• Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (Clin.Psy.D.). The University of Birmingham, September 2001

• BSc First Class Honours Combined Studies - Psychology with Languages. Manchester Metropolitan University, June 1996

• Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Children and Young People’s Health and Social Care Services. The Learning Station, December 2021

Clinical Psychologists train within NHS teams and a university psychology department for at least 3 years after completing an undergraduate degree majoring in psychology. The doctorate is a combination of academic teaching and research with supervised clinical practice and projects. When qualified, clinical psychologists can work across the lifespan, with people of all ages and a diverse range of presentations. Developing skills and competence in offering therapy is one part of the training. Clinical Psychologists are also trained to assess and diagnose some mental health conditions and to work with individuals, groups and organisations to offer supervision, consultation and training.

More than 25 years ago, I worked with an inspirational leader whose passion was in working with children and families where early trauma and adversity had a significant impact on their stories. Her drive to make a difference for this group had such an influence on me that this is the work I have done ever since!

I have post-qualification training and experience in the following therapeutic models, and use them to inform my practice in an integrative way.

• Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR)

• Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP) and caregiving with PACE (playfulness, acceptance, curiosity, empathy)

• Sensory Attachment Intervention (SAI)

• Mentalization-Based Therapy for Families (MBT-F)

• Solution Focused Brief Therapy

Most of my professional experience has been working with children whose early life experiences have included experience of trauma and loss; often known as developmental trauma. This includes pre-birth experiences such as exposure to parental violence and substances. A focus of my professional development in the past 5 years has been growing knowledge and skills in identifying, assessing, diagnosing Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) and offering consultation, supervision and therapeutic support to families impacted by the condition. Another area of particular experience and interest for me is coming alongside parents of children with complex needs - and the teams working with them - to support, advocate, explore and advise.