting times for treatment can be significant. In many parts of the UK, families wait twelve months or more for treatment to begin after a referral. For a young person with OCD, whose symptoms can worsen significantly without treatment, this can be a very long time to wait.

Private therapy offers faster access, with most private therapists able to begin treatment within weeks. It involves a cost per session, but for many families the ability to start treatment quickly is worth the investment. Private therapy does not affect your child's position on the CAMHS waiting list, so the two options are not mutually exclusive.

While waiting for therapy to begin, there are several things you can do to support your child at home.

What is EMDR? A Guide for Parents of Children and Young People

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 21:50:47 GMT

What is EMDR?

If your child has been recommended EMDR therapy, you may not be entirely sure what it involves. Unlike CBT , which is widely known, EMDR is less familiar to most parents, and the way it works can sound unusual at first.

This guide explains what EMDR is, how it works, and what to expect if your child begins a course of EMDR therapy.

Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing, or EMDR, is an evidence-based therapy developed in the late 1980s by American psychologist Francine Shapiro. It is recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) as a first-line treatment for PTSD and trauma, and is also used effectively for a range of other conditions where distressing memories or experiences are contributing to current difficulties.

EMDR is based on the understanding that when a person experiences something traumatic or deeply distressing, the memory of that experience can become stored in a way that continues to cause distress long after the event itself has passed. Sights, sounds, smells or situations that remind the person of the experience can trigger intense emotional reactions that feel as vivid and overwhelming as the original event. EMDR works by helping the brain process these memories properly, so that they lose their emotional intensity and no longer have the same power to cause distress.

What is Bilateral Stimulation?

Does My Child Have to Talk About What Happened?

This is one of the most common questions parents have about EMDR, and the answer is reassuring. EMDR does not require your child to describe their experiences in detail or repeatedly revisit them in the way that some other forms of therapy do. The processing happens through bilateral stimulation rather than through talking, which many young people find significantly less daunting than they expected.

Your child will need to briefly bring the memory or experience to mind during processing, but they do not need to verbalise it. Many young people find this aspect of EMDR a relief, particularly those who find it difficult to talk about what they have been through.

Is EMDR Safe for Children?

Yes. EMDR is a safe and well-established therapy that has been used with children and young people for decades. When delivered by a trained and accredited therapist, it is considered safe and appropriate for children and young people of all ages.

Some parents worry that EMDR might be distressing or overwhelming for their child. It is true that some emotional discomfort can arise during processing, as it does in any therapy that addresses difficult material. However, EMDR is carefully paced, and the therapist remains in control of the process throughout. Your child will never be pushed beyond what they can manage, and sessions are structured to ensure they leave feeling settled and grounded.

At Sulis Therapies

At Sulis Therapies, we offer specialist private EMDR therapy for children and young people of all ages, delivered online across the UK. Our therapist is a member of the EMDR UK Association and has completed specialist training in Child and Adolescent EMDR. Get in touch to arrange a free initial consultation and find out whether EMDR is the right approach for your child.

The element of EMDR that most people find unusual is bilateral stimulation. During EMDR processing, the young person is asked to bring a distressing memory to mind while simultaneously following a series of side-to-side eye movements, taps or sounds. This is known as bilateral stimulation.

The precise mechanism by which bilateral stimulation helps the brain process difficult memories is not yet fully understood, but the evidence for its effectiveness is robust. The current leading theory is that bilateral stimulation mimics the rapid eye movement that occurs during REM sleep, the phase of sleep in which the brain naturally processes and consolidates memories. By replicating this process while the distressing memory is active, EMDR appears to help the brain complete the processing that did not happen naturally at the time of the experience.

How is EMDR Delivered Online?

One of the most common questions about online EMDR is how bilateral stimulation works without being in the same room as the therapist. The answer is that it works very well. Eye movements can be guided through the screen, with the young person following a moving stimulus on their device. Alternatively, the young person can use tactile bilateral stimulation, tapping alternately on their knees or shoulders. Both approaches are as effective as in-person delivery, and most young people adapt quickly.

What Conditions Can EMDR Help With?

