Summary

Kimberley Ashwin is an Autism Consultant Nurse with a specialist in PDA and Autism and Mental Health diagnostic overlays. Kimberley combines clinical expertise with emotionally intelligent approaches to assessment and support to shape accessible, family-friendly service offering.

Experience

Kimberley Ashwin BSc, DipHE is a Registered Learning Disability Nurse and Autism Consultant Nurse, recognised nationally for her leadership in neurodivergence. She is a PDA specialist and founder of innovative autism and ADHD services, bringing lived experience and clinical expertise into accessible pathways. Kimberley has served as a Committee member on the CNO LD Nursing Shared Decision-Making Council, is the Co‑Chair of the Autism Consultant Nurse Network National, contributed to NICE ADHD guideline groups, and worked as a Clinical Expert with the NDTi for Care, Education and Treatment Reviews. She is also an approved Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training Lead Trainer, has spoken at the UK Houses of Parliament, and been shortlisted for national awards for her impact on autism and learning disability services. Through her associate work, Kimberley partners with organisations to strengthen assessment protocols, embed best practice, and equip multidisciplinary teams with confidence to deliver neurodivergent‑informed care.

Interesting Facts

Kimberley’s work is inspired by her neurodivergent children, whose dedication and achievements fuel her commitment to creating environments where young people can flourish and reach their potential. She is a sought-after speaker and podcast guest, known for blending personal insight with professional expertise in ways that resonate across both neurodivergent and wider communities.

With a natural talent for bringing structure and clarity to daily life, Kimberley supports others in developing practical systems that enhance their wellbeing. She is particularly passionate about working with teen mums and neurodivergent women, She encourages entrepreneurship as a pathway for empowerment, offering guidance and encouragement to those striving for independence and self-assurance.

Treatments

Autism Assessments for children and young people

Autism Assessments for adults

PDA profiling assessments

ADHD assessments (age 7+)

Summary Kimberley Ashwin is an Autism Consultant Nurse with a specialist in PDA and Autism and M... Read More

Ellie has an MSc degree in Psychology and Psychological Practice from the University of Birmingham. During this time, she received the award for Most Volunteering Hours, while supporting the University’s Nightline Service, offering confidential listening to students in distress. During her time in Birmingham, Ellie did an internship at an early detection and intervention service for psychosis and worked on research investigating neurological difficulties, as well as language development in toddlers.

Ellie moved to Oxford in 2012 to take on a post as a Clinical Research Coordinator at The University of Oxford, facilitating the development of a stroke-specific cognitive screen, investigating the links between cognition and motivation, and assisting the development of a cognitive-systemic framework for the treatment of pathological apathy in Parkinson’s Disease. In her 8 years as a researcher, Ellie repeatedly encountered patients who experienced depression and anxiety, often triggered by the life-changing event of having a stroke. This research led to Ellie becoming increasingly interested in supporting clients with emotional and psychological difficulties and in 2018, she began her CBT training, allowing her to pursue her passion for helping people through clinical work. During her training, Ellie completed a 1-year internship at the Oxford University Counselling Service, working with students in distress.

Experience

Since training as a Cognitive Behavioural Therapist, Ellie has completed training in Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) at Oxford University and a Postgraduate Diploma in CBT with a specific focus on complex presentations. More recently, Ellie did an MSc degree at the University of Oxford, specialising in working with children and adolescents.

Ellie is experienced in working with clients with a range of anxiety disorders such as panic, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and social phobia, as well as depression, low self-esteem, perfectionism, sleep difficulties and anger. She is passionate about using empathy and evidence-based techniques to help clients overcome challenges and realise their goals.

Overall, Ellie has a vast range of experience in research and clinical settings, working with clients of all ages. She is passionate about empowering her clients to become their own therapists, to create and use flexibly a toolkit of CBT techniques to reflect and learn from experiences.

Interesting facts

Outside of mental health, Ellie enjoys arts and crafts as these activities boost her well-being, giving her the chance to be mindful and appreciate the present moment. Ellie is also a keen snowboarder- a sport which she practiced frequently in her home country- Bulgaria. Ellie enjoys spending time travelling, meeting new people, and learning about their culture.

Having studied and worked in competitive environments, Ellie is particularly keen to support clients experiencing the pressures of the challenging and fast-paced modern world.

Testimonials

“Highly recommend Oxford CBT… incredibly helpful when it came to invoices for insurance, and changing between in-person and online sessions. My weekly sessions with Ellie were always positive, she always validated my feelings and provided me with techniques to reach my therapy goals. She is brilliant, and I would recommend her to anyone who is looking for help.”

” Can’t speak highly enough of Oxford CBT. The booking/rearrangement process has been updated to be really easy, and the flexibility to be online or in-person is invaluable. I worked on my struggles with depression and anxiety with Ellen and then more extensively with Ellie and she helped me so much, even just session-to-session she’s so friendly and warm and validating, I could laugh with her just as often as I could cry. When I started CBT I wasn’t convinced that it would work but with the patience of Ellen and Ellie, I’m doing so much better. Thank you so much to them & to Oxford CBT.”

Ellie has an MSc degree in Psychology and Psychological Practice from the University of Birmingha... Read More

Dave is a Cognitive Behavioural Therapist working/consulting at Oxford face to face and online. Dave is an experienced Cognitive Behavioural Therapist and an Interpersonal Psychotherapist. Dave has experience working with a broad range of problems including anger, anxiety, depression, phobias and eating disorders. He has a warm, collaborative style to help you explore your difficulties and develop helpful strategies to move closer to your goals. He draws on a range of approaches such as Mindfulness, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Compassion focussed therapy and has additional training in Interpersonal Psychotherapy.

Experience

Dave’s path to becoming a Psychotherapist started as a University Psychology student when he worked with people with severe and enduring mental health problems. He then completed his Master’s degree in Forensic psychology. Dave subsequently worked in social services supporting people with severe mental illness and learning disabilities to live independently. David went on to work in substance misuse services in London screening and supporting people struggling within the criminal justice system with addictions. David then trained as a CBT group facilitator in 2007 using CBT therapies in forensic services within different departments of the Ministry of Justice. In 2011, whilst CBT training for a further two years at University, Dave worked within the NHS treating a wide range of difficulties using CBT and Interpersonal Psychotherapy.

Interesting Facts

Dave loves European motorcycling adventures, canoeing and has travelled extensively to soak up different cultures. However, he loves nothing better than quality family time and playtime with his two children. David believes it is a privilege to be able to help people recognise and unlock their true abilities and innate potential. What drives David is a passion to support people to move away from unhelpful thoughts and behaviour and to help them to see they can confidently rely on their own skills, qualities and abilities.

Testimonials

” Initially I was apprehensive about being allocated a male therapist when I had requested a female one. However I quickly felt very comfortable working with David and became confident that he would be able to help me with my problems. I found each session really useful. I enjoyed studying the handouts and suggested reading material as well as carrying out the practical exercises designed to build my confidence. My CBT sessions with David more than filled my expectations. My anxieties and resulting insomnia are greatly reduced and I believe I have the tools to deal with any relapses.”

