Psychology video appointment

I am having a psychology video appointment.

My psychology video appointment will be on Attend Anywhere. Attend Anywhere is a computer programme to help people to talk to each other when meeting in person is difficult. It is similar to Zoom, Skype and a WhatsApp call. We can hear and see the people we are talking to.

Credit: NHS Anywhere, How to use Attend Anywhere

My video appointment is with a psychologist. I might have had appointments with a doctor or nurse before. I might not have met a psychologist. I might not know what a psychologist is. This is ok.

A psychologist is a special kind of doctor who helps people when they are finding something difficult. Everyone has things that they find difficult.

A psychologist is not like a normal doctor. A psychologist does not help people by giving them medicine. Instead, a psychologist helps people by talking to them. Talking helps the psychologist to find out what is difficult for the person and what might help them.

Sometimes, children and young people experience difficult feelings. They might feel angry, scared or sad a lot of the time.

These feelings might stop children from doing things or make them behave in ways they do not like. A psychologist can help children and young people to make sense of their feelings and how to manage feelings when they get too much.

Why do I have to see a psychologist?

I may not know any other children who have seen a psychologist. This does not mean I am the only child to see a psychologist.

Lots of children and young people see a psychologist. It is not because something is wrong with them or because they have done something bad.

I might need to see a psychologist because they can help me with something that is difficult for me. Sometimes, people feel bad about getting help. This is ok.

What might happen at my first psychology video appointment?

My parent or carer will tell me when the psychology video appointment is.

A psychology video appointment will usually last about an hour. Sometimes the appointment might be a bit longer or shorter. We can finish my appointment sooner if I am finding it difficult.

My parent or carer might use their phone or laptop for the appointment. My parent or carer will know how to get on the appointment.

When we first start the appointment, we might need to wait for the call to start. I can do things I enjoy while I am waiting.

When my psychologist is ready, they will start the appointment. I will be able to see them on the screen and hear them talking. My psychologist will also be able to see and hear me and my parents.

If we cannot see or hear each other, my parent or carer and my psychologist will help to fix it. This can sometimes take a while. It is ok if this happens. I can do something I enjoy while I am waiting.

My psychologist will introduce themselves. They will talk to me and my parent or carer for a while. They might ask about my interests and what I am good at. This is so they can get to know me better.

It is normal to feel a bit scared or uncomfortable talking to my psychologist. This is ok. Lots of people find this hard.

I might find it strange to talk to my psychologist on video. Talking on video might feel different to talking in person. This is ok. I can tell my parents if I want a break from talking or want to end the appointment.

My psychologist might want to ask me or my parents about things that I find difficult. Everyone gets asked these questions.

I might not like it when my parents talk about me and things I find difficult. I might feel uncomfortable or even sad when my parents talk about things. It is normal to feel this way.

Even though it can be uncomfortable hearing my parents talk about these things, it is important that my psychologist knows about them. This is so they know how best to help me. It is ok to need more help sometimes!

If I feel uncomfortable or sad after talking about things that I find hard, it may help me to remember that I am great at lots of things. Everyone else knows this too, including my parents and my psychologist!

When we have got to know each other better, my psychologist might tell me more about psychology appointments.

My psychologist might talk about what will happen in my appointments and what we might do or talk about together. My psychologist might talk about how they are going to help me with things I find difficult.

My psychologist might need to talk to my parents about these things too. This is ok.

My psychologist will tell us when the appointment has finished. I might have more psychology appointments in the future. I might have an appointment every week or every 2 weeks.

My psychologist will tell my parents when my next appointment is. I will try to come to my next psychology video appointment.