Synapse provides structured, clinically supervised Behavioural Health Coaching for young people aged 11 to 25. We work with young people whose difficulties are already affecting daily life, but whose needs sit within the scope of a supervised, non-clinical intervention. This page sets out how the service works, where it fits alongside your care, and how to refer.
Thomas Watt-Pringle, Assistant Clinical Psychologist and Clinical Lead
Synapse is particularly suited to young people who are:
Typical presentations include anxiety and emotional dysregulation, low mood and withdrawal, school, college or university disengagement, perfectionism and avoidance, and difficulty with routines, transitions and motivation. Coaching programmes are calibrated to developmental stage.
Coaching is not suitable for young people in crisis or at acute risk, who need urgent clinical care, or where therapy has been required by a court or another authority.
Standalone support. For young people below specialist thresholds, on waiting lists or disengaged from therapy. Coaching provides structured, supervised support to stabilise coping, rebuild daily functioning and prevent deterioration.
Alongside therapy or psychiatry. For young people who gain insight in therapy but struggle to apply it. Coaching handles implementation in daily life, such as routines, follow-through and emotional regulation, while the clinical relationship retains primacy. With consent, we coordinate with the treating clinician throughout.
Triage, Clinical assessment, safeguarding, supervision, risk management and escalation stay with our clinical team. Trained Behavioural Health Coaches deliver the behavioural and relational work. Every programme follows the same structure:
Clinical consultation. An in-depth assessment by our Assistant Clinical Psychologist, reviewed and signed off by a Clinical Psychologist. Previous clinical assessments are reviewed and incorporated.
Coach matching. The Coach is selected on need, developmental stage, personality and relevant lived experience. The young person meets their Coach and confirms the match before coaching begins.
Coaching. Typically 10 to 12 weekly one-to-one sessions, in person or online, each focused on what has been difficult, what needs to change and what the young person will do before the next session.
Weekly case review. Every case is reviewed weekly. Risk, engagement, progress, safeguarding and emerging needs are monitored throughout.
Clinical evaluation. A formal review of progress against the original clinical baseline, with clear outcomes and recommended next steps.
Clinical supervision is provided by Dr Harriet Mellotte, Chartered Clinical Psychologist, with Professor Sandeep Ranote FRCPsych as Senior Clinical Advisor. Meet our clinical team.
Risk, engagement, functioning and emerging concerns are reviewed at consultation, in weekly supervision and throughout coaching. Where a young person’s needs move beyond the scope of coaching, we pause the programme, step care up, work alongside other treating professionals or hand over to specialist care, with clear documentation and communication throughout.
For example, one client recorded a sustained deterioration in coping during her programme. Clinical review confirmed her needs had moved beyond coaching, and she was transferred to specialist therapeutic support with a clear handover.
Our measurement framework uses the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale (WEMWBS) and Goal Attainment Scaling at baseline and close, risk screening at consultation, DASS-21 where clinical assessment is indicated, and a standard follow-up after coaching ends.
We receive referrals from GPs, mental health practitioners, schools and universities, ADHD and autism assessment providers, and directly from families. If you are unsure whether coaching is suitable, we welcome an informal conversation before you refer. If Behavioural Health Coaching is not the right fit, we will say so and support an appropriate onward referral.
Referrals: Mollie Royds, Head of Client Experience and Care Management
mollie@synapsehealth.co.uk · 0204 592 1268
Mollie responds within one working day. Where coaching is appropriate, programmes typically begin within seven days.
Clinical questions: Thomas Watt-Pringle, Assistant Clinical Psychologist and Clinical Lead
thomas@synapsehealth.co.uk · 0204 592 1268
Synapse is a private service, funded by families. Fees are set out on How Coaching works.
