Support for families
Navigating a child’s development can feel complex and overwhelming at times.
We provide clear, evidence-based psychological support to help you understand needs and identify effective next steps.
How we can help
If you’re feeling unsure about how best to support your child, we provide a structured and compassionate space to explore concerns and consider practical ways forward.
Together, we make sense of what is happening and identify support that feels manageable and appropriate for your family.
Initial consultation (online)
Every child and family is unique. We offer flexible pathways depending on need.
A brief 20-minute online consultation to understand your concerns. This initial conversation helps us identify the most appropriate next steps, which may include further consultation, collaborative work with school or professionals, assessment or therapeutic support.
We will work with you to identify the level of support that is most appropriate.
Further consultation
A longer, tailored consultation to explore your child’s needs in more depth, develop a shared understanding, and agree clear, practical next steps.
This may include guidance for home, planning support with school, or shaping a wider package of support.
A 2-page summary report is provided.
Sessions are available online across the UK or in person in Dumfries.
Consultation with school and professionals
With your consent, we may work collaboratively with your child’s school or other professionals to develop a shared understanding of needs across home and educational contexts.
This supports consistent, joined-up approaches that feel manageable and effective.
A 2-page summary report is provided.
Sessions are available online across the UK or in person in Dumfries.
Assessment of needs
A structured and tailored assessment to understand your child’s learning, development, and/or neurodevelopmental profile, including strengths, differences, and areas of need.
This process brings together information from multiple sources to provide clarify and direction.
A 6-page comprehensive report is provided.
Sessions are available online across the UK or in person in Dumfries.
Therapeutic support
Individualised therapeutic support for children and families, guided by a psychological understanding of your child’s experiences, relationships, and needs.
This may include approaches such as EMDR or VIG, depending on what is most appropriate. Our work prioritises emotional safety, strong relationships, and careful pacing to support meaningful and lasting change.
A brief summary report is provided at key review points.
Sessions are available online across the UK or in person in Dumfries.
You can learn more about the approaches we use below.
-
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an evidence-based therapeutic approach that helps children and young people process experiences that feel overwhelming or distressing.
It can be helpful for experiences that relate to a single event trauma or complex relational trauma, that may manifest as anxiety and avoidance.
EMDR is delivered in a safe, structured, and carefully paced way, with a strong focus on emotional regulation, trust, and the child’s sense of safety. The aim is to reduce the intensity of distress linked to past experiences so that they feel more manageable in the present.
-
Video Interaction Guidance (VIG) is a strengths- based approach that supports parents and carers to build stronger, more connected relationships with their child.
Using short video clips of everyday interactions, we reflect together on moments of connection, communication, and emotional attunement.
VIG helps adults notice what is already working well and build on these moments to support a child’s emotional security, regulation, and development. It is particularly helpful where relationships feel strained or where a child has experienced early relational difficulties or uncertainty.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
We begin with a 20-minute online initial consultation to understand your concerns and identify the most appropriate next steps together.
-
No, you can commission our services directly.
-
With your consent, yes. We regularly collaborate with schools and other professionals to build a shared understanding.
-
Sessions are available online across the UK or in person in our quiet clinic space in Dumfries.
-
Yes, we provide a written summary following consultations, assessments, and at key review points during therapeutic support.
-
Yes, many families return for review consultations, further assessment, or ongoing support as needs change.
What you can expect
We take a whole-child approach, considering strengths, experiences, and context.
You can expect collaboration, transparency, and shared decision-making at every stage.
Take the first step with an online initial consultation.
Stay connected
Follow @theeducationalpsychologist
