CAMHS Choices appointment?

[weegiemum]

My dd1 is 14 and has a CAMHS "choices" appointment (first appointment) on Thursday. I don't really want to go into the reasons right now though may be back!
She's worried about it and so am I (I have a phobia of healthcare settings/professionals) but I want to be able to support her through it, so I thought I'd ask what happens during the appointment? They have said it will take about an hour.
I'm also wondering if she goes back to school afterwards (usual routine helping etc) or is it better to take her home to wind down (appt is at 10). I expect that's a play it by ear decision.

Thanks in advance.

When by daughter has had CAMHS appointments. I take her along. Probably for the first appt they will talk to you both together then they will ask you to wait outside and talk to her on her own. Or they may take her in first on her own and then talk to you afterwards. I would play going to school afterwards by ear. See how she feels. If you are both getting on well together it might be nice to take her for a coffee afterwards, but don't push her to talk about the appt unless she wants to.

www.lotsonyourmind.org.uk/content/what-choice-appointment

the above details what the setting is. In my experience of camhs, if she wants you to join her, do until they ask you to leave. find out exactly who you are seeing and who is in charge of your camhs. take copies of any existing paperwork with you and make some notes of your discussions. It will probably be to see options open to your child, so you may need to follow up in writing what they agreed if there is any urgency. good luck.

Thankyou. It took 2 GP referrals to get this far, the appointments are like gold dust here. I'm not sure if they'll offer her anything, we're hoping she would at least get some counselling, but fully expect a "not within our remit" response.

Ugh. Got to get my big girl pants on to help my wee girl.

In my DDs first appointment it was quite relaxed just background questions.When the issues began things she liked/disliked ,quite a long chat about school,relationships with family friends etc. Nothing stressful ! they then give a likely outcome eg another appointment etc .

Needing to update! Dd was assessed and passed to the clinical psychologist, and had her 2nd appt this morning.

She's doing so well, talking to us more and following the psych advice about things.

I'm still terrified that we'll get referred to social work over this (we had a malicious report 9 years ago, from my estranged mother) and it was hell. But the psychologist is lovely and it's not going that way right now.

She is coping a bit better, which is the important thing!