Denbighshire CAMHS Assessment / Therapy
Who we are?
We are a team that see children and young people up to the age of 18 years. We support people who need help with their thoughts, feelings and emotions.
Is this service for me?
We see people with complex and longer term mental health needs that are stopping them from doing the things they want to do and living a full life. These might be things such as not going to school, not looking after yourself, struggling with relationships at home or in school that may make you angry and upset, obsessive and repeating behaviour such as thoughts that make you feel out of your control and/or hearing voices in your head that aren’t your own.
We work with you to understand what matters to you and identify your goals. These goals may be how you change things to be safer or go to the shops without worrying, not hurting yourself when you feel overwhelmed, managing anger and dealing with stresses and worries. We also support you with other goals such as managing eating difficulties, identity and relationships with our bodies, feeling sad all of the time and not doing what we want to do, personal relationships or understanding how your neurodiversity affects your mental health.
Who (services) will we see?
The team is made up of:
- Mental Health Nurses
- Psychotherapists
- Art Psychotherapist
- Psychologists
- Psychiatrists
- Mental Health Social Worker
- Family Therapists
- Team Administrators
- Health Care Support Workers
- Eating Disorder Specialists
How do access the services?
If you’re feeling you need support with your mental health, your GP, social worker, school nurse, paediatrician or a teacher from your school can refer you to our team. Somebody from our team will look at the referral to see if we can offer you the help you need.
Sometimes there are other services that may be more helpful to you and we will write you a letter and let you know.
If we think you need our help we will invite you to a choice appointment where you will meet with one of our team who will ask you lots of questions to find out how things are for you such as school, family life, social life and friendships including your worries. Your first appointment will take around one and half hours and you will have the opportunity to speak to us on your own and with your family and carers.
You can choose to have your family or someone to support you in your appointments if you feel this would help you. We understand if can be difficult to talk to people you don’t know about your thoughts and feelings and you are welcome to bring any distraction objects with you that you may feel help to make you more comfortable. You are also always given the option to speak to us while your parents or carers waits in the waiting room.
From your choice appointment, we will help you to decide if our service is going to be the most helpful for you as there may be help from another service available or we may invite you to a partnership appointment.
A partnership appointment is a 1:1 meeting with your named clinician and your family if you choose. Appointments are usually an hour long and either weekly or fortnightly and may vary depend on who you are seeing. We use different resources in the sessions including self-help guides, videos, art and crafts and things you can take away to do in-between sessions.
The appointment will be a talking therapy. You can find out more about therapies by following this link: (link to therapies page).
Safety Planning
We will work with you and support you to complete a safety plan that will help to reduce any thoughts or triggers you may have so you can feel more in control. The safety plan may include ideas for:
- Calming techniques
- Friends, family and carers support
- Coping mechanisms
- Safe spaces
- Helpful ideas, support services and helplines
- What to do if you feel you are in need of urgent help and support
How do I find you?
Our team is based in the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Rhyl. We offer both face to face and online sessions depending on your needs or circumstances.
Parking can be difficult, there is a big car park available around the back of the building which can be accessed by driving along from Splash Point, past the main building, and taking the next left.
Come into the main entrance, and turn right, there is a lift or stairs and CAMHS is located on the 1st floor. The entrance is a basement level.
How do I tell you I have arrived?
When you get to the top of the stairs at the first floor turn right into CAMHS reception. Press the bell and this will let reception know you have arrived and they will let your clinician know you are waiting.
You will be directed to the waiting room. If you have been waiting for longer than 10 minutes following your appointment time, please let someone in reception know and they will chase this for you.
What Do I need to bring?
Can you please bring an up-to- date medication list with you for your first appointment.
What else can I bring?
Please bring things with you that make comfortable such as headphones, colouring book/reading book/sunglasses as the waiting rooms can become busy at times and we want you to feel comfortable and at ease.
Contact Information: 03000 856 023