About the Brent Centre
Founded in 1967, by Psychoanalysts Moses (Moe) Laufer, Egle Laufer, Mervin Glasser, Myer Wohl and Psychiatrist Maurice Friedman, the Brent Centre for Young People is one of the UK’s first mental health services specifically for young people aged 11-24, reaching those who may otherwise not receive help.
Over the past 50 years, the Brent Centre for Young People has developed unique talking therapies, most notably Adolescent Exploratory Therapy (AET), a form of psychodynamic talking therapy that recognises the unique developmental phase of adolescence and the psychological challenges associated with this stage in a young person’s life. Additionally, the Brent Centre has developed specialised Group Therapy for Young Offenders, and Sport & Thought, which uses football as a setting for group talking therapy. The Centre also delivers widely-used therapies such as psychotherapy and family therapy.
We provide a vital space for young people to reflect on and explore their worries in a safe environment. The Centre works with young people struggling with suicidality, depression, anxiety, self-harm, and other mental health challenges.
As the primary adolescent psychotherapy service in North London, the Centre has enhanced the accessibility of mental health services to young people. Led by some of the sector’s leading clinicians, we reach young people through 8 schools, the Youth Offending Service (YOS), in-house at our sites in the London boroughs of Brent and Westminster, and other projects.
Each year, the Brent Centre for Young People reaches over 800 young people through a diverse range of mental health services and projects. By offering support to young people, we empower them to overcome barriers and challenges, enabling them to live enriching and rewarding lives, as all young people deserve.
Annual reviews
We publish a review of our work at the end of each year to celebrate our achievements and to plan for the future.
Our research
Since the Centre was founded, one of our key objectives has been to further the understanding of adolescent mental health and the benefits of psychoanalytic talking therapies.