Dave is a Cognitive Behavioural Therapist working/consulting at Oxford face to face and online. D... Read More

Upasana is a HCPC-registered clinical psychologist specialising in assessment and management of neurodevelopmental disorders such as ADHD and Autism for young persons. She completed her clinical psychology training qualification in 2012 and obtained a PhD in the field of Childhood ADHD and Sleep from National University of Ireland, Maynooth, Republic of Ireland.

Experience

Upasana has experience working with children and adolescents presenting complex mental health needs in a range of different social and cultural backgrounds (having worked in both public and private sectors in New Delhi, Singapore, Belfast, Dublin, and now in the UK with the Oxford CBT and Southern Health NHS). She has a strong grasp of clinical assessment, formulation, and especially differentiating trauma-based psychopathology from neurodevelopmental cognitive processing styles and general psychopathology including anxiety, mood disorders and emerging personality disorders. Upasana is trained as a clinical examiner for ADOS and a range of cognitive, attainment and neuropsychological evaluation tools such as WISC-V, WAIS-IV, WAIT-III, Phonological Test of Attention, NEPSY, and the Test of Everyday Attention, in addition to using specialist clinical inventories, questionnaires and projective tests such as Rorschach Inkblots (Exner scoring system). Having served as the clinical examiner for Pearson for their country specific standardization of a Wechsler tool, as well as developing a protocol for a sleep questionnaire in ADHD population, Upasana’s interest lies in the use and development of psychometric tools.

Interesting facts

Upasana is also a keen researcher. She has a repertoire of published papers in peer reviewed high impact international journals, which have studied the occurrence and management of lifestyle and sleep related concerns for young persons on the ADHD spectrum.

Assessments

• Autism – Adults, Teens, Children
• ADHD – Adults, Teens, Children

Upasana is a HCPC-registered clinical psychologist specialising in assessment and management of n... Read More

Dr Georgie Boothroyd is an HCPC-registered Clinical Psychologist and BPS-registered Clinical Neuropsychologist with over 15 years of experience specialising in neurodevelopmental and neurological conditions.

He completed his Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at the University of Oxford in 2009 and later obtained the Qualification in Clinical Neuropsychology in 2019 — the gold standard post-doctoral neuropsychology qualification available in the UK. This specialist training supports his ability to understand the complex relationship between brain function, cognition, behaviour, and day-to-day life.

Georgie specialises in autism and ADHD assessments for teenagers and adults, particularly where individuals may have reached adolescence or adulthood without a clear understanding of why certain aspects of life have consistently felt more difficult. He is Clinical Lead for Neurodevelopmental Services at Oxford CBT and offers both face-to-face and remote appointments.

Families and clients often value Georgie’s calm, thoughtful approach and his ability to help people feel understood throughout the assessment process.

Experience

Georgie has worked across NHS and independent specialist neuropsychology services throughout his career.

During his time at Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, he was a senior member of an Autism and ADHD assessment service and completed additional training in NICE-recommended assessment tools for neurodevelopmental assessment. A key part of this role involved differential diagnosis and understanding the interaction between mental health and neurodevelopmental conditions.

He later worked as Principal Clinical Neuropsychologist at the Oxford Centre for Enablement, part of Oxford University Hospitals — one of the UK’s leading specialist neurorehabilitation and neuropsychology services.

These experiences developed his expertise in complex neurological and neurodevelopmental presentations across adolescence and adulthood.

Alongside his direct assessment work, Georgie has extensive experience leading multidisciplinary assessment and formulation, helping ensure that outcomes are considered carefully within the broader context of an individual’s history, functioning, and lived experience.

His background across specialist NHS neuropsychology services allows him to bring a high level of clinical depth and diagnostic rigour to the assessment process, while maintaining a supportive and person-centred approach.

Approach

Georgie’s approach is calm, collaborative, and deliberately unhurried.

He understands that many teenagers and adults seeking assessment have spent years feeling misunderstood, overwhelmed, or uncertain about why certain aspects of daily life, relationships, work, or education have felt unusually difficult.

Rather than focusing only on whether diagnostic criteria are met, Georgie takes time to understand the wider picture — including patterns of attention, emotional wellbeing, coping strategies, masking, strengths, and day-to-day functioning across different environments.

He is a strong advocate for neuroaffirmative, strengths-based assessment and believes a good assessment should help people better understand themselves, not simply leave with a diagnosis.

Assessment findings are reviewed carefully within Oxford CBT’s multidisciplinary team, helping ensure conclusions and recommendations are thoughtful, balanced, and clinically robust.

For many clients, the process is as important as the outcome. Being heard, validated, and understood — often for the first time — can itself be transformative.

Interesting Facts

Georgie is a keen cook, skateboard enthusiast and occasional snowboarder. He enjoys spending time with friends and family and getting out into nature.

Assessments

• Autism (Adults & Teens)
• ADHD (Adults & Teens)

Testimonials

>“Georgie was calming and understanding throughout — which made a real difference as I was feeling very anxious and emotional leading up to my appointment. He gave me time when I struggled with answers or got a bit lost in my thoughts. A truly supportive experience from start to finish.” — Adult Assessment Client, Oxford CBT

>“I found Georgie calming and understanding which was appreciated and so helpful as I was very anxious, nervous and also emotional both during and the morning leading up to my appointment. He allowed me time when I struggled with answers or got a bit lost in my thoughts. The staff I had contact with all very friendly to.”

Dr Georgie Boothroyd is an HCPC-registered Clinical Psychologist and BPS-registered Clinical Neur... Read More

Alex has joined our team as a trainee cognitive behavioural therapist. She is currently working towards a postgraduate qualification in cognitive behavioural therapy at the University of Oxford. She works with clients experiencing depression, anxiety disorders, phobias, OCD, PTSD and panic disorders.

Experience

While completing an MSc in psychology Alex worked as a support worker with children experiencing anxiety and those with developmental disorders. After graduating, Alex went to work as the physical activity and wellbeing facilitator for Oxfordshire Mind. Since 2019 Alex has been working for the NHS as a clinical research assistant in secondary mental health care and then later as a Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner in IAPT where she developed a passion for supporting those experiencing mental health difficulties, using psychoeducation to help them understand their symptoms, what is maintaining them, and supporting them to manage and overcome these symptoms using evidence-based techniques.

Interesting Facts

Outside of work Alex enjoys walking her dogs Bo and Klea, in the beautiful Oxfordshire countryside, cooking (and eating) exciting dishes and playing Roller Derby, a full contact sport on skates.

Testimonials

“Alex was kind and supportive for me to be able to share very personal thoughts and feelings. I appreciated the professionality of the session and look forward to beginning the treatment process.”

