Frequently Asked Questions

When searching for support for children, it can be hard to distinguish between the myriad of counsellors, therapists and coaches offering therapeutic services. It is important that you have a good understanding of the training a clinician has completed and how this equips them to work with children so that you can make an informed choice.

Clinical psychologists have a broad, in depth training involving completion of an undergraduate psychology degree and doctoral training. During doctoral training, they complete clinical placements with children, adults and older adults and in a range of clinical settings as well as attending university and completing research. This means they have highly practiced clinical skills underpinned by a strong evidence base.

Clinical Psychologists are trained in more than one therapeutic modality, meaning that they can look at a child or family’s situation using a range of psychological approaches and provide the therapeutic intervention that is most appropriate. They also receive extensive training in completing assessments including the use of cognitive and basic neuro-psychological assessment.

To practice, Clinical Psychologists need to be registered with the Health and Care Professionals Council (HCPC) as Practitioner Psychologists and to follow their codes of conduct, this includes ongoing Continued Professional Development.

All appointments are held in a calm, confidential space. Every effort will be made to help children and families feel comfortable. There are toys and games available for children to use and sessions can often involve creative and play focused activities aimed at putting children at ease.

Initial assessment appointments can last up to 1.5 hrs and it may be necessary to speak with parents or carers separately to children. There will also be an opportunity for children or young people to meet with me alone if they wish to.

Initial appointments may require the need for me to ask questions to understand the family relationships and consider how best to work with a family, but I work hard to keep sessions collaborative and child focused.

Ongoing individual therapy appointments last 50-55 minutes and an initial number of appointments will be agreed with the family on either a weekly or fortnightly basis. A collaborative goal for therapy will be discussed and this will be reviewed before further appointments are offered.

Relational therapies (DDP and VIG) can take a slightly different format and may involve discussions with parents prior to therapy appointments. The length of session will be based on the child’s needs and ability to tolerate the therapeutic relationship.

Throughout the therapeutic process your confidentiality is taken very seriously. I have a clear confidentiality, safeguarding and risk policy which is explained in our Terms and Conditions and Oasis Psychology is GDPR compliant.

Online appointments have become a way of life during the Corona virus outbreak and for many people this can be a more convenient way of working,

I am able to offer online appointments for consultation to professionals, supervision and reflective practice groups. Training can also be offered online when appropriate.

Where possible, I like therapy appointments to be conducted face to face. I find offering face to face therapeutic appointments to be more effective, particularly when working with younger children, or children who struggle with building trust.  Being in the room allows for more creativity in building a therapeutic relationship.

Therapeutic parenting sessions also benefit from a face to face approach and this would be my preference when working with parents or carers, however when there are practical restrictions then online appointments could be considered.

The prices below are provided for guidance and may vary due to the individual needs of the child and family being supported.

Following an initial discussion, an accurate quotation for the work can be provided.

Clinical Psychology Services

• Therapy / Therapeutic Parenting Sessions from £130 per hour, please be aware that dyadic therapeutic approaches usually require an appointment lasting at least 1.5hrs
• Video Interaction Guidance (VIG): Full VIG package to include introductory appointment with parents / carers, 3 VIG cycles (30 minute recording session, video editing and 1hr shared review session), feedback meeting to professionals and a final report £1500. Additional VIG cycles £350.
• Initial Clinical Assessment (1hr appt, discussion with other professionals and report) from £300
• Full Psychological Assessments from £2500 dependent upon need. Please contact me to discuss further
• Consultation: Individual consultations from £130 per hour, group (3+) consultations from £160 per hour
• Reflective practice groups: £220 for 1.5hr session
• Supervision: Individual supervision from £130 per hour
• Training: Please contact us to discuss your requirements
• Emotional Wellbeing Practitioner Services
• Individual Therapy with children or young people: Sessions from £100 per hour, please be aware that session with hard to engage young people may last anywhere between 30mins and 2 hours.
• Consultation: Individual consultations from £100 per hour, group (3+) consultations from £120 per hour •
• Attendance at Professionals Meetings: from £100 per hour or part thereof
• Training: Please contact us to discuss your requirements

Oasis Psychology offers therapeutic appointments at The Cabin, 59 Hayes Lane. A safe and warm space in a residential area in Colehill, near Wimborne, Dorset.
The Cabin provides a safe space for families to meet with their therapist and work through their difficulties. There is ample parking available.

I appreciate that life can be busy, and situations can occur where it may be necessary to cancel pre-booked appointments. However, there are several costs associated with my working practice and therefore I have the following cancellation policy:

• Cancellations for appointments made with more than 48 hours (or 2 working days) notice will not attract cancellation fees.
• Cancellations made with less than 48 hours (or 2 working days) notice will be charged at 50% of the full rate.

Cancellations made within 24 hours (or 1 working day) will be charged at the full rate.

If you do not attend without letting me know you will be charged at the full rate.

Oasis Psychology is not a crisis service and I can only support people during pre-arranged appointments or telephone consultations.

If you have a mental health concern regarding a child or family please contact their GP or, out of hours, contact NHS Direct / 111. In an emergency, for immediate help, please contact 999.

If you have a safeguarding concern, please contact the child’s social worker, if they have one, or contact Dorset Children’s Services or BCP Children’s Services for safeguarding advice.