CBT for my 8 year old son?

[Jo Shields]

Has anyone found a CBT therapist in the UK that can work with younger children?  We are told by CAMHS our son is too young for CBT and that we need to wait until he is 12.  There is no offer of any further support that has been useful at this stage.  We are managing as best we can applying CBT techniques ourselves and pushing back, using some limited exposure therapy techniques.  

However, I am not convinced that CBT help for his age group is not available if we can find it.  Any thoughts or advice appreciated.  Jo

[Gemma@OCDUK]

Hi there Jo

As far as we are aware there is no age limit on treating OCD in children as young as 8 years old, provided the treatment is adapted for their age. At least we have never heard of anyone who has been told that. We would recommend that you go back to CAMHS and try to push for therapy for your son and if that is unsuccessful then provided you can travel, you could use your right to choose to pick another CAMHS service who will help your son.

Gemma