EMDR is most widely known as a treatment for trauma and PTSD , and this is where the strongest evidence base lies. However, it is also used effectively for anxiety, depression, phobias, OCD, panic disorder and other conditions where distressing memories or past experiences are contributing to current difficulties. Following an assessment, your therapist will advise whether EMDR is the recommended approach for your child.

How Many Sessions Will My Child Need?

This varies depending on the individual and the nature of their difficulties. EMDR can sometimes produce significant results in a relatively small number of sessions, particularly where the difficulties are linked to a specific event. More complex or longstanding difficulties may require more sessions. Your therapist will be able to give a clearer indication of the likely number of sessions following the initial assessment.

What is CBT? A Guide for Parents of Children and Young People

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 20:59:07 GMT

What is CBT?

If your child has been recommended Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, or CBT, you may be wondering what it actually involves and whether it is the right approach for your child. CBT is one of the most widely used and thoroughly researched forms of psychological therapy in the world, and it has a strong evidence base for a wide range of conditions in children and young people.

This guide aims to explain what CBT is, how it works, and what to expect if your child begins a course of CBT therapy.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is a structured, goal-oriented form of therapy that focuses on the relationship between thoughts, feelings and behaviours. The central principle of CBT is that the way we think about a situation affects how we feel about it, and how we feel affects how we behave. By identifying and changing unhelpful patterns of thinking and behaviour, CBT helps people develop more effective ways of managing their difficulties.

CBT is recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) as a first-line treatment for a wide range of conditions including anxiety, OCD, depression and phobias. It is one of the most evidence-based therapies available, with decades of research supporting its effectiveness.

How is CBT Different for Children and Young People?

What Conditions Does CBT Treat?

CBT is effective for a wide range of conditions in children and young people, including anxiety in its various forms, OCD, depression, phobias, panic disorder, health anxiety, low self-esteem, emotional dysregulation, school refusal, ARFID, and tics and Tourette's.

What Happens in CBT Sessions?

CBT sessions are structured and focused. Each session typically has a clear agenda, and builds on the work done in previous sessions. Your child will be introduced to tools and techniques that they can practise between sessions, as the work done outside of therapy is just as important as the work done within it.

A typical course of CBT for a child or young person will begin with an assessment, in which the therapist works to understand the difficulties being experienced and agree on the goals for therapy. From there, sessions will focus on identifying unhelpful patterns of thinking and behaviour, developing new strategies to manage them, and practising those strategies in real life situations.

At Sulis Therapies

At Sulis Therapies, we offer specialist private CBT for children and young people up to the age of 26, delivered online across the UK. Our therapist is accredited by the BABCP, the leading professional body for CBT therapists in the UK, and has over twenty years of experience working with children and young people. Get in touch to arrange a free initial consultation and find out whether CBT is the right approach for your child.

CBT was originally developed for adults, but has been extensively adapted for use with children and young people. The core principles are the same, but the way CBT is delivered is tailored to the age, developmental stage and individual needs of the young person.

With younger children, CBT sessions tend to be more activity-based, using games, drawings, stories and other creative approaches to explore thoughts and feelings in a way that feels engaging and age-appropriate. With teenagers, sessions tend to be more conversational, though creativity and humour still play an important role in building the therapeutic relationship.

CBT for children and young people also tends to involve parents and carers more than adult CBT. Parents may be involved in some sessions, and will often be given guidance on how to support their child between sessions and reinforce the skills being learned in therapy.

How Many Sessions Will My Child Need?

This varies depending on the individual and the nature of their difficulties. A typical course of CBT for children and young people involves between eight and twenty sessions, though some young people benefit from fewer and others may need more. Your therapist will be able to give you a clearer idea of the likely number of sessions following the initial assessment.

Does CBT Work Online?

Yes. Research consistently shows that CBT delivered online is just as effective as face to face therapy. For many young people, the comfort and familiarity of their own home actually makes it easier to engage openly in sessions. Online CBT also removes the need to travel, making specialist therapy accessible to families anywhere in the UK.

How to Get a CAMHS Referral

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 20:37:14 GMT

What is a CAMHS Referral?

If you are concerned about your child's mental health and think they may need professional support, getting a CAMHS referral is often the first step. The process is not always straightforward, and many parents find it confusing or frustrating.

