The Adolescent Directorate sees people between the ages of 14 and 21 years. We also see parents and other family members.
The aim of treatment is to help with the emotional troubles which frequently occur during adolescence and early adulthood such as feeling different, isolated, depressed, anxious or suicidal, or with problems that may be due to a specific issue or event in the young person's life.
More complex problems may include psychotic episodes or psychosomatic disturbances.
To get an appointment, the young person should write to us. Send a letter to:
The Intake Secretary
Adolescent Directorate
The Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust
120 Belsize Lane
London NW3 5BA
Alternatively family members, GPs, teachers, social workers and other professionals, may make referrals.
We offer assessment, brief consultation, individual psychotherapy (brief or longer term), family psychotherapy or group psychotherapy, depending on the needs and wishes of the young person.
In addition to our general therapy services for young people we have a number of more specialist clinical services:
Adolescent Directorate Services
Black Adolescents and Families Consultation Service
Although people from any ethnic group are seen in the department, there is an additional specialist brief service designed to address specific needs of young people from black and minority ethnic communities and their families. If you are interested in this service please call 020 8938 2337 for further information.
Trauma Service for Adolescents and Young People
This service is for young people who have experienced traumatic events, whether recently or in the past. Such events may include a road traffic accident, assault, traumatic bereavement, experiences of violence, or of natural disasters. We accept self or professional referrals, and can offer time limited consultations and ongoing sessions, where appropriate. The service also can offer consultations to groups or organisations who have been affected by traumatic events.
Eating Disorders Service
An assessment and longer-term treatment service for young people with eating disorders (such as bulimia, anorexia nervosa, selective eating, or restrictive eating). The service is not appropriate for those who are chronically ill, but those who can be managed as outpatients.
Looked After Adolescents Service
We offer a service to adolescents and young people who are fostered, adopted or in care. The service includes consultation with their carers and with relevant Social Service Departments. We also offer a service to young people who are leaving care to help them during this transitional period.
Young People's Consultation Service
This self-referral service offers a series of four appointments, usually starting within two to three weeks of referral. Referrals are taken by telephone (020 7447 3787 Mon -Thurs 10.00 - 5.30). The aim is to help young people get a clearer picture or understanding of the problem or difficulty they may have. This service is available for people between the ages of 16 and 30 years.
Parents' Consultation Service
This service offers up to 4 appointments to parents/carers experiencing difficulties with an adolescent or young person between 14 and 25.) The service aims to help parents/carers (whether as a couple or a single parent) develop a new perspective on the difficult situations with which they are faced. For more information or to make a self-referral please call 020 98938 2337 (Mon -Thurs 10.00 - 5.30 – answering service out of hours)
