HSE Primary Care Psychology for children, young people and families (0-18years)

This service is responsible for the provision of services to children and adolescents (0 – 18 years) and their parents/guardians who present with the following difficulties at the mild-to-moderate level of concern:

• Behavioural problems

• Anger problems
• Parenting difficulties
• Anxiety
• Adjustment difficulties
• Loss and bereavement
• Emotional regulation problems
• Low self-esteem
• Attachment problems
• Interpersonal relationship problems

Children and their families are supported through a range of workshops, groups and individual work.

A referral to the HSE Waterford Primary Care Child Psychology Service can be made by GPs, Public Health Nurses, other Psychologists, Schools/NEPS, Social Workers, Child Care Workers, Counsellors, Speech & Language Therapists and other health care professionals. Parental consent is required for a referral.

The Psychology Service also offers a no-referral, confidential, PHONE service. This service aims to provide parents/guardians with psychological advice or information regarding a specific parenting difficulty or concern. It is suitable for concerns that can be addressed within a short time frame. The phone service is not a referral pathway to the Primary Care Child and Adolescent Psychology service.