This post explains how CAMHS referrals work, who can make them, and what to do if you are struggling to access support.

Your GP

A CAMHS referral is a formal request for your child to be assessed by Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services. It is the gateway to NHS mental health support for children and young people, and in most cases your child will need a referral before they can be seen by CAMHS.

Who Can Make a CAMHS Referral?

Your GP is the most common route to a CAMHS referral. If you are concerned about your child's mental health, making an appointment with your GP is usually the most straightforward first step. The GP will assess your child's needs and, if appropriate, make a referral to CAMHS.

Your Child's School

Schools can also initiate or support a CAMHS referral, particularly where difficulties are primarily presenting in a school context. Most schools have a SENCO or pastoral lead who can help. It is worth speaking to your child's school if you have not already done so, as their involvement can strengthen a referral.

Self-Referral

In some areas, parents can refer directly to CAMHS without going through a GP or school. This varies significantly by region, so it is worth checking whether self-referral is available in your area by contacting your local CAMHS service directly.

How to Make the Case for a Referral?

One of the most important things you can do when seeking a CAMHS referral is to be as specific as possible about how your child's difficulties are affecting their daily life. CAMHS referrals are assessed against eligibility criteria, and a clear picture of the impact on your child's functioning, including their school attendance, their relationships, their sleep, and their ability to enjoy everyday activities, will strengthen the case for referral.

It can be helpful to keep a diary of your child's difficulties in the weeks before the GP appointment, noting specific incidents, how frequently they occur, and how your child responds. This gives the GP concrete information to include in the referral rather than a general description of concerns.

What if the GP Won't Refer?

If your GP declines to refer your child to CAMHS, ask them to explain their reasoning and what they recommend instead. You have the right to ask for a second opinion, and you can request that the GP documents their decision and reasoning in writing.

If you feel strongly that your child needs a CAMHS assessment and the GP is not willing to refer, you can seek a second opinion from another GP within the same practice or register with a different practice. You can also contact your local CAMHS service directly to ask whether self-referral is an option in your area.

At Sulis Therapies

Navigating the CAMHS referral process can be stressful, particularly when your child needs support now. At Sulis Therapies, we offer specialist private CBT and EMDR therapy for children and young people up to the age of 26, delivered online across the UK. There is no referral needed and no waiting list. Get in touch to arrange a free initial consultation and find out how we can help.

In most parts of the UK, CAMHS referrals can be made by a range of professionals including your child's GP, their school, a paediatrician, a social worker, or another healthcare professional involved in your child's care.

What Happens After the Referral?

Once a referral has been made, it will be reviewed by CAMHS and triaged to determine whether it meets the threshold for their involvement. If accepted, your child will be added to the waiting list for an assessment appointment. As we cover in our post on what happens after a CAMHS referral, the wait can be significant in many parts of the UK.

If the referral is declined, you will be informed and usually given a reason and a suggestion of alternative support. If you disagree with the decision, you have the right to challenge it.

CAMHS vs Private Therapy: What's the Difference?

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 20:07:04 GMT

What is CAMHS?

If you are trying to decide between waiting for CAMHS and pursuing private therapy for your child, you are not alone. It is one of the most common questions parents face when their child is struggling with their mental health, and the answer is not always straightforward.

This post sets out the key differences between the two to help you make an informed decision.

Cost

CAMHS, or Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, is the NHS service responsible for supporting young people up to the age of eighteen with mental health difficulties. It is free at the point of use and covers a wide range of conditions, from anxiety and depression to more complex presentations.

CAMHS is a tiered service, meaning that the level of support offered depends on the severity of a young person's needs. Tier 1 covers universal support such as school-based counselling, while Tiers 2 and 3 provide more specialist assessment and treatment. Most parents who are referred to CAMHS will be accessing Tier 2 or 3 services.

What is Private Therapy?

Private therapy involves accessing therapeutic support outside of the NHS, typically through an independent practitioner or private clinic. You pay for the sessions directly, either out of pocket or through private health insurance. There are no eligibility thresholds or waiting lists, and you can usually begin treatment within days or weeks of making contact.