Alex has joined our team as a trainee cognitive behavioural therapist. She is currently working t... Read More

Chris comes to the team with a wide experience in diplomacy, the BBC, the United Nations and is currently working with a major multinational corporation. He has coached within the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and over the last few years has been further developing his therapeutic skills.

Chris is comfortable working on anxiety, low mood, mild depression, self-esteem and stress and takes a holistic and humanistic approach to getting better.

Experience

Chris has recently completed a master’s in Psychology and the Neuroscience of Mental Health at King’s College, London. To complement that academic learning, Chris has a Diploma in REBT/CBT from the College of Cognitive Behaviour Therapies and expects to complete an Advanced Diploma shortly. Beyond UK shores, Chris has an interest in global mental health and has set up an NGO to improve the provision of mental health services in a troubled part of the Middle East.

Interesting facts

Outside of work, Chris follows football mostly by shouting at the television and then calming down.

Testimonials

” I have just completed a series of CBT sessions with Chris Bowers. I found my sessions with Chris incredibly helpful. He dealt well with the fact I was very nervous about the sessions and was supportive. He delivered tailored advice that has genuinely improved my life. I would strongly recommend him as a therapist.”

” Working with Chris over the past 10 sessions has been a very positive, educational and thought provoking process. Chris has a very calming demeanour which allowed me to comfortably open up and discuss my anxiety. He was able to dissect the issues and provide tailored solutions and ideas that allowed me to understand what was ultimately causing this anxiety and then how to deal with it moving forward. I feel like i have a much better understanding of anxiety, I am generally calmer day to day and have mechanisms in place to help deal with it in the future. Thank you again Chris.”

Chris comes to the team with a wide experience in diplomacy, the BBC, the United Nations and is c... Read More

Cheryl Brightmore – Cognitive Behavioural Therapist

Qualifications of Cheryl Brightmore - BSc (Hons) in psychology - PGCert Brief Evidence-Based Interventions for Children and Young People with Common Mental Health Problems - (Masters module) Improving Practice in working with autistic people and their families - PGDip High Intensity CBT

Memberships of Cheryl Brightmore - British Association for Behavioural & Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP)

Summary

Cheryl is a skilled therapist with over 10 years of clinical expertise. She has worked for more than seven years as a therapist within NHS Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), where she has delivered both low and high-intensity Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), supporting children and families in achieving their therapeutic goals. In addition, Cheryl has experience providing CBT to adults. She offers both face-to-face and remote appointments to ensure accessible and flexible care.

Experience

Following completing a BSc degree in Psychology, Cheryl started her career working as a research assistant, exploring ways to improve preschool children’s sleep. Following this Cheryl went on to support children in a primary school setting, providing mental health support and specialist learning interventions for those with additional learning needs. Having worked in education for a number of years, Cheryl moved to working within the NHS and completed a Post-graduate qualification in Low-Intensity Evidence-based CBT for Children and Young People with Common Mental Health Problems. Cheryl stayed working in a NHS CAMHS team for 5 years as a Children’s Wellbeing Practitioner, supporting young people with anxiety, depression, and behavioural challenges. During this role Cheryl developed a passion in finding ways to support young people who find it difficult to access services, and completed training entitled Improving Practice in working with autistic people and their families, as well as many other trainings focused on adapting therapy to best meet individuals and family’s needs. Although Cheryl was helping people, she felt that she needed to do more to support those struggling with their mental health so completed further training to become a qualified CBT therapist.

Cheryl is passionate about collaboratively working with individuals to find what works best for them. She is a therapist who believes that everyone has the right to access effective therapy, meaning that she adapts and tailors therapy to fit the individual’s needs. She supports people to develop an understanding of their difficulties, as well as identifying strengths, and areas that the person wants to improve.

Interesting Facts

Cheryl has personal and professional experience in supporting those who are neurodivergent and feels passionate about ensuring the world is adapted to be equally accessible for everyone. Cheryl enjoys doing exciting new activities, such as indoor skydiving, go karting, and high rope courses; as well as travelling to new places to learn about different cultures. Cheryl is very creative so can often be found drawing, painting, and exploring new creative hobbies.

Treatments

• Excessive Worry/ GAD – Children Under 12 and adolescents
• Social Anxiety – Children Under 12 and adolescents
• Panic Attacks/Disorders – Children Under 12 and adolescents
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) – Children Under 12 and adolescents
• Separation Anxiety- Children Under 12 and adolescents
• Specific Phobias – Children Under 12 and adolescents
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) – Children Under 12 and adolescents
• Depression – Children Under 12 and adolescents
• Low Self-Esteem – Children Under 12 and adolescents
• Stress Management – Children Under 12 and adolescents
• Unhelpful habits (e.g. Self-Criticism, perfectionism, procrastination) – Children Under 12 and adolescents
• Sleep difficulties- Children Under 12 and adolescents

Cheryl Brightmore – Cognitive Behavioural Therapist Qualifications of Cheryl Brightmore - BSc (H... Read More

Alice Cochrane is qualified in Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), and Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR). Alice offers face-to-face appointments in our Oxford clinic on Tuesday afternoons and evenings in addition to some availability for remote appointments on weekday evenings.

Experience

Alice started her mental health career in Hampshire in 2004 and has worked in both primary and secondary mental health care settings. Alice has been with Oxford CBT since 2015 and is accredited in both Cognitive Behaviour Therapist and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy and trained in Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing (EMDR). Alice has a specialist interest in Third Wave CBT such as Mindfulness and Compassion Focused Therapy. Alice is passionate about improving her client’s well-being, helping them to understand how their difficulties may have developed, recognising what is maintaining them and identifying practical strategies to overcome them. Alice’s goal is to work alongside her clients to enable them to become their own therapists.

Interesting Facts

Alice ran two marathons in two weeks to raise money for Parkinson’s Disease UK, she will soon be running her fourth and (possibly) final marathon in Berlin. Alice enjoys open water swimming and yoga.

Testimonials

“I started sessions with Alice today, having been with Oxford CBT for some time now but needing to switch practitioners. I was very very nervous about changing therapists but Alice was brilliant- exceptionally kind and patient, I felt relaxed and safe in minutes and we had a really productive session. It will take some getting used to but I’m confident that Alice and I will work really well together and I look forward to my next appointment.”

” I just want to say thank you for everything over the years. You have been so helpful in unpicking the way I think and in understanding myself and the way I do things, I think you’re great at what you do and I’d love to do something similar in the future.”

Alice Cochrane is qualified in Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (... Read More

Dan Drew is a Chartered Psychologist and CBT therapist who works with adolescents and adults across a wide range of emotional, behavioural, and neurodevelopmental presentations.

He has particular experience supporting people with anxiety, low self-esteem, emotional regulation difficulties, self-criticism, autism, and neurodivergence — especially where difficulties have gone misunderstood for many years or have become intertwined with mental health challenges over time.

