Nottingham Team

Expertise and Experience

Dr Lee is a Registered Clinical Psychologist and a Chartered Psychologist. She is experienced in working with clients of all ages – adults, children and adolescents.

Dr Lee provides assessment and therapeutic intervention for a range of common psychological issues including: depression, anxiety, phobias, obsessive/compulsive problems, trauma, child behavioural problems, children and parents struggling with issues around death and dying, loss, trauma, anxiety and adjustment to chronic and life-limiting physical health conditions.

Further to qualification in 2006, Dr Lee has worked in a range of settings, both in the NHS and privately. She has a specialist interest in trauma and neuropsychological rehabilitation and has post-qualification training in Clinical Neuropsychology and Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR).

Qualifications

2015-2016 – EMDR, Parts 1, 2, and 3, Richman EMDR Training.

2009 – Diploma in Paediatric Clinical Neuropsychology, University College London.

2006 – Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (D.Clin.Psy.), University of Glasgow.

2001 – Bachelor of Science in Psychology (BSc. Hons.), University of Warwick.

Professional Registrations & Memberships

Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC): PYL16482

British Psychological Society (BPS): 133862

Specialisms

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Phobias
• Obsessive compulsive problems (OCD)
• Trauma
• Child behavioural problems
• Children and parents struggling with issues around death and dying, loss
• Adjustment to chronic and life-limiting physical health conditions
• Neuropsychology

Main Therapeutic Approaches

• Client centred work
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
• EMDR
• Systemic Approaches

Experience & Expertise

Sarah has worked within the healthcare industry for over 10 years, she has a wealth of administration experience. She will be your first point of contact and will ensure you receive an empathetic and warm welcome. Sarah will strive to offer an exemplary level of service and to answer any questions you may have. She looks forward to welcoming you to the Purple House Clinic Nottingham.

Expertise and Experiance

Katie is an Associate Psychologist at Purple House Nottingham. She is a Registered Clinical Psychologist, a Chartered Psychologist, and a Paediatric Clinical Neuropsychologist.   She has almost 30 years of experience as a clinical psychologist working with children and young people and their families who may be experiencing a range of emotional, behavioural or developmental difficulties.  She has special interests in working with families where there are neurodevelopmental difficulties, working with children with complex special needs, and children with acquired brain injury.   

Katie specialises in assessment and intervention with children and young people who have neurodevelopmental differences (including autism, and attention deficit disorders), and children with intellectual disability, and is skilled in working with the systems around the child or young person where a different shared understanding of the difficulties needs to be developed.  

Katie is also a member of the British Psychological Society’s Specialist Register of Clinical Neuropsychologists and has additional skills, training and expertise in assessing and understanding complex presentations from a neuropsychological perspective. 

Prior to working in private practice, Katie worked as a consultant clinical psychologist in the NHS in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, including working in a child development team and as part of a specialist autism assessment clinic.  Katie has worked in private practice for 15 years, provides training and supervision to other clinical psychologists and is the co-author of 2 books: 

• Faulconbridge, J., Hunt, K., & Laffan A. (Eds) (2018) Improving the Psychological Wellbeing of Children and Young People. Jessica Kingsley.
• Hunt, K. & Rodwell, H. (2018)An introduction to Autism for Adoptive and Foster Families. Jessica Kingsley.

Qualifications

1996 – Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (DClinPsy), University of Leicester.

1993 – Master of Philosophy (MPhil), University of Newcastle.

1989 – Bachelor of Science in Psychology (BSc Hons), Newcastle upon Tyne Polytechnic.

Professional Registrations & Memberships

• Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC): PYL15951.
• Specialist Register of Clinical Neuropsychologists (British Psychological Society).
• Association for Clinical Psychologists-UK (ACP-UK).

Specialisms

• Children and young people: emotional, behavioural and developmental difficulties, neurodevelopmental difficulties,  complex special needs, acquired brain injury.
• Paediatric clinical neuropsychology.

Main Therapeutic Approaches 

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).

Expertise and Experience

Mark is a chartered Clinical Psychologist and Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society, and is registered with the Health and Care Professions Council as a Practitioner Psychologist.

