How many psychology sessions does this normally take to work?

There's no fixed answer. Some parents find that four to six sessions gives them the tools and insight they need. Others find it helpful to work together over a longer period. After the initial assessment I'll share my thoughts on what might be most useful, and we'll agree a plan that feels right for you.

Is this the same as the Raising Minds Parent Group?

No - these are individual one-to-one sessions, which means the work is entirely focused on your specific situation, your child, and your family. The Raising Minds group is a separate programme that works well for parents who want to build skills alongside others and at a lower cost per session. If you're unsure which is right for you, the free 15-minute call is a good place to start.

Where do sessions take place?

Sessions are held face-to-face at two locations in the West of Scotland - The Wellbeing Rooms in Bearsden on Tuesdays, and Lomond Clinic in Helensburgh on Thursdays, both running 9am to 5pm. Online sessions may be an option if we feel that would be suitable. If you're unsure which location works best for you, we can talk it through on your free 15-minute introductory call.

Clinical Psychologist for Parents

Supporting parents in the West of Scotland

When your child is struggling, it's natural to feel overwhelmed, lost, or unsure of what to do next. I work with parents to make sense of what's happening, and find a way through it together.

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Clinical psychology sessions for parents costs £130, for 50 minutes.

Therapy For Parents

My approach to working with parents

Based on Emotion Coaching (developed by Dr John Gottman, 1996) we work on understanding the drivers behind your child’s emotions and behaviour and how to respond in a way that develops emotional intelligence and resilience.

Working with parents is less like being handed a fish, and more like being given a fishing rod. The goal isn't to solve today's problem in isolation. It's to give you the insight, skills and confidence to raise a resilient child who can cope with life's challenges independently, and to feel steadier in the process.

Sessions are face-to-face, 50 minutes, and built entirely around your situation and the support you need.

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What I can help parents with

Parents come to me with a wide range of concerns. You might be struggling to understand why your child behaves the way they do, feeling at a loss when their emotions spiral, or finding that your own emotional responses are getting in the way of how you want to parent.

I'm a clinical psychologist passionate about working with parents

I commonly work with parents of children and young people experiencing:

Anxiety, low mood, anger or difficult behaviour
Emotional dysregulation and meltdowns
Withdrawal, self-harm or low self-esteem
Developmental difficulties or neurodiverse presentations
The impact of trauma, family breakdown, or significant life changes

If something feels hard at home, that's enough of a reason to reach out.

What to expect from parent psychology sessions with me

The first step is a free 15-minute telephone call - a no-pressure conversation where you can ask questions and get a sense of whether working with me feels right.

Next, an initial assessment session gives me the chance to listen carefully and build a fuller picture of your situation. From there, I'll develop a shared understanding of what's happening and work with you to agree a helpful path forward.

Some parents need a few sessions, others benefit from working together over a longer period. We move at a pace that suits you.

A tailored therapeutic approach, built around you

Whilst our work will mainly be structured around Emotion Coaching, I will also be drawing on Internal Family Systems, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Compassion Focused Therapy.

I will choose a custom approach which combines these methods in a way that fits your specific situation, your child, and what you're finding most difficult right now.

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Jill Churchill

"There's no way to be a perfect mother and a million ways to be a good one.”

Why choose Lomond Psychology

Over 20 years of clinical experience

Working across adult and child services, in the UK and Australia, I have developed a passion for and expert knowledge around parenting.

A specialism in families and parents

Most psychologists work with children or adults. I work with the whole family system - helping parents understand what's happening for their child, and find their own steadiness within it.

Therapy that's built around you

I don't use a single fixed model. I understand your unique family and draw on whichever combination of evidence-based approaches best fits your situation, so what you receive is genuinely tailored.

A calm, considered space to think and reflect

Sometimes the most valuable thing is simply having somewhere to be honest. I offer a warm, non-judgmental space where you can speak freely and start to make sense of things.

What it's like to work with me

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These are real testimonials from real clients, their names have been removed to protect their privacy.

"It’s been fantastic. Really helped since I started going to her and is very passionate about her work!"
"Dr Smith has a very warm and kind manner, is an attentive and thoughtful listener, and has helped me immensely. I would thoroughly recommend her to others."
"All my expectations have been exceeded. I’ve had several therapists throughout my life, but none as exceptional as Dr Smith’s."
"Dr Smith is incredibly versatile and has many great tools at her disposal which has enabled her to tailor my sessions for various needs. She is flexible and accommodating, and I feel tremendously encouraged by all the modes of empowerment she has helped me find."
"She is very approachable, understanding and obviously very good at what she does."
"I wasn’t sure what to expect but my EMDR therapy is certainly working. I believe I am moving forward well and working through my past trauma."
"Dr Smith creates a very safe environment for our sessions, where I feel listened to and understood."

Questions about clinical psychology sessions for parents

That depends on what's most helpful for your situation, and it's something we work out together. In many cases, the most effective approach is to work with you as a parent, building your understanding of your child's emotional world and your confidence in responding to it. In other cases, a combination of working with you and your child directly may be recommended. I'll always advise on what I think will make the biggest difference.