Clinical psychology can help with a huge variety of emotional, behavioural, developmental and family difficulties. The following is by no means an exhaustive list and parents and/or referrers should feel able to contact Dr Krasner informally (see Contact Details) to discuss whether a particular concern or difficulty may be addressed within this Practice.

• Pre-school Problems.

  Children within this 0 – 5 year age range often present with difficulties with sleeping, eating, temper tantrums and toileting. Although these are very “everyday” type difficulties, the anxiety, disruption and distress they can cause is often enormous – both to the child him or herself but perhaps even more so, to the child’s parents. These difficulties usually respond extremely well to a brief clinical psychology intervention.

• School age Problems.

  Once children have started at school, problems such as school refusal and school phobia can sometimes develop. Other anxiety difficulties can also emerge and sometimes within this age range, obsessive-compulsive type symptoms can also be a cause for concern. Friendship/peer relationship problems sometimes develop and behavioural/compliance difficulties may also present. In the case of all such difficulties, following a thorough assessment, appropriate clinical psychology intervention tailored to the needs of the individual child and his/her family (and including liaison with school, when appropriate) regularly yields very positive improvements and a speedy return to “normal” life.

• Developmental Difficulties & Special Needs

  Throughout childhood and adolescence, developmental difficulties and special needs of any kind can make for a more stressful life, both for the child concerned and for parents. This can lead to behavioural problems, additional anxieties and sometimes to depression too, as the child concerned becomes aware of the discrepancies between his/her abilities and those of peers and siblings. Clinical psychology intervention can be offered very successfully either individually and/or on a family basis, and can involve school input and consultation too, to help with these difficulties.

• Adolescent Problems

  Adolescence is typically a stormy time and to some extent, psychological “ups and downs” form a normal part of this developmental stage. At times, however, this pattern can become more extreme with behaviours, emotions and moods that are distressing and worrying for the young people themselves and for their parents, families and friends.  

  Within this age group, for example, problems with depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive type behaviours, self-esteem difficulties and peer relationship problems all occur with some frequency. In all cases, clinical psychology assessment and individually tailored intervention, often including cognitive-behavioural therapy is regularly met with significant improvements. These are often achieved over a relatively short period of time.  Sometimes, both individual and family based input is offered simultaneously. With this age group, however, it is also the case that more serious presentations can develop, including deliberate and dangerous self harm, suicide attempts, substance abuse and serious eating disorders. In these cases, clinical psychology input is most appropriately and most effectively offered as part of a team or multi-disciplinary approach. Dr Krasner only offers a service to such teenagers when a multi-disciplinary approach, including if needed, psychiatric input, can be organised. 

• Bereavement

  Bereavement is of course a normal part of life but for a child bereaved of a parent, sibling or other close relative, the world can suddenly feel far from normal. Clinical psychology input, offered to the child him or herself and /or to family and friends caring for that child can help promote a healthy resolution of grief and a gradual resumption of “normal” life.

  In situations where a death is anticipated, Dr Krasner can also work with families, helping children to prepare for their loss.

• Understanding and managing children with autistic spectrum disorders

  Throughout their development, and indeed, into adulthood, children with autistic spectrum disorders (ASD) can develop extremely challenging emotional and behavioural difficulties. Intransigent and inappropriate rituals, difficulties with changes in routine, aggression, depression, children’s struggles with understanding their own difficulties, and more: clinical psychology can provide expert interventions for children with ASD and their families.  Dr Krasner’s work in this area is based on over 20 years of developing expertise, and has included not only work with children and families but also the provision of expert consultancy for schools, special schools and colleges.

• Understanding and managing attention deficit, hyperactivity and concentration disorders

  Children with this range of difficulties are often extremely challenging to manage, both at home and at school. Based on a thorough individual and family assessment, clinical psychology input can give parents and the children themselves access to a variety of interventions  designed to  help with behaviour,  focusing  and concentration (both with or without prescribed medication) and ultimately, to enable children to maintain control themselves over their behaviour, concentration and activity levels.

• Marital separation / divorce and its effects on children.

  It is perhaps stating the obvious to acknowledge that all children, regardless of their ages, cannot but be affected in some way by parents’ decisions to separate or divorce. Dr Krasner offers two services targeting this group of children: “Children in Mind” is a dedicated service for parents who wish to seek consultation regarding how they might best communicate with their children regarding their separation and how to manage this process whilst being mindful of their children’s developmental and psychological needs at this time. This service is provided for parent(s) attending without their children. In addition, Dr Krasner provides assessment and psychotherapeutic intervention for those children struggling either immediately or in the longer term with their parents’ separation/divorce.