Alongside therapy, Dan is also involved in Oxford CBT’s specialist neurodevelopmental assessment pathway, where he contributes to autism and ADHD assessments as part of a multidisciplinary team. His combined background in psychological therapy and neurodevelopmental work allows him to help clients build not only insight into their difficulties, but also a more compassionate understanding of themselves.

Dan holds a Postgraduate Diploma in CBT (with Distinction) from the Oxford Cognitive Therapy Centre, alongside two Master’s degrees in Psychology (Oxford Brookes University) and Primate Conservation. He is a Chartered Member of the British Psychological Society and accredited with the BABCP. He has completed ADOS-2 training and works within NICE-guideline-informed frameworks for both therapy and assessment.

Experience

Dan has experience working with individuals presenting with anxiety disorders, depression, OCD, panic, social anxiety, low self-esteem, emotional dysregulation, and stress-related difficulties. His CBT work focuses not only on symptom reduction but also on helping people develop greater self-understanding, self-compassion, and confidence in navigating everyday challenges.

Alongside therapy, Dan has developed specialist experience in neurodevelopmental work, with a particular interest in how ADHD and autism can be misunderstood, masked, or intertwined with mental health difficulties over time. Within screenings and assessments, he places strong emphasis on developmental history, collaborative discussion, and understanding the wider context of someone’s experiences rather than relying too heavily on questionnaires or labels alone.

As part of Oxford CBT’s multidisciplinary assessment pathway, Dan works alongside psychologists, psychiatrists, and consultant paediatricians to ensure assessments are balanced, thorough, and clinically robust. His approach is neuro-affirmative, practical, and focused on helping individuals and families make sense of patterns that may have been present for years.

Prior to joining Oxford CBT, Dan worked as a research coordinator and assistant psychologist within the Cognitive Neurology Research Group at the University of Oxford. His work contributed to a broad range of research areas, including social cognition, decision-making, impulsivity, memory, motivation, and cognitive change in the context of neurological conditions and trauma. A smaller strand of this work included involvement in a Parkinson’s disease apathy study, which provided his first exposure to applying CBT-informed approaches to support motivation and engagement in individuals with Parkinson’s disease. He also has experience supporting children and young adults, including those with autism and OCD, which continues to inform his clinical practice.

Approach

Dan’s approach is warm, collaborative, and non-judgemental. He recognises that many people begin therapy or assessment feeling anxious, uncertain, or highly self-critical, and he prioritises creating a space that feels calm, respectful, and easy to talk in.

In CBT sessions, Dan focuses on helping people understand the links between thoughts, emotions, behaviours, and life experiences, with particular emphasis on breaking cycles of self-criticism and building a more balanced and compassionate understanding of themselves.

Within neurodevelopmental work, he takes a holistic and neuro-affirmative approach, placing strong importance on developmental history, lived experience, and understanding how traits present across different areas of life. He is particularly interested in how ADHD and autism can overlap with anxiety, low mood, coping strategies, and long-standing patterns that may have gone misunderstood for years.

Across both therapy and assessment, Dan’s aim is consistent: to help people make sense of their experiences in a way that feels validating, practical, and genuinely useful in everyday life.

Interesting facts

Dan lives with his wife and two young children and enjoys seeing friends, playing and writing music, sport and snowboarding and spending time in nature.

Screenings

• Autism
• ADHD

Testimonials

“Dan Drew was an outstanding therapist. He was patient, caring and empathetic. Dan supported me throughout my journey with OCD and helped me the best he could in times where I was in crisis. He was always there to listen. Always. I’ll never forget the support he has given me. He is outstanding.”

“I did not feel judged throughout and felt genuine care. The assessor was very open-minded and fantastic at listening and remembering all my information. The report I received was worded in a very positive and understanding framework, which I appreciated. I feel I have a much greater understanding of myself now.”

— Oxford CBT Client

Dan Drew is a Chartered Psychologist and CBT therapist who works with adolescents and adults acro... Read More

Katharine is an experienced Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist providing Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) in Oxford. Experienced in working with the NHS and receiving specialist CBT training at the University of Oxford, Katherine provides professional guidance for adults and children to help liberate mental well-being.

She offers both face-to-face and remote appointments (currently working Fridays and Monday mornings and Wednesday).

Experience

Katharine’s journey to becoming a Psychotherapist started when she was younger and began volunteering to work with people who had acquired head injuries at Headway and then went on to help people with mental health problems at Oxfordshire Mind. Although Katharine was helping, she wanted to do more and become a qualified therapist to be able to help people make positive changes in their lives.

Katharine is a long-standing member of the team at Oxford CBT. After completing her psychology degree, she had specialist CBT training at the University of Oxford. Initially working in the NHS, Katharine now devotes her time to the service helping people to overcome a wide range of difficulties including anxiety, depression, and sleep difficulties. Besides traditional CBT, Katharine is passionate about Mindfulness techniques and Compassion-focused CBT approaches.

Interesting Facts

Katharine enjoys exploring different cuisines and likes trying out recipes from around the world.

Testimonials

“Today was my first assessment with Mrs Katharine Fernwood. After 10 minutes, I felt at ease with her and knew she would be an excellent therapist for me. She was kind and patient and attentive and I really appreciated her time.”

“Being over 70, and having had to deal with constant anxiety from childhood, I was really embarrassed and ashamed that at my advanced age I had to admit that I needed help as the problem suddenly escalated to such an extent that I became unable to leave the house. After a couple of months I knew that if I didn’t seek help this was how the rest of my life was going to be! With a great deal of trepidation I contacted Oxford CBT and am so very relieved that I did, as along the whole journey from start to finish I was treated with respect, kindness and understanding by everyone I came into contact with, especially my Therapist. Katharine encouraged me to start from the beginning and speak about my life as well as all the things that had caused me to be anxious along the way. During our discussions over the weeks she showed me how to alter my way of thinking with regard to my many anxieties, and also shared some practical ideas to help me cope with them. All this was done, as I said before, with respect, kindness and understanding. Thanks to Katharine I can now leave the house whenever I want, and go wherever I want, whilst being reassured that if I should become anxious I know how to control it. At last I have my life back - thank you so much.”

Katharine is an experienced Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist providing Cognitive Behavioural... Read More

Oxford CBT Consultant Paediatrician Dr Susanne Friess brings over 30 years of experience supporting children, young people, and families, including more than 15 years specialising in autism and ADHD assessments.

Susanne trained in Human Medicine in Germany before moving to the UK in 1993, where she completed her paediatric training and has since worked as a Consultant in Paediatric Neurodisability in Community Paediatrics, supporting children and young people from birth to age 19. In 2007 she completed a Master’s in Psychoanalytical Observational Studies in Children — a qualification that deepens her understanding of how children develop and communicate beyond what standardised assessment tools alone can reveal.

She is a member of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, holds full GMC registration, and is trained in NICE-recommended assessment frameworks.

At Oxford CBT, Susanne is part of the multidisciplinary neurodevelopmental team delivering comprehensive ADHD and autism assessments for children and young people.

