Once you make an appointment with ACPC, you will receive an email via our booking system HALAXY requesting that you complete important information such as consent forms, details of payment method and some questionnaires. 

During the first session, the psychologist will conduct an interview to gain sufficient information of your concerns and the child/adolescent's background history. This may include but is not limited to; developmental, family, behavioural, social and emotional history.

If assessments may be warranted, your psychologist will discuss with you the assessment process which may include standardised assessments with your child and/or a preschool/ school observation and/or a child interview.

Following assessment, whilst working with you, your psychologist will provide you with feedback, recommendations, and plan with you the necessary steps to address the concerns shared. During this process, your psychologist will aim to be attentive, knowledgable, and work with you in a collaborative and respectful manner.  

At ACPC Psychology the general assessment & intervention process may include the following three stages

1- Gathering information through meeting and observation:

• Initial Clinical Intreview with the parents/ caregivers
• Child/ Adolescent Interview and Clinical Observation
• Preschool/ School Clinical Observation (when required)
• When necessary, and with parental consent, liaising with the school for information gathering
• Liaising closely with referring agents including the GP and Paediatrician, other allied health (as needed)

2- Gathering more information through standardised assessments to assist in determining the nature of symptoms and to allow differentiation.

Comprehensive standardized assessments (includes but not limited to):

• Cognitive Assessment to determine intellectual ability
• Learning Assessment to identify any Specific learning difficulties
• Adaptive Assessment to determine level of everyday functioning
• Behavioural Assessment to determine severity of behaviour
• Autism Spectrum Assessments
• Attention Deficit- Hyperactivity Disorder Assessment
• Anxiety Assessment to allow differentiation

The assessment process includes a comprehensive report demonstrating results, identifying concerns and outlining recommendations, and a feedback session to discuss what will suit the client's specific needs. For further detailed information please see link here. 

3- Providing support and intervention as needed:

• Follow up sessions (Face to face or via videoconferencing) are then booked in with the child or adolescent for intervention to improve skills (e.g. anxiety/ anger management, social skills, behavioural management training) using evidence-based therapies.
• Follow up  Parent coaching and support sessions may also be booked with parents/ caregivers. 

For most cases, the child and adolescent feel reassured by their parents prior to meeting with a psychologist. However, in some cases, it can be quite stressful for parents to discuss the possibility of seeing a psychologist. Here is a summary that may assist you in guiding your child to attending the clinic:

• Prior to making the appointment for your child to meet with the psychologist, tell your child about the appointment and explain the reason for the consult. This needs to be explained in a way that the child can understand at their developmental/ language level. 

• In the case of an adolescent- inform them about the meeting when you make the appointment and if helpful, encourage them to join in the follow up consult to discuss directly what they think and feel with the psychologist. Ensure them the confidentiality between them and the psychologist.

• In the case of a preschool/primary school child- inform the child a night before who they will be seeing, you may even inform them of the psychologist's name to help ease the situation. 

• In the case of a younger child- explain to the child in a way that they can understand (i.e. at their level) where you will be going, and let them know what they should expect (e.g. playing with activities, online resources, toys whilst mummy talks etc.)

• It is really important that you answer questions that your child/ adolescent may have. If unsure please discuss this with the psychologist or the clinic. 

• If the child is feeling anxious/ stressed, reassure your child that you will be present during the appointment, or waiting in the waiting room. At times, your child may feel more comfortable if you allow them to show their favourite toy or item. 

• If your child feels awkward or 'different' for meeting with a psychologist, explain to your child/ adolescent that lots of people including kids and teenagers have very similar problems and that they meet with psychologists to assist them through it. 

• Please reassure your child that they do not have to inform anyone else that they are seeing a psychologist and that things that they say are confidential (expectional circumstances may include; risk of self harm), and things are reported to their parents with their consent. 

For further information that could be helpful for you in preparing your child, please see our Blog here. 

Psychologists/ Clinical Psychologists working at ACPC combine a number of strategies and techniques from a range of evidence based practices. This is to ensure that the child or adolescent is receiving the appropriate and effective treatment based on their needs and diffiulities. 

Our team of psychologists possess a number of therapeutic skills and training. They are able to provide a variety of approaches and strategies depending on the presenting problem. Such treatment approaches may include but are not limited to; Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Collaborative and Proactive Solutions (CPS), Interpersonal Therapy, Mindfulness, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Neuropsychotherapy etc.

When working with children with anxiety for example, CBT is a very effective evidence based approach which provides a number of therapeutic techniques to teach the child/ adolescent skills and strategies to apply to manage their anxiety in a more efficient way. This is acheived through a combination of teaching the child ways to challenge their 'negative thinking' and ways to introduce a change in their consequential behaviours. CBT can also be used for various presentations, solely, or in combination with other treatment programs. 

It is important to note that various therapies are usually modified for each case and treatment programs are tailored to meet the child/ adolescent needs. 

As therapists working with children, adolescents and families, we understand that rapport building and a therapuetic relationship between the client and the psychologist is essential. We therefore our best to match the child with the most suitable clinician/ psychologist in terms of skills and experience as well as in terms of personality. 

Psychologists at ACPC have strong skills in rapport building with children and adolescents to help them feel more at ease during their initial consult and during follow up sessions. The majority of children and adolescents feel less anxious following their first meeting with the psychologist. However, should you have any concerns about the rapport or if you wish to change clinicians, please do not hesitate to contact our administration staff for reallocation or to further discuss with the principal psychologist.