Adopted Children & Families
At Gate Psychology, we recognise the unique and sometimes complex needs of adopted children and their families. As an approved therapeutic provider, we regularly work alongside our Regional Adoption Agencies and Local Authorities to provide specialist assessment and therapeutic intervention.
The Adoption Support Fund provides essential funding for these services and can be accessed via your Local Authority/ Regional Adoption Agency. Each child is entitled to a Fair Access Limit of up to £2500 for Specialist Assessment and up to £5000 for therapeutic intervention.
Specialist Psychological Assessment
Gate Psychology offer comprehensive 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.
Therapeutic Parenting Program
Our therapeutic program is based upon the Foundations for Attachment Training developed by Dr Kim Golding, approved and endorsed by the Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy Institute (DDPI).
The program consists of three modules which are run over six sessions. Each session will last approximately 3 hours and parents are provided with an electronic training pack to support their learning and reflection. The modules focus upon understanding developmental trauma, the unique challenges faced by children and parents, introduction to DDP informed therapeutic parenting skills, and a specific focus on parents’ experiences and self care.
In the month prior to the group starting, we invite parents to an individual welcome meeting, where we will have time to get to know you, your circumstances and hopes for the group. Parents also have optional access to a private Facebook group for the duration of the training. The group will be monitored and supported by the Gate Psychological Services team. Upon completion of the training, the group will remain open for a further period of 8 weeks to allow for ongoing support and reflection.
Autumn Program: 6th October - 17th November, In-Person Training in Team Valley, Gateshead.
Winter Program: 2nd February - 16th March, Online Evening Training
This program is suitable for adoptive parents and/or kinship carers with a Special Guardianship Order. It will be particularly helpful for parents of children who have experienced developmental trauma and are struggling to experience attachment security.
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 / Attachment Focused Parenting support
Non Violent Resistance Parenting
Systemic Family Therapy
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (including Trauma Focused CBT)
Flash Technique
Compassion Focused Therapy
Play Therapy
Integrated Psychological Therapy relating to identity and life story