Private therapists vary widely in their training, experience and areas of specialism. It is important to ensure that any private therapist you choose is properly qualified and accredited, and that they have specific experience working with children and young people if that is relevant to your situation.

The Key Differences

CAMHS is free. Private therapy involves a fee per session, which at Sulis Therapies is £85 for CBT and £100 for EMDR. For many families this is a significant consideration, and it is worth checking whether your child is covered by private health insurance before ruling out private therapy on cost grounds.

Waiting times

CAMHS waiting times in many parts of the UK are significant, with routine referrals often involving waits of twelve months or more. Private therapy typically involves no waiting list, with appointments available within days or weeks.

Eligibility

CAMHS operates within strict eligibility criteria. Not every young person who needs support will meet the threshold for CAMHS involvement. Private therapy has no eligibility threshold. If your child is struggling and would benefit from support, a private therapist can work with them regardless of whether they would qualify for CAMHS.

Continuity

Does Accessing Private Therapy Affect a CAMHS Referral?

No. Accessing private therapy does not affect your child's position on the CAMHS waiting list or their eligibility for CAMHS support. The two are entirely separate, and many families access private therapy while simultaneously waiting for or receiving CAMHS support.

Which is Right for My Child?

There is no single right answer. For families who cannot afford private therapy, CAMHS remains an important and valuable service despite its limitations. For families who are able to access private therapy and whose child needs support now rather than in twelve months, private therapy is often the more practical option.

Some families choose to begin private therapy while waiting for CAMHS, and then review the situation when their CAMHS appointment arrives. Others choose private therapy from the outset, preferring the continuity, flexibility and speed of access it offers.

At Sulis Therapies

At Sulis Therapies, we offer specialist private CBT and EMDR therapy for children and young people up to the age of 26, delivered online across the UK. We typically have availability within a matter of weeks, and offer a free initial consultation to discuss your child's needs and find out how we can help.

Flexibility

CAMHS appointments are offered during standard working hours. Private therapists often offer appointments in the evenings and at weekends, making it easier to fit therapy around school and family life.

What to Do if Your Child is Rejected by CAMHS

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 22:05:52 GMT

Why Does CAMHS Reject Referrals?

Being told that your child does not meet the threshold for CAMHS support is one of the most difficult and frustrating experiences a parent can face, particularly after a long wait . If this has happened to you, it is important to know that you are not alone, that this outcome is more common than many people realise, and that there are steps you can take.

Ask for a clear explanation

CAMHS services operate within strict eligibility criteria, and the threshold for receiving support varies between different services and regions. A referral may be declined or a young person may be assessed and then told that CAMHS cannot help for several reasons.

Their needs may not meet the threshold for the level of support CAMHS provides. CAMHS is designed to support young people with moderate to severe mental health difficulties, and those whose needs are considered mild or moderate may be told that a different service is more appropriate.

The young person may be directed to a different service, such as a school-based counselling service, a voluntary sector organisation, or a specialist team within the NHS. This is not necessarily a negative outcome, but it can feel confusing and disheartening when you were expecting CAMHS to take on your child's care.

In some cases, a young person may be assessed and found not to meet the diagnostic criteria for any condition that CAMHS treats. This can be particularly difficult for parents who can clearly see that their child is struggling, even if that struggle does not fit neatly into a clinical category.

What Can You Do?

If your child's referral has been declined or they have been discharged following assessment, you are entitled to ask for a clear explanation of why and what alternatives are being recommended. Ask this in writing so you have a record.

Ask about the appeals process

Most CAMHS services have a formal process for challenging a decision. If you believe the decision was wrong or that your child's needs were not properly assessed, you have the right to appeal. Your GP can support you with this.

Go back to your GP

Your GP is your primary advocate within the NHS system. If CAMHS has declined the referral or discharged your child, go back to your GP to discuss what other options are available. They may be able to refer to a different service, refer back to CAMHS with additional information, or escalate the case.

Contact your local PALS

The Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) can provide advice and support to parents navigating the NHS system. They can help you understand your rights and support you in raising concerns or making a complaint.

What Happens at the End of the Wait?