Prior to training as a clinical psychologist, Mark worked in primary care mental health services, using CBT-based interventions with adults who had common mental health problems. Since completing his specialist training in a multi-agency psychological service for looked after children, he has worked in a range of settings across the NHS, third sector, higher education, and in independent practice. This has included an inpatient assessment unit for children with moderate-severe intellectual disability (ID), a community CAMHS team, a specialist CAMHS ID team, and a special school for autistic children. He has held leadership roles in autism diagnostic teams in the NHS and third sector. In addition to his role as an Associate at Purple House, he carries out teaching and research at the University of Nottingham School of Medicine, where he is an Assistant Professor in Clinical Psychology. His research focuses on relational and developmental approaches to supporting people with ID or ASD and their families, and he has published a number of peer-reviewed articles in this area. In 2021, he co-authored a book entitled ‘Meeting emotional needs in intellectual disability: The developmental approach’.

Mark has undertaken additional training in family therapy-based approaches, compassion focused therapy, and has foundational accreditation in Theraplay®. He has also undertaken post-qualification training in supervision, facilitating reflective practice, and assessing autism and ADHD (using the ADOS-2, ADI-R, and ACE).

Qualifications

2022 – Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education (PGCHE), University of Nottingham.

2015 – Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (DClinPsy), University of Sheffield.

2012 – Master of Research in Clinical Psychology (MRes), University of Birmingham.

2010 – Postgraduate Certificate in Psychological Therapies (PG Cert), University of Nottingham.

2009 – Bachelor of Science in Psychology (BSc Hons), First Class, University of Leicester.

Professional Registrations and Memberships

Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC): PYL 32272

British Psychological Society: 241376

Specialisms

I specialise in understanding emotional and behavioral difficulties in children and young people from a developmental perspective, and helping to make sense of these difficulties by taking into account the child’s wider social context. My work has particularly focused on children with intellectual disability (or learning disability) and autism, alongside a range of other neurodevelopmental conditions. I also have a particular interest in working with parents and carers, by helping them to understand the journey they have been on towards becoming a parent/carer, supporting them to meet their own needs, and fostering the different skills needed to raise a child with developmental differences.

I offer psychological assessments with a focus on neurodevelopmental differences, such as autism and ID, alongside therapeutic work with children and young adults, parents, and families.

Main Therapeutic Approaches

My main therapeutic approach is based on an integrative approach to family therapy called Attachment Narrative Therapy, however I also draw on other approaches, such as Theraplay®, compassion-focused therapy, and CBT, where appropriate.

Expertise and Experience

Dr Rachael Wheatley is an Associate Psychologist at Purple House Nottingham. She is an HCPC Registered Practitioner (Forensic) Psychologist and a BPS Chartered Psychologist, with full membership of the Division of Forensic Psychology.

Rachael works with both non-forensic and forensic clients, using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Focussed ACT (FACT), Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing (EMDR), and provides assessments for autism and ADHD. Rachael provides assessment, psychological formulation and therapeutic interventions with individuals who are struggling with life experiences because of trauma, feeling emotionally and mentally unwell, or just feeling stuck in achieving personal life goals.

She is experienced in working with people who have faced trauma, whether that was a single-event or multiple traumatic experiences, and aims to support through a good therapeutic relationship, offering compassion and space to understand her client’s needs.

Due to her extensive training and experience, Rachael can provide a range of services such as psychology risk and/or needs assessments (such as for violence, stalking, autism, ADHD, IQ, personality difficulty, etc.), as well as therapeutic interventions for a range of common psychological issues (such as PTSD, anxiety, depression, OCD, etc.). She is also experienced in working with adults who have been in, or are at risk of coming into, contact with the criminal justice system.

Rachael specialises in working with those who have been, or are at risk of, stalking others. Prior to independent practice, Rachael worked for HMPPS psychology services group for 21 years, delivering group and individual treatment interventions and assessing risks and needs with adults, and in the latter part of this time, she held a senior leadership position. Alongside independent practice, Rachael leads the professional psychological practice programme at the University of Derby, where she also continues to be active in research and in publishing. She is a confident and effective trainer and consultant, and her passion remains in helping people through difficult life experiences to achieve their own personal life goals.

Qualifications

2019 – Doctorate in Forensic Psychology (DPsych), Nottingham Trent University.
1999 – Master of Science in Legal and Forensic Psychology (MSc), University of Leicester.
1997- Bachelor of Science in Behavioural Sciences (BSc Hons), University of Leicester.

Professional Registrations & Memberships

Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC): PYL05144.
British Psychological Society (BPS): 093164.

