OUR TEAM

Mr Stephen Shave (BA, MSc, BABCP)

I am a Co-Director of the West Dorset Practice, a fully accredited Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist (MSc), an Internal Family Systems Therapist and an accredited EMDR Therapist. I am a member of the BABCP and registered with the EMDR Association UK. I am also a qualified and registered Social Worker, I have worked in mental health in a variety of settings since 2009.

I have extensive experience of working therapeutically with adults (but I also work with teenagers aged 16+) suffering from a range of mental heath difficulties including specialist services for affective disorders. I have a particular interest in working with people with PTSD, C-PTSD and dissociative disorders. I also have an interest in treating OCD and have a developing interest in treating addictions. I am experienced in treating a whole range of anxiety disorders and depression. I currently also work part-time in an intensive psychological therapies service in Dorset NHS secondary care.

In addition to CBT & EMDR, I have completed post qualifying training in Compassion-Focused Therapy, Schema Therapy and in assessing risk in mental health.

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Dr Clare Young (BSc, MSc, D.Clin.Psych, C.Psychol, AFBPsS)

I am a Co-Director of the West Dorset Practice, a Chartered Consultant Clinical Psychologist, an Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society and I’m registered as a Practitioner Psychologist with the HCPC.

Over a 20 year career in health services, I have worked in a range of settings to include the independent sector, NHS and local authority services.

I currently work full time in the NHS (Child & Family Services) so only offer a monthly clinic at WDP to conduct assessments for Autism, ADHD and complex developmental needs with children and adults.

 

Dr Neil Drew (BSc, MSc,  D.Clin.Psychol)

I am a HCPC Registered Clinical Psychologist. I have worked within mental health, autism, and neurodiversity for over 10 years. My roles have consisted of supporting people across the lifespan within the NHS, charitable sectors, and private organisations.

I specialise in diagnostic assessment of Autism Spectrum Conditions and ADHD. I have experience of conducting assessments, providing psychological therapy, and delivering training to professionals. I have worked within the NHS adult autism diagnostic service. The assessments I conduct privately match the protocol of an NHS assessment and adhere to NICE guidance for diagnostic assessments.

I also provide psychological therapy and am particularly interested in working with people who have anxiety disorders, depression, trauma, and relational difficulties. I tailor therapy to best meet the needs of the person in front of me. My approach is therefore informed by Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Cognitive Analytic Therapy (CAT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Compassion Focussed Therapy (CFT).

 

Dr Neil Drew (BSc, MSc,  D.Clin.Psychol)

I am a HCPC Registered Clinical Psychologist. I have worked within mental health, autism, and neurodiversity for over 10 years. My roles have consisted of supporting people across the lifespan within the NHS, charitable sectors, and private organisations.

I specialise in diagnostic assessment of Autism Spectrum Conditions and ADHD. I have experience of conducting assessments, providing psychological therapy, and delivering training to professionals. I have worked within the NHS adult autism diagnostic service. The assessments I conduct privately match the protocol of an NHS assessment and adhere to NICE guidance for diagnostic assessments.

I also provide psychological therapy and am particularly interested in working with people who have anxiety disorders, depression, trauma, and relational difficulties. I tailor therapy to best meet the needs of the person in front of me. My approach is therefore informed by Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Cognitive Analytic Therapy (CAT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Compassion Focussed Therapy (CFT).

 

Dr Tracy Rydin-Orwin (BSc, D.Clin.Psych, C.Psychol, AFBPsS)

I am a Chartered Consultant Clinical Psychologist, an Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society and I’m registered as a Practitioner Psychologist with the HCPC. I have over 15 years experience in the NHS and in independent practice.

I work with adults, children and adolescents and have a particular interest in the perinatal period and the transition to parenthood. I also work with children & adolescents experiencing difficulties with school, family relationships, anxiety, depression, OCD and phobias.

I work with adults who might be experiencing difficulties with anxiety, depression, OCD, antenatal and postnatal depression & anxiety, miscarriage, fertility issues, trauma, relationship issues, workplace stress, obesity, bariatric surgery and self-esteem issues.

 

Wendy Mather (CAT Psychotherapist, UKCP & ACAT Accred; Adv. Dip. Couns, MBACP Accred)

I am an advanced trained CAT Psychotherapist, accredited by ACAT (the Association for Cognitive Analytic Therapy) and UKCP (UK Council for Psychotherapy), and am also an experienced Counsellor accredited by the British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (Adv. Dip. MBACP).

Alongside my private practice, I have worked in the NHS for 31 years, gaining experience in a number of settings including Mental Health Services for Adults, Children & Young People, a Prosthetics Service, Dorset Pain Management service, Bereavement support, Paediatric and Maternity services, Health Visiting and School Nursing.

