Child psychology in Vila do Conde
Psychological support for children and adolescents, and support for families. Help with emotional difficulties, behaviour, school anxiety, learning and developmental disorders.
What it is
Child psychology is dedicated to assessing, diagnosing and addressing emotional, behavioural, learning and developmental difficulties in children and adolescents. We work with the child, and with the family around them. Care is always relational.
Every journey is unique. Some families come to us because of a specific moment (a change, a loss, a concern raised by school); others, because of a pattern that keeps repeating. Either way, we start by listening — to the child, to the parents and, when it makes sense, to the school.
When it makes sense to seek help
Anxiety
Persistent fears, excessive worry, panic attacks, school anxiety.
Emotional difficulties
Prolonged sadness, irritability, difficulty regulating emotions.
Behaviour
Persistent defiance, aggression, difficulty accepting limits.
Learning
Specific difficulties (reading, writing, maths) and study organisation.
ASD and ADHD
Assessment and intervention for autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
Development
Delays or deviations in development — language, motor, social.
Sleep and eating
Difficulty falling asleep, nightmares, food refusal, changes in appetite.
Transitions and loss
Parental separation, changing school, illness and bereavement in the family.
How it works
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01
First appointment with parents
One or two sessions to get to know the child's history, the family's concerns and the context. In most cases this is with parents only, so the child doesn't experience it as a complaint about them.
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02
Assessing the child
Sessions with the child or adolescent, in a format adapted to their age, using play, drawing and conversation. When indicated, we carry out a formal psychological assessment.
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03
Feedback and plan
A meeting with parents to share our understanding of the case and propose an intervention plan, with clear goals and an estimated timeline.
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04
Intervention sessions
Regular 50-minute sessions. Frequency is adjusted to the case, usually weekly. Parents are an active part of the process, with parent-support sessions.
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05
Coordination with school
Whenever it makes sense, we coordinate with teachers and school staff, because the child lives across several contexts and care needs to be consistent.
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06
Review and discharge
We periodically review progress. When goals are reached, we prepare the discharge with the child and the family, without rushing.
For parents
Parent support is part of the work, not an extra. We believe the biggest lever for a child's change is at home, and that parents deserve their own space to think, share concerns and leave with concrete pointers.
