Children & Young People in Care

Children & Young People in care often have repeated experiences of trauma, separation and loss. Young people need a holistic service which considers the impact of traumatic stress and the complexity of the professional system surrounding them.

Consultation Services

Our Consultation services aim to provide timely access to quality, psychological information, advice and care right when you need it. We have a range of consultation packages available which can be tailored to meet your needs. They can be booked as a single 90 minute appointment or with 1-2 follow-up sessions.

Topics often brought to consultation include;

  • Preparation for Adoption

  • Preparing for reunification with birth family

  • Supporting a child through the breakdown of a placement, planned moves, or separation from siblings

  • Consideration of therapeutic needs

  • Consideration of mental health and need for further specialist assessment

  • Advice relating to contact arrangements

Comprehensive Psychological Assessment

Gate Psychology offer holistic psychological assessment which considers the impact of developmental trauma, and disrupted attachment experiences. We can also provide an assessment of mental health, attachment, cognitive and adaptive functioning.

We do not offer multi-disciplinary assessments but can screen for the presence of neurodevelopmental difficulties such as Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and make an onwards referral for further specialist MDT assessment if indicated.

Assessment of Sibling Relationships

These assessments can provide the Local Authority with additional in-depth information regarding sibling relationships and mental wellbeing to support and inform decisions relating to placement planning.

We typically include individual assessment with each child, an observation of sibling interaction, clinical interviews with adults in a caring role (foster carers, parents/guardians, teachers).

Therapeutic Intervention

Our clinicians offer a range of interventions from our clinic base within Team Valley, Gateshead.

This includes;

  • Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP Informed)

  • DDP Informed Therapeutic Parenting

  • Non Violent Resistance Parenting

  • Systemic Family Therapy

  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (Including Trauma Focused CBT)

  • Flash Technique

  • Compassion Focused Therapy

  • Play Therapy

  • Life Story intervention