Experience

Since 2008, Susanne has specialised in the assessment and care of children and young people aged 2–18 for autism and ADHD, completing additional training in NICE-recommended assessment tools at Trinity College Dublin. She has contributed to international research, including presenting at the ADHD Panhellenic Congress in Greece, and has been instrumental in developing NHS services for children with neurodevelopmental difficulties — giving her a deep understanding of what families need and where support too often falls short.

Approach

Susanne takes a holistic, curiosity-led approach to every assessment. Rather than focusing solely on whether a child meets criteria for a specific diagnosis, she explores the full picture — their history, development, environment, and how their difficulties present across different areas of daily life.

Her expertise in differential diagnosis means she is particularly skilled at recognising when more than one thing is going on, because in her experience, it almost always is. Autism and ADHD rarely present in isolation, and identifying what sits alongside them is often the difference between a report that truly helps and one that leaves families with more questions than answers.

Susanne’s style is collaborative and engaging. Families often describe feeling more informed, reassured, and empowered after working with her. She sees assessment as more than a diagnostic process — it is an opportunity to help children, young people, and parents better understand themselves, recognise strengths, and feel clearer about the next steps. Families consistently describe working with Susanne as the first time everything has finally made sense — not just the diagnosis, but their child.

Interesting Facts

Susanne has a passion for travelling and over the last 2 years has developed a close relationship and friendship with a small Maasai community in Kenya. She is supporting the community to seek opportunities and to find their way into the future.

Assessments

• Autism – Children & Young People
• ADHD – Children & Young People

Testimonials

“Thank you for your sensitive and conscientious approach — the assessment was both revealing and reassuring for our child and for us as parents. She now looks forward to embracing life, feeling better equipped to face any challenges ahead.” — Parent of a young person assessed by Dr Friess

“I wanted to say thank you for your incredible perception and skills at reading our Son. He shared that he was very impressed how you understood him and he has never met anyone who has done this so clearly. It really impacted him. So thank you”

Oxford CBT Consultant Paediatrician Dr Susanne Friess brings over 30 years of experience supporti... Read More

Katie is a CBT therapist (accredited by the BABCP), offering assessment and both low- and high-intensity evidence-based interventions in Oxford and online.

Katie works with children and young people up to the age of 18 (and their families), helping to overcome difficulties such as depression, generalised anxiety, panic disorder, separation anxiety, specific phobias, social anxiety, PTSD, and OCD.

Summary

Katie has worked with Children and Young People with mental health difficulties since 2017, primarily within the NHS, as a Children’s Wellbeing Practitioner. Katie works with young people and their families to support them to overcome anxiety and depression using interventions that have been tried, tested and proven to be effective.

Whilst completing her CWP qualification, Katie worked in placement at the AnDY Research Clinic in Reading. She was able to participate as in research trials for new and upcoming interventions for children and young people with anxiety and depression, as a treating practitioner there.

Katie is now working as a CBT Therapist, allowing her to provide interventions for a greater range of difficulties.

Experience

Katie holds a BSc in Psychology, an MSc in Clinical Aspects of Psychology, and a Post-graduate Certificate in Low-Intensity Evidence-based CBT-informed Interventions for Children and Young People from the University of Reading, allowing her to practice as a Children’s Wellbeing Practitioner (CWP). Katie completed a Post-graduate Diploma in CBT is accredited with the BABCP.

Previously, Katie worked within Drug and Alcohol Addiction and Eating Disorder Services, before deciding to specialise in anxiety and depression in young people. Katie has experience working with Children, Young People and Families struggling with Separation Anxiety, Generalised Anxiety Disorder, Depression, Specific Phobias, Panic, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Social Anxiety, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Sleep Difficulties and Behavioural Difficulties. Katie is passionate about using interventions proven to be effective and ensuring that the intervention is producing the desired change by routinely using questionnaires and outcome measures.

Interesting Facts

Katie enjoys baking, reading, dancing, going to the gym, walking her dogs, and spending time with family. Katie is keen to live by example and practice elements of the interventions she delivers, such as striving for balance within her day-to-day life.

Katie is a CBT therapist (accredited by the BABCP), offering assessment and both low- and high-in... Read More

Sophia Koumi is a qualified Cognitive behavioural therapist (CBT) and Dialectic Behavioural Therapist (DBT). Sophia offers face to face appointments at the clinic on Wednesday afternoons/evenings in addition to some availability for remote appointments on weekday evenings.

Experience

Sophia’s fascination with mental health started when she watched Silence of the Lambs and wanted to be like Clarice. Her passion was fuelled by her A-level psychology teacher who inspired Sophia to go to university and study psychology. After taking some time out of education to explore the world, Sophia went on to train as a Mental Health Nurse (RMN) at King’s College London where she also became involved in healthcare activism which took her all the way to parliament.

Sophia moved to Oxford in 2016 and started working as a recovery nurse with adults suffering from substance misuse and associated issues. In 2018 Sophia got her training post as a Cognitive Behavioural Therapist (CBT) working in the NHS child and adolescent mental health service (CAMHs). Sophia has worked in the service ever since and been lucky enough to work across the service in a number of different teams and roles, allowing her to complete her training to also become a Dialectic Behavioural Therapist (DBT) and CBT supervisor.

While a CBT therapist at heart, Sophia has also had training in lots of other therapies including acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and narrative exposure therapy (NET), Sophia also has a keen interest in compassion focused therapy (CFT) and will often spend her spare time reading books and listening to podcasts to develop her understanding of different therapies. Sophia enjoys drawing on different therapies to suit individual need and enhance therapy.

Sophia is passionate about going on a collaborative therapy journey that facilitates individuals to become their own therapists. Sophia supports individuals to improve their wellbeing by developing a shared understanding of their difficulties and identifying areas to work on. Sophia also believes therapy can be fun and enjoys being creative especially when working with children and young people.

Interesting Facts

Sophia is a lover of nature and if she is not walking her two gorgeous rescue pups in the woods somewhere, she is either outside tending to her vegetable garden or inside tending to her 200 house plants (and counting). Sophia believes in the power of exercise for mental health and has a regular yoga and meditation practice to enable her to relax and unwind. She has also run eight tough mudders, one half marathon and the stairs of the London Gherkin. Sophia is a lover of colour and pattern because it boosts hers (and others) moods, you will often see Sophia in bright colourful clothing, and she also has a home filled with colour (and plants).

Testimonials

“Sophia continues to be a huge support to our daughter. She is incredibly warm and caring and has an infectious laugh that makes our daughter feel very special. They have a fantastic relationship that has helped our daughter at her lowest.”

