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Meet the team

We pride ourselves as a specialist NICE compliant practice, with highly experienced and registered clinicians

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Admin

Denise Austin

Client Care Coordinator

Denise has extensive experience of working in education as a teacher and in administration. She has knowledge and understanding of neurodiversity, and the needs of families and individuals with autism spectrum conditions.

Katie Shorter

Client Care Coordinator

Katie has extensive experience of working in education both in the UK and abroad. She has knowledge and understanding of neurodiversity, and the needs of families and individuals with autism spectrum conditions.

James Bearman

Client Care Coordinator

James is our youngest member of staff, and is himself autistic, and he has ADHD and dyspraxia. You may meet James as he contributes to any talks and training that we provide to schools, employers and charities.

Aimee Wright

Client Care Coordinator

Aimee has extensive experience of working in education as a teacher and as a school family liaison officer. She has knowledge and understanding of neurodiversity, and the needs of families and individuals with autism spectrum conditions and ADHD.

Clinical psychologists

Dr Nadine Bearman

Chartered Clinical Psychologist and Service Director

BSc, DClinPsych, DipCAT, MBPS, CPsychol
HCPC Registration number: PYL25114

Nadine has nearly twenty years experience of working with people with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Having worked in the NHS for most of her career, she has extensive experience of assessing autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions in child and adult diagnostic teams. Nadine has worked in CAMHS, Adult Mental Health Services, Acute Care, Neuropsychiatry Services and Mother and Infant Mental Health Services. Her extensive and broad range of experience ensures that she has the expertise to understand not only ASD presentations, but other comorbid conditions and complexities. Her passion is ASD and providing a comprehensive and highly specialist assessment service for her clients.

Dr Mhairi Donaldson

Consultant Clinical Psychologist

BA (Hons), DClinPsych
HCPC Registration Number: PYL04586

Mhairi is one of our most experienced clinicians, having worked over twenty years as a qualified clinical psychologist. Mhairi has worked as an associate clinical director in the NHS and achieved consultant status. Mhairi is passionate about her work assessing neurodevelopmental conditions across the lifespan and is particularly skilled in assessing people who may have complex mental health difficulties and people who mask their autistic characteristics. Mhairi has worked with a wide range of client groups within the NHS including people with learning disabilities, child and adolescent mental health (CAMHS), older adult services and adult mental health services. Mhairi has also worked at the Scottish Centre for Autism within the multi-disciplinary diagnostic service. She is exceptionally warm, kind and compassionate, dedicating herself fully to the clients and families that she works with.

Dr Jasmine Taylor

Clinical Psychologist

BSc, DClinPsych
HCPC Registration Number: PYL041768

Jasmine is passionate about neurodiversity, with approximately 9 years of professional experience working with neurodivergent individuals across the lifespan. Jasmine has previously worked in an NHS adult autism diagnostic service, and now works part time in an NHS community paediatrics team. She is also a clinical lecturer at the UEA, supporting the training and development of clinical psychologists. Jasmine is particularly experienced in differential diagnosis of complex mental health difficulties. She also places emphasis on exploring the impact of masking/camouflaging in autistic young people and adults. Jasmine is a compassionate clinician who supports individuals to identify their unique strengths and foster acceptance of their neurodivergent identity.

Dr Stephanie Casey

Clinical Psychologist

BSc, MSc, DClinPsych
HCPC Registration Number: PYL041756

Stephanie has experience of working in an adult autism assessment team and in a CAMHS neurodevelopmental team, both of which cemented her interest and passion for supporting neurodiversity. She also has experience in supporting individuals with moderate to severe mental health difficulties using a variety of psychological approaches including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Stephanie is a highly professional and skilled clinician and is gifted with a warm person-centred approach to her work.