Specialisms

• Adult Forensic Psychology (risk/needs assessments, treatment, risk management planning & consultancy)
  Therapeutic interventions (EMDR, ACT, FACT)
  Autism assessment
  ADHD assessment

Expertise and Experiance

Dr Gaffney is an associate Psychologist (HCPC registered) at Purple House Nottingham. She provides assessment, formulation and therapeutic intervention to adults who are struggling with a range of psychological difficulties. These may include the impacts of trauma, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and interpersonal difficulties. Kathryn also provides neuropsychological assessments for children and adults.

Dr Gaffney helps people to better understand their difficulties and works alongside them to identify goals for therapy and appropriate intervention.

Dr Gaffney takes an integrative, client-centred approach, drawing upon a number of models in her work, including Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR), Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Narrative Therapy, as well as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Exposure Response Prevention (ERP). Alongside her role at the Purple House Clinic, Dr Gaffney also works for the NHS.

Qualifications

2022 – Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (DClinPsy), University of Leicester.

2017 – Master of Science (MSc), University of Nottingham.

2010 – Bachelor of Science (BSc Hons), University of Hull.

Professional Registrations & Memberships

Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC): PYL041463.

Association of Clinical Psychologists.

Specialisms

• Neuropsychological assessment.
• Trauma Therapy.

Main Therapeutic Approaches

• Compassion Focussed Therapy (CFT)
• Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR)
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
• Narrative Therapy

Expertise and Experience

Dr. Mujeeba is a certified Cognitive Behaviour Therapist and Clinical Psychologist.  With over two decades of experience, she has provided psychotherapy to adult clients dealing with various common mental health issues, such as depression, generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, agoraphobia, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), complex PTSD, bereavement, health anxiety, phobias, anger, and low self-esteem.

Dr. Mujeeba offers specialized assessment and treatment tailored to each client’s needs, within a safe, professional, and non-judgmental environment.

She is deeply passionate about delivering high-quality psychological therapy that enhances lives. She listens attentively to her clients’ stories to understand their psychological challenges and collaborates with them to achieve a shared understanding of the issues.

Utilising therapeutic techniques rooted in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and influenced by her extensive training in clinical psychology, she employs creative approaches to engage clients who present with multiple mental health concerns.

Dr. Mujeeba eagerly anticipates the opportunity to meet with you and work together to comprehend and resolve your challenges, enabling you to embark on a fulfilling and meaningful life journey.

Qualifications

2023 – Masters in Cognitive behavioural Psychotherapy with distinction (University of Derby, UK).

2016 – PhD in Social Psychology (University of St Andrews, UK).

2010 – Ms Degree in Clinical Psychology.

2002 – Advanced Diploma in Clinical Psychology.

2000 – Masters in Psychology.

Professional Registrations & Memberships

• British Association of Cognitive and Behaviour Psychotherapy./li>
• British Psychological Society.
• International Society of Political Psychology.

Specialisms

Adult mental health issues such as depression and anxiety disorders.

Main Therapeutic Approaches

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT);

Integrative psychotherapy.

Expertise and Experience

Dr Hildyard is an Associate Psychologist at Purple House Nottingham. She is an HCPC Registered Consultant Clinical Psychologist. Dr Hildyard is experienced in working with clients of all ages – adults, children and adolescents. She provides neurodevelopmental assessments and post diagnostic psychological interventions for people experiencing neurodiversity- Autism, ADHD or learning disabilities. Dr Hildyard is trained in the ‘gold standard’ assessments recommended by NICE guidelines for assessing neurodiversity. She utilises several therapeutic approaches including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Compassion Focussed approaches (CFT) and Narrative Systemic therapies. She is an experienced trainer and clinical supervisor.

Prior to working in private practice, Dr Hildyard worked in lead roles within the NHS for 25 years, within neurodevelopmental/ neurodiversity services for adults and children. She was a senior clinical tutor within a regional doctorate programme responsible for training clinical psychologists and coordinating and delivering the regional supervisor training programme.

Qualifications

2021 – ADHD Assessment and Diagnosis: practitioner training. UKAAN.

2016 – Autism Diagnostic Observational Schedule (ADOS-II) Pearson Practitioner training.

2015 – Diagnostic Interview for Social and Communication Disorders (DISCO-II) practitioner training, National Autistic Society.

2007 – Intermediate training in Family Therapy and Systemic Practice, University of Leeds.

2003 – University Certificate in Systemic Practice and Family Therapy, Derby University.

2000 – Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (DClinPsy), University of Sheffield.

1995 – Master of Arts in Psychology (MA hons), First Class honours, University of Edinburgh.