Sophia Koumi is a qualified Cognitive behavioural therapist (CBT) and Dialectic Behavioural Thera... Read More

Summary

Veronika completed her university degree in Czechia before moving to the UK in 2006. She then completed her junior doctor training, including Speciality Paediatric training (level 3) under the London Deanery. Since 2016 she has been working as a speciality doctor in community paediatrics with special interest in neurodiversity with children and young people from the age of 0-19 years. Veronika is specialised in the assessments and management of children and young people with developmental and neurodevelopmental difficulties including ASD & ADHD. ###Experience

Since 2016, Veronika has specialised in the assessment and care of children and young people aged 2 to 18 years for ASD & ADHD. She completed additional training in NICE recommended assessment tools for ADHD QB check & QB testing and developmental assessments (Bayley Scales of Infant & Toddler development). She has been involved in neurodevelopmental research & audits. She has continued to develop and broaden life experience in neurodiversity.

Initially working in the NHS, Veronika prefers now to devote her time to the Oxford CBT service helping children & families to navigate & support trough diagnostic process while using professional but also personal experiences with neurodiverse children.

Her approach to children and young people is based on professional knowledge but also practical skills with neuroatypical children which most of families faces in day-to-day life ( including difficulties with transition, pathological demand behaviour & sleep difficulties). ###Interesting Facts

Veronika is a director of an educational community club and school for Czech and British families, with a strong focus on inclusion and celebrating different cultures. The club supports children in learning about Czech and British traditions and heritage while welcoming families from diverse backgrounds.

She founded The Autism Café & Play, a supportive community group for neurodivergent children and their parents.

Veronika is a member of the Association of Czech Schools in the UK and is currently involved in an educational community project supporting teachers and teaching assistants who work with children with autism and ADHD.

Outside of work, Veronika enjoys spending time with her family—especially her children—travelling, and discovering new family-friendly places that are inclusive for both neurotypical and neurodivergent children. ###Assessments - Autism – Children 6+ & Adolescents - ADHD– Children 6+ & Adolescents

Summary Veronika completed her university degree in Czechia before moving to the UK in 2006. She... Read More

Tom Murfitt founded Oxford CBT in 2012 with a clear aim: to provide high-quality, evidence-based mental health support that is accessible, compassionate, and genuinely tailored to the realities of people’s lives.

His route into mental health was not a conventional one. Early in his career, Tom worked in the advertising industry, achieving professional success but increasingly feeling disconnected from work that felt meaningful and aligned with his values. Personal experiences that challenged his understanding of wellbeing, resilience, and recovery ultimately led him towards healthcare and mental health services.

An early childhood injury sparked an interest in rehabilitation and recovery, initially drawing him towards physiotherapy. However, through supporting people living with physical illness, disability, neurological conditions, and life-changing health events, Tom became increasingly interested in the psychological impact of adversity and the role of meaning, identity, and connection in recovery.

This led him into mental health services, where he worked within inpatient and community teams supporting people experiencing severe and enduring mental health difficulties, including psychosis. He later completed a Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy, drawn to its holistic philosophy that people are inherently driven by purpose, connection, and participation in meaningful activities. He subsequently specialised in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, completing a Postgraduate Diploma in CBT alongside further training in mindfulness-based and schema-informed approaches.

Today, Tom has over 20 years of experience working across health and mental health services. Alongside his role as Clinical Director, he remains actively involved in clinical work and is known for his warm, thoughtful, and holistic approach. While grounded in evidence-based psychological therapies, he recognises that emotional wellbeing is influenced by far more than thoughts alone, and works with clients to understand the interaction between psychological health, physical health, sleep, lifestyle, relationships, values, and sense of purpose.

Tom has a particular interest in supporting people who outwardly appear successful and capable yet privately experience anxiety, burnout, emotional exhaustion, or a persistent sense that something is missing. In his experience, lasting wellbeing comes not only from reducing symptoms, but from helping people reconnect with what gives their lives meaning, fulfilment, and genuine connection.

Under his leadership, Oxford CBT has grown from an independent therapy practice into a multidisciplinary mental health service supporting children, young people, adults, families, and organisations across Oxford, Birmingham, and online through psychological therapy, neurodevelopmental assessments, workplace wellbeing programmes, and Mental Health First Aid training.

Experience

Tom has over 20 years of experience working across health and mental health services, delivering therapy within both NHS and private settings and supporting adults and young people experiencing a wide range of emotional and psychological difficulties. His work includes helping people with anxiety, depression, OCD, trauma, burnout, low self-esteem, emotional dysregulation, relationship difficulties, and complex presentations involving neurodevelopmental conditions and co-occurring mental health challenges.

His professional background spans both physical and mental healthcare, providing him with a unique perspective on the relationship between mind and body across the lifespan. This includes supporting individuals navigating significant life transitions, health conditions, disability, loss, and psychological distress, as well as those struggling with less visible challenges such as chronic stress, perfectionism, overwhelm, and a sense of disconnection from themselves or the lives they are living.

Occupational Therapy remains central to how Tom understands mental health. Rather than focusing solely on symptoms or diagnoses, he is interested in how difficulties affect a person’s ability to engage in meaningful activities, maintain relationships, fulfil important roles, and live a life aligned with their values. He believes that wellbeing is influenced by the interaction between psychological, physical, social, and environmental factors, and that sustainable change often requires attention to lifestyle, sleep, health habits, relationships, and purpose alongside emotional wellbeing.

This person-centred and functional perspective is combined with evidence-based CBT, mindfulness-informed practice, schema-informed approaches, and broader psychological formulation. Tom believes lasting change comes not simply from reducing symptoms, but from helping people build lives that feel sustainable, meaningful, and authentically their own.

He has a particular interest in working with people who have spent years appearing capable and successful on the outside while privately experiencing anxiety, burnout, emotional exhaustion, self-criticism, or a growing sense that something important is missing from their lives. Many of the professionals, business leaders, healthcare workers, academics, and high achievers he works with have reached significant milestones yet find themselves questioning their direction, purpose, or sense of fulfilment.

Alongside his clinical work, Tom oversees the quality, governance, and strategic development of Oxford CBT’s wider services, including its multidisciplinary ADHD and autism assessment pathways and organisational wellbeing programmes. This includes Mental Health First Aid training delivered to businesses, schools, and educational institutions, helping organisations create more psychologically informed and supportive cultures.

Approach

Tom’s approach is warm, collaborative, and grounded in genuine curiosity about the person behind the symptoms.

While evidence-based practice sits at the heart of his work, he believes people cannot be fully understood through diagnoses, symptom checklists, or therapeutic models alone. Instead, he seeks to understand the wider context of a person’s life — their experiences, relationships, values, coping strategies, strengths, challenges, and the meaning they make of their experiences.

Drawing from CBT, mindfulness-based approaches, occupational therapy principles, schema-informed practice, and broader psychological formulation, Tom tailors support to the individual rather than applying a rigid therapeutic framework. Clients often describe his style as conversational, thoughtful, calming, and easy to engage with, while still offering clear clinical insight and practical direction.

