How a Psychiatrist Can Help

Psychiatrists are medically trained specialists in mental health having post graduated in psychiatry. Psychiatrists evaluate the full range of factors including biological, psychological, and environmental that affect a child’s wellbeing, and diagnose complex conditions that might be affecting behaviour and emotional health.

A child and adolescent psychiatrist can provide:

• • A detailed evaluation of behavioural and emotional symptoms
  • Diagnosis based on clinical standards and developmental history
  • Guidance on appropriate therapeutic interventions or school-based support
  • Prescriptions for medication, if clinically indicated and with full parental consent

This medical perspective ensures a comprehensive and structured approach to understanding your child’s needs.

School Difficulties That May Warrant a Psychiatric Assessment

If your child is experiencing any of the following challenges, it may be worthwhile to seek a professional opinion:

• • Difficulty concentrating or sitting still in class
  • Recurrent emotional outbursts, anxiety  or irritability
  • Frequent complaints of physical illness without a clear cause
  • Avoidance of school or school-related anxiety
  • Changes in eating, sleeping, or social habits
  • Struggling to maintain friendships or interact with peers
  • Falling behind academically despite putting in effort

Such difficulties are often misunderstood or attributed to poor attitude and labelled as challenging behaviours. This can then escalate to the teachers further excluding or penalising the young people, until it becomes a vicious circle that is hard to break.  These are early indicators of treatable mental health or developmental conditions and if ‘nipped in the bud’ with early intervention, may prevent mental disorders altogether.

Support is Available

Oaktree Connect recognises the intense challenges that families encounter when they need to support their struggling child. Our team of experienced child and adolescent psychiatrists conducts complete confidential assessments within a supportive environment.

We provide assistance to families who want to assess their child because of behavioural changes or when schools or GPs recommend additional evaluation.

Book an Appointment

Our team welcomes parents who wish to discuss potential school-related issues that extend beyond behavioural problems with their child.

Our clinics in Birmingham and St Albans provide private psychiatric assessments for children and young people.

To find out more or to book an appointment, please visit:

www.oaktreeconnect.co.uk

Oaktree Connect

Private Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Services

Supporting children and families with care, clarity, and clinical expertise.

Please note: This article is intended for informational purposes and should not replace individual medical advice. If you have urgent concerns about your child’s safety or mental health, please contact your GP or local emergency services.

Choosing the Best Psychiatrist in Birmingham

Selecting the most suitable psychiatrist in Birmingham from the many professionals offering mental health support requires careful consideration.

First, define your goals. Are you seeking a diagnosis, medication or therapy and emotional support? Your specific requirements will determine which professional to choose. For the former, i.e. diagnosis and physical treatment like medication, a psychiatrist has to be your choice. If you have been recommended talking therapies then psychologists would be the one to pick. 

Choose a psychiatrist in Birmingham if you suspect that you may suffer from a disorder such as depression, OCD, ADHD or others, and need a diagnosis. You may also want to see a psychiatrist if therapy is not an appropriate option as your mental disorder deteriorates and medication is required.  

Secondly, verify the professional’s qualifications. Ensure the psychiatrist is registered with the General Medical Council (GMC) and has completed their higher training in Psychiatry. They will have been awarded a Certificate of completion of training (CCT). All Oaktree Psychiatrists have held this qualification for over a decade.  

Specialisation in psychiatry is according to the age of the patient. Child and adolescent psychiatrists would see patients below 18 years, general adult psychiatrists from 18-65 years and older adult psychiatrists 65+ years old people. Most of the Child and adolescent (CAMHS) psychiatrists will see children from 5 years of age, school-age children. 

Online reviews and patient testimonials offer insight into the professional’s approach and outcomes. At Oaktree Connect, our psychiatrists have all been given high ratings by the patients on Google and social media platforms. 

You could also communicate with the clinic about the experience of the psychiatrist in treating certain disorders, the years they have worked in mental health. At Oaktree Connect, all our consultant psychiatrists have at least 5 years of experience as consultants. 