My special interest is in working with those who have experienced a traumatic past history or long-term relational difficulties, and people that have suffered a difficult loss or bereavement. I am aware that long term trauma may become ‘embodied’ and often present as physical and long-term health conditions. Working with my clients interactively and collaboratively, with empathy and respect, can lead to understanding and relief via straightforward and practical therapy.

 

Karyn Stewart-Dodd (Specialist Speech and Language Therapist)

I qualified as a Speech and Language Therapist from The National Hospitals College of Speech Sciences, University College London in 1981.

Across an expansive career, I have worked in both a private and NHS capacity, and have worked in paediatrics, learning disability services and neurology.

I established my Dorset based private practice, The Speech and Language Practice, in 1986. I have increasingly worked with high level autistic spectrum disorders alongside my original specialisms in developmental language disorder and disorders affecting the acquisition of clear speech. I now work full time clinically in private practice with a wide range of autistic spectrum disorders from pre-school through to young adults.

Working in both a diagnostic and an intervention capacity with children and their parents, I see my role as part of multidisciplinary teams working across the NHS, Local Education Authority and private services. My role at the West Dorset Practice is to conduct specialist assessments of speech and language for the purposes of contributing to a comprehensive Autism assessment for children and young people.

In my eyes, every child I see is an individual, with an individual set of circumstances, requiring an individually tailored approach.

 

Dr Krystina Turner (BSc, MSc, DClinPsy)

I qualified as a Clinical Psychologist in 2012 and I am registered with the HCPC as a Practitioner Psychologist. I am a qualified EMDR therapist and I am trained in a range of Autism specific interventions and assessments.

I have worked for private and NHS health services for over 12 years, where I worked in a range of settings including community services and specialist inpatient mental health units.

I am particularly interested in working with people who are seeking assessment for Neurodevelopmental Conditions such as Autism or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. I also work with people who have experienced trauma; helping them to make sense of their past and the impact on current difficulties.

Until May 2023, I worked as a Lead Clinical Psychologist in an NHS Community Paediatric service with children with Neurodevelopmental conditions and their families and carers. I left the NHS so that I could offer more time to The West Dorset Practice and offer further support to families.

 

Becky Osborne (TCYM, TIY, RYT 200, BA Hon Queens)

I specialise in Complex Trauma and PTSD/CPTSD and the way this impacts the physical, emotional and psychological systems.

Using a range of modalities such as IFS Informed therapy, Somatic therapy, Bodywork, Nervous system regulation & recalibration, Grounding, Trauma Release Work, tapping, sensory awareness and feedback, I work collaboratively with clients to build a unique personalised treatment plan, that works with their unique nervous system and individual presentation of trauma.

This may affect sleep, pain, illness, body memory/flashbacks, emotional disregulation, psychological distress, trauma states of fight/flight/freeze/appease, dissociative disorders, emotional and physical relationships and work and many others.

I am trained in IFS therapy with Derek Scott (IFSCA), IFS Informed practice with Frank Anderson, a Certified Trauma Conscious Yoga Method practitioner℠ (integrative trauma-informed yoga therapy and somatic psychotherapy) and a certified Trauma Bodywork & Yoga Teacher. I also hold Level 3 and degree level qualifications in Sociology, Psychology & Women’s studies (BA Hons).

I work both online and from my practice ‘The Trauma & Wellness Clinic’ in Weymouth.

 

Maxine Humphreys (BSc, PGCert, PGDip, BABCP Accred)

I am a BABCP accredited Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist and am also trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR).

I have worked within NHS mental health services since 2009, initially working with severe and enduring mental illness in a variety of inpatient and community settings. I have worked therapeutically with adults using a Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) approach since 2012.

I currently work in a local NHS psychological therapies service, delivering CBT and EMDR to adults. I am trained to work with a range of common mental health disorders including depression, low self-esteem, PTSD, generalised anxiety and I particularly enjoy supporting individuals with health anxiety and panic presentations. I am also employed by the University of Southampton as a supervisor for trainee CBT therapists, and external marker of clinical and academic work.

I have a developing interest in working with recurrent depression and the impact of unprocessed traumatic memories of varying severity. This has been supplemented by EMDR training in 2021 and has helped me to support clients with unprocessed memories and feelings that can serve to maintain chronic difficulties. I also have additional training in Radically Open Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (RO DBT) to help clients alleviate distress associated with chronic depression and disorders of overcontrol.

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Dr Theo Roberts (BA, MSc, DClinPsy)

I am a Clinical Psychologist with over 12 years clinical experience. I first qualified in France in 2008 where I worked in the voluntary sector, before moving to Dorset in 2012 where I completed further training and started my career in the NHS. I am fluent in French and am comfortable carrying out assessment and therapy in French if this is preferred. I am registered as a Practitioner Psychologist with the HCPC.

I enjoy working with adults across the lifespan, with a focus on life transitions and in particular with helping people make sense of difficulties they experience in older age. I have an interest in working with people experiencing PTSD or Complex PTSD, people living with long-term conditions, and those living with severe and enduring mental health difficulties. I also have experience in carrying out neuropsychological assessments with adults with a brain injury or neurological condition, and offering individualised feedback and supportive guidance.

