Finding the right support for a child or young person who is experiencing difficulties with their mental health, development or emotional wellbeing can feel overwhelming for families. At The Somerville Clinic, we believe that every child and their families, deserve to feel listened to, understood and supported as an individual.
We are delighted that Dr Hollie Hearfield, Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, is now offering specialist Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) at The Somerville Clinic.
Dr Hearfield offers a warm, thoughtful and personalised approach to supporting children, adolescents and their families. Her aim is to create a safe and welcoming space where young people can feel comfortable being themselves, and where parents and carers feel included and supported throughout the process. Barbie her wonderful dog is also on hand.
How can Dr Hearfield help?
Dr Hearfield offers assessment and psychiatric support across three key areas:
ADHD assessments and support
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) can affect many aspects of a young person's life, including concentration, organisation, emotional regulation, relationships and experiences at school or home.
ADHD can present differently in every child. Some young people may be restless or impulsive, while others may struggle more quietly with attention, motivation, forgetfulness or keeping up with everyday demands.
A comprehensive assessment can help build a clearer understanding of a young person's strengths and difficulties, explore whether ADHD may be contributing to their experiences, and consider appropriate recommendations and support.
Autism assessments and support
Autism is a different way of experiencing and interacting with the world. It can influence communication, social interaction, sensory experiences, routines and relationships.
For some children and young people, recognising autistic traits can bring a sense of understanding and validation. For others, an assessment may help explain longstanding difficulties or identify the adjustments and support that could make everyday life easier.
Dr Hearfield takes an individualised approach, recognising that autism can look very different from one young person to another. The focus is on understanding the child or adolescent as a whole, including their strengths, needs and experiences.
General child and adolescent psychiatry
Children and adolescents can experience a wide range of emotional, behavioural and mental health difficulties. These may include anxiety, low mood, difficulties with emotional regulation, changes in behaviour, sleep problems and challenges in relationships or at school.
Dr Hearfield offers general psychiatric assessments and reviews to help understand what may be happening, consider possible contributing factors and develop an appropriate plan of support.
Where difficulties overlap, it can be particularly helpful to take a broad perspective. For example, anxiety, low mood, attention difficulties and neurodevelopmental differences can influence one another. A careful assessment can help make sense of this complexity and identify the support that best meets the young person's needs.
A warm, personal approach
We know that assessments can sometimes feel daunting, particularly for children and young people who may be worried about meeting someone new or talking about things they find difficult.
Dr Hearfield places great importance on building a trusting relationship and helping young people feel at ease. She takes time to listen to their experiences, understand their perspective and recognise the things that matter to them. Parents and carers are also an important part of the process, with their observations and concerns helping to build a fuller picture.
And there may occasionally be another friendly face in the room: Barbie, Dr Hearfield’s dog, sometimes joins assessments. For some children and young people, having Barbie around can help create a more relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. Her presence is always considered in relation to the individual young person's comfort and preferences.
Understanding the whole child
At The Somerville Clinic, we believe that good mental healthcare starts with understanding the person, not simply identifying a diagnosis.
A young person's mental health and development are shaped by many factors, including family life, friendships, education, physical health, neurodevelopment and their wider environment. We aim to consider these different influences when thinking about assessment, recommendations and ongoing support.
Our approach is collaborative and compassionate, helping young people and their families develop a clearer understanding of their experiences and identify practical ways forward.
Getting support
If you have concerns about your child's attention, development, emotional wellbeing or mental health, a specialist assessment may be a helpful first step.
Dr Hollie Hearfield is now offering ADHD, autism and general psychiatric services for children and adolescents at The Somerville Clinic.
To find out more or enquire about an appointment, please contact info@somervilleclinic.com.
We understand that reaching out for support can be a big step. Our aim is to make that first conversation as welcoming and straightforward as possible.
