Working With Children

and Young People

Dr Susie Willis

Clinical Psychologist

Paediatric Clinical Psychology

Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children

Outline

What is Child Psychology and why is it needed?

What does a Child Clinical Psychologist do?

Where Do We Work?

How Do We Help?

What is Child Psychology

• Branch of Psychology interested in infants, toddlers, children and young people

• Our focus is helping understand, prevent and treat developmental, cognitive, social and emotional issues

Is there a need for Child Psychology?

• World Health Organisation state up to 20% of children and young people will experience mental health difficulties in any given year: e.g. low mood and anxiety

Psychological Theories

• Developmental Stages – Erickson Models

• Basic Human Needs – Maslow’s Hierarchy

• Influences from the Environment

• Social Learning Theory - Bandura

Maslows Heirarchy of Needs

5 Basic Needs

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

Maslows Heirarchy of Needs….in 2014)

Working with children and young peopleand their Families

The Family Life Cycle

How We Help?

Assessment

Formulation

Education Factors

Family Relationshi

ps

Childs Experience

What are the goals for

treatment? Based on our formulations

Thinking about all people in the system (family system but also the wider system)

We often ask the question ‘how would you know our work is being helpful?’ ‘What would be different?’

Directly with Children and Young People

Intervention – How We Help…

• Are family more harmonious?• More Calm• Better Communication• Supportive Relationships

• Meeting Potential• Feeling better• More Relaxed• Engaged with Peers

Directly Working with their Families

Nurseries

Medical teams

Social Services

SchoolsGPs

Policies and

Research

Indirectly working with people around that child or young person

Where We Work

• Hospitals

• Schools and Education

• Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services

• Looked After Children Services

• Youth Justice Agencies

• Universities - Research

A day in the life of a child clinical psychologist

Screen referrals – is it appropriate?

Meetings with children and families.

Assessment – interview, psychometric, observations

Therapy – family therapy, play therapy, CBT, psychodynamic therapy depending on the problems and needs and our formulation.

Consultations with other professionals to help increase understanding

Teaching and Training

What is it like?

Rewarding…and Challenging

ALWAYS learning from children and young people

Fun

Early Intervention – hopeful!

Giving improved opportunities for children, young people and their families

Any

Questions????

Thank you for listening

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