Mental health support for children
As a parent or carer, you know your child better than anyone.
You may be looking for support because your child is finding things difficult emotionally or with their wellbeing. Or perhaps you’re seeking guidance to better understand their needs, support them through a significant life event, make sense of a recent ADHD or autism assessment outcome, or help them build confidence and practical strategies for everyday life.
At Melios, we understand that every child and young person is unique. You don’t need to know exactly what support your child needs before reaching out. Our clinicians provide personalised, evidence-based support designed around the individual child or young person, taking the time to understand their experiences, strengths and goals.
When mental health support can help
Children, young people and families come to us for many different reasons. Your child may be experiencing:
- Anxiety or worry
- Low mood
- Emotional regulation difficulties
- Friendship or relationship difficulties
- School-related stress
- Low confidence or self-esteem
- Changes in behaviour, mood or wellbeing
- Difficult life events or transitions
- ADHD or autism-related support needs
- Questions following a recent assessment
You don’t need to have all the answers before getting in touch. Whether you have a specific concern or simply want guidance and reassurance, our role is to listen, understand and help identify the most appropriate next step.
A personalised approach to mental health support
We believe effective support starts with understanding the whole child or young person, not just the presenting concern.
Rather than offering a one-size-fits-all approach, we take time to understand their experiences, strengths, goals and wider environment. This helps us build a picture of what may be going on and identify the support most likely to help.
Our approach means we look at the whole picture rather than focusing on one area to understand each child’s unique experiences and what matters most to them and their family.
Because no two children are the same, neither is the support we provide.
Our children and young people mental health support services
Many children and young people benefit from a small number of focused sessions that help them better understand their experiences, develop practical strategies and build confidence. Others may benefit from longer-term support.
During the consultation process, we’ll take time to understand your child’s needs and recommend the most appropriate approach, reviewing progress regularly along the way.
Psychological assessment: 1.5 hours per assessment
A comprehensive mental health assessment exploring emotional, behavioural and functional needs, with a written summary and personalised recommendations.
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT): 1 hour per session
Evidence-based therapy helping people develop practical coping skills and improve emotional wellbeing.
Integrated psychological support: 1 hour per session
Person-centred, goal-focused support designed to build strategies and resources and address common mental health challenges.
Post assessment support: 1 hour per session
Specialist support focused on psychoeducation, adjustment, self understanding and practical strategies, whether diagnosed or not.
Neuroaffirmative behaviour support: 1 hour per session
Strengths-based behaviour support service, helping families of neurodivergent children understand behaviour and build practical, everyday strategies through parent coaching, observation, and school consultation.
Extended therapy sessions: 1.5 hours per session
Additional time and flexibility for individuals with complex or co-occurring needs.
Your Melios journey starts with a free consultation
Taking the first step can feel like a big decision. That’s why we offer a free introductory consultation with a member of the Melios team.
This gives you the space to talk things through, ask questions and tell us a little about your child and what’s been happening. There is no obligation to proceed and you don’t need to prepare anything in advance.
If you’d like to move forward, we’ll arrange a more detailed clinical consultation to better understand your child’s needs and develop a recommendation for support. During this session, we’ll explore your child’s experiences, strengths and goals before matching them with the most appropriate clinician and services.
Our clinician matching service
The relationship between a child or young person and their clinician can have a significant impact on their experience of support.
Rather than asking families to choose from a list of profiles or assigning a clinician automatically, we take the time to understand your child’s needs first.
Using the information gathered through our consultation process, we carefully match your child with a clinician whose expertise, experience and approach are best suited to support them.
We want children, young people and families to feel understood, supported and confident from the very beginning. If at any stage you feel the match isn’t quite right, we’ll work with you to find an alternative.
Why choose Melios?
- Experienced and compassionate clinicians
- Specialist understanding of children and young people’s mental health
- Expertise in ADHD and autism support
- Evidence-based and NICE compliant services
- Trusted by the NHS
- Personalised, formulation-led support
- Thoughtful clinician matching
- Flexible online appointments
- Strong clinical governance and safeguarding
- Support tailored to your child’s individual needs
The process to finding the right care for your child
Step 1: Free initial consultation
A supportive conversation with a member of our team to answer your questions and explore how we may be able to help.
Step 2: Clinical consultation
If you decide to proceed, we’ll arrange a structured consultation to gain a deeper understanding of your child’s experiences, strengths and needs.
Step 3: Personalised recommendation and clinician matching
We’ll develop an outline care recommendation and identify the support most appropriate for your child. We’ll also match them with a clinician whose expertise and approach align with their needs and goals.
Step 4: Begin support
Together, we’ll begin a personalised support service designed around your child’s individual needs.
Meet some of our expert clinicians
Our dedicated clinicians bring a wide range of expertise and experience and are guided by clinical excellence. By taking time to understand your child’s needs, we can thoughtfully match them with someone who is well placed to support them.
Dr. Gemma Cheney
Gemma is experienced in supporting children, young people and families through complex challenges. Gemma is passionate about making psychological support accessible and helping people better understand their experiences, strengths and needs.
Specialist interests: Mental health, neurodivergence, emotional wellbeing, complex needs and service development.
Rebecca Kinnear
Rebecca is a skilled CBT therapist and clinical leader who has supported children, young people, adults and families across NHS, private and charitable settings. She is passionate about providing compassionate, personalised support that helps people create meaningful and lasting change.
Specialist interests: Anxiety, low mood, emotional wellbeing, CBT, personalised care and service development.
Children and young people mental health support FAQs
How do I know if my child needs support?
Many parents and carers contact us because they’re curious about their child’s behaviour.
You don’t need certainty before reaching out. If you’re concerned about your child or feel they may benefit from additional support, we’re here to help you explore the most appropriate next steps.
Can parents or carers be involved in support?
Yes. Depending on your child’s age, needs and preferences, parents and carers can play an important role in the support process.
We’ll discuss this with you and your child to ensure the approach feels appropriate and beneficial for everyone involved.
What if we're not sure what support is needed?
Many families come to us feeling unsure about what type of support would be most helpful.
Our consultation process is designed to help us understand your child’s experiences, strengths and challenges so we can recommend the most appropriate support.
Are sessions delivered online?
Yes. All of our support sessions are delivered online through our dedicated clinical platform.
This provides flexibility for families and allows children and young people to access support from a familiar environment.
Can this support ADHD or autism-related needs?
Yes. Supporting neurodivergent people is a core part of our expertise.
Our clinicians have experience supporting autistic people and people with ADHD, and understand that everyone’s experiences are different. We take a personalised approach, considering your strengths, challenges and goals to ensure support is tailored to your individual needs.
Does my child need a diagnosis or referral to access support?
No. Your child does not need a diagnosis or referral to access support through Melios.
Many families come to us because they are seeking support while exploring concerns, awaiting an assessment or trying to better understand their child’s needs.
When will I find out about costs?
We’ll discuss support options, including costs, during your free introductory consultation.
This allows us to understand your child’s needs first and ensure any recommendations are tailored to their circumstances.
You will have time to review this information and come back to us with any questions before making a decision.
Ready to take the first step?
You don’t need all the answers before reaching out.
Whether you’re concerned about your child’s mental health, seeking support following a diagnosis, navigating challenges at school or simply looking for guidance on what might help, we’re here to support you and your family.