About Child Psychology Sussex
Looking for an experienced child psychologist in Brighton or Sussex? Child Psychology Sussex is led by Dr Esmoreit Sleyster, a Consultant Clinical Psychologist with over 38 years of expertise in assessing and supporting children, teenagers, young adults, and families.
At Child Psychology Sussex, we offer a range of services tailored to the emotional, behavioural, social, and mental health needs of young people and their families across Brighton and the Southeast. Whether you’re exploring child therapy, counselling for teenagers, or professional advice for working with complex family and network situations, we’re here to help with insight, compassion and clinical expertise.
This is Vivi, Dr Sleyster’s curious, gentle, and intuitive cat who has become a quiet yet meaningful part of the therapy team. While she was never officially trained, and appears on her own volition, she has a natural gift for knowing when someone may need a little extra comfort, and children find her presence comforting and calming. Moments like this, with her sitting on a client’s lap, are a reminder that healing often happens in small, unexpected ways, sometimes through a conversation or shared activity, and sometimes through the gentle weight of a cat on your lap.
Qualifications, credentials, and experience
Dr Sleyster has worked for many years across the private sector, in private practice, and in the NHS, including 28 years within CAMHS. She’s led therapeutic teams, held senior clinical and leadership roles in the NHS and private sector, and consults with, for example, SEMH schools, the Local Authority, and residential homes. As a Court Expert Witness, she conducts psychological and parenting assessments, with a focus on attachments, reunification, and residency disputes.
Dr Sleyster holds a Ph.D. in Child & Family Psychology and a Certificate in Executive Coaching. She is DBS-checked, GDPR-compliant and subscribes to the guidelines set out by the ICO, and she is recognised by major insurance providers.
Dr Sleyster undertakes regular professional training, as is required in order to remain registered with the professional organisations she belongs to. This includes, as is legally required, the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
Therapeutic approach to helping children, teenagers, and families
Here at Child Psychology Sussex, our work is informed by the belief in ‘potential for change’, and we support children, teenagers, and families thoughtfully and compassionately. We offer a child-focused, confidential thinking space, in which we carefully evaluate the needs of your child, adolescent, and family and give personalised support. Dr Sleyster’s therapeutic work is trauma-informed and evidence-based, and she integrates strategies from a range of models depending on her client’s needs, including:
· Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Mindfulness
· Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
· Solution-Focused Therapy
· Attachment-focused therapy (PACE, DDP)
· EMDR and the Comprehensive Resource Model (CRM)
· Systemic family therapy approach
· Psychodynamic approaches
How do we help children, teenagers, and families in Brighton and East Sussex?
Whether you’re seeking an assessment or therapy in Sussex or Brighton, or professional support for families and carers, we’re here to help:
· Children, adolescents, and families feel heard and understood
· Identify what causes and maintains difficulties and stress
· Address emotional and behavioural challenges and difficulties with clarity and care
· Foster healthy relationships
· Develop communication and resilience skills
· Build stronger emotional self-regulation skills and constructive coping strategies for long-term well-being
· Build self-esteem and confidence
Every intervention is tailored to meet the specific needs of the individual and their support system. Our goal is to help young people thrive and succeed in all aspects of their lives, whether that’s at home, school, or within their community.
We welcome referrals from:
· Parents and carers
· GPs and school professionals (SENCOs, headteachers)
· Social workers, IRO’s, legal professionals, and safeguarding teams
If you’re looking for a trusted teen psychologist or Clinical Psychologist for children in Brighton or Sussex, we’re here to help.
