Founder of The Divergent Space / Clinical Psychologist
The Divergent Space
I first began working with neurodivergence, and specifically adults who had been identified as autistic, 20 years ago. Initially working in the private sector, I became really aware of how limited resources were and how adult services as they were designed at the time were not able to meet people’s needs. I quickly became passionate about developing services and ensuring that those services were guided by the service users themselves.
I had first thought that I would pursue a career in forensic psychology but I switched to clinical training in 2008. Clinical psychology training is funded by the NHS, with placements in NHS services whilst also completing your doctorate. My training experience coincided with shifts within the NHS due to the introduction of the Autism Act (2009). For the first time local authorities and the NHS were required to improve inclusivity and accessibility for autistic adults and I found myself really hopeful that more specialist services would be developed. Whilst this has happened - there are now more skilled clinicians working in neurodivergence in the NHS than ever before - the reality is that funding remains limited, time is constrained and services are in huge demand.
After qualifying in 2011 I relocated to Yorkshire and spent a number of years working in acute adult mental health. Since this time I have developed two adult diagnostic services for the NHS (both in-house and in the charity sector). I passionately believe that services should be designed by the people that needed them. If the current service structure doesn’t fit the people it is designed to serve then we need to change the structure and develop services that work.
I am accredited in the use of the Diagnostic Interview for Social Communication Disorders (DISCO), Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS), the Autism Diagnostic Interview-revised (ADI-r) and the Autism Clinical Interview for Adults (ACIA). I am also experienced in the use of the Monteiro Interview Guidelines for Diagnosing the Autism Spectrum (MIGDAS-2). As a neurodivergent parent myself, I have a therapeutic interest in supporting other neurodivergent parents. I have a wealth of experience working in complex adult mental health and eating issues, and I am also experienced in preparing assessments for Court and work tribunals. My registration requires me to ensure that my work is informed by the most up to date research and that I am continually returning to the evidence base through formal training and self-directed learning. I work integratively, drawing on a number of therapeutic principles but my preferred models are Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) and Systemic approaches.
