Where to go for private professional advice and support for managing challenging behaviour?

[Demi]

My DH and I are concerned about our 6 year old DD's behaviour. We have always found her very challenging and its reaching a point where I'm regularly in tears and DH is tearing his hair out.

We have decided to seek professional advice but don't (at this stage) want to go to the GP. We would rather speak to someone privately in the first instance.

I've been googling but really at a loss as there seems to be so many types of therapy on offer from varying professionals.

Any clue what professional title I should search for?

Or, better still, any recommendations - we're in South East London.

Any responses much appreciated!

Many of the reputable professionals (developmental paediatricians, psychologists eg) tend to require a GP referral - would you consider seeing your GP as a sort of conduit-stage? - GP may also be good for recommendations, too.

More generally, we have some experience of Lyn Fry group, although the woman we met from there (and thought excellent) has since moved on. They don't just do educational psychology (which would be relevant if your dd is having problems at school as well), but general psychology too - which would I guess be where you might want to start.

I just did a search for "child behaviour" on yahoo.co.uk, and got loads of info, also a company in colchester,chelmsford and braintree, under www.childbehaviour.co.uk

hth

You don't need me to tell you - but just in case you do - please don't be offended - but the field is full of charlatans. I really really recommend that you go through your GP initially -it's a mine field to negociate on your own.

could you go to your health visitor rather than your gp?

My DCs are at a private school in SW London and the school have arranged a couple of times for a private organisation to come in and give lectures in the evenings about behavioural issues etc. Its all entirely voluntary to attend - I think they do the talks for free or v low group fee as a promotion for one to one sessions.

It is called "the Parent Practice" and if you google it the website is something similar.

I think the school are fairly responsible - ie they wouldn't get involved with complete charlatans - and the people who I know who went said it was all very interesting. But I have no more info than that.

There is always the Tavistock.... will try to find a link....

The Tavistock Clinic

thank you seeker!

Steve Biddulph has wrote some very good books for boys (raising boys) and one called how to have happy children which helps parents to develop techniques to managing childrens behaviour. This was so good I've lent my copy to my son's class teacher. There's a web site for a charity (parent centre)that offers classes to families aswell as support. His books are very good though.

Steve Biddulph has wrote some very good books for boys (raising boys) and one called the secrets of raising happy children which helps parents to develop techniques to managing childrens behaviour. This was so good I've lent my copy to my son's class teacher. There's a web site for a charity (parent centre)that offers classes to families aswell as support. His books are very good though.

Found this Parent Talk

Thank you so much for the responses. All the links and advice have been of help.

Much appreciated.