Booking a Psychiatrist in Birmingham: What to Expect

Starting the process may feel overwhelming, but booking an appointment with a psychiatrist in our Birmingham clinic is more straightforward than expected. You are offered an initial consultation—either in-person or online—where you can discuss your concerns openly and in detail. Based on this conversation and the questionnaires you are requested to complete, the professional will establish a diagnosis, if this is present and recommend a care plan that may include psychological assessment, regular therapy sessions or medical interventions such as further physical investigations, medication, rTMS or other treatments.

Private psychiatrists in Birmingham at Oaktree also offer remote video appointments, making it easier for busy individuals to access support from the comfort of home. Students, professionals, and parents benefit greatly from this flexibility. It has also made it easier for our psychiatrists based in Birmingham to see patients from anywhere in England and Wales. We are also able to send all required medication to patients’ home addresses nationally. 

Supporting Your Child’s Mental Health in Birmingham

Parenting can be challenging, especially when your child faces emotional, behavioural, or academic difficulties. Early intervention is key when your child shows signs of stress, social withdrawal or poor concentration. 

Our child psychiatrist in Birmingham, Dr Sobia Rafi has for years, helped equip children with emotional tools to express themselves, build resilience, and navigate challenges. As a specialist adolescent psychiatrist they provide teenagers with tailored support in managing peer pressure, identity struggles, and exam-related anxiety.

Families seeking support for ADHD, autism spectrum conditions, and social interaction issues will benefit from comprehensive assessments and targeted treatment plans. With the right care, children and teens can thrive academically and socially.

Emotional Wellbeing in Everyday Life

You don’t need a formal diagnosis to benefit from psychiatric support. Many people in Birmingham and the West Midlands  consult psychiatrists and psychologists to improve their emotional wellbeing and quality of life, especially when going through life transitions, career changes, relationship struggles or dealing with loss. Therapy can help individuals understand their emotional patterns, overcome limiting and unhelpful beliefs and enhance their mental resilience.

Visiting a psychiatrist does not mean something is wrong with you. It means you are choosing to prioritise your mental wellness just like you would your physical health.

Start Your Journey with Trusted Professionals

You don’t have to wait until things fall apart to seek support or suffer in silence. Early help can make a world of difference. Birmingham is home to an extensive network of trusted psychiatrists including Oaktree Connect, providing confidential, high-quality care to children, adolescents and adults with mental health issues, their families and carers.

This is the perfect time to start your journey—whether that means exploring a diagnosis, seeking treatment, therapy to manage emotional health or simply having someone listen and guide you.

Ready to Book?

You can schedule a consultation with a licensed psychiatrist or mental health doctor through www.oaktreeconnect.co.uk. Services include ADHD diagnosis, depression assessments, child and adolescent psychiatry, and emotional wellbeing support. Get fast, personalized care from UK-certified professionals who understand your unique needs.

Medical Recommendations for Recovery

From a psychiatric standpoint, managing depression after redundancy requires a multi-modal approach:

1. Accurate Diagnosis: Ruling out medical causes (e.g., thyroid dysfunction), and confirming depression or adjustment disorder through structured interviews.

2. Psychoeducation: Helping patients understand that their symptoms are valid psychological responses, not character flaws.

3. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): One of the most evidence-backed therapies for job-loss-related depression.

4. Antidepressants: In moderate to severe cases, SSRIs such as sertraline or fluoxetine may be prescribed.

5. Social Support Mobilization: Encouraging patients to reconnect with family, peer networks, and professional groups.

6. Physical Activity: Studies have consistently shown that exercise improves mood and reduces depressive symptoms. 

Mental Health Support After Redundancy: What to Seek

Patients should be encouraged to reach out to professionals early, even before symptoms become severe. Services to consider:

• Private psychiatric assessments (as offered at Oaktree Connect)

• Talking therapies (CBT, interpersonal therapy)

• Support groups for unemployed professionals

• Mental health charities or helplines (e.g., Mind UK or Samaritans)

Conclusion

Job loss is not just a career disruption it is a psychological trauma for many. Depression following redundancy is real, diagnosable, and treatable. With early intervention, structured treatment, and community support, recovery is highly achievable.

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health issues following job loss, professional help is available. At Oaktree Connect, we offer psychiatric assessments and evidence-based interventions tailored to individual needs.

