What we mean by the terms used on this site.
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Anxiety | Persistent worry or fear, out of proportion to the situation, that gets in the way of daily life. |
| Social anxiety | Intense fear of being judged or embarrassed in social situations, often leading to avoidance. |
| Depression and low mood | Lasting low mood, loss of interest and low energy that affect sleep, study, work or relationships. |
| Emotional regulation | The ability to manage the strength and expression of feelings such as anger, anxiety or frustration. |
| Executive functioning | The mental skills used to plan, organise, start and finish tasks, manage time and hold information in mind. |
| ADHD | Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: a neurodevelopmental condition affecting attention, impulse control and activity levels. |
| Autism | A lifelong neurodevelopmental difference in social communication and interaction, often with sensory differences. |
| School refusal | Persistent difficulty attending school, usually driven by anxiety or distress. Also called emotionally based school avoidance. |
| Secondary substance use | Alcohol or drug use linked to another difficulty, such as anxiety, that has not become dependence. |
| Behavioural health coaching | Structured, goal-focused work on behaviour, habits and routines, supervised by clinicians. It is not therapy. |
| Personalised care plan | The written plan from assessment, setting goals, the support needed and how progress is reviewed. |
| Early intervention | Acting when problems first appear, before habits or difficulties become entrenched. |
See what we help with, or read our FAQs.
