Child therapy how do you find a good private therapist

[JenTiggy]

My daughter is awaiting an ADHD assessment and is having difficulty at school. She is 6. I am thinking of play therapy but unsure how to find a reputable therapist. Does the child need to be left alone with the therapist and how can I ensure her safety?

https://www.bapt.info/play-therapy/find-play-therapist/
https://playtherapyregister.org.uk/
Is there anyone from these databases local to you? These are the two organisations accrediting play therapy.

It's a protected title, unlike generic 'counsellor/therapist', so there is a level of certainty there about what training they have undertaken. Some counsellors who are not Play Therapists will say in their listings that they have training in play therapy, or 'bring play therapy elements to their work', but that can mean as little as a couple of hours CPD.

You won't be leaving your daughter alone with the therapist right from the start. They'll have enhanced DBS checks.

That is really helpful thank you. I will take a look and see who I can find.

There's also here:
https://childpsychotherapy.org.uk/find-child-psychotherapist-search

They might meet with you alone and a few sessions together, but the therapy will most likely be alone with your child. They're a registered profession with an ethical charter, so you can be as certain as possible child is safe.

I would look for a psychologist, accredited with HCPC ideally for a diagnostic assessment. Also look up 'Right to Choose' under NHS.

A lone, private psychologist assessment will more than likely not be accepted by most schools or NHS services.

This. The ACP registration is a guarantee that you have a specialist clinician, properly trained to doctoral level in work with children and adolescents, working with your child and your family.

I’m a play therapist feel free to pm if you have more specific questions