About Nicky

I am a consultant clinical psychologist working in child health services in the NHS, and also in private practice. I have worked in Kent for 17 years; before that I was employed in several different clinical and research roles in London including at the Evelina Children’s Hospital.  I completed my undergraduate degree in psychology and philosophy in 1991 and went on to postgraduate study at both University College London and the University of Leicester.

I’ve worked with children and young people with additional educational needs and their families since I qualified as a clinical psychologist in the 1990s. I have full training in, and experience of, using autism diagnostic tools such as ADOS-2 and ADI-R. I have postgraduate specialist training in neuropsychology, as well as a range of psychological therapies.  I supervise and manage others as part of my NHS role, and have regular training and supervision myself to maintain the quality of my own work. I hold an honorary lectureship at the University of Kent and regularly teach and train undergraduate and postgraduate students, as well as psychological and other practitioners.  I have HCPC registration.

I joined the SEN Professionals Team in January 2023. I offer mainly autism and intellectual disability assessments to children and young people. I’m mindful that the process of assessment can be stressful and challenging for families, and try to make the process as relaxed and comfortable as possible for all, whilst maintaining high standards of professionalism.  I aim to work in partnership with families and to be as clear as possible about the process of assessment, and how we reach conclusions about diagnosis.  I always aim to answer the questions that are important to individual families, and to provide information and advice to enable children and young people to reach their full potential.