The Owl Centre Review -

A few months into the pandemic, we see that it has negatively affected many people’s mental health, creating new barriers for those who have mental illnesses, substance abuse, or social communication difficulties. In cases like these, who do you call? —The Owl Therapy Center.

The Owl Centre is a private multidisciplinary clinic that delivers first-class independent assessment and therapy services for kids and adults in 14 counties in England and one in South Wales. They offer in-house treatment, school and home visits.

Find the Best Therapists in the UK

You would surely prefer a clinic that is approachable and within your reach. Keep reading this The Owl Centre review to learn more.

Table of Content

1 The Owl Centre Overview
2 Services Offered by The Owl Centre
3 The Owl Centre Contact Details
4 The Owl Centre Reviews
5 Summary
6 Full List of UK Therapists

The Owl Centre Overview

The Owl Centre was founded in Oxford by Nicola Lathey in 2011. Nicola Lathey is a top Speech and Language Therapist and author of the prize-winning and best-selling, Small Talk series of speech-boosting books.

From its small beginnings in 2011, it has dramatically developed and broadened the range of its services and reach. It now covers much of the UK and has employed more new and talented therapists in the team.

The Owl Centre’s reputation is built primarily on its dedicated, professional, caring team of talented therapists. The therapists’ expertise covers several areas, including early years, school age and students in higher education.

Its team collaborates with NHS colleagues to provide a multidisciplinary approach to therapy and strives to give clients an excellent service without delay.

The Owl Centre is unique from other therapy providers’ number one guiding ethos: “We are professionals, but we are not, and never will be, corporate in the sense of impersonal and remote.”

Another good thing is that aside from their clinic treatments, they provide home and school visits! But of course, first and foremost, a therapy provider should be reachable and approachable!

Services Offered by The Owl Centre

The Owl Centre does not only offer therapy services in different disciplines, but they also offer training courses. Check these out below:

Therapy Services

Feeding Clinic

This clinic is intended for individuals with eating, drinking and swallowing difficulties (dysphagia), including swallowing difficulties, sensory issues, and avoidant restrictive food intake disorder.

Appointments can be done online or face-to-face and would usually last 90 minutes. Afterwards, the therapist will give clients feedback, strategies to achieve these targets, and a formal written report. They will also advise as to whether or not the client needs therapy.

You can expect a thorough report after the sessions.

Occupational Therapy

This discipline can help assess and treat many difficulties, including:

Poor fine-motor skills (grasping, cutting, shoe-tying, utensil use)
Poor playground skills (fear of climbing, low muscle tone, core weakness)
Visual Perceptual difficulties
Poor handwriting skills
Problems with hand-eye coordination and balance
Dependence on daily living skills (self-care: bathing, tooth-brushing, dressing, self-feeding)
Poor sensory processing / sensory integration (difficulties with proprioception, interoception, the vestibular system, and the visual, auditory, tactile, olfactory [smell] and taste senses)
Organisation skills (i.e. arranging one’s body and environment to be able to carry out a task)
Confidence
Trauma and attachment

Physiotherapy for Children

Physiotherapy is done to assess and treat problems such as:

Developmental delay (not reaching gross motor milestones – poor head control, unable to sit, crawl, stand, walk etc.)
Prematurity (post-natal care in the community, supporting positioning and development)
Plagiocephaly (Flat head syndrome)
Torticollis (neck muscle tightness)
Congenital conditions (e.g. hip dysplasia)
Unusual walking patterns (tip-toeing, asymmetrical movement patterns)
Neurological conditions affecting function and movement (Cerebral palsy, Traumatic Brain injury)
Genetic conditions and syndromes (e.g. Downs Syndrome, Angelman Syndrome)
Neuromuscular disorders (muscular dystrophy)
Pre- and post-Selective Dhorzal Rhizotomy (SDR) rehabilitation
Orthopaedic conditions (fracture rehabilitation, spinal and hip surgeries)
Joint muscle pain (hypermobility, juvenile idiopathic arthritis)
Common musculoskeletal conditions
Common Paediatric Sports injuries

Occupational Therapy – Sensory Processing Assessment

This therapy is for clients who require an assessment and information about sensory processing.

Speech and Language Tribunal/EHCP Assessments

Therapists medico-legally trained in speech and language can provide assessments for tribunal cases. They provide expert witnesses, legally binding assessment reports for EHCPs, tribunals, clinical negligence, and other areas.

ASD Assessment for Adults

Assessment of autism in adults is carried out by a Clinical Psychologist and a Speech and Language Therapist. A detailed report usually takes 2-3 weeks to produce.