Professional Registrations & Memberships

Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC): PYL06126

Specialisms

• Autism and ADHD – Adults
• Neurodevelopmental conditions – Children and Adolescents
• Children and adults with learning disabilities
• Working in partnership with families
• Training, consultation and supervision to other agencies/ staff teams

Main Therapeutic Approaches

• Compassion Focussed Therapy (CFT)
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
• Narrative Systemic Therapy
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
• Person Centred Partnership Approach

Expertise and Experience

Dr Cox is an Associate Cinician at Purple House Nottingham. She has experience in working with children and adults with mental health problems. Since 2014, Sam has worked in CAMHS, in both inpatient and community settings, providing her with experience in a range of mental health problems and in managing self-harm and risk.

Sam currently holds a post in community CAMHS in the NHS, where she offers direct clinical work with young people and their families, offers consultation and supervision.

Sam is interested in attachment theory and how our early learnt patterns of receiving care and relating to our caregivers impacts our future relationships patterns, both with the individual and the wider system around them.

Sam has completed additional training since qualifying in DBT, DDP (Level 1), ACT and CAT.

She has also competed post qualification training in autism assessments using the ADOS-2 and ADI-R and is part of the Autism clinic in the NHS.

Qualifications

2015 – Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (DClinPsy), University of Lincoln.

2010 – Postgraduate Certificate in Psychological Therapies (PG Cert), University of Nottingham.

2007 – Masters of Research in Psychological Research Methods (MSc), Nottingham Trent University.

2006 – Bachelor of Science BSc (Hons) in Psychology, University of Lincoln.

Professional Registrations & Memberships

HCPC: PLY32448

Main Therapeutic Approaches

Sam tailors her work to the individual and their needs, taking an integrative approach and drawing on a range of therapeutic models including CBT, CFT and DBT. Sam is friendly, approachable, non-judgemental and adapts her approach to engage children and young people.

Expertise and Experience

Dr Laura Hancox is an HCPC registered Clinical Psychologist and Associate Clinician at Purple House, Nottingham. Laura provides assessment, psychological formulation and therapeutic interventions with individuals who are struggling with their mental health, working with a variety of presentations across a range of age groups (adults, older adults, and adolescents). Laura is experienced in working with people who have faced trauma in their life, whether that was a single-event or multiple traumatic experiences.

Laura aims to build a good therapeutic relationship with the people she works with through warmth, openness and curiosity. She works with people to develop a shared understanding of their difficulties, from which she supports them to find ways to move forward in life, towards their goals and in line with what is important to them. Laura is responsive to the preferences of and feedback from the people she works with and adapts her approach, depending on the person’s needs.

In addition to her role at Purple House, Laura works as a Clinical Psychologist with people who are homeless in the NHS. She is also an Academic and Research Tutor at the University of Nottingham. Her research interests include: Grief; Perinatal Mental Health; Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in Clinical Psychology; and Severe and Multiple Disadvantage. Laura also has experience working in older adult mental health and is skilled in considering physical health difficulties and cognitive difficulties within her therapeutic work. This experience has provided her with additional skills in assessing and understanding the neuropsychological/ cognitive aspects of a person’s functioning and making necessary adaptations. Laura’s background, prior to training in Psychology, was in the biological and social sciences with a focus on genetics and public health, so she considers wider systemic issues for the individuals she works with, including their social circumstances and culture.

Qualifications

2020 – Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (DClinPsy), University of Nottingham.

2014 – Master of Science in Psychological Studies (MSc), with merit, University of Glasgow.

2013 – Bachelor of Arts in Human Sciences (BA Oxon), 2:1, University of Oxford.

Professional Registrations & Memberships

Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC): PYL38986.

Specialisms

Laura works with people facing a variety of difficulties, including: single-event or complex trauma; adolescent and adult mental health issues such as interpersonal difficulties, depression and anxiety; older adult mental health issues such as those previously mentioned as well as adjusting to ageing, cognitive problems including dementia, and physical health difficulties; substance use issues; and hearing voices.

Main Therapeutic Approaches

Laura uses an integrative approach, tailoring therapy to the person she is working with, based on their goals and preferences. Therapeutic models she draws on frequently include: Narrative Therapy, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET).