1. Paul KI, Moser K. Unemployment impairs mental health: Meta-analyses. Journal of Vocational Behaviour. 2009. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0001879108000821?via%3Dihub  

2. Gallo WT et al. The impact of involuntary job loss on mental health. American Journal of Public Health, 2006. https://ajph.aphapublications.org/doi/10.2105/AJPH.2011.300327 

3. Harvard Health Publishing. Exercise and Depression.
   https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/exercise-and-depression-report-excerpt

4. NIMH. Depression Basics.
   https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/depression

5. Choosing Therapy. Job Loss Depression: Signs, Symptoms & Ways to Cope. https://www.choosingtherapy.com/job-loss-depression/

TMS Therapy Guide: Step-by-Step Process

1. Clinical Assessment and Suitability Evaluation

The psychiatric evaluation process at Oaktree Connect includes a thorough assessment of every patient. The evaluation process at Oaktree Connect includes International Code of Disease (ICD) criteria assessment with a full mental health history review and evaluation of previous treatment outcomes. TMS treatment is available to patients who have clinical depression including treatment resistant depression, OCD, PTSD and specific anxiety disorders.

Evidence note: The NICE guidance (NG222) supports the use of TMS for adults with depression who have not responded to at least two antidepressant trials.

2. Target Area Identification 

The correct area for the treatment is mapped out on the head, before treatment by the practitioner. In this step the prefrontal cortex in the front of the head is localised.

3. Treatment Sessions

The patient sits comfortably during each session while a magnetic coil rests on their scalp. Two different frequencies and protocols can be used for depression. 

Theta Burst Stimulation (TBS) is a form of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) that delivers bursts of pulses at a high frequency (e.g., 50 Hz). TBS is known for its relatively short duration of application, making it more convenient than other rTMS protocols. 

Standard protocol includes 10 Hz frequency stimulation to deliver magnetic pulses for 20–40 minutes during each session. 

Both the treatments consist of 20 to 30 sessions, which may take 2-4 weeks to complete depending on whether the patient wants one session every week day or up to three sessions per day. Patients do not need any pain relief medication and stay awake during the procedure because no anaesthesia or sedation is needed.

4. Monitoring and Progress Evaluation

The medical staff tracks patients for their treatment response as well as their adverse effects. The most common side effects include mild scalp discomfort and headache, usually resolving within hours, if it occurs. The occurrence of seizures as serious adverse effects is rare at less than 1 in 10,000 sessions and even these are avoided by following established safety guidelines. 

Clinical reviews by a doctor and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), Beck’s depression inventory (BDI), Beck’s Anxiety Inventory (BAI) or HAM-D rating scales are used to track symptoms objectively before the start of treatment and improvement throughout the treatment duration with regular assessments.

5. Review and Maintenance Planning

After the acute phase, the psychiatrist who prescribed the treatment sees the patient again and determines if they have achieved full recovery or have had at least partial response to this treatment. 

Patients who experience recurrent depressive episodes may require ongoing rTMS sessions for maintenance to prevent relapse. However, only 5-8 sessions of the treatment are required every few months (3-6 months), as part of the maintenance. 

Evidence for TMS in Psychiatric Treatment

• Major Depressive Disorder: Over 50% of treatment resistant depression, TRD patients experience significant improvement; approximately two-third achieve full remission.

• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): FDA-approved TMS protocols (e.g., deep TMS targeting deeper structures in the brain) show significant symptom reduction.

• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Meta-analyses (large studies where findings from multiple independent studies are put together) report moderate-to-large effect sizes for TMS in reducing PTSD symptoms.

Why Choose Oaktree Connect for TMS?

At Oaktree, we have used this form of treatment for over 7 years, it is fair to say that we have more experience of administering rTMS than most of the other clinics in the UK. In addition we have achieved better results with rTMS than quoted from the studies above, due to our individualised care, with 72% of our patients with depression recovering from their symptoms. 

Our psychiatric team provides evidence-based personalised treatment that matches your specific personal and clinical presentation and diagnosis. The TMS treatment at Oaktree Connect is performed by trained mental health professionals who work under the guidance of a consultant psychiatrist to guarantee both clinical safety and the best possible results. 

Conclusion

The fundamental and growing understanding of the TMS process, the evidence for its effectiveness, help explain this revolutionary treatment method and its need. TMS stands as an evidence-based treatment which offers fresh possibilities as an alternative to medication to all patients, even the ones who have tried all other available options that have not worked. 

