Anita is passionate about understanding and supporting neurodivergent individuals and their families and this has been her special interest for over 20 years. Initially working as a therapist in families homes in the late 90’s, then working as an academic in autism research and, following her professional training, working in national specialist and regional neurodevelopmental services offering assessment and therapeutic support. Most recently, she has been developing a psychology service within a community based multi-disciplinary team and is involved in multi-agency service development.
Anita is also an expert by experience, both as a neurodivergent individual and as a parent carer. Through her professional and personal life, Anita has had the privilege of a range of experiences that informs and shapes her work and passion for this field. Anita loves teaching, training and collaboratively writing, to share knowledge and have deep conversations. Personally, she loves adventures, cycle touring and wild swimming, especially in the cold and does a little pottery to fulfil her creative side.
Since completing my doctorate I have trained and gained extensive experience in the following areas:
– Supervision of other professionals
– Learning disability (assessment and intervention)
– The Family Partnership Model (a systemic model of working with families)
– Neurodevelopmental assessments, including;
ADOS trained
Using neuropsychological assessments
Autism assessment
– Neurodivergence
– Mindfulness Teacher Training (MBCT / MBSR)
I have also had the privilege of:
– Guest editing the Psychologist magazine
– Co-authoring a chapter on Neurodivergence in a psychology text book
– Setting up a Special Interest Group (SIG) for Clinical Psychologists working in community paediatric settings
– Being the Psychology rep of the Paediatric Mental Health Association (PMHA)
– Working with a charity to support Mental Health capacity building in Sri Lanka and Abu Dhabi, offering culturally sensitive training and consultation
– Co-founding a family festival
Co-founding a secular congregation
Cycling to Turkey…
