Educational Psychology
Holistic psychological assessments for children and young people.
I work as a freelance educational psychologist providing holistic psychological assessments for children and young people with complex special educational needs.
I have extensive experience supporting children and young people aged 0 to 18 with a wide range of additional needs. This includes learning and developmental differences, social communication difficulties, sensory and physical challenges, emotional and mental health needs, and behaviours that can be hard to manage. I work across both mainstream schools and specialist settings, including residential care.
Child-Led Holistic Assessments
I offer gentle, child-led psychological assessments shaped around each child’s strengths, interests and needs. My assessments aim to be holistic, rather than overly diagnostic, and are tailored to each child. They look at thinking and learning skills, emotional wellbeing, communication and interaction, and sensory and physical needs. I draw on both my in-depth professional knowledge of psychology and an understanding of each child’s unique personality to build a complete picture of their strengths and challenges.
Person-Centred Reporting
Reports provided are strengths-based and person-centred, using clear, positive and affirming language. I take care to understand the child’s background and reflect this in my recommendations. My reports highlight what a child can do, as well as areas where support is needed, and provide practical, realistic recommendations, based on a clear psychological formulation, so that families, schools, and professionals can act on my advice.
Safe, Ethical Practice
Creating a positive, respectful experience for every child is at the heart of my work and I do my best to make sure the assessment process is as child-friendly as possible. I am committed to ethical, evidence-based practice and follow strict ethical guidelines, always seeking informed consent, and respecting each child’s privacy and dignity. Additionally, I am fully DBS-checked and hold professional indemnity insurance.
Professional Memberships & Approach
I am a Chartered Psychologist with the British Psychological Society (BPS) (Practising Certificate Number 133534) and a registered practitioner Educational Psychologist with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) (HCPC Number: PYL21571). I am also a member of the BPS Division of Educational and Child Psychology (Trauma Section) and a registered Jungian Sandplay Therapist with the Association for Sandplay Therapy.
Working in Partnership with Local Schools
If your child is in school and you have any concerns about their development, please talk to the school’s Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCO) and ensure you have been through the Gloucestershire graduated pathway with your child’s school. Your child’s school may be buying into a Local Authority Educational Psychology Service and wish to use their designated LA EP.
Diagnostic Work
An Educational Psychologist (EP) can assess and screen for difficulties with attention and social communication and contribute towards a referral to a health professional, however, ADHD and Autism are medical diagnoses and as such require a health professional to diagnose. I carry out assessments that contribute to the EHCP process, however my reports address psychological, cognitive, learning and educational questions, and not medico-legal questions. As such, I do not attend tribunals.
Please note: I will not be taking any referrals from parents from 2027 onwards.
For more information about what an Educational Psychologist does, please refer to the following page: