About Me

I live in Cheltenham with my husband, children, and our cat. I work mainly in Gloucestershire.

I have more than twenty years experience in education and in working with children and young people. Before becoming a psychologist, I was a class teacher for six years, and taught in two different primary schools. During this time, I was a Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCo) and I managed a team of Learning Support Workers. I have also been a maths lead.

I have been an Educational Psychologist (EP) since 2005.  As a practising psychologist I have worked as an EP for Swindon Local Authority and as a Locum EP for the Gloucestershire Educational Psychology Service. I became an Independent Educational Psychologist in April 2011. I am commissioned by both schools and parents, and work in the state and independent sectors.

I hold an MSc in Educational Psychology. I am registered with the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC). I am a chartered member of the British Psychological Society, and I am part of the Steering Group for the Association of Child Psychologists in Private Practice (AChiPPP).

I have enhanced clearance with the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and am registered with the online DBS update service.

I work closely, and share supervision and CPD, with other EPs and professionals, including Speech Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Clinical Psychologists and Behaviour Therapists.

My assessments

I have the skills to undertake a variety of in-depth and tailored psychological assessments of people from primary age to adults, and to provide specialist advice based on my knowledge of psychology to support the individual’s development, learning and wellbeing, to help them thrive.

I consider the child/young person or adult as a whole, providing a detailed profile of strengths and needs. I am experienced at putting people at ease and helping them to feel secure, and most children find the session a positive experience with an element of challenge or fun.

Working in partnership

I work in partnership with schools (with parental permission if the assessment is commissioned by parents/carers) to view the child in the context of the classroom.

I also collaborate with multi professionals, including Speech and Language Therapists, Occupational Therapists, and other EPs.

I am a member of the Steering Group for the Association of Child Psychologists in Private Practice (AChiPPP). I keep my professional development up to date and have a wide range of expertise.

My experience as an EP

During my time as a Local Authority EP, I had responsibility for my own area of pre-schools, primary schools, and secondary schools, including a specialist secondary provision for Emotional, Social and Behavioural Difficulties.

I have also:

• researched and written borough guidelines for supporting pupils returning to school after a Traumatic Brain Injury and guidelines for supporting children and young people with Behaviour, Emotional and Social Difficulties (BESD).
• been borough lead for delivering Restorative Justice Training, working with multi-agencies in its roll-out plan.
• held a role as a specialist psychologist for BESD across the age range.
• held a specialism for the early years, working with other agencies to deliver training.

Qualifications held:

MSc in Educational Psychology

Post Graduate Certificate in Education

BSc (Hons) in Applied Psychology

Level 3 EFT Practitioner

Professional memberships:

Registered as an Educational Psychologist (Health and Care Professions Council)

Chartered Psychologist (British Psychological Society)

Steering group member for the Association of Child Psychologists in Private Practice

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