Amanda Rabin

Available in person or online Monday-Friday from 9am-7pm

As a Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist I use specialist skills and knowledge to work with infants and children, young people (up to age 25), and their families. My training has enabled me to contribute a psychoanalytic approach to team thinking, to assess and treat problems that can be severe or long-standing, and also to lead and supervise colleagues. I seek to get to the core of difficulties which lie underneath worrying, confusing or even dangerous behaviours. I adapt my approach to the individual child, and work in an age-appropriate way, assessing and supporting the child, their family or carers, through a combination of talking, playing and drawing.

Thinking about your concern about a child is the start of addressing difficulties. Considering that a child needs therapeutic support is often not an easy or comfortable decision to make. I am trained and experienced in meeting with children, families and adolescents and am fully aware of the anxieties families are concerned with.  

When meeting with a child I think about two sets of experiences and how they impact on each other: the internal emotional world and the external every day environment. Each of these experiences will show themselves within the work and relationship with me. I also take into consideration a child’s age and development, their ability to learn and understand.  All these aspects are looked at and worked with in helping repair and strengthen a child’s mental health and well being.

I initially offer parents an initial consultation to obtain a detailed history and to discuss any concerns regarding their child. This is followed by an assessment process conducted over two to three sessions to explore the child’s presentation and areas of difficulty in greater depth.

Following the assessment, a feedback meeting is arranged to discuss findings and recommendations. Ongoing work typically involves weekly sessions with the child, or more intensive intervention where appropriate, over an agreed period of time. Review meetings with parents are held at least once per term to monitor progress.

I offer supervision and consultation to psychotherapists and other professionals.