Occupational psychologists

Anna Smith

Chartered Occupational Psychologist

BSc (Hons), BA (Hons), MSc.
HCPC Registration Number: PYL 039920

Anna is a Chartered Occupational Psychologist, registered with the HCPC and the BPS. She is a neurodiversity specialist and has extensive experience of providing psychological assessment of neurodiversity. Her specialist interest is Autism and ADHD, and she has worked in various roles that bring a wealth of experience to the diagnostic team. Anna has worked as a speech and language assistant, a dyslexia tutor, and as a psychology and sociology lecturer before focussing on screening and assessment of neurodiversity. She has extensive experience of supporting neurodivergent clients in employment using evidence-based approaches, enabling clients to reach their potential. Anna is passionate about providing a service which is client focused and strength based.

Speech & language therapists

Joanne Baxter​

Specialist Speech & Language Therapist

BA (Hons), MSc, MHCPC, MASLTIP, MRCSLT
HCPC Registration Number: SL33712

Jo is a highly specialist Speech and Language Therapist with extensive experience of working with children of all ages with a range of speech, language and communication difficulties in primary and secondary mainstream schools. Jo is also experienced in working with children and young people who access specialist provision both for the NHS and independently. Jo works directly for the Local Education Authorities to support children who are home schooled, in outreach projects and alternative provisions. Jo has worked in both private and NHS specialist multi-disciplinary teams assessing ASD in children, young people and adults.

Rebecca (Beccy) Mallett

Speech & Language Therapist

BSc (Hons), RCSLT
HCPC Registration Number: SL039907

Rebecca’s experience has been gained in specialist autism and SEMH schools, providing assessments and personalised, evidence-based therapy. She enjoys working as part of a multi-disciplinary team, collaborating with families to offer holistic support and training. Rebecca also works privately with preschool children, supporting their language and social communication development.

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Admin

Denise Austin

Client Care Coordinator

Denise has extensive experience of working in education as a teacher and in administration. She has knowledge and understanding of neurodiversity, and the needs of families and individuals with autism spectrum conditions.

Katie Shorter

Client Care Coordinator

Katie has extensive experience of working in education both in the UK and abroad. She has knowledge and understanding of neurodiversity, and the needs of families and individuals with autism spectrum conditions.

James Bearman

Client Care Coordinator

James is our youngest member of staff, and is himself autistic, and he has ADHD and dyspraxia. You may meet James as he contributes to any talks and training that we provide to schools, employers and charities.

Aimee Wright

Client Care Coordinator

Aimee has extensive experience of working in education as a teacher and as a school family liaison officer. She has knowledge and understanding of neurodiversity, and the needs of families and individuals with autism spectrum conditions and ADHD.

Clinical psychologists

Dr Nadine Bearman

Chartered Clinical Psychologist and Service Director

BSc, DClinPsych, DipCAT, MBPS, CPsychol
HCPC Registration number: PYL25114

Nadine has nearly twenty years experience of working with people with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Having worked in the NHS for most of her career, she has extensive experience of assessing autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions in child and adult diagnostic teams. Nadine has worked in CAMHS, Adult Mental Health Services, Acute Care, Neuropsychiatry Services and Mother and Infant Mental Health Services. Her extensive and broad range of experience ensures that she has the expertise to understand not only ASD presentations, but other comorbid conditions and complexities. Her passion is ASD and providing a comprehensive and highly specialist assessment service for her clients.

Occupational psychologists

Anna Smith

Chartered Occupational Psychologist

BSc (Hons), BA (Hons), MSc.
HCPC Registration Number: PYL 039920

Anna is a Chartered Occupational Psychologist, registered with the HCPC and the BPS. She is a neurodiversity specialist and has extensive experience of providing psychological assessment of neurodiversity. Her specialist interest is Autism and ADHD, and she has worked in various roles that bring a wealth of experience to the diagnostic team. Anna has worked as a speech and language assistant, a dyslexia tutor, and as a psychology and sociology lecturer before focussing on screening and assessment of neurodiversity. She has extensive experience of supporting neurodivergent clients in employment using evidence-based approaches, enabling clients to reach their potential. Anna is passionate about providing a service which is client focused and strength based.

