Dr Stephen Westgarth: Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, Tyne and Wear and Northumberland

A Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist in Tyne and Wear and Northumberland specialising in managing emotional and behavioural disorders, and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).  

Dr Stephen Westgarth, MB BS MRCPsych PgDipCBT, qualified as a medical doctor from Newcastle Medical School in 1993 and undertook further medical and psychiatric training, becoming a Member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists in 2000. He holds a permanent Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatry post in the NHS providing an innovative early intervention and prevention service in Sunderland and Washington.

Dr Westgarth assesses and treats children and young people up to 20 years of age. He has a special interest in managing emotional and behavioural disorders, and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). He was awarded a Post-graduate Diploma in CBT from Durham University in 2009. 

How can Dr Westgarth help you?

Dr Westgarth sees children and young people with a wide range of problems, the most common of which are listed below:

• Anxiety, panic disorder and phobias

• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

• Autism Spectrum Disorder and Asperger’s Syndrome

• Behaviour problems

• Depression

• Eating disorders

• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

• Social phobia

Assessment and treatment of child psychiatric disorders

Before beginning treatment Dr Westgarth will assess your child. This appointment lasts about 1-2 hours, depending on the complexity of the situation.

At this initial meeting it is helpful that the people you feel to be important are present. Usually this means a young person’s parent(s), but a combination of parent/carer, other family members, professionals and friends can also be helpful.

No two assessments are the same but the following areas are explored:

• Concerns and specific details about the problems being experienced
• A full history is taken including details about early development, physical health problems and any family history of mental health difficulties
• Where appropriate, a physical examination may be undertaken – this examination is usually chaperoned by parents, is brief, non-invasive and painless; most young people find it fun
• Who else has tried to help and what are your goals?

Armed with this information Dr Westgarth can let you know if there is a diagnosis to be confirmed or excluded. He will propose a plan for treatment, and let you know the choices available and seek your preferences.

Depending on the circumstances Dr Westgarth uses a range of therapies including:

• Behavioural Therapy
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (Postgraduate Diploma in CBT)
• Family Therapy

• Medication

• Motivation Enhancement Therapy
• Solution Focused Brief Therapy
• Webster Stratton Parenting Programme

Sometimes it is helpful to involve school and other organizations in the treatment process.

How much does it cost?

• Initial consultation (1-2 hours), treatment plan and psychiatric report - £400
  (Extensive case summaries very rarely will incur additional costs)

• 30 minute consultation - £80

• Dr Westgarth accepts payment from individuals and all recognized health insurance companies

These are guide prices. The exact tariff will be confirmed before an appointment is made.

Expert witness in child psychiatry

Dr Westgarth is available to receive instruction for expert witness work at an hourly rate of £200.

Contact details 

Dr Westgarth sees patients at:

The Surgery

Darras Hall

Ponteland

Northumberland

NE20 9PW

Click here for directions 

To book an appointment, please contact: 

Tel:   01661 852 325

Mob: 07920 501 141

Website:  www.drstephenwestgarth.co.uk

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