For many families in this situation, private therapy is the most direct route to getting their child the support they need. A good private therapist who specialises in children and young people can begin working with your child quickly, without waiting lists or eligibility thresholds. If your child has been through a CAMHS assessment, you will have a clearer picture of their needs, which can help inform the conversation with a private therapist.

A Note on the System

It is worth saying clearly: if your child has been rejected by CAMHS, it does not mean they do not need help. It means that CAMHS, as a service under significant pressure, was unable to provide it. The eligibility criteria used by CAMHS are not a measure of your child's needs or your validity as a parent seeking support. They are a reflection of a system that does not have the capacity to meet the level of demand placed on it.

How Sulis Therapies Can Help

At Sulis Therapies, we regularly work with young people who have been through the CAMHS process and have either been rejected or have been waiting so long that they need support in the meantime. We offer specialist private CBT and EMDR therapy for children and young people up to the age of 26, delivered online across the UK. We offer a free initial consultation to discuss your child's needs and find out how we can help.

Consider private therapy

For many families in this situation, private therapy is the most direct route to getting their child the support they need. A good private therapist who specialises in children and young people can begin working with your child quickly, without waiting lists or eligibility thresholds. If your child has been through a CAMHS assessment , you will have a clearer picture of their needs, which can help inform the conversation with a private therapist.

What Happens After Your Child is Referred to CAMHS?

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 20:57:11 GMT

What is a CAMHS Referral?

If your child has just been referred to CAMHS, you may be feeling a mixture of relief that something is being done and uncertainty about what comes next. The referral process can feel opaque, and many parents find themselves unsure of what to expect or how long things will take.

This post aims to give you a clear picture of what happens after a CAMHS referral and how to navigate the process.

A CAMHS referral is a formal request for your child to be assessed and potentially treated by Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services. Referrals can come from a number of sources, including your child's GP, their school, a paediatrician, or another healthcare professional. In some areas it is also possible for parents to self-refer directly to CAMHS, though this varies by region.

The referral will include information about your child's difficulties and why the referring professional feels CAMHS involvement is appropriate. It is worth asking the person making the referral what information they are including, as this can affect how the referral is triaged.

What Happens After the Referral is Made?

Once the referral has been received by CAMHS, it will be reviewed by a clinician who will assess whether it meets the threshold for CAMHS involvement. This is known as triage. Not all referrals are accepted. If CAMHS determines that your child's needs do not meet their threshold, the referral may be declined and you will be informed of this, usually with a suggestion of alternative support.

If the referral is accepted, your child will be added to the waiting list for an assessment appointment . You should receive confirmation of this in writing, though the level of communication varies between different CAMHS services.

How Long Will You Wait?

As we covered in our post on CAMHS waiting times , the wait for a first appointment can be significant. Routine referrals in many parts of the UK involve waits of twelve months or more, and in some areas considerably longer. The wait for an assessment does not mean the wait for treatment. Once assessed, there may be a further wait before treatment begins.

What Can You Do While You Wait?

While you are waiting, there are several things worth doing to support your child. Talk to your GP if the situation changes, engage your child's school's pastoral support, and consider whether private therapy might be an option. We cover this in more detail in our post on CAMHS waiting times.

Will Private Therapy Affect the CAMHS Referral?

This is a question many parents have, and the answer is no. Accessing private therapy while waiting for CAMHS does not affect your child's position on the waiting list or their eligibility for CAMHS support. The two are entirely separate, and many young people receive private therapy while simultaneously waiting for or receiving CAMHS support.

At Sulis Therapies

At Sulis Therapies, we work with many young people who are currently on a CAMHS waiting list. We offer specialist private CBT and EMDR therapy for children and young people up to the age of 26, delivered online across the UK. We typically have availability within a matter of weeks, and offer a free initial consultation to discuss your child's needs and find out how we can help.

What Happens at a CAMHS Assessment?

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 20:57:09 GMT

What is a CAMHS Assessment?

If your child has finally reached the top of the CAMHS waiting list and an assessment appointment has arrived, you may be feeling a mixture of relief and apprehension. After what may have been a very long wait, the assessment is an important step, but many parents arrive not quite knowing what to expect.

This post aims to give you a clear picture of what the assessment involves, how to prepare, and what happens afterwards.