His work is informed by the belief that throughout life people are continually navigating questions of identity, purpose, belonging, and connection — to themselves, to other people, and to the wider world. Whether someone is struggling with anxiety, depression, neurodivergence, life transitions, burnout, trauma, relationship difficulties, or a sense of feeling stuck despite external success, Tom sees therapy as an opportunity not only to alleviate distress but also to better understand oneself and move towards a more meaningful and fulfilling way of living.

He is particularly interested in helping people understand the interplay between mind and body, recognising the important role that sleep, physical health, movement, relationships, environment, and daily habits play in psychological wellbeing. This reflects his broader belief that mental health is not simply the absence of symptoms, but the presence of meaning, connection, vitality, and engagement in life.

Whether working therapeutically, organisationally, or within assessment pathways, Tom believes good mental health support should leave people feeling more understood, more empowered, and clearer about what they need moving forward. Ultimately, his aim is not simply to help people manage symptoms, but to support them in creating lives that feel connected, purposeful, and worth living.

Interesting facts

Outside of his clinical work, Tom maintains his own wellbeing through yoga, meditation, and five rhythms dance — finding in movement what he encourages in others: a way to process, reset, and stay present. He loves time in nature, particularly near the ocean, and finds deep value in human connection and seeing the world through other people’s perspectives.

Tom is a strong believer in giving people a second chance after life-challenging situations that may have led to a loss of direction. This is reflected in his work supporting young men to reconnect with their own inner wisdom and voice, helping them build healthier, more meaningful lives in an ever-changing complicated world.

Assessments

• Autism – Adults, Teens, Children
• ADHD – Adults, Teens, Children

What clients say

“It has been hard work but so beneficial. The schema therapy knowledge Tom used gave me a much deeper insight into how my past had shaped me as an adult — and the freedom to move on from it. His unfailing encouragement and empathy kept me going through the most difficult parts of the journey. I would recommend him to anyone.”

— Therapy client, Oxford CBT

Tom Murfitt founded Oxford CBT in 2012 with a clear aim: to provide high-quality, evidence-based ... Read More

Dr Anna Nattrass is an HCPC-registered Clinical Psychologist with over 15 years of experience working with children and young people across CAMHS, paediatrics, and social care.

She specialises in neurodevelopmental assessment, with a particular focus on autism and co-occurring difficulties in children and adolescents. Anna is trained in two rigorous autism assessment tools — the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS-2) and the Diagnostic Interview for Social and Communication Disorders (DISCO).

Anna offers face-to-face and remote appointments.

Experience

Since completing her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology in 2010, Anna has worked across children’s services in both South Yorkshire and London.

She previously held the role of Principal Clinical Psychologist and Clinical Lead for an NHS autism assessment service, where she developed expertise in complex neurodevelopmental assessment and multidisciplinary working.

Alongside her work at Oxford CBT, Anna currently works within a specialist Neurodevelopmental CAMHS service in London, assessing and supporting children and young people aged 0–18 with suspected autism, ADHD, and related neurodevelopmental differences.

Her experience across NHS and specialist assessment services allows her to recognise the ways neurodevelopmental differences can present across different environments, developmental stages, and individual profiles. She also contributes to multidisciplinary consultation and collaborative working across health, education, and family support systems.

Approach

Anna’s approach is comprehensive and person-centred. She draws on information from multiple sources — family interviews, direct work with the young person, school, CAMHS, speech and language, and other professionals involved in the care of an individual, to build a full picture of who the young person is, not just whether they meet diagnostic criteria. She is committed to neuroaffirmative practice, which means her assessments and reports highlight strengths alongside difficulties, and are written in a way that young people themselves can read and connect with.

For young people who are anxious, overwhelmed, homebound, or have more complex needs, Anna aims to adapt the assessment process to help them feel safe, comfortable, and able to engage as naturally as possible.

Interesting Facts

Anna enjoys being outdoors. She is a keen runner and open water swimmer. She enjoys music, dance and cooking for family and friends.

Assessments

• Autism – Children and Adolescents

Testimonials

“Dr Anna Nattrass was very professional and empathetic, I was impressed and really happy with the session.”

Dr Anna Nattrass is an HCPC-registered Clinical Psychologist with over 15 years of experience wor... Read More

Lorraine is a Senior Cognitive Behavioural Therapist and has been part of the Oxford CBT team since 2017. She brings warmth, empathy, and a collaborative style to her work, helping clients gain meaningful insight into their difficulties and make lasting, positive changes.

With experience supporting adolescents, university students, adults, and older adults across the UK and internationally, Lorraine tailors her approach to each client’s unique background and needs. She is particularly skilled in working with complex psychological presentations and uses evidence-based methods to help clients shift long-standing patterns and build healthier, more fulfilling ways of living.

Lorraine has a specialist interest in Schema-Focused CBT, a powerful approach that explores the development of rigid, unhelpful beliefs and coping styles. Her work helps clients gain deeper self-awareness, challenge ingrained patterns, and develop healthier ways of relating to themselves and others. As an additional skillset, she also incorporates Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT) and Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy (EAET), supporting clients experiencing chronic pain through evidenced-based mind-body techniques that address the neurological basis of persistent symptoms.

Experience

Lorraine has worked across a wide range of clinical and cultural settings in both the UK and Asia. Her international background brings a culturally sensitive and inclusive lens to therapy, and she is experienced in supporting clients from diverse walks of life. Known for creating a safe, respectful, and non-judgmental space, Lorraine helps clients feel heard and empowered as they work towards their goals with confidence and clarity.

Alongside her core CBT qualifications, Lorraine has completed specialist training in: - Schema-Focused CBT for identifying and reshaping deeply rooted beliefs and behaviourpatterns. - Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT) and Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy (EAET) through the PRT Centre (USA) and through Dr Howard Schubiner offices (Freedom from Chronic Pain, USA), supporting clients with chronic pain by addressing the mind-body connection and promoting emotional healing.

Lorraine is committed to lifelong learning and regularly undertakes advanced professional development to enhance her clinical practice. Her continual professional training highlights include: - Living with Uncertainty - Clinical Perfectionism - Sleep Difficulties - Grief and Bereavement - Compassion-Focused CBT - Adolescent Depression and Anxiety - CBT application for older people - Functional Neurological disorder - Neurodiversity: ADHD and ASD - Pain Reprocessing Therapy - Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy

Approach

Lorraine works collaboratively with clients to develop practical, personalised strategies based on cognitive behavioural principles. She supports individuals in identifying and reshaping unhelpful thinking patterns, emotional responses, and behavioural habits. Her approach remains grounded in cognitive behavioural therapy while allowing flexibility to integrate other effective, evidence-based methods where appropriate. Whether working with long- standing emotional challenges, day-to-day stressors, or mind-body symptoms such as functional neurological presentations and complex chronic pain, Lorraine’s aim is to foster self- understanding, resilience, and meaningful, lasting change.