Expertise and Experience

Neil is an Associate Speech & Language Therapist (SLT) with The Purple House Clinic. He is registered with the Royal College of Speech & Language Therapists (RCSLT) and has more than 15 years of varied experience working in the NHS, in children’s centres, in mainstream schools and in special schools. Neil provides assessment and therapeutic intervention to children and young people who have a range of speech, language, and communication support needs. This includes children with speech sound disorders, Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

Neil is skilled in working with families to help them understand their child’s communication support needs. He supports families and school staff to come together to work towards shared outcomes for children that are achievable and ambitious. Working directly with children, Neil is an engaging and responsive therapist with a real sense of fun. He focuses on understanding how the child is experiencing the world, applying his knowledge of sensory integration and emotional regulation in his work with children. He delivers comprehensive communication assessments that lead on to personally tailored support for children and their families.

Neil supports families and school staff to use a range of interventions and approaches, including Intensive Interaction, Attention Autism, speech sound therapies, colourful semantics, narrative approaches and Social Stories. He has particular expertise in supporting children, families and schools to embed the use of AAC (Augmentative & Alternative Communication) approaches and systems, including Makaton signing, PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System) and hi-tech communication systems. He also has skills and experience in developing and delivering interesting and practical training sessions to education staff.

Qualifications

2007 – MSc Speech & Language Pathology, University of Newcastle (Distinction).
1999 – BA Linguistics, University College London (Honours).

Professional Registrations & Memberships

Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC): SL32161

Royal College of Speech & Language Therapists (RCSLT): RC0026458.

Specialisms

• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Complex communication support needs including the use of AAC systems
• Developmental Language Disorder
• Speech Sound Disorders

Main Therapeutic Approaches

• Parent Child Interaction.
• Child-led interaction and play.
• High-attention activities to develop engagement.
• Individually tailored programmes to support speech, language, and communication development.

Expertise and Experience

Melanie Gooden is a Senior Neurodevelopmental Clinician, and a Specialist in Autism, ADHD & Mental Health. She is a Registered Social Worker and Neurodiversity-Affirming Practitioner.

Melanie is a highly experienced neurodevelopmental senior clinician with over 30 years’ experience supporting neurodivergent individuals and families. She brings a rare and valuable combination of expertise as a Senior Mental Health Practitioner, Specialist in Autism and ADHD, and Senior Registered Children Specialist Disability Social Worker, with extensive clinical experience across both NHS and local authority services.

Melanie’s approach is grounded in neurodiversity-affirming and developmentally-informed models, drawing from contemporary psychological theories, attachment frameworks, and systems thinking. She supports clients across the lifespan, from children to adults, using a strengths-based, person-centred model that recognises the diversity of human neurology, rather than framing it as deficit.

She is highly skilled and experienced in conducting comprehensive autism assessments using gold-standard tools such as ADOS-2 (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule) and ACIA (Autism Clinical Interview for Adults), and offers holistic post- and pre-diagnostic support tailored to each individual’s needs. Her work includes psychoeducation, self-understanding, and adjustment support, all delivered in a way that promotes autonomy, confidence, safety and wellbeing.

Melanie also offers specialist parenting guidance for families of neurodivergent children and young people, using relational and evidence-based strategies that consider both the child’s neurodevelopment and the family’s wider context. Her training and long-standing expertise in child development, mental health, and family systems allows her to integrate multiple perspectives when supporting families, understanding how parenting, emotional wellbeing, and the environment intersect with neurodivergence.

Whether working with children, adults, or families, Melanie is known for her warm, collaborative, and empowering approach. She understands that neurodivergent individuals often experience compounding challenges such as anxiety, trauma, or school avoidance and is experienced in offering support that holds both the neurodevelopmental profile and the emotional world in mind.

Qualifications

• Diploma in Social Work, University of Derby (1994).
• Diploma in Social and Community Research, Nottingham Trent University (2001).
• ADOS-2 (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule), Hogrefe Ltd (2020).
• ACIA (Autism Clinical Interview for Adults), Newcastle University (2023).

Registrations and Memberships

• Social Work England (SW72285).
• British Association of Social Workers (F10915623).

Specialisms /  Main Therapeutic Approaches:

• Autism and ADHD across the lifespan.
• Emotionally-informed post-diagnostic support.
• Masking, burnout and identity in autistic individuals.
• Parenting neurodivergent children with connection-based approaches.
• Mental health in neurodivergent presentations.
• Reducing diagnostic overshadowing and misdiagnosis in women and girls.

Expertise and Experience

Emily is an experienced social worker registered with Social Work England. Emily has worked in specialist roles in children’s services since 1998. She believes passionately in supporting children and their parents/care givers to experience connection and attunement in their relationships.