The assessment involves:

a thorough interview with you and your chosen family member or close friend
analysis of the questionnaires you received before to the consultation for autism
a record of the double-scored Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) for dependability
knowledge gained from other significant individuals in your life

ASD Assessment for Children

Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) is used alongside comprehensive evaluations to identify and diagnose autism in children formally. These evaluations include:

Developmental, Dimensional and Diagnostic Interview (3Di) Parents/carers are seen together or remotely for a diagnostic interview
Interview with school (teachers, SENCO) and classroom observation (where possible)
An evaluation of verbal and non-verbal skills (gestures and eye movement), use of non-literal language (metaphor, humour, irony), content, clarity and coherence of conversation, and social skills (understanding others and ability to react to verbal cues)
A review of any physical issues, executive functioning, emotional state, developmental history and current symptoms

Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA)

ABA consultants assess and design interventions for children and young adults tailored to their individual needs. Programs of intervention cover a range of conditions that could include:

Communication
Food tolerance
Learning to learn and early learning skills
Play skills
Positive behaviour support
Reducing barriers to learning
Self-help skills (including toileting)
Social interaction

Autism Support

Autism support can help assess and treat individuals on the autistic spectrum who have difficulties in the following:

Social interaction
Social communication
Social imagination/flexibility of thought
Sensory processing difficulties

Educational Psychology

Educational psychologists (EPs) are prepared to assist children and adolescents with their academic and general well-being. They have extensive knowledge of child development, psychology, special needs, and school systems. They can help with:

Language and social communication
Social skills
Emotional needs
Challenging behaviour
Preparing for adulthood and developing independence
General learning difficulties
Maths/dyscalculia
Literacy/dyslexia
Reading
Writing
Friendships
Memory and processing
Access arrangements
Cognitively gifted children
The impact of physical and neurological difficulties
Sensory processing
Advice in preparation for Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) applications

Speech and Language Therapy

Therapists in this discipline assess and treat the following:

Inconsistent phonological dysfunction, phonological delay, and phonological disorder (reduced clarity of speech on account of difficulties in correctly putting sounds to words)
Apraxia (also known as Dyspraxia – a motor planning disorder for speech sounds)
Articulation dysfunction (for example, a lisp)
Language impairment or disorder (difficulties in understanding what people say and in expressing oneself using age-appropriate vocabulary and grammar)
Dysarthria or oculomotor issues (weakness in the muscles of the mouth, affecting articulation, general clarity of speech, and often causing dribbling)
troubles paying attention and listening (difficulties with concentrating and focusing on a task)
Stammering (difficulties with smooth, fluent talking – i.e. dysfluency)
Dysphagia (Eating and drinking difficulties include problems with weaning, eating lumpy food, chewing, being a fussy eater, etc.)
Difficulties in social skills, such as social interaction and communication (challenges with making friends and forming relationships; unusual behaviour)
AAC (Alternative and Augmentative Communication, which can be high tech [computer-based communication systems] or low tech [paper-based communication systems])
Selective mutism or a talker who is reticent
Dystonia and voice (a voice that sounds husky or breathy; pitch changes)
Impaired hearing (delayed speech and language relating to hearing difficulties, glue ear, etc.)

Clinical Psychology

Therapy in this discipline help with emotional and behavioural difficulties, anxiety, developmental issues, phobias and anger management. Problems assessed and treated include:

Emotional problems
Behavioural problems
Developmental problems
Anxiety
Phobias
Self-esteem
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Anger management
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Sleep difficulties

Art Psychotherapy

This involves psychotherapy which uses art as a medium, a powerful way to communicate with the unconscious mind. Problems assessed and treated include:

Attachment disorders
Psychotic disorders
Depression
Schizophrenia
Self-harm
Trauma
Bereavement
Anxiety
Emotional issues in general
Cognitive abilities
Self-knowledge and understanding
Behavioural problems
Children with ASD
Body dysmorphia and eating disorders
Suicidal thoughts

Behavioural Support

This can help with behavioural challenges, emotional difficulties, problems focusing, and low self-esteem. It assesses and treats a wide range of causes that generate the following:

Emotional problems and dysregulation
Challenging behaviour
School refusal or limited attendance
Difficulties coping with transitions
Difficulties with communication
Low confidence and self-esteem
Limited attention span and ability to focus

Speech and Language Therapy Assistant

Professionals in this discipline can help with the following problems:

Attention-related difficulties (ADD, ADHD)
Autism Spectrum
Behavioural Difficulties
Bilingualism
Cerebral Palsy
Cognitive-communication difficulties
Down’s Syndrome
Language Disorder
Learning Disability
Stammering
Social and Emotional Difficulties
Aphasia
Dyspraxia
Selective Mutism
Stroke

Child Psychiatry

Nearly all mental health issues that affect people younger than 18 can be evaluated, including self-harm, ADHD, and ASD. Services included are:

