The Child Primary Care Psychology service is for children aged 0-18 years and their families who are living in the Dublin South area. Referrals received for Teenagers may sometimes be directed to the Teen Counselling Service if this is indicated.
Who we see?
Psychologists see children and families for assessments, advice and supportive therapy. Some of the reasons why your child or your family may be referred to our service might be:
- Thinking and learning difficulties
- Parenting Support
- Social skills problems
- Behavioural difficulties
- Emotional problems such as anxieties, worries and fears
- Relationship difficulties within the family
- Adjustment to a traumatic event
- Issues with toileting, sleeping and food
Children attending or eligible for specialist services or those requiring a secondary care mental health service (Lucena) are not suitable for referral. Areas of concern must extend beyond issues of a purely academic nature.
Queries regarding the appropriateness of referrals are welcome and appreciated
What we do?
We offer a number of different types of services such as parenting groups, information talks and telephone consultation where we can help direct you to useful resources for you and your child. We also offer limited individual, face to face services including a range of Psychology assessment services. These often involve observing your child at play or in school, talking to you and your child and sometimes asking your child to complete certain puzzles and tasks. After an assessment, some children and families will continue to see the psychologist for individual, group or family sessions or we may help you find other suitable services. We may liaise with your child's school or other agencies in planning supports for you and your child.
How to make an appointment?
Your GP or other health professional may suggest you talk to a psychologist about your child's difficulties. If you agree, they will send us a summary of the concerns and your child details and your contact details. You may also contact us directly to discuss this.
We will contact you to confirm that you wish to engage with our service and to schedule a telephone conversation to discuss the issues that are concerning you. We may suggest that you attend one of our courses and/or direct you towards some self help information or other services. In some instances, we may offer an appointment to meet face to face and whilst we try to ensure that you don't have to wait too long for services, usually there is a bit of a wait.
What to expect in the first session?
Usually you will have talked to the psychologist by telephone before your first session. We will meet for around 1½ hours the first time we meet. Sometimes, we will ask the child to come to this session, sometimes we will meet with parents first. If your child or your family has been to see a psychologist before, it may be helpful to bring any letters or reports from that psychologist with you. The first meeting will be a chance for the psychologist to get to know you a little bit.
If your child is to attend the first session, it is important to be honest with them before they attend. If needed, we can advise on how best to discuss this with your child in advance. During these visits your child won't have to do anything he/she doesn't want to do or talk about anything he/she doesn't want to talk about. Depending on the age of the child, we may see the child on their own.
How to contact the service?
If you would like an individual referral you can ask your GP, physiotherapist, speech therapist, public health nurse, occupational therapist, social worker, or any other health professional to make this referral with you.
Where are we?
The location of service provision may vary depending on the type of services being provided. Currently, services are provided from Loughlinstown Health Centre, Shankill and Dun Laoghaire.
