How to get DD1 seen by a psychologist?

[DanJARMouse]

I have had parents evening tonight, and teacher has raised some very worrying points about DD1. All of which I totally understand and need to get to the bottom of. I really do believe DD1 needs to see a psychologist but how do I go about getting her the help she needs?

School didnt seem to want to commit to anything, so would the GP refer her? Having looked around on the internet, unless I want to travel 2.5hrs and 110miles there doesnt seem to be any private practitioners locally, and we probably couldnt afford private anyway.

Im just really at a loss as to how to help her, and think we need proffessional help now :-(

do you have a CAMHS near you? (child/adolescent mental health service) - I saw psychiatrists and psychotherapists (and family therapy) through them in my teens, got to them via doctor IIRC.

Do you mean an Educational Pyshologist, or for wider issues? If the latter then you'll need to go via your GP ( and possibly your local Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service).

For an Ed Psych, if you are in a state school, then the LEA can arrange it (get on to the school for referral, but the wait can be dreadfully long), if private you'll have to find one and pay yourself.

referrals are normally done via school. I have just had a rather lengthy battle to get a GP to refer ds1
so, i would say that the first step is to get the SENCO at school involved. see what s/he thinks, and then get them to refer if necessary

a GP can refer, but from my experience and from what I have read on here, they prefer the school to do it for some reason

do you want to discuss the problems she is having here? someone may have had similar and be able to advise. Understand if you don't want to talk about itt hough

GP can refer you to CAMHS, although he waiting list can be very long. If you go to the GP stress there is a problem at home, and not just at school. On GP told me if my DS was fine at home but not at school it was the schools problem, and therefore wouldn't refer us.

Teh GP can also refer to the nearest private ed psych, but it won't be cheap. You may want to consider taking out private health insurance before approaching your GP.

Go via your GP for the community psychiatrist which might be via the community paediatrician and also via the school (special education needs coordinator, school nurse or health visitor) to get to the educational psychiatrist.

Your GP may be able to get you access to a psychiatric nurse faster than a psychiatrist depending on what facilities are in your area.

The school will probably refer the kids that are causing them the most problems. When DS was their "number one concern" they brought in the ed spych pretty damn quick.

His previous school wouldn't entertain the idea of shelling out any money on him, even though he obviously needed help. I think it depends how good the head is, TBH.

Thank you all. It is an issue at home as well as school, but to be honest, Im just facing up to things myself and not ready to talk tonight.

We are off on holiday on sunday, so no time to sort anything before then, so will see the school and GP when we get back.

Thanks again x

If you already know a psych is indicated, then insurance won't cover you as the need has already been indicated, so counts as pre-existing (and so you'd be commuting a fraud).

Ed Psychs cost c.£400+

I work in CAMHS we get loads of GP referrals far more than from the school nurses. If it's suspected ASD you will need to be assessed by a community paed first.

If there's even a hint of deliberate self harm involved you should be able to skip the waiting list and be seen more urgently. the waiting list time for our area is 11 weeks most get seen within 8 weeks (less for psychosis, deliberate self harm and eating disorders). However many areas still do the 18 week waiting list.

Hope this helps best of luck

thanks minx - that really does help.

Will be seeing the school and GP after the holidays (we are in scotland and its our end of term here from today!)