Approaching Additional Needs

We tailor every visit to your young person’s unique needs, preferences, and strengths. Before the first visit, we’ll share information about their specialist support worker so they can get to know a bit about them in advance. Our focus is on consistency, predictability and trust; building a familiar team and, where possible, keeping the same specialist support worker for each visit. We can plan sessions in advance and if there are changes we will let you know as soon as possible so your young person knows what to expect. We incorporate tools like communication plans, sensory items (e.g. weighted blankets/fidget toys), or grounding techniques to help your young person feel safe and supported.

When a young person feels anxious, we will always start by validating their feelings and helping them feel grounded through trying some simple soothing techniques. From there, we can work together to find practical solutions - like  breaking things down into small, manageable steps or setting realistic goals for the day or week. Anxiety can show up in many ways, like school avoidance or difficulty completing tasks. We help identify which parts of a situation feel hardest and explore ways to make them more manageable - for example, using gradual exposure or structured routines like daily timetables. Once we understand the root of the anxiety, we can begin building confidence and coping strategies that last.

Talking about self-harm can be really hard, so we approach every conversation with sensitivity, compassion, and zero judgment. We understand that self-harm can sometimes feel like a way to cope, and that it can also become quite addictive. We always validate your young person’s feelings and provide a safe, supportive space to talk (if and when they want to). We also know how hard these conversations can be for parents, who may feel anxious or worried about saying the wrong thing. If it feels helpful, we’re more than happy to sit down with you (and your young person if they wish), to share ideas about how to make those conversations feel safer and more manageable for everyone.