References

1. George MS, et al. (2010). Daily left prefrontal transcranial magnetic stimulation therapy for major depressive disorder: a sham-controlled randomized trial. Biological Psychiatry, 67(5), 507–514. PubMed

2. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Depression in adults: treatment and management. NICE guideline [NG222]. NICE+7NICE+7NICE+7

3. Rossi S, et al. (2009). Safety, ethical considerations, and application guidelines for the use of transcranial magnetic stimulation in clinical practice and research. Clinical Neurophysiology, 120(12), 2008–2039. PubMed

4. Kan RLC, et al. (2020). Transcranial magnetic stimulation for posttraumatic stress
   disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
   Psychiatry Research, 290, 113090. PMC

5. Image by Steve Jurvetson on Flickr.
   

    

Practical Strategies to Cope with Economic Downturn

The first important step in being able to take action to stop these problems from occurring or worsening is to recognise and acknowledge the issues. We can then work towards managing them effectively. We are not helpless in this situation although world economics is outside of our control. The following practical strategies can help prevent the worst from happening. 

Create a Realistic Budget

It is always a good idea to have a clear overview of your income and expenses, but more than ever under the current circumstances. It helps you regain a sense of control over your finances. 

There are many budgeting tools or apps to track spending, for example, Emma, Hyper jar, Plum which are free to use. These are very useful in helping keep budgets in control and for one to have a visual idea of expenditure compared to income and savings. 

You may want to divide your expenses into essentials (Needs), and identify non essentials (Wants). Areas of less than useful expenses are identified and these can be cut back.

Find Creative Ways to Save

Looking for discounts, switching to cost-effective energy providers, meal planning, and shopping at discount supermarkets can ease financial pressure. Community initiatives, such as food-sharing groups and skill-swapping, can also help families stretch their resources.

Plan for the Future

While short-term survival is the immediate priority, setting long-term financial goals can create hope. Learning new skills, exploring additional income streams, or seeking career advancement opportunities can gradually improve financial stability.

Seek Financial Support

Fortunately, various government and charitable organisations offer financial advice, aid, grants, and food bank support for struggling families. Organisations such as Citizens Advice , Step Change, and Turn2Us can provide guidance on benefits, debt management, and cost-saving measures. 

As far as your mental health needs are concerned the suggestions below will prove to be useful in preventing crisis:

Open Up About Financial Worries

Talking honestly about money problems with trusted members of your family, friends, or support groups can alleviate stress and you may receive advice close to home. Seeking professional advice from a financial advisor or mental health professional can also provide clarity and reassurance.

Focus on Mental Well-being

In times of trouble, It is usual to feel that there is no time to look after your mental well being and yet this is exactly when we need to invest in looking after ourselves. Practicing mindfulness, breathing exercises, regular physical exercise, and maintaining social connections will help reduce stress levels. Plenty of mental health support services like Mind, Samaritans, and local NHS resources offer valuable support for those feeling overwhelmed, under the circumstances. Seeking help from any of these may be the next step towards feeling better.

Final Thoughts

The cost of living crisis is a harsh reality for many families in the UK and world over. Although the world economics is in no one’s control, taking proactive steps in our own behaviours, learning new skills and making informed financial decisions with our money is a step in the right direction. A compassionate attitude towards our own wellbeing can help lessen the mental and emotional toll financial worries can take. An important thing is to recognise when worries start to creep in and seek support and help earlier rather than later. Prioritising mental well-being is not a sign of weakness. Remember, you’re not alone—help is available, and small changes can lead to better days ahead.

References:

Mental Health Foundation (2022) – “Mental health and the cost-of-living crisis”
https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/our-work/research/cost-living-mental-health

British Journal of Psychiatry (2020) – Jenkins R, Bebbington P, et al.
“Debt, income and mental disorder in the general population.”
https://doi.org/10.1192/bjp.bp.110.085977

Public Health England (2017) – “Health matters: reducing health inequalities in mental illness”
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/health-matters-reducing-health-inequalities-in-mental-illness

British Heart Foundation (2021) – “Stress and heart disease: the hidden link

https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/heart-matters-magazine/medical/stress