Speech & language therapists

Hannah Coles

Speech and Language Therapist

BSc (Hons), MBA, MRCSLT
HCPC Registration number: SL24472
Hannah qualified as a Speech and Language Therapist (SLT) in 2007 with clinical distinction. Since qualifying, Hannah has worked with children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). For 15 years she has formed part of a paediatric Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) differentially diagnosing individuals with ASD.

Hannah works in the NHS and runs her own private practice. She has worked in London for most of her career and now practices locally in East Sussex.

In 2014 Hannah was awarded the Sternberg award for Clinical Innovation. This is a Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) Honours award to acknowledge the achievements of therapists who have contributed outstanding services to speech and language therapy.

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Admin

Denise Austin

Client Care Coordinator

Denise has extensive experience of working in education as a teacher and in administration. She has knowledge and understanding of neurodiversity, and the needs of families and individuals with autism spectrum conditions.

Katie Shorter

Client Care Coordinator

Katie has extensive experience of working in education both in the UK and abroad. She has knowledge and understanding of neurodiversity, and the needs of families and individuals with autism spectrum conditions.

James Bearman

Client Care Coordinator

James is our youngest member of staff, and is himself autistic, and he has ADHD and dyspraxia. You may meet James as he contributes to any talks and training that we provide to schools, employers and charities.

Aimee Wright

Client Care Coordinator

Aimee has extensive experience of working in education as a teacher and as a school family liaison officer. She has knowledge and understanding of neurodiversity, and the needs of families and individuals with autism spectrum conditions and ADHD.

Clinical psychologists

Dr Nadine Bearman

Chartered Clinical Psychologist and Service Director

BSc, DClinPsych, DipCAT, MBPS, CPsychol
HCPC Registration number: PYL25114

Nadine has nearly twenty years experience of working with people with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Having worked in the NHS for most of her career, she has extensive experience of assessing autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions in child and adult diagnostic teams. Nadine has worked in CAMHS, Adult Mental Health Services, Acute Care, Neuropsychiatry Services and Mother and Infant Mental Health Services. Her extensive and broad range of experience ensures that she has the expertise to understand not only ASD presentations, but other comorbid conditions and complexities. Her passion is ASD and providing a comprehensive and highly specialist assessment service for her clients.

Dr Makala Balls

Consultant Clinical Psychologist

BSc, DClinPsych, DipCAT, PGCert, MBPS, CPsychol
HCPC Registration Number: PYL25965

Makala has nearly twenty years experience of working as a qualified clinical psychologist and has reached consultant status during her NHS career. She has extensive experience of working with adults with complex mental health difficulties. Since undertaking further specialist training in autism assessment in 2014, Makala has developed an interest in assessment and diagnosis of autism and ADHD, particularly in people who have co-occurring conditions and are able to ‘mask’ their characteristics. Makala has worked in various NHS services over her career, including Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), Learning Disability Services, Palliative Care and Specialist Personality Disorder Services. She has completed significant post-qualification training in multiple therapeutic approaches, as well as being an Accredited Cognitive Behavioural Therapist along with extensive training in autism and ADHD. Makala is an exceptionally experienced clinician who provides high levels of person centred care and compassion to her clients.

Dr Mhairi Donaldson

Consultant Clinical Psychologist

BA (Hons), DClinPsych
HCPC Registration Number: PYL04586

Mhairi is one of our most experienced clinicians, having worked over twenty years as a qualified clinical psychologist. Mhairi has worked as an associate clinical director in the NHS and achieved consultant status. Mhairi is passionate about her work assessing neurodevelopmental conditions across the lifespan and is particularly skilled in assessing people who may have complex mental health difficulties and people who mask their autistic characteristics. Mhairi has worked with a wide range of client groups within the NHS including people with learning disabilities, child and adolescent mental health (CAMHS), older adult services and adult mental health services. Mhairi has also worked at the Scottish Centre for Autism within the multi-disciplinary diagnostic service. She is exceptionally warm, kind and compassionate, dedicating herself fully to the clients and families that she works with.

