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‘What Do I Have to Come Here for, I’m Not Mad?’ Children’s Perceptions of a Child Guidance Clinic

Lucena Clinic Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service, Ireland

Bridget Egan

National Education Psychological Service, Ireland

Children’s views as service users are being increasingly sought and valued. A pictorial critical incident technique was developed to gain insights into the perceptions and experiences of children and young people (n= 30, ages 5–15 years) attending a child and adolescent outpatient mental health service for the first time. The methodology proved effective in eliciting children’s views, both positive and negative. Findings show age differences in clients’ anxieties about attending. The degree to which children and young people felt involved in the process of assessment also varied with age. In general, children and young people felt more positive when leaving the clinic compared with when they first arrived. Salient aspects of the initial visit emerged which may not have been tapped using a questionnaire or rating scale. Findings are discussed in the context of service delivery issues and the development of child-focused preparatory information.

Key Words: child guidance • children’s perceptions • critical incident technique

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