Our latest Blogs & News

What makes this period difficult for most individuals is that this season should ideally be a time for slowing down and catching up with family members. However, if you have ADHD or think you might, you may discover that this period can be very stressful. Relief may give way to feelings of pressure building, overwhelm, […]

  When you first receive an autism diagnosis for your child, it’s natural to have a wide range of questions and emotions. The word diagnosis itself can sometimes feel a little confusing. Autism is not something your child has “developed” or “caught.” It isn’t an illness or disease. Rather, it’s a way of describing how […]

Showcasing Our Neurodevelopmental Service at the “Selby Neurodiversity Advice” Event Yesterday, Emma Warren spent the day with Selby PCN at the Selby Neurodiversity Advice event, held in the beautiful surroundings of Selby Abbey. It was a fantastic opportunity to meet so many people, share information about our Neurodevelopmental Service, and talk about our Post Diagnostic Support […]

“Dad, What’s Autism?” – How to Talk to Children About Autism Explaining autism to children can feel daunting. You might not feel like you fully understand it yourself, or you may worry about saying the “wrong” thing. Children are naturally curious, though, and that curiosity is a positive starting point. Often it’s our own preconceptions […]

Statistics tell us that men are not referred to talking therapist as often as women and are less likely to be diagnosed with a mental health condition, however three quarters of suicidal deaths involve men. We also know that “suicide is the single leading cause of death for men under 35” (James’ Place, 2025) and […]

“Maybe they’ll grow out of it. They’re just sensitive. Aren’t we all a bit on the spectrum? Could it be my parenting… but something feels different.” These are thoughts many parents have when they start wondering if their child might be neurodivergent. It’s natural to question what you’re seeing – and to doubt yourself. Children […]

We currently have availability for Post-Diagnostic Support for adults who have received an autism diagnosis with us. However, the service is also funded for people who have received an assessment elsewhere. (Full report required and person registered with GP in North Yorkshire ICB catchment area) Following a diagnostic assessment, many individuals have questions about what […]

There is a large focus in schools placed upon SATS, mock exams and actual GCSE’s. This combined with the impact of a series of lockdowns and restrictions has led to an increase in exam stress for many children and young people. Here are some tips for parents and carers to help you think about how […]

In a world of high expectations and diverse needs we can feel lost within work/benefit systems that don’t see us, relationships that don’t satisfy us and family’s that we can’t engage with. We know that mental health is impacted by numerous things including social, psychological and economic factors, and these can leave people struggling to […]

In the media we often hear of a mental health crisis amongst young people and we are aware of long waiting times for many mental health services for children and young people. Many educators will have observed an increasing number of young people who seem to be experiencing difficulties in managing the challenges of everyday […]

Important Notice We want to keep you informed and updated. The Retreat Clinics in York is temporarily closed while we undergo necessary construction work to enhance our facilities and improve your experience. We appreciate your patience and understanding during this time. Why Are We Closed? Our commitment is to provide top-quality care in a comfortable […]

As National Stress Awareness Day rolls around, it’s time to take a moment to reflect on the state of our collective mental well-being and what can be done to support it.  National Stress Awareness Day, observed on Wednesday, 6th November 2024, is an important initiative aimed at raising awareness of psychological distress, particularly in the […]

The Retreat Clinics commit to ongoing Autism, ADHD and mental health support following August Council planning meeting The Retreat Clinics are pleased to announce continuing support for people seeking counselling, psychotherapy and autism & ADHD assessments, following approval for the proposed development of the Retreat Hospital site by specialist property developer and restorer P J […]

Whether you have been in a relationship for a year or twenty years, one thing is guaranteed, at some point you will face challenges together that can either draw you closer together or pull you apart. Each relationship may have differing challenges and each relationship must find their own solution/s to navigate those challenges. Some […]

This blog is brought to you in collaboration with The Natalie Kate Moss Trust. Grief can be triggered through many different experiences. Whether it be the death of a parent, child, sibling, neighbour or friend, the impact of loss can be huge. We might also have questions about how to help ourselves such as, ‘how […]

If your child has just left primary school and is transitioning to secondary school, then this podcast is for you! Lucy and Dale chat about how you can support your child's transition, it's full of great advice and top tips.

In our first podcast, Cat Adlam - Psychotherapist at The Retreat Clinics - talks to Dale Bartleson from YO1 York about men's mental health, vulnerability and weakness and stigma.

We are thrilled to announce an exciting new partnership that promises to enhance our commitment to mental health and wellbeing. The Retreat Clinics has joined forces with the Natalie Kate Moss Trust, a renowned organisation dedicated to preventing lifestyle related brain haemorrhages from occurring through research, education and support. The Natalie Kate Moss Trust also […]

Men’s Mental Health Men’s mental health is getting more attention – this is important, because traditionally men have felt its not ok to talk about not being ok. Ideas of what it is to ‘be a man’, to ‘man-up’, to be a ‘fighter’, to support others rather than seek help, that it’s a ‘weakness’ to […]

Adolescence is a critical period of development, marked by physical, emotional, and social changes. It is a time where young people are figuring out who they are and the kind of person they want to be, whilst also becoming aware of the wider context outside of their own world.  We all know that there are […]

Have you ever wondered why health professionals keep focusing on physical health when dealing with mental health? The answer is easy – they are connected. If you can improve your physical activity, even just an extra five minutes a day, you can be supporting not only your physical health but also your mental health. How? […]

Any health problems can negatively impact romantic relationships, but when these health problems are long-term, will be permanent or are terminal, this can have significant implications for the couple/throuple. Not only does each partner need to process their own feelings about the health problem and the effect, but they also need to establish a way […]

Advice for parents, guardians and friends of university students. Are you concerned about a student at university, who you think may be struggling? Perhaps you’ve noticed a drop in motivation, or a change in their behaviour, difficulties in sleeping or in engaging with their studies. It can be hard to know what to say or […]

Do you sometimes feel its difficult to really explain how you are feeling in words? There are other ways you can express how you feel… Sometimes it’s a sound, like a sigh or a scream. Or an action that helps people understand how you are feeling, like when you cry or tense up. Being able […]