Emily is a certified Theraplay® practitioner and has completed level 1 and 2 training in Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP) and level 1 training in Building Underdeveloped Sensory Systems (BUSS).

Emily is skilled at working therapeutically with children, adolescents and their parents/carers from a range of backgrounds and histories, and has experience of working with families who are affected by trauma, injury and disability.

In her spare time Emily enjoys being in nature, running, walking and exploring with her dog.

Qualifications

2011 – Post graduate diploma in Child Care Practice.
1998 – Higher Diploma in Social worker (DipSW).
1997 – Bachelor of Philosophy and Education in Community and Youth Studies BPhil (Ed).

Professional Registrations and Memberships

Social Work England (registration number SW69494).
British Association of Social Workers (BASW), membership number: 102830.

Specialisms

Attachment difficulties, including looked after and adopted children.

Main Therapeutic Approaches

Theraplay®

Expertise and Experience

Dr Keenan is an Associate of Purple House Nottingham. She is a registered ACP (Association of Child Psychotherapists) approved Child and Adolescent Psychoanalytic Psychotherapist.

Dr Keenan is skilled and experienced in working with children, adolescents, young adults and parents.

Dr Keenan provides assessment and therapeutic intervention for a wide range of common psychological issues including low mood and depression, anxiety, and attachment concerns.

Dr Keenan is skilled in working with complex presentations including trauma and emotional/ interpersonal problems linked to early experiences. She has a Master’s qualification in Psychoanalytic Observational Studies, providing her with additional skills in assessing and understanding infant’s and children’s earliest experiences.

Dr Keenan’s therapeutic approach is predominantly Psychoanalytic although she is also informed by a range of frameworks including attachment theory and neuroscience alongside an in depth understanding of family dynamics. Dr Keenan also undertakes training, consultancy and specialist clinical supervision.

Dr Keenan has worked within the NHS for over 35 years (mainly within Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services), including many years Leading a Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy service.

Dr Keenan has published papers on working with adolescents and currently works in the NHS on a consultancy basis.

Qualifications

2010 – Professional Doctorate in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy-Tavistock Clinic/University of East London.

2004-2008 – Qualification in Child and Adolescent Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy, Tavistock Clinic, London.

1991-1993 – MA Psychoanalytic Observational Studies, Tavistock Clinic London/University of East London.

1989-1991 – Individual Work with Children, Young people and Families- A Psychodynamic Approach – Uffculm Clinic, Birmingham.

1988-1989 – Family Therapy (Level 1), Uffculm Clinic Birmingham.

1986-1987 – Counselling Studies, Norfolk College of Arts and Technology.

1983-1986 – Diploma of the College of Occupational Therapists, Derby School of Occupational Therapy.

Professional Registrations & Memberships

Association of Child Psychotherapists (4092), regulated by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA).

Psychological Professions Network.

Specialisms

• Infant, child and adolescent psychotherapy.
• Psychotherapy to young adults.
• Low mood
• Anxiety
• Trauma
• Relationship difficulties
• Issues of identity
• Bereavement issues
• Behaviourial problems
• Work with parents
• Attachment/ relational difficulties, including Looked After/ Adopted Children and those in Kinship Care.

Main Therapeutic Approaches

• Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy including assessment, consultation, brief work, parent and child sessions, supporting  parents and carers, short and longer-term psychotherapy.
• Psychoanalytic psychotherapy seeks to look beneath the surface of difficult emotions, behaviours and relationships to help children, adolescents, young people and their families understand and address their difficulties.

Stacey is an Associate Cognitive Behavioural Therapist at Purple House Nottingham. She holds credentials as both a Registered Mental Health Nurse and an Accredited Cognitive Behavioural Therapist.

Stacey has extensive experience working with clients across various age groups, including adults, children, and adolescents. Her practice involves conducting assessments and providing therapeutic interventions for a range of common psychological issues, such as: Depression, Anxiety, Phobias, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Social Anxiety and Trauma. 

Stacey also has a specialised focus on managing Long-Term Health Conditions. Her current areas of interest include Long Covid, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME), and medically unexplained symptoms. Before transitioning to private practice, Stacey dedicated 11 years to working in further and higher education and spent 5 years in the NHS. This includes 3 years within Talking Therapies Services.

Qualifications 

2022 – Post Graduate Certificate in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.

2019 – Master’s Degree in Mental Health Nursing.

2007 – Post Graduate Certificate in Further Education (PGCE).

2006 – BA (Hons) in Law and Criminology.

Specialisms 

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).

