Meet our Clinical Directors
We are highly specialist clinicians with many years experience completing assessments with and offering support to neurodivergent people (particularly Autistic, ADHDers) and/or those with learning difficulties/disabilities.
We work with a team of multi-disciplinary associates, including a speech and language therapist, to help meet the needs of our clients.
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Dr Jen Breen
Director / Principal Clinical Psychologist
I am a HCPC registered Clinical Psychologist based in South East London who has more than 10 years experience specialising in Autism and commonly co-occurring conditions like ADHD. I have a particular interest working with children and young people and their families, and those who find it difficult to engage with professionals, display behaviours that are a challenge for others to manage and/or those who mask their differences (such as Autistic females). I am a Senior Highly Specialist Clinical Psychologist in the NHS National and Specialist CAMHS Service for Autism and complex neurodevelopmental differences alongside my private practice.
I am passionate about supporting individuals to overcome difficulties, build skills and enhance emotional and psychological wellbeing. Therapeutically I particularly draw upon Systemic, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Behavioural Approaches. A member of my immediate family is neurodivergent and I recognise and celebrate characteristics in myself.
I also complete 'gold standard' diagnostic assessments for Autism, ADHD and learning difficulties/disabilities, am involved in research, and offer supervision, training and consultation to a range of audiences (e.g. professionals, parents and postgraduate students studying for Masters & Doctorate university degrees).
Qualifications:
Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (DClinPsy), Royal Holloway University of London.
Masters of Philosophy (MPhil), University of Manchester focussing on researching catatonia in people with ASC.
BA Hons in Psychology with British Sign Language, University of Durham.
Registrations:
Health and Care Professions Council (Registration Number PYL35074).
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Dr Hannah Deakin
Director / Principal Cinical Psychologist
I am a HCPC registered Senior Clinical Psychologist with over 10 years experience working in the NHS. I have substantial clinical experience working with young people, adults and families for a range of difficulties including those related to neurodivergence, mental health problems, traumatic experiences and learning disability. I am also trained to carry out neuropsychological assessments (such as those for Autism, ADHD and learning disabilities) and ensure these are done to the highest standard and in line with NICE guidelines.
I am skilled at helping people feel at ease and working together to improve your quality of life and wellbeing. I understand a problem by considering all that may be contributing to it and how it may be viewed from multiple perspectives. I am passionate about supporting people to make positive changes and building a trusting therapeutic relationship. I work collaboratively to co-produce care plans tailored to your individual needs.
I work predominantly from Systemic, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Solution Focussed models. I am also an EMDR therapist and use elements of this approach to consider trauma-focussed responses to difficult life experiences.
I am also involved in research, consultation (to other professionals, services and families) and deliver teaching to Clinical Psychology doctorate courses in London. I also offer supervision to both trainee and qualified psychologists, as well as other health and mental health professionals.
Qualifications:
Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (DClinPsy), Royal Holloway University of London.
Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) in Low Intensity Cognitive Behavioural Interventions, University College London (UCL).
Registrations:
Health and Care Professions Council (Registration Number PYL35078).
Our Approach
As clinicians, we are skilled at working with neurodivergence and use personalised, evidence-based approaches to work with an individual (and their network, where required).
We are very aware of the complexities in both diagnosing and supporting autistic women and girls (and/or those with ADHD) and work hard to build rapport and understand how someone has been coping, before they have come to us.
Helping someone (and their family) to recognise and understand autistic masking, burnout, shutdowns and meltdowns is part of the journey to living well with neurodivergence. We do not think in terms of ‘disorder’ but use identity-affirming language and approaches to highlight someone’s strengths and skills, as well as areas in which they may need additional support or strategies to improve their quality of life.