Paul

Mr Paul Bell BA MSc MPsychPsych MACP

Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist

“I am a Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist, trained within the NHS, and have 12 years of CAMHS experience working with complex child mental health difficulties. I have taught Child Development Research at a major NHS teaching trust, and have provided clinical supervision to MA and doctoral level students.”

About Me

I practise child psychotherapy in Edinburgh, Midlothian, UK. I treat anxiety, trauma, mood disorders, relationship issues, and child behaviour in children and adolescents. I offer adoption work, child and adolescent therapy, and consultation for families and professionals.

Approach

Based in Edinburgh and online, my work opens by creating a predictable, calm frame so children, young people and parents can feel safe to explore difficult feelings. Sessions move at a pace that suits the child — sometimes containing play or drawing, sometimes using talk — and I bring observational detail between meetings to shape small, practical steps at home. I offer clear, collaborative reflections for carers and professionals so everyone can understand patterns and try different responses. This way of working often suits families seeking thoughtful, steady change.
Contact Paul

Ask a quick question or arrange a time to meet.

Basic Information

Services

I am a Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist with over 12 years experience working in NHS child and adolescent mental health teams (CAMHS), as well as in private practice and the charity sector. I have specialist skills and training in the treatment of adolescent depression, as well as work with parents of young people with mental health difficulties. Along side my clinical work, I am a visiting lecturer at the University of Edinburgh where I teach Child Psychotherapy on the Doctorate in Clinical Psychology

Services Offered:

  • •
    Adoption

    The process of legally becoming a parent to a child who is not biologically yours, which can raise complex emotions around identity, attachment, and belonging for all involved.

  • •
    Child Psych & Diagnostic Assessment

    Formal assessment of a child's psychological, cognitive, or emotional functioning to identify conditions and guide appropriate support.

  • •
    Psych & Diagnostic Assessment

    Formal psychological testing to identify conditions, understand cognitive and emotional functioning, and guide treatment planning.

  • •
    Child / Adolescent Therapy

    Therapy for children and teenagers using age-appropriate methods, such as play, art, or adapted talk therapy, to address emotional and behavioural difficulties.

    Learn more about Child / Adolescent Therapy
  • •
    Consultation

    An initial meeting with a therapist to discuss concerns, ask questions, and determine whether they are the right fit.

  • •
    Adolescent Therapy

    Therapy designed for teenagers, using age-appropriate methods to address issues like anxiety, identity, peer pressure, and family conflict.

    Learn more about Adolescent Therapy
  • •
    Supervision

    Professional oversight for therapists and counsellors, providing guidance, ethical support, and reflective space for their clinical work.

    Learn more about Supervision

Works With:

  • •Adolescents
  • •Children
  • •Families
  • •Under Fives
  • •Adults
  • •Groups
  • •Organisations
  • •Parents

Area of Expertise

Scope of Practice:

  • •
    Anxiety

    Persistent worry, nervousness, or fear that is disproportionate to the situation and interferes with daily functioning.

    Learn more about Anxiety
  • •
    Relationship Issues

    Difficulties in romantic relationships, including communication problems, trust breakdowns, conflict patterns, or uncertainty about the relationship's future.

    Learn more about Relationship Issues
  • •
    Autism (ASD)

    A neurodevelopmental condition affecting social communication, sensory processing, and behaviour patterns, with a wide range of presentations and strengths.

  • •
    Child Behaviour

    Behavioural difficulties in children, such as tantrums, aggression, withdrawal, or defiance, that signal emotional distress or developmental needs.

  • •
    Trauma

    The lasting psychological impact of deeply distressing events, such as violence, abuse, accidents, or disasters, that overwhelm a person's ability to cope.

    Learn more about Trauma
  • •
    Mood Disorder

    A category of mental health conditions, including depression and bipolar disorder, in which a person's emotional state is significantly and persistently disrupted.

    Learn more about Mood Disorder
  • •
    LGBTQI+ Support

    The unique psychological experiences of LGBTQI+ individuals, including identity exploration, coming out, discrimination, minority stress, and relationship dynamics.

  • •
    Parenting Support

    Guidance for the psychological challenges of raising children, including discipline, communication, co-parenting, and managing the emotional demands of parenthood.

  • •
    Abuse

    Emotional, physical, or sexual mistreatment by another person that causes lasting psychological harm and disrupts a person's sense of safety.

  • •
    Young Adult Issues

    The unique psychological challenges of emerging adulthood (18–25), including identity formation, independence, relationship navigation, and finding direction.

    Learn more about Young Adult Issues

Professional Title:

  • •
    Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist

    A psychotherapist trained to work specifically with children and teenagers, using age-appropriate methods to address emotional and developmental difficulties.

Qualifications

King's College London

University College London / The Anna Freud Centre

University of East London; The Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust

Registrations

Association of Child Psychotherapists; British Psychoanalytic Council

Child Psychotherapist

Service Area

The Anchor Practice

In-person & Online

Edinburgh, Midlothian

United Kingdom