CAMHS waiting times vary significantly depending on where you live in the UK, the nature of your child's difficulties, and how urgently the referral has been flagged. Routine referrals in many parts of the country can involve waits of twelve to eighteen months, and in some areas families are waiting two years or more before being seen.

Urgent referrals, where there is a concern about immediate risk to the young person, are typically seen more quickly. However, the threshold for an urgent referral is high, and most referrals for anxiety, depression, OCD or other common conditions will be treated as routine regardless of how significantly they are affecting your child's daily life.

It is also worth knowing that the waiting time figures quoted by CAMHS services often refer to the time until a first appointment, which in many cases will be an initial assessment rather than the start of treatment. The wait for treatment to actually begin can be considerably longer.

Why Are CAMHS Waiting Times So Long?

This varies depending on the CAMHS service and the nature of your child's referral. In most cases the assessment will be conducted by a CAMHS clinician, which may be a psychiatrist, psychologist, therapist or specialist nurse. In some cases there will be more than one professional present.

Parents or carers are typically invited to attend, at least for part of the assessment. Younger children will usually be seen alongside a parent throughout. Teenagers may be seen alone for part of the appointment, as CAMHS clinicians will want to hear directly from the young person themselves. If your child is anxious about attending alone, it is worth discussing this with the CAMHS team in advance.

What Questions Will Be Asked?

The assessment will typically cover a wide range of areas, including your child's current difficulties, when the problems started, how they are affecting daily life, school attendance and performance, friendships and relationships, family circumstances, and any relevant medical or developmental history.

It can feel like a lot of ground to cover, and some parents find it helpful to make notes beforehand so they do not forget anything important. Think about when you first noticed the difficulties, how they have changed over time, and what impact they are having on your child and your family.

Your child will also be asked questions directly. CAMHS clinicians are experienced at speaking with young people and will try to make the conversation as comfortable as possible. It can be helpful to prepare your child for the fact that they will be asked about how they are feeling, without putting words in their mouth or creating additional anxiety about the appointment.

How Long Does the Assessment Last?

CAMHS assessments typically last between one and two hours, though this varies depending on the service and the complexity of your child's needs. Some assessments are conducted over more than one appointment.

What Happens After the Assessment?

Following the assessment, the CAMHS team will review the information gathered and determine the most appropriate next steps. There are several possible outcomes.

Your child may be offered a course of treatment within CAMHS, in which case you will be given information about what that involves and when it is likely to begin. In some cases there may be another wait before treatment starts.

Your child may be referred to a different service that is better placed to meet their needs, such as a specialist team, a different CAMHS pathway, or a community service.

In some cases, your child may be told that their needs do not meet the threshold for CAMHS intervention. This is more common than many parents realise, and can feel devastating after a long wait. It does not mean that your child does not need support, it means that CAMHS, as a service, is not able to provide it. If this happens , it is important to know that other options are available.

If CAMHS Cannot Help

Being told that your child does not meet the threshold for CAMHS support after a lengthy wait is one of the most difficult outcomes a parent can face. It is worth knowing that this decision is based on CAMHS's own criteria and capacity, and is not a reflection of whether your child genuinely needs help.

Private therapy is one option worth considering in this situation. A specialist private therapist who works exclusively with children and young people can often begin treatment quickly, without the waiting times and threshold criteria associated with CAMHS. If your child has been through a CAMHS assessment, you will also have a clearer picture of their needs, which can help inform the conversation with a private therapist.

At Sulis Therapies, we work with many young people who have been through the CAMHS process, whether they are still waiting, have been assessed and are awaiting treatment, or have been told that CAMHS is unable to help. We offer a free initial consultation to discuss your child's needs and find out how we can support them.

How Long is the CAMHS Waiting List?

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 21:32:22 GMT

What to Expect from CAMHS Waiting Times

If your child has been referred to CAMHS and you have just been told they are on a waiting list, you are probably feeling a mixture of relief that help is on the way and anxiety about how long that help might take to arrive.

This post aims to give you an honest picture of what to expect, what you can do in the meantime, and what your options are if the wait feels too long or if CAMHS is ultimately unable to help.