Interesting facts

Lorraine has a deep appreciation for cultural diversity, architecture, and exploring world cuisines. Earlier in life, she trained in ballet at the Royal Academy of Dance, and today she enjoys practicing yoga regularly to support her own wellbeing. A keen traveller, Lorraine loves discovering new places and meeting people from all walks of life, bringing curiosity and openness to both her personal and professional journey.

Treatments

• Excessive Worry/ GAD – Teens 16+ and Adults
• Social Anxiety – Teens 16+ and Adults
• Panic Attacks/Disorders – Teens16+ and Adults
• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) – Teens 16+ and Adults
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) – Teens 16+ and Adults
• Specific Phobias / Driving Phobias / Agoraphobia – Teens 16+ and Adults
• Low Self-Esteems – Teens 16+ and Adults
• Stress Management – Teens 16+ and Adults
• Unhelpful habits (eg. Self Criticism, perfectionism, procrastination) – Teens 16+ and Adults
• Anger Management – Teens 16+ and Adults
• Overeating/Binge eating – Teens 16+ and Adults
• Body Image difficulties – Teens 16+ and Adults
• Depression / SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) – Teens 16+ and Adults
• Sleep difficulties/insomnia – Teens 16+ and Adults
• Bereavement – Teens 16+ and Adults
• Physical Health Conditions (Chronic Pain) – Teens 16+ and Adults

Lorraine is a Senior Cognitive Behavioural Therapist and has been part of the Oxford CBT team sin... Read More

Naomi is a Specialist Child & Adolescent Occupational Therapist and a Senior Specialist Perinatal Mental Health Practitioner using CBT-informed practice working/consulting via Skype.

Experience

Naomi is an Occupational Therapist/Specialist Mental Health Practitioner with over 12 years’ experience supporting both children & young people and adults using cognitive behavioural therapy. She is currently working as the Service Manager for an inpatient Mother & Baby Unit in Devon which serves women and their babies from Devon, Cornwall & Somerset who are experiencing acute mental illness postnatally. She previously led one of the specialist forensic Child & Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) covering Oxfordshire. She has worked in both inpatient and community services and recognises that the environments in which we operate are fundamental to how we feel and to how we develop.

Naomi uses an holistic and collaborative approach using cognitive behavioural therapy to develop a shared understanding and meaningful therapeutic goals for the person she is working with. She is passionate about working with and supporting both children & young people and adults in their endeavours to understand their difficulties, develop strategies to overcome them and ultimately optimise outcomes and enhance their quality of life.

Interesting facts

Naomi is 6 ft tall and loves wild swimming. She has practised ballet for 9 years and thinks food is life!

Naomi is a Specialist Child & Adolescent Occupational Therapist and a Senior Specialist Perin... Read More

Summary

Greg is committed to delivering evidence-based CBT therapy tailored to each individual’s needs. Greg supports both adults and young people. He believes in taking a compassionate and human-centred approach -working collaboratively with clients and when required, families.

Experience

Greg graduated from QUB, Belfast with a first class (Hons) in Education. After his initial teacher-training he furthered his career at a leading British Preparatory (IAPS) school in Kenya. During this period, he was part of the Senior Management Team and led the Learning Support Department. After developing a particular interest in Special Educational Needs provision, he undertook a post-graduate programme in Inclusive Education with the Institute of Child Education and Psychology in Europe. Greg specialised in neurodiversity and found the course invaluable in order to further inform his teaching and support student’s individual needs. He is currently completing his PhD focusing on developing a talking therapy and exercise-based intervention for People with Parkinson’s using Virtual Reality technology.

Interesting Facts

Greg enjoys travel, particularly in Africa and has a passion for conservation, spending time with family and friends and keeping fit.

Summary Greg is committed to delivering evidence-based CBT therapy tailored to each individual’s... Read More

Summary

Emily comes to the team with a wide experience of supporting neurodivergent people, facilitating learning and fostering personal growth. Having graduated from Oxford University with a 1 st -class degree in English, she started her career making documentaries at the BBC before qualifying as secondary English teacher. Her growing interest in neurodivergence led her to specialise in learning support, first in schools, and for many years now with the Disability Advisory Service at Oxford University. As a Specialist Study Skills and Strategy Tutor, Emily works 1:1 with undergraduate and postgraduate students, from late teens to late sixties, with diagnoses of ADHD, autism, dyslexia and dyspraxia (often co-occurring). Understanding that neurodivergence affects all areas of a person’s life, Emily is particularly interested in the holistic and transformative impact of ADHD/neurodivergence coaching.

Emily is comfortable working with clients (18+) to understand their neurodivergence, processing modalities and phases of attending, bridges and barriers to attention, needs and boundaries, values and intentions.

Experience

Emily has a PG Cert. Advanced Educational Practice (Literacy Difficulties) from Oxford Brookes University (Distinction), Associate Membership of the British Dyslexia Association (BDA), and Quality Assured Tutor Membership of the Professional Association of Specific Learning Difference Specialists in Higher Education (PASSHE). She has also recently completed training in Autism Specialist Support in higher education. She undertakes formal annual CPD (for example around intersectionality, AI and neurodivergence) and supervision. Emily will shortly complete her ADHD Coach Training and Education with ADDCA (ADD Coach Academy) and is accruing coaching hours to gain accreditation with the International Coaching Federation (ICF) and Professional Association of ADHD Coaches (PAAC).

Interesting facts

Outside of work, Emily enjoys yoga, being outside in nature, food, art, theatre, and connecting with family and friends. Combining these is a joy – and a summer e-biking holiday in Italy has lit a spark!

Coaching Topics

 Distractibility, Hyperactivity, Impulsivity

 Executive Function, Decision-Making and Working Memory

 Emotions, Overwhelm and Rumination

 Procrastination, Perfectionism and Incompletions

 Time, Sensitivities and Low Awareness

 Processing Modalities

 Strengths, Bridges and Barriers

 Transformation and Transitions

 Needs and Reserves

Summary Emily comes to the team with a wide experience of supporting neurodivergent people, faci... Read More

Hsin-Ping Wang, Cognitive Behavioural Therapist

Qualifications

• Master degree in social work- New York University, US
• Post Graduate Diploma in Evidence-Based Psychological Treatment for Children and Young People (CBT Route) –University of Reading
• Post Graduate Certificate in Supervision for Children and Young People’s Improving Access to Psychological Treatments—University of Reading Membership
• Accredited with British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP)
• Registered with Social Work England

Summary

Hsin-Ping Wang is an experienced BABCP accredited Cognitive Behavioural Therapist (CBT). She specialises in evidence-based intervention for children and young people (CYP) with Anxiety and Depression. She offers bilingual and bicultural, face to face appointments at clinic on Saturdays.

Experience

Hsin-Ping has worked in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) since 2009 and has extensive experience in working with CYP including neurodivergent with mental health difficulties. She has practised in New York City as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker for 8 years and a year in Los Angeles in an outpatient mental health clinic prior to relocation in England.

Hsin-Ping Wang, Cognitive Behavioural Therapist Qualifications Master degree in social work- ... Read More