Occupational psychologists

Anna Smith

Chartered Occupational Psychologist

BSc (Hons), BA (Hons), MSc.
HCPC Registration Number: PYL 039920

Anna is a Chartered Occupational Psychologist, registered with the HCPC and the BPS. She is a neurodiversity specialist and has extensive experience of providing psychological assessment of neurodiversity. Her specialist interest is Autism and ADHD, and she has worked in various roles that bring a wealth of experience to the diagnostic team. Anna has worked as a speech and language assistant, a dyslexia tutor, and as a psychology and sociology lecturer before focussing on screening and assessment of neurodiversity. She has extensive experience of supporting neurodivergent clients in employment using evidence-based approaches, enabling clients to reach their potential. Anna is passionate about providing a service which is client focused and strength based.

Speech & language therapists

Joanne Baxter

Specialist Speech & Language Therapist

BA (Hons), MSc, MHCPC, MASLTIP, MRCSLT
HCPC Registration Number: SL33712

Jo is a highly specialist Speech and Language Therapist with extensive experience of working with children of all ages with a range of speech, language and communication difficulties in primary and secondary mainstream schools. Jo is also experienced in working with children and young people who access specialist provision both for the NHS and independently. Jo works directly for the Local Education Authorities to support children who are home schooled, in outreach projects and alternative provisions. Jo has worked in both private and NHS specialist multi-disciplinary teams assessing ASD in children, young people and adults.

Claire Harbridge

Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist

BSc Human Communication, RCSLT
HCPC HCPC member: SL13504

Claire has been working as a Speech and Language Therapist within the NHS for the last twenty years and has focused more on diagnostic work in the last five years. She also has experience of working within specialist school provisions. She has experience of assessing autism and of conducting ADOS and also supporting families of younger children in a range of interventions such as Attention Autism, Intensive Interaction, PACT and Makaton. She has a specific interest in behavioural feeding challenges and ARFID. She is passionate about helping people understand themselves and ultimately reach their potential.

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Admin

Denise Austin

Client Care Coordinator

Denise has extensive experience of working in education as a teacher and in administration. She has knowledge and understanding of neurodiversity, and the needs of families and individuals with autism spectrum conditions.

Katie Shorter

Client Care Coordinator

Katie has extensive experience of working in education both in the UK and abroad. She has knowledge and understanding of neurodiversity, and the needs of families and individuals with autism spectrum conditions.

James Bearman

Client Care Coordinator

James is our youngest member of staff, and is himself autistic, and he has ADHD and dyspraxia. You may meet James as he contributes to any talks and training that we provide to schools, employers and charities.

Aimee Wright

Client Care Coordinator

Aimee has extensive experience of working in education as a teacher and as a school family liaison officer. She has knowledge and understanding of neurodiversity, and the needs of families and individuals with autism spectrum conditions and ADHD.

Clinical psychologists

Dr Nadine Bearman

Chartered Clinical Psychologist and Service Director

BSc, DClinPsych, DipCAT, MBPS, CPsychol
HCPC Registration number: PYL25114

Nadine has nearly twenty years experience of working with people with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Having worked in the NHS for most of her career, she has extensive experience of assessing autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions in child and adult diagnostic teams. Nadine has worked in CAMHS, Adult Mental Health Services, Acute Care, Neuropsychiatry Services and Mother and Infant Mental Health Services. Her extensive and broad range of experience ensures that she has the expertise to understand not only ASD presentations, but other comorbid conditions and complexities. Her passion is ASD and providing a comprehensive and highly specialist assessment service for her clients.

Dr Ananda van den Heuvel

Chartered Clinical Psychologist

BSc, DClinPsych, MBPS, CPsychol
HCPC Registration Number: PYL27204

Dr Ananda van den Heuvel is a Chartered Clinical Psychologist registered with the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) and the British Psychological Society (BPS). She is also a Mentalization Based Treatment for Families (MBT-F) Practitioner.

