If we agree at your treatment planning appointment that psychological treatment within the AnDY Research Clinic would be appropriate, then your treatment will start as soon as possible. While we always try our best to start treatment promptly, waiting times vary depending on how many young people we are supporting and the number of people working in the team.
We use the latest research evidence about what works best for children and young people with anxiety and related disorders and depression to guide treatment decisions.
Our treatments for anxiety and related disorders (including OCD) are based on Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), which involves identifying and breaking patterns of thinking and behaviour that keep problems going.
Our treatment for depression is based on Behavioural Activation (BA), which also involves identifying and breaking patterns of behaviour that keep depression going, but is less focused on thinking than CBT.
While CBT and BA are often referred to as ‘talking therapy’, both types of treatment involve young people and their parents/carers doing things differently both within and between sessions. Usually, treatment sessions are no more than 1.5 hours a week, which means most of the work that leads to change happens outside of sessions.
All our treatments are based on the latest research evidence and involve working with a clinician who has been trained to deliver the treatments and receives specialist supervision.
Some treatments are delivered individually with young people, and usually we can offer the choice of being seen in person at one of our CAMHS sites or remotely online (e.g. via Microsoft Teams). Other treatments are delivered via specially developed online platforms with therapist support (e.g. over the telephone). In some instances, this may involve working directly with parents/carers to help them develop skills and strategies to help their child.
The exact treatment you receive will depend on the age of the child or young person and the type of difficulties they are experiencing.
Before each session, you will be asked to complete some questionnaires. These questionnaires are important as they help you and us track your progress and ensure we are supporting you in the best possible way. Importantly, research has shown that tracking progress using questionnaires is linked with better treatment outcomes.
The members of our team who oversee treatment are all qualified Clinical Psychologists registered with the statutory regulatory body the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). This means they have met all necessary standards of education, training, and proficiency to deliver and oversee the treatments offered.