How to find appropriate psychological support for a child in the UK

Katerina Galkina · EN · 07/10/2026

Choose according to need: emotional difficulties, learning, development and medical conditions may require different professionals. Begin with a GP, school nurse or teacher. NHS describes access through local children and young people's mental health services. Where to get support ↗.

Describe the difficulties

Record duration and changes in sleep, food, relationships, attendance and usual activities. Explain what helps and what has already been tried. Give the child an appropriate opportunity to speak rather than making the first consultation solely an adult discussion.

Ask about language, accessibility and parental involvement when booking. Discuss confidentiality and consent in relation to the child's age and understanding; do not promise complete secrecy or parental access to every conversation beforehand.

Check NHS and school routes

A GP or school team may offer support and referral. Some local services accept parental or young-person self-referrals. Check criteria, postcode coverage and application arrangements on the official service website. Assessment may lead to different support rather than necessarily one appointment with a “child psychologist”. NHS: access and referral ↗.

Request confirmation, likely waiting time and an interim plan. Update the service and GP after deterioration. Discuss school support while awaiting clinical assessment.

Check private qualifications

Clinical psychologist, counselling psychologist and educational psychologist are protected titles requiring HCPC registration. The generic word psychologist does not establish this registration. Check the precise title through HCPC ↗ and verify the individual on its register.

Ask about relevant age, problem and bilingual-family experience, approach, safeguarding and clinical supervision. For counsellors or psychotherapists, separately check the appropriate professional register and children's training.

Agree costs and a crisis plan

Establish assessment, session, report, cancellation and parent-meeting fees, goals and review arrangements. Ordinary weekly sessions are not a round-the-clock crisis service.

In England, contact NHS 111 and follow its mental-health route for an urgent crisis. For immediate danger to life, serious self-injury or overdose, call 999 or attend A&E. NHS: urgent mental health help ↗. Establish the local crisis route separately in other UK nations.