Talk to your child's school

CAMHS waiting times vary significantly depending on where you live in the UK, the nature of your child's difficulties, and how urgently the referral has been flagged. If your child has just been referred, you can find out more about what to expect in our post on what happens after a CAMHS referral.

Routine referrals in many parts of the country can involve waits of twelve to eighteen months, and in some areas families are waiting two years or more before being seen.

Why Are CAMHS Waiting Times So Long?

CAMHS services across the UK have been under significant pressure for many years. Demand for child and adolescent mental health support has increased substantially, driven by growing awareness of mental health issues, the impact of social media, academic pressure and, more recently, the lasting effects of the pandemic on young people's wellbeing.

At the same time, CAMHS services have not received the funding or staffing needed to keep pace with that demand. The result is a system that is doing its best under enormous pressure, but that is simply unable to see the volume of young people who need support in a timely way. This is not a criticism of the dedicated professionals working within CAMHS, it is a reflection of a system that has been chronically underfunded for decades.

What Happens While You Wait?

For most families, the honest answer is very little. Once your child is on the waiting list, you are unlikely to hear much from CAMHS until an appointment becomes available. There is typically no interim support offered, no check-ins, and no way to escalate unless your child's situation deteriorates significantly.

This can be an incredibly difficult period. Your child's difficulties do not pause while they wait, and for many young people the months or years on a waiting list are a time when their mental health continues to decline without support.

What Can Parents Do In The Meantime?

While waiting for CAMHS, there are several things you can do to support your child and ensure they are not left entirely without help.

Most schools have a pastoral team or a designated mental health lead who can provide in-school support. This will not replace therapy but can make a meaningful difference to how your child copes day to day.

Go back to your GP

If your child's situation is deteriorating, your GP can review the referral and in some cases escalate the urgency. They may also be able to refer to other services or provide additional support in the meantime.

Look into self-help resources

There are good quality resources available for young people and parents dealing with anxiety, OCD, depression and other conditions. Charities such as Young Minds and Anxiety UK offer helplines, online resources and guidance for families waiting for support.

Consider private therapy

For families who are able to access it, private therapy can provide the timely, specialist support that CAMHS cannot currently offer. A good private therapist who specialises in children and young people can begin treatment while your child is still on the CAMHS waiting list, and in many cases will have availability within days or weeks rather than months.

What Happens at the End of the Wait?

When your child's CAMHS appointment finally arrives, it will typically be an assessment rather than the start of treatment. The assessment is an opportunity for the CAMHS team to understand your child's difficulties in detail and determine what support is needed.

It is important to be aware that not every child who goes through a CAMHS assessment will be offered treatment by CAMHS. In some cases, young people are assessed and then told that their needs do not meet the threshold for CAMHS intervention, or that a different service would be more appropriate.

For families who have waited months or years for this appointment, this can be a devastating outcome. This is more common than many parents realise, and is one of the most difficult aspects of the current system.

Private Therapy as an Alternative

Private therapy is not the right option for every family, and we understand that cost is a significant consideration. However, for families who are able to access it, private therapy offers several important advantages over waiting for CAMHS.

Availability is typically significantly faster. Treatment can begin within days or weeks rather than after a prolonged assessment and waiting process. Sessions can be scheduled flexibly, including evenings and weekends, to fit around school and family life.

Private therapy also allows for a more tailored, individual approach. Rather than fitting into the constraints of a stretched NHS service, a private therapist can work at the pace that is right for your child and adapt the approach as the therapy progresses.

If you are considering private therapy, it is important to ensure that the therapist you choose is properly qualified and accredited. For CBT, look for a therapist accredited by the BABCP. For EMDR, look for a therapist who is a member of the EMDR UK Association. And if your child is under 18, make sure the therapist has specific experience and training in working with children and young people rather than primarily working with adults.

How Sulis Therapies Can Help

At Sulis Therapies, we provide specialist private CBT and EMDR therapy for children and young people up to the age of 26, delivered online across the UK. We typically have availability within a matter of weeks, and offer flexible appointment times including evenings and weekends.

If your child is on a CAMHS waiting list and you are concerned about how they are managing in the meantime, we would be happy to talk through whether private therapy might be the right option for your family.