Understanding how connection shapes the work we do
Starting therapy can feel daunting. For many children and young people, meeting someone new or talking about feelings is unfamiliar and sometimes uncomfortable. At Gateway Psychology, we understand that building connection takes time – and that feeling safe is the first step before any therapeutic work can begin.
A warm welcome from the very start
Connection begins before a therapy session even starts. From the first phone call or email, our administrative team helps families feel supported and informed. When families arrive, April on reception offers a calm, friendly welcome and takes time to get to know each child and parent. She remembers familiar faces and small details – like favourite drinks or who prefers to sit quietly for a few minutes before heading in. These simple, genuine interactions help children feel recognised and cared for from the moment they walk through the door. Read our recent interview with April to learn more.
Creating safety and familiarity
Inside the therapy room, our clinicians continue that same sense of safety and consistency. We take time to get to know each child, young person and family, introducing activities that feel approachable and meaningful. Using the same therapy room each week, keeping routines predictable and checking in with how children are feeling all help to build trust.
We know that connection can’t be forced. It grows gradually as children begin to feel that they are understood and their wishes and feelings are taken seriously.
Listening carefully and working at the right pace
Every child and family is different. Some may want to talk straight away, while others need time to build confidence. Our clinicians follow each person’s pace, using curiosity and empathy to guide conversations. This flexibility helps children and parents feel respected and in control, which in turn strengthens their sense of safety and connection.
The foundation for meaningful work
Once connection is established, therapeutic work can deepen. Families begin to explore experiences and emotions together, supported by a trusted relationship with their clinician. We often see that it’s the small, consistent gestures – a familiar face, a remembered detail, a shared activity – that help children and families begin to feel safe enough to engage.
At Gateway Psychology, connection is more than the first step of therapy. It’s part of every interaction, every welcome and every session. This National Adoption Week, we’re proud to recognise how these everyday moments of connection make a lasting difference.