Clinical psychologist

Clinical psychologists work with people of all ages on mental and physical health difficulties, including anxiety, low mood and difficulties in families. With children they often work through the parents as much as the child.

How you get to see one: through the NHS, usually after a referral referral When a professional passes your child on to a specialist team for assessment or treatment. A GP, school or health visitor can usually make one. Read the full definition of referral from your GP GP Your family doctor. For many families the GP is the first person to talk to, and the person who refers your child on to a specialist. Read the full definition of GP or through a child and adolescent mental health service, or through your child's autism or neurodevelopmental assessment team. You can also see one privately. "Clinical psychologist" is a protected title, so anyone using it must be registered with the HCPC. You can check the register.

Can they diagnose? Yes, for some things. A clinical psychologist is one of the small number of professions qualified to carry out every part of an autism assessment Diagnostic assessment The appointments where specialists work out whether your child meets the criteria for a diagnosis, such as autism or ADHD. It is the step that can end with a diagnosis. Read the full definition of Diagnostic assessment . For ADHD ADHD ADHD is a difference in the way a child's brain works. It affects how they pay attention, how much energy they have, and how easily they act on impulse. Read the full definition of ADHD , NICE says the diagnosis should only be made by a specialist psychiatrist, paediatrician or other appropriately qualified professional with training and expertise in diagnosing ADHD, so it depends on the individual clinician's training and on your local service. They cannot prescribe medicine.

What to ask: are they HCPC registered, do they have specific training in neurodivergence Neurodivergent Neurodivergent means a brain that works in its own way, not the way most people expect. Autistic people, and people with ADHD or dyslexia, are all neurodivergent. Read the full definition of Neurodivergent , and if they do diagnose, will the NHS accept the report later.