My Experience

I worked for the NHS from 2000 until 2019, with people across the lifespan, to support them to manage the impact of a variety of mental and physical health presentations. I became fully self-employed in 2019 so I could take care of my family alongside my work commitments. Since this time, I have been providing autism and ADHD assessments, and psychological therapy for children and adults over the age of 7. My focus has always been to welcome people into a non-judgemental therapeutic space, to consider and meet their needs, and to support them in the direction of their values.

I have chosen to work predominantly within neurodivergence since 2019 and strive to provide a neurodivergent affirming service that respects the individuality of each person. There has been considerable change in recent times, with social media enabling access to information and increasing awareness of autism and neurodivergence. However, there are still many myths and stereotypes surrounding neurodivergence that risk being barriers for people seeking help and requesting necessary adaptations. Assessments of neurodivergence can be a helpful mechanism for supporting individuals and their family or friends towards a helpful understanding of themselves and how to meet their needs.

For a lot of us, having a framework for understanding ourselves can be important in minimising confusion, supporting self-compassionate acceptance, and leaning in to celebrating who we are. A diagnostic assessment is not the only means of reaching this shared understanding however, and consideration is always paid to what an individual needs, wants and chooses.

 

My Values

The process of coming to therapy to talk about areas of difficulty or distress can feel very exposing and, as such, is something I consider to be a very brave step to take. I therefore work hard to provide a safe and trusting relationship, in which someone can feel able to bring and explore their difficulties without feeling judged, to then find a way through the difficulties together. The process of considering and making changes can also be very difficult. I therefore value the opportunity to explore this with individuals, in order to acknowledge any barriers that may have been ‘keeping them stuck.’ This is all with a view to then helping individuals towards living in a way that reflects their values.

The Models I Work With

I have had experience of working from a variety of theoretical frameworks and find that the most effective approach is grounded in thorough assessment and formulation. Building a detailed shared understanding of how someone’s difficulties developed and have since been maintained enables therapeutic work to be person-centered and individualised. This process tends to involve focusing on the narrative that the client brings, but also considering the networks and relationships they grew up in at home, at school and within society.

The main models I draw upon in my current practice are Cognitive Analytic Therapy (CAT); Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). I am also trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). I regularly use ideas from both Psychodynamic and Systemic Therapy to inform my practice. Within an individual’s therapy, the frameworks that we use will always be determined by the reasons that the person is seeking support and the changes that they would like to see.

 

Clinic Information

I currently hold a clinic in St. Albans, Hertfordshire and offer a mixture of face to face and virtual appointments. I work with children and adults over the age of 7.

Training and Qualifications:

  • Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) Basic Training; Dr Fisher, 2024-2025.
  • Assessment of ADHD in children using the ADHD Child Evaluation (ACE); Prof Young, 2024.
  • Assessment of Autism using the Autism Clinical Interview for Adults (ACIA); Prof Parr and Drs Wigham and Ingham, 2024.
  • Assessment of ADHD in Adults with the Diagnostic Interview for ADHD in Adults (DIVA-5); UKAAN, 2023.
  • Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) training; Hogrefe, 2017.
  • Professional Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (DClinPsy), University of Birmingham, 2008-2011.
  • Post Graduate Diploma in Psychological Research (PGDipPRM); Open University, 2008.
  • Degree in Psychology (BScHons); University of Warwick, 2001-2004.

Continued professional development·

  • Clarifying Complexity: ADHD and Autism Differential Diagnosis; Drs Reinikis and Van Zyl, 2025.
  • Autistic people during ageing and the menopause; Dr Moseley, 2024
  • Understanding Alexithymia and the Autism-ADHD connection; Dr Neff, 2023.
  • Safeguarding Children Level 3; Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust, 2023.
  • The Art of Low Demand Parenting in the Real Word: Screens; Dr Fisher and Eliza Fricker, 2023.
  • Helping your Autistic Teen with Anxiety; Dr Fisher and Eliza Fricker, 2023.
  • ACT with Young People on the Autistic Spectrum; Dr Wassner, Contextual Consulting, 2023.
  • Helping your Autistic Child with Anxiety; Dr Fisher and Eliza Fricker, 2023.
  • The Art of Low Demand Parenting: Behaviour; Dr Fisher and Eliza Fricker, 2023.
  • Advocating for Autism; Chris Bonnello, 2023.
  • ADOS Reliability Training Workshop; ASD Directions, Feb and March 2022.
  • Assessing ADHD in Children and Young People; Dr Steer, 2022.
  • Conversations on Managing Anxiety; Dr Beardon, Autistic Girls Network, 2022.
  • Neurodivergent Sensory Processing; The Autistic OT, 2022.
  • ADOS Reliability Training Workshop; Hogrefe. 2021
  • Understanding Autism in Women and Girls; Sunshine Support Organisation, 2021.
  • Supporting Autistic People in the Right Way; Spectrum Gaming, 2021.
  • Mindfulness and Acceptance for Self-Esteem; Dr Bennett and Dr Oliver, Contextual Consulting, 2021.
  • ADOS Reliability Training Workshop; ASD Directions, Jan and Dec 2020.
  • Compassion Focused Therapy for people with Attachment Trauma; Prof Gilbert, Dr Lucre and Dr Ord, 2020.
  • ADOS Reliability Training Workshop; Hogrefe, Dec 2019.
  • ADOS Reliability Training Workshop; Hogrefe; Jul 2018.
  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Shame and Self-Criticism, Contextual Consulting, 2017.
  • Mentalisation Based Practice; South Essex Partnership NHS Trust, 2015.
  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy; Russ Harris, 2014.
  • Helping Survivors of Childhood Trauma; Oxford Cognitive Therapy Centre, 2014.
  • Treating Long Standing and Complex Patterns of Avoidance; Oxford Cognitive Therapy Centre, 2014.
  • Introduction to Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT); Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health Foundation Trust, 2012.
  • Introduction to Rational Emotive Behavioural Therapy (REBT); University of Birmingham, 2011.
  • Introduction to Cognitive Analytic Therapy (CAT); Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health Foundation Trust 2010.

Professional Registration

  • Registered Practitioner Psychologist, Health and Care Professions Council: PYL27436

 

Age Range

14+

Key Models

ACT, CAT, CBT

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