Expertise and Experience

At the Purple House Nottingham, Ciara Smyth serves as an Associate Psychotherapist. She is a UKCP-registered Person-Centred Psychotherapist and a BPC-accredited Forensic Psychodynamic/ Psychoanalytic Psychotherapist.

With substantial experience in treating adults and some background in working with adolescents, Ciara conducts evaluations, develops formulations, and implements psychological interventions for various issues including depression, anxiety, relationship problems, phobias, and stress.

Her nearly ten-year tenure as a Psychotherapist and Deputy Clinical Director at a Therapeutic Prison has equipped her with considerable expertise in addressing complex issues such as trauma, personality disorders, self-harm, suicidal ideation, violence (including domestic abuse perpetrators), and criminal behaviour.

Ciara has provided therapeutic services to both male and female clients in both groups and individual settings. Her professional background includes roles as psychotherapist in various Voluntary Sector organisations and private practice.

Additionally, Ciara has served as a consultant to Operational Colleagues, offering expertise in forensic dynamics. Her career encompasses managerial and directorate-level duties, overseeing clinical governance, contract management, service development, and auditing compliance. 

Ciara’s clinical training took place at the Portman Clinic in London, where she primarily focused on treating community-based individuals with significant violent offending histories and those with sexual perversions and offending backgrounds.

She also completed post-qualification training at The National Centre for Eating Disorders, developing a particular interest in providing therapy for various eating disorders, including Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, and Binge Eating Disorder.

Ciara offers both short- and long-term therapeutic interventions by seeing patients once or twice a week.

In addition to her psychotherapy qualifications, Ciara is a certified UKCP Clinical Supervisor that provides supervision to both trainees and qualified psychotherapists and psychologists on an individual and group basis.

Qualifications

2024 – CMI Level 7 in Strategic Leadership and Management.

2022 – Forensic Psychodynamic Psychotherapy postgraduate qualification.

2017 – Diploma in Clinical Supervision.

2013 – MSc in Person-Centred Psychotherapy and Counselling.

2005 – Postgraduate Higher Diploma in Psychology.

2004 – BA Hons in English and Psychological Studies.

Professional Registrations & Memberships

• British Psychoanalytic Council (BPC): 25790
• United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) : 2011163758

Specialisms

• Anxiety Disorders
• PTSD
• Trauma
• Domestic Violence (perpetrators and victims)
• Personality Disorders
• Eating Disorders

Main Therapeutic Approaches

• Psychodynamic/Psychoanalytic/Integrative Psychotherapy;
• Person Centred Psychotherapy.

Expertise and Experience

Ruth is an Associate Occupational Therapist at Purple House Nottingham registered with the Health and Care Professionals Council (HCPC) and Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT). She has 13 years’ experience working in the NHS which has included supporting adults with psychological conditions such as depression, anxiety, bi-polar, schizophrenia, personality disorders and psychosis.

Ruth works collaboratively with her clients to fully understand their needs and future goals. She uses core Occupational Therapy skills to assess a client’s strengths and difficulties developing tailored therapeutic plans to support them in achieving their goals, participate in activities meaningful to them, and enhancing their quality of life. The assessments Ruth uses provide valuable outcomes measures so clients can see progress they are making.

Recently, Ruth has specialised in workplace wellbeing focusing on helping people thrive at work and returning to work successfully after absence. She is currently undertaking her Masters of Science (MSc) in Workplace Health and Wellbeing at the University of Nottingham. Understanding her clients’ work demands and resources available to them, identifies the level of job strain they are experiencing. Once stressors are identified, Ruth uses evidence-based interventions to minimise the negative impacts of work and develop tailored actions plans to help her clients not only remain in work, but to thrive at work.

Other therapeutic approaches used by Ruth include the Model of Humam Occupational (MOHO), motivational interviewing, Cognitive Behavioural Theory, activity analysis, graded activity, talking therapy, and Job-Demands Resources (JDR) Theory.

Qualifications

2026 – Master of Science (MSc) in Workplace Health and Wellbeing (in progress), University of Nottingham.

2025 – Postgraduate Diploma (PGDiP) in Workplace Health and Wellbeing (in progress), University of Nottingham.

2024 – Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) in Workplace Health and Wellbeing (complete), University of Nottingham.

2010 – Bachelor of Science (BSc Hons) in Occupational Therapy, Coventry University.