Ananda has extensive experience in supporting adults, children and young people who present with a variety of difficulties affecting their mental health and well-being. She has a special interest in neurodiversity and has expertise in the assessment of ASD as well as the provision of support for children and young people with neurodiverse profiles. She works across the NHS and in private practice.

Dr Jennie Dean

Chartered Clinical Neuropsychologist

BSc, DClinPsy, CPsychol, QiCNl
HCPC Registration Number: PYL05028

Jennie is a Chartered Clinical Neuropsychologist with over 20 years experience providing diagnostic assessments and therapy with adults and children. She works within the NHS and in private practice.

Jennie has worked in specialist neuropsychology services, secondary mental health services, cognitive clinics, and neurodiversity services. She is skilled with offering specialist diagnostic and neuropsychological assessments, particularly for individuals who may have neurological, neurodevelopmental, and /or health-related complexities. She is passionate about supporting people to understand their needs within a ‘holistic’ framework and taking ownership of their wellbeing.

She is registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), British Psychological Society (BPS), and British Dyslexia Association.

Dr. Faye Millner

Clinical Psychologist

HCPC Registration Number: PYL32513

Faye is a clinical psychologist with 20 years experience in mental health, and specialises in autism assessment. She has a doctorate from Royal Holloway University and has worked in a variety of settings, including a therapeutic care home for abused children, in primary care providing CBT for adults and held roles at Great Ormond Street Hospital. Since 2017 she’s focused on autism assessment in multidisciplinary adult and child diagnostic teams.

Occupational psychologists

Anna Smith

Chartered Occupational Psychologist

BSc (Hons), BA (Hons), MSc.
HCPC Registration Number: PYL 039920

Anna is a Chartered Occupational Psychologist, registered with the HCPC and the BPS. She is a neurodiversity specialist and has extensive experience of providing psychological assessment of neurodiversity. Her specialist interest is Autism and ADHD, and she has worked in various roles that bring a wealth of experience to the diagnostic team. Anna has worked as a speech and language assistant, a dyslexia tutor, and as a psychology and sociology lecturer before focussing on screening and assessment of neurodiversity. She has extensive experience of supporting neurodivergent clients in employment using evidence-based approaches, enabling clients to reach their potential. Anna is passionate about providing a service which is client focused and strength based.

Assistant psychologists

Neive Wright

Chartered Occupational Psychologist

BSc (Hons), MSc

Neive recently completed her MSc in Research Methods in Psychology, with aspirations to become a clinical psychologist. After gaining hands-on experience supporting individuals with complex presentations of ASD, Neive developed an interest in the assessment and diagnosis of neurodevelopmental conditions. She is particularly passionate about fostering independence and providing person-centred care.

Speech & language therapists

Chloe Farley

Speech & Language Therapist

BMed Sci (Hons), RCSLT
HCPC Registration Number: SL23538

Chloe is a highly experienced Speech and Language Therapist, having had a career in the NHS within specialist speech and language therapy clinics and working with children with complex needs. Chloe has worked as the preschool ASD Lead Speech and Language Therapist for Canterbury and Thanet, and has specialised in diagnostic assessments within multi-disciplinary teams. Chloe is an experienced clinician, supervisor and trainer in social communication disorders.

Julie Gray

Speech and Language Therapist

BSc. (Hons) Speech Pathology MRCSLT
HCPC Registration: SL04816

Julie has worked as an NHS Speech and Language Therapist since 1994 working with children with speech, language and communication needs. She is a Clinical Lead for Language Disorder and Developmental Disorder which involves developing care pathways across Kent, offering supervision and developing/delivering training. Julie works in a special school for children and young people with ASD and she enjoys working as part of a multi-disciplinary to ensure the best outcomes for the families she works with.

Head office

01843 663116

info@autismandadhdservice.com

The Autism and ADHD Service
The Marlowe Innovation Centre
Marlowe Way
Ramsgate
CT12 6FA

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