At Inside Out Therapy, we welcome children and young people with a wide range of emotional, social, behavioural and developmental needs. Every child is different, and we believe that finding the right support is an important first step.

We regularly support children and young people experiencing autism, ADHD, OCD, anxiety, depression, trauma, bereavement, low confidence and difficulties with self-esteem.

We also work with children who may not be experiencing any particular difficulties but whose parents would like to help them develop emotional awareness, confidence and resilience. Learning to understand and manage emotions from an early age can provide valuable skills for navigating life's challenges as they grow.

Every referral is carefully reviewed to ensure that our team has the appropriate experience and expertise to meet the child's needs. If we feel another service would be better suited to supporting a child, we will always be open and honest with families about this.

Above all, our priority is to ensure that every child receives the right support, in the right environment, from professionals who understand their individual needs.

Getting started with Inside Out Therapy is simple, and we're here to guide families through the process.

Parents and guardians can contact us directly to make a referral for their child. We also welcome referrals from GPs, schools, the HSE, Tusla, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists, and other professionals working with children and young people.

Regardless of who makes the initial referral, we require consent and a signature from a parent or legal guardian before the referral can be fully processed.

Our team is always happy to answer questions, explain the referral process and help families take the first step towards getting the support their child needs.

Our initial parent consultation lasts 45 minutes, giving us time to listen to your concerns, learn about your child and discuss how we can best support them.

Each individual therapy session also lasts 45 minutes, providing a dedicated space for your child to feel comfortable, engage in therapeutic activities and work towards their individual goals.

Every child is different, and the number of therapy sessions they need will depend on their individual circumstances and goals.

Some children attend therapy to work through a particular difficulty and may benefit greatly from just 6–8 sessions. Others may find longer-term support helpful, allowing them time to develop new skills, build confidence and work through challenges at their own pace.

Some children also choose to take a break from therapy and return when they feel they need additional support.

At Inside Out Therapy, we believe therapy should be flexible and guided by each child's needs. We work closely with families to regularly review progress and ensure that therapy continues to be meaningful, helpful and appropriate.

Getting started with Inside Out Therapy is simple, and we're here to guide you through each step.

The process begins by contacting us through our website or by phone. You can make an enquiry, speak with a member of our team or complete an online referral form.

Once we receive your enquiry or referral, a member of our team will carefully review the information provided to ensure that our service is a good fit for your child's needs.

We will then contact you by email or phone to arrange an initial parent consultation. This meeting gives us an opportunity to learn more about your child, listen to your concerns and discuss how we may be able to help.

Following the parent consultation, your child may be offered a regular weekly therapy appointment, depending on their individual needs and appointment availability.

Our aim is to make the process as straightforward and welcoming as possible, ensuring that families feel informed, supported and comfortable from their very first contact with us.

At Inside Out Therapy, we believe that parents play an important role in supporting their child's emotional wellbeing and development. We also recognise that as children grow older, their need for privacy and independence becomes increasingly important.

For children under 12, parents receive an email following each therapy session outlining the main themes explored, the goals being worked on and practical suggestions for supporting their child's progress at home. This helps families stay informed and ensures that the benefits of therapy extend beyond the clinic.

For young people aged 12–18, we take a slightly different approach. Adolescents are given greater privacy and independence within their therapy sessions, helping them feel comfortable speaking openly and honestly. Therapists work collaboratively with young people to agree what information can be shared with parents, while continuing to encourage positive family communication.

Your child's safety and wellbeing will always come first. Where concerns arise about a child's safety or risk of harm, relevant information will be shared with parents or appropriate safeguarding professionals in line with our safeguarding responsibilities.

All our therapists receive Children First safeguarding training and follow the relevant child protection and mandated reporting requirements. Inside Out Therapy also has comprehensive safeguarding policies and procedures to ensure that children and young people are supported in a safe, professional and caring environment.

Our goal is to strike the right balance between keeping parents involved and respecting each young person's growing need for privacy, trust and independence.

At Inside Out Therapy, we provide children and families with a dedicated therapy placement, rather than individual appointments. This means your child has a regular, protected appointment at the same day and time each week or fortnight.

Having a consistent appointment helps children build a positive relationship with their therapist and make meaningful progress. However, it also means that when a session is cancelled, we are generally unable to offer that appointment to another child on our waiting list.

We understand that family life can be unpredictable and that illness and unexpected circumstances arise. Our cancellation policy aims to provide families with some flexibility while ensuring that we can continue offering a consistent and reliable service to everyone.

Our Cancellation Policy

• One cancellation every two calendar months: Families may cancel one session within any two-calendar-month period without charge. This allowance includes cancellations due to illness, family commitments or unexpected circumstances.

• Rescheduling appointments: If you cannot attend your usual appointment, you are welcome to request an alternative time during the same week. Your therapist will do their best to accommodate this, subject to availability. If rescheduling is not possible, the missed appointment will count towards your cancellation allowance.

• Additional cancellations: Any further cancellations within the same two-calendar-month period will be charged at the full session fee, including those due to illness or other commitments.

• Weekly and fortnightly appointments: The same cancellation policy applies whether your child attends therapy weekly or fortnightly.

• Unused cancellations: Cancellation allowances cannot be saved, carried forward or accumulated for future use.

• Regular attendance: Consistent attendance is important for therapeutic progress. Repeated cancellations or missed appointments may place your child's ongoing therapy placement at risk.

Taking a Break from Therapy

We understand that families may occasionally wish to take a longer break from therapy.

If you are planning a break, we ask that you provide at least one month's notice. Your child's regular appointment will then be released, and their name can be placed on our recommencement waiting list.

We will do our best to accommodate your child's return when a suitable appointment becomes available. However, we cannot guarantee a particular timeframe or that their previous appointment will still be available.

Making the Most of Your Child's Appointment

Your child's appointment is reserved exclusively for them. If they are unable to attend, there may still be opportunities to use that time in a meaningful way.

Depending on your child's needs and what can be arranged with their therapist, this might include a parent consultation, developing resources to support your child at home or school, or communicating with teachers and other professionals involved in their care.

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation. Our cancellation policy helps us protect the consistency of therapy, support the families attending our service and manage waiting lists fairly, ensuring that children can access the help they need.