Professional Registrations & Memberships

Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC): OT63209

Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT): BT0801638

Specialisms

Adult Mental Health

Workplace Health and Wellbeing

Main Therapeutic Approaches

• Model of Human Occupation
• Cognitive Behavioural Theory – as a frame of reference
• Job-Demands Recourse Theory
• Evidence based outcomes measures
• Motivational Interviewing
• Activity analyses and graded activity
• Talking Therapy
• Psychoeducation

Expertise and Experience

Lisa Fletcher is a Consultant Psychotherapist and an Associate of Purple House, Nottingham. She is a registered Family and Systemic Psychotherapist. Having worked in CAMHS, Social Care and as a Senior Leader of Specialist Child and Adolescent Trauma Service Lisa has over 25 years’ experience in this field.

Lisa is experienced in providing assessment and intervention with children, families, adults and parents across a wide range of psychological presentations and mental health concerns. As part of this Lisa prioritises creating a strong therapeutic relationship built on warmth and compassion where difficulties and challenges are understood and shared goals are worked towards.

Lisa is particularly skilled in working with complex trauma providing a range of trauma and attachment focused therapeutic interventions for children, their parents/carers and professional networks. Lisa is trained to and uses Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy, EMDR, Theraplay®, trauma informed CBT and sensory integration techniques to do this within her therapeutic work. Working with parents in blocked care is an area of expertise.

Throughout her work Lisa has had the privilege of meeting many individuals who are living with the debilitating effects of trauma and PTSD. This experience has served to highlight the significant impact that these difficulties can have on their psychological development as well as the huge demands that this impact can make on their parents/carers, families and their partners. Lisa is passionate about helping children and adults develop healthy, loving attached relationships where it continues to be a great privilege to help individuals carve out fulfilling lives from difficult and challenging circumstances.

Lisa also leads clinical skills supervision groups, helps residential teams implement therapeutic care, presents nationally at conferences and lectures at a postgraduate level in the UK. Lisa is regularly asked to advise on film and radio productions.

Qualifications

MSc in Systemic Psychotherapy, 2007-2009, University of Leeds.

Intermediate Post Graduate Diploma in Family Therapy & Systemic Practice (Distinction), 2006 – 2007, University of Leeds.

Foundation Certificate in Family Therapy & Systemic Practice, 2005 – 2006 (Distinction), South Yorkshire Association for Family Therapy, Sheffield.

MA & Diploma in Social Work 1998 – 2000, University of Leicester.

Post Graduate Certificate in Counselling (Distinction), 1997 – 1998, University of Manchester.

BSc in Sociology 2:1, 1993 – 1996, University of Leicester.

Professional Registrations & Memberships

UKCP Registration 2011163773
SW England Registration SW46353

Specialisms

Lisa works with people facing a variety of difficulties including: single-event or complex trauma (emotional, physical, sexual, neglect) particularly early developmental trauma or where co-morbidity is a factor for example ASD or ADHD, child, adolescent and adult mental health issues such as depression and anxiety or OCD.

Main Therapeutic Approaches

Lisa tailors her clinical work to the individual, their needs and their goals. The therapeutic models Lisa frequently uses are Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP), Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing (EMDR), Theraplay, trauma informed Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Therapeutic Reparenting, Family Therapy and sensory integration techniques.

Expertise & Experience

Stephanie is a Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist who has over 24 years of experience working with children, young people and adults with autism.

She currently works part time in the NHS as a Lead Speech and Language Therapist helping young people with autism and significant mental health difficulties. Stephanie trained as an ADOS-2 clinician in December 2023 and has since completed many ADOS-2 assessments for all age groups.

Stephanie has a passion for supporting autistic individuals to develop their social communication within an autism affirming framework.

Qualifications

2023 – Qb Assessment for ADHD/ ADD.

2022 – Autism Diagnostic Observation Scale (ADOS-2).

2002 – Bachelor of Science in Speech and Language Therapy (BSc), University of Central England.

Professional Registrations & Memberships

Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC): SL09171.

Royal College of Speech & Language Therapists (RCSLT): RC0018931.

Specialisms

Autism assessment.

Complex speech and language difficulties including cleft lip and palate, developmental language disorder and autism.

Main Therapeutic Approaches

• Intensive Interaction
• Aided and Augmentative Communication
• Picture Exchange Communication System
• Colourful Semantics
• Parent Child Interaction Therapy
• Shape Coding
• Makaton
• Total Communication
• Wellcomm
• Nuffield Dyspraxia Programme
• Traditional Phonological Therapy
• Developmental Language Therapy