Emotional and Wellbeing support for the whole family

Tavistock Therapy Centre offers support for adults, children and teenagers with emotional and mental health problems across Tavistock and surrounding areas.

According to the Mental Health Foundation, one in two adults will suffer from a mental health problem in our lifetimes. In fact, recent stats show that 1 in 10 of people in the UK are suffering from depression and anxiety, the most common mental health issues, with the prescription of anti-depressants rising by 47% in the last decade.

Mental health problems affect children and young people, with 1 in 10 suffering in some way. These problems include depression, anxiety and behavioural issues and are often a direct response to what is happening in their lives.

The emotional wellbeing of children is as important as their physical health. Good mental health allows children and young people to develop the resilience to cope with whatever life throws at them and grow into well-rounded, healthy adults. However, stats show that 70% of children and young people who experience a mental health problem have not had appropriate interventions at a sufficiently early age.

While most children grow up mentally healthy, surveys suggest that more children and young people suffer from mental health problems today than 30 years ago. And while most things that happen to them don’t lead to mental health problems on their own, traumatic events can trigger problems for children and young people who are already vulnerable.

Common emotional and mental health problems that can affect children and young people include:

Depression – more common in adults but still found in young people, particularly teenagers.
Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD) – common in very young children or children starting or moving school. This includes separation anxiety.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) – following physical, mental or sexual abuse, witnessing something extremely frightening of traumatising, being the victim of violence or severe bullying or surviving a disaster.
ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) – children who are consistently overactive (‘hyperactive’), behave impulsively and have difficulty paying attention. Many more boys than girls are affected.
Eating Disorders – usually start in the teenage years and are more common in girls than boys.
Self-Harm – an increasingly common problem among young people.
What help is available?

While support is available on the NHS, at your child’s school or through your local council’s social services department, waiting lists can be very long and criteria’s for being referred are complex. So, if you are seeking help and advice and wish to avoid long waiting times, you may wish to consider private services including counselling, psychology / psychotherapy, mindfulness and early intervention programmes.