Psychiatric assessment
Family therapy
Medication
Recommendations for further help

Coaching and Mentoring

Life coaching is appropriate for both adults and teenagers. It can cover the following aspects:

Navigating transitions/changes in your life
Personal development
Health and well-being
Navigating stress / difficult circumstances
Career development

The practise of mentoring is unique to speech-language pathology. It is employed to help with the following:

Junior SALTs in need of a mentor
SALTs returning to work
SALT managers who require coaching
SALTs who require training to provide online therapy

Cognitive Assessment

A qualified psychologist conducts this to do the following:

identify learning difficulties and disorders
to evaluate cognitive processing abilities
to assess for giftedness
to determine the impact of brain injuries

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

CBT emphasises on how ideas, feelings, and behaviour are interconnected, particularly with regard to how unhelpful thoughts cause and sustain harmful behaviours. A thorough report is provided following the evaluation.

Dance/Movement Psychotherapy

This discipline in The Owl Centre provides means for patients to investigate their sense of self through exploring tensions, breath, and stories held in the body.

Diet and Nutrition Support

This can help assess and treat the following:

Fussy, avoidant or restrictive eating
Food intolerance
Eating disorders
Food allergies

Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP)

The Owl Centre also provides a therapy, parenting approach model for practice that uses what we know about attachment and developmental trauma to help children and families with their relationships.

Filial Therapy

This discipline can help the parent-child relationship by creating better boundaries and reducing emotional and behavioural difficulties.

SEN Support

This can help to signpost families to what evidence may be needed for EHCP application of review.

Training Courses

The Owl Centre also provides various training courses. In 2020, The Owl Centre provided training and support to an autism team in Nepal.

Their training courses include:

Lego therapy
Zones of regulation
Practical exercises for developing speech and language in primary school
Communication exercises
Practical exercises for developing speech and language in the foundation stage
Practical exercises for developing sensory processing skills in primary school

Other Services

Counselling
Counselling through Creative Arts
Counselling Psychology
Dramatherapy
Dance/Movement Psychotherapy – Group Therapy
Emotional Resilience
Integrative Psychotherapy
Mental Health Nursing
Music Therapy
Play Therapy
Psychology & Educational Consultancy
Therapeutic Play
Theraplay

The Owl Centre Contact Details

The Owl Centre is always keen to help and discuss with you the service/s or project/s that you want to be delivered to you. They are willing to go through the whole process of reaching your goals. Visit the owl therapy centre, or you may call through the following:

Main Office Address: 18 St. George’s Place, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. GL50 3JZ
Phone number: 01242 571883

The Owl Centre Reviews

To give you a glimpse of what it would be like when you reach out to Owl centre, read what their clients have to say about the services given to them or their son’s assessment in this Owl centre review.

The contact with the Owl Center was quick, and after I was referred to the specialist, I received all the guidance on how the assessment would be. Very attentive to my daughter’s needs. – Nina Rita Scotti, Oxfordshire

My 5-year-old son was assessed for ADHD by Zoe and Nicola from the owl therapy centre. Such amazing, knowledgeable, and understanding ladies. They could not do enough for my son and me. They assessed George and gave him his diagnosis, and came up with a treatment plan which has worked amazingly. We are still working with the ladies for my son’s care. If you’re thinking of using the owl therapy centre and you’re based in Manchester, please use these ladies they have changed my son’s life. –Date of experience: 16 July 2022

I can’t recommend them enough. My son was referred to owl through the NHS for an autism assessment, I’m so happy with the service they provided. Lauren and Gemma have been brilliant throughout! After the assessment via a video call, I was worried that they hadn’t seen enough of my son, but I was reassured that they would pick up on tiny things I probably wouldn’t notice. Once referred to them, the whole process was done very quickly, which was fantastic. I can’t recommend them enough. –Date of experience: 18 August 2022

Amazing service! I was referred to Owl via NHS. The service they provided has been amazing. Every step of my assessment was clear, they were efficient and professional. The follow-up after the assessment has been great. I can’t express enough how impressed I’ve been with Owl and the ASD assessment team. Thank you for making what can be a difficult time and process as easy as possible. –Date of experience: 03 August 2022

Summary

The Owl Centre consists of teams of therapists who have been delivering top-notch assessment and therapy services for kids and adults since 2011. Their reach has expanded to 14 counties of England and 1 in South Wales.

Aside from clinic services, Owl centre offers outreach visits in many parts of the UK, such as home and school visits. So what are you waiting for? No one wants to compromise one’s well-being or their child’s. All you need to know is that Owl centre can provide you and your family with the best support possible.

The first step to achieving treatment is accepting you need help and then giving Owl Centre a call. Remember, they provide home visits if that’s what you prefer.