Consultations for children and adolescents

Support for parents

I am Paula Buswell, clinical psychologist in Paris. In my practice I work with children and adolescents, as well as with their parents, for psychological counseling and/or therapy. I also perform psychological assessments. I am trilingual and can work with you and your children in French, in English or in Portuguese.

The first appointment

During our first appointment, we’ll talk about your child or teenager, their daily life at home and at school, their relationships with friends and family, and the challenges that led you to seek counseling. Depending on the situation, I may be able to offer you some initial insights. I will also answer your questions and explain my approach to counseling.

The young person’s presence is not required for this first appointment, but it is more than welcome. However, it is highly recommended that both parents attend. If the young person does not participate in the consultation, it can be conducted via videoconference.

At the end of the session, if you wish to begin a course of treatment with me, we will decide together what is best for you and your child or teenager: therapy for them, parenting support sessions for you, and/or a psychological assessment for your child.

Psychotherapy

Therapeutic support provides children and adolescents with a space to express and understand their difficulties, whether emotional, relational, or related to their functioning (particularly in cases of neurodevelopmental disorders).

It is also a space to learn new skills and practical strategies to navigate daily life and relationships with greater calm and ease.

I use a cognitive-behavioral approach (CBT) in my therapy sessions. Sessions last 45 minutes. For younger children, I may invite parents to participate in part of the session, as parents play a vital role in their child’s therapy. For adolescents, regular check-ins with parents take place at the end of each session.

Sessions can be weekly or biweekly. While the duration of treatment depends on the specific issues being addressed, CBT is considered a “brief” therapy, and initial results are often visible within the first few weeks.

Fee: 80 euros per 45-minute session

Parental support

As parents, you are your child’s primary daily support system. However, this can sometimes be confusing or overwhelming.

I support parents as they navigate common parenting challenges (tantrums, defiance), life transitions (starting school, moving, adolescence), or simply by answering their questions about their child’s psychological development.

I also offer more specialized support to parents of young people with neurodevelopmental disorders including ADHD or autism. As someone who is aware of the issue of parental burnout, I pay particular attention to the importance of finding balance within the family.

This is a safe, non-judgmental space where you can freely discuss your difficulties or doubts. My goal is to help you better understand your child’s or teenager’s behavior, to highlight your parenting skills, and to provide you with practical tools for a more peaceful daily life, allowing you to rediscover the joy in your relationship with your child.

In these sessions, I use a cognitive-behavioral approach (CBT), inspired by validated parenting guidance methods and programs (Kazdin, Barkley, and strategies adapted for ASD).

Parenting support is provided on a short- or medium-term basis depending on the issues at hand, with 45-minute sessions held usually biweekly, without the young person present, either in person or via videoconference.

Fee: 80 euros per 45-minute session

Psychological assessments

A psychological assessment is an in-depth clinical evaluation that provides insight into your child’s cognitive and emotional functioning. It helps identify your child’s strengths, as well as any potential vulnerabilities that may contribute to academic or behavioral difficulties.

I work with children ages six and older and adolescents to conduct cognitive assessments (IQ testing), evaluations of emotional and social functioning, as well as functional exploration of ADHD, focusing on how these conditions impact their daily lives. Please note that at this time I can only conduct standardized tests in French, your child or teenager must be fluent in this language.

An initial consultation is required and billed separately (80 euros). This session allows us to clarify the request and determine the scope and content of the assessment, based on the context and the issues at hand.

Each assessment consists of three steps:

  • A first session with the parents (1 hour) to review the child’s history, development, and environment.
  • One or two sessions (1.5 to 3 hours total) for interviews and/or standardized tests, depending on the type of assessment.
  • A debriefing session (1 hour) with the parents and the young person to share the results with you, answer your questions, and determine together whether support is needed. A detailed written report is provided to you at this time.

A psychological assessment, by providing a better understanding of how the young person functions, serves as a solid foundation for indicating support tailored to their strengths and needs.

The cost of the evaluation varies depending on the tests performed and ranges from 400 to 550 euros. You will receive a detailed estimate before the evaluation begins, following the preliminary consultation.

Do you have other questions?

You can contact me at 06 07 56 87 48 to discuss your situation and to learn if what I offer might meet your needs.

Book an appointment

You can schedule an appointment for a consultation directly on Doctolib, or by telephone at 06 67 56 87 48.

Book an appointment (Doctolib)

About me

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I am a clinical psychologist and psychotherapist with a degree from Paris 8 University. After fifteen years teaching and serving as a principal at bilingual schools in Paris, I pursued training in psychology in order to provide more personalized support to children and their parents.

In my therapeutic and parental support sessions, I use a cognitive-behavioral approach (CBT), and I offer psychological assessments for children and adolescents that follow the recommendations of the French National Authority for Health (HAS).

My background in education informs my clinical practice and my understanding of child development, as well as the emotional, relational, and academic challenges faced by children and their families. I always work in partnership with parents.

I have lived in Brazil, the United States, and France, and I am the mother of two teenage girls who are growing up immersed in three languages and three cultures. As a result, I am attuned to and trained in the challenges of multiculturalism and multilingualism in child development.

I provide counseling in French, English, and Portuguese.

In addition to my private practice, I support schools and educational teams as a psychologist and trainer.

Contact information

E-mail
Phone

paula@buswell.fr

06 07 56 87 48

Book an appointment
Address
Doctolib

8 rue Ruhmkorff, 75017 Paris