Joshua's assessment sessions with the child psychologist have spread over about 6 months and been quite painful and traumatic for both of us. I was reluctant to go to the session today and decided to go without Josh and took Rachel with me for support.

They have finally been able to give us some answers. The psychologist is going to recommend a long term programme of counselling with a child psychologist. Joshua is apparently experiencing high levels of anxiety which are not likely to resolve without the appropriate intervention, he feels that doing nothing and hoping that things resolve themselves was not an option. Josh has issues about loss and separation, arising from his early childhood traumas, which need careful and appropriate therapy. Josh also has problems on knowing what level of engagement is appropriate for different people and also problems coping with children of his own age. It was quite scary to hear and Rachel, who is a lot tougher than me was in tears. Although I was probably aware of a lot of this already from my own observations it still came as quite a shock to hear it all from a specialist. It is horrible to think of Josh suffering on a daily basis and not knowing how to cope with his feelings.

Worse was to come, the doctor who has been assessing Josh is leaving at the end of July and financial cuts mean that no one is being taken on to replace him. We have been warned that we will probably be denied this essesntial treatment and have to be prepared to put up a fight to get it. I have not been given any advise on how I might be able to help Josh. There is nothing I can really do until I have the report in writing.

Current Mood: worried