My name is Kirstie and I work as a Specialist Clinical Psychologist. I have worked with neurodiverse and neurotypical adults and young people since 2012.
It can be a difficult decision to seek support and to figure out who you would like to share your experiences with and what you are looking for support with.
In terms of what therapy involves, often the aim of therapeutic work is to support someone with their goals, which usually involves working together to help someone understand themselves better. Sometimes this involves specific work, such as focusing on a particular area of difficulty – for example understanding and working on social anxiety, worry, low mood, or particular past experiences. Sometimes people are not sure about a specific focus, but they feel stuck and that something is not quite right for them, therefore a broader focus may be needed.
Sometimes people like to have some time to understand their mental health in the context of their life experiences or neurodevelopmental profile. It can also be helpful to process what it is like to receive a neurodevelopmental diagnosis such as autism, or how to describe and advocate for ones needs. These are just some examples, but we can collaboratively decide what you would like the focus to be for you.
I have experience with adapting therapy to suit the needs of neurodiverse people, and with using different psychological models, either on their own or by integrating models together. I believe that psychological therapy should always be unique and tailored to each person and consider difficulties or differences alongside strengths, interests, hopes and talents. Some of the models I use are systemic therapy principles, cognitive behaviour therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, compassion focussed therapy, cognitive analytic therapy principles, and dialectical behaviour therapy strategies.
I strive to take a neuroaffirmative trauma-informed approach to my work, with anti-racist and anti-discriminatory values. I am committed to improving wellbeing for young people, adults and their loved ones and addressing the inequalities that people face in health, work, education and other settings.
For the past two years I have worked in a National and Specialist CAMHS Neurodevelopmental service, working with autistic young people, their families and local services who are struggling to make sense of peoples complex needs. I am also trained to conduct autism, ADHD and other neurodevelopmental and mental health assessments.
Prior to this I have also worked in an NHS primary care mental health service with working age adults offering interventions for anxiety and depression.
I am also neurodivergent and have experiences of using mental health services.
Location
I am based in Surrey, UK and most of my independent work takes place online.
Qualifications
Doctorate in Clinical Psychology – 2022
Postgraduate Certificate in Advanced Practice in Psychological Wellbeing – 2018
MSc in Foundations of Clinical Psychology and Mental health – 2015
BSc in Psychology with Neuroscience – 2014
Registrations
Registered Practitioner Psychologist with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)
Member of the Association of Clinical Psychologists UK (ACP-UK).
Registered with the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).
Registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).