I am qualified in EMDR, and have completed further training in Compassion-Focused Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, which are my preferred therapeutic approaches for individual therapy.

I currently work in the NHS in an acute inpatient mental health setting, and with older adults in community mental health teams.

 

Dan Kirkland (BSc, PGCert, PGDip, BABCP, ACBS)

My core training is in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and I am accredited with the BABCP. I am also trained in Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT), Compassion Focussed Therapy (CFT) and Radically Open Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (RO-DBT). I’m also currently working towards full accreditation for EMDR.

I originally studied as a Dietitian, qualifying in 2014 with a degree in Clinical Nutrition. From there, I worked in weight management, where it became evident to me that, for many people, their difficulties weren’t simply about what they ate, but were deeper routed in issues such as depression, anxiety, low self esteem or past traumas. I felt passionately about supporting people to address these core difficulties, and so in 2015 I retrained as a therapist and have been working for the NHS ever since.

My main aim in therapy is to help you better understand your difficulties, and support you in taking positive steps towards sustainable change. I am particularly interested in working with low self-esteem, trauma and OCD, as well as, of course, supporting individuals who struggle to manage their weight. I’m also passionate about helping people to connect with their authentic self and begin living a more rich and meaningful life. Currently I offer online sessions only.

 

Amanda Bowen (Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist, Mental Health Nurse)

I am a BABCP fully accredited Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist and NMC registered Nurse in Mental Health. I have worked in mental health since 2004 in a wide variety of clinical, community and school settings. I work with children, adolescents, adults and families offering 1:1 or systemic family sessions.

I treat a wide variety of anxiety disorders, depression, low self esteem, school refusal, bullying issues and exam stress. I have a special interest in trauma focused CBT, long term health conditions and parent led CBT. I have completed post qualifying training in Compassion Focussed Therapy (CFT), Chairwork, Solution Focussed Brief Therapy (SFBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). My aim in therapy is to help you make sense of your difficulties, understand how they started and develop a toolkit of strategies to help you manage your mental health in the long term, allowing you to become your own therapist.

Please note – I work with the West Dorset Practice via online sessions only.

 

Illin Johnson (BSc, MSc)

I am a Neurodevelopmental support coach and I offer educational coaching sessions for children and adults who seek post diagnostic support for autism and ADHD. I also offer sessions for their parents so they can have a better understanding of what their child is going through and how to support them better.

I have a BSc in Psychology and Cognitive Neuroscience and an MSc in Translational Neuroscience. I have worked with both children and adults with neurodevelopmental conditions in Singapore and the United Kingdom for over 6 years. I have previous experience working as an assistant behavioural therapist for children and have also worked as a support worker for adults and teenagers with various neurodevelopmental and mental health conditions who’ve had a wide range of challenging or self injurious behaviours.

I aim to provide a thorough understanding of all the types of support available for ADHD and autism, a thorough understanding of the conditions themselves and how to manage symptoms through educational means.

For further information about the services I offer please take a look at my website www.neurostarwellbeing.com. Please note I only offer online support or in the home if you live locally.

 

Itamar Cohen (BSc, MA, Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist)

I hold an MA from the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation where I focused on attachment theory and specialise in child and adolescent psychotherapy. I set up the psychological support in neonatology at Barts Hospital London and have led the looked after team at CAMHS in North East London since 2017. Over a 20-year career, I have worked and taught in a variety of settings including schools, NHS inpatients and outpatients, CAMHS and social care.

As a father and a senior psychotherapist, I am aware of the trials and tribulations that parents, families, and children experience daily. I am passionate about working with children and families from 0-25y and I specialise in working with children who self-harm, and are depressed and anxious. I can offer both parents and children a way to navigate these feelings and give them some meaning. I truly believe that mental health is best dealt with before it becomes a crisis.

Alongside working privately, I currently work in NHS Dorset CAMH services. I am also trained in interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT) and Hypnotherapy.

 

Liz Fawkes (BSc Hons, CAT Psychotherapist)

I am an advanced trained CAT Psychotherapist, accredited by ACAT (the Association for Cognitive Analytic Therapy) and UKCP (UK Council for Psychotherapy). I am also a CAT supervisor and trainer.

I have been practising CAT for 30 years now, 21 of those working within specialist psychological therapy services in the NHS. I have worked with people struggling with a wide range of difficulties, including those with challenges arising from childhood adversity, abuse and trauma, as well as those who have come for therapy because they are experiencing a challenging time in their life right now.

I enjoy working actively alongside people, using the CAT model to help make sense of what is happening and to find ways to work through that together.

I am happy to have a brief initial discussion on the phone and/or to arrange to meet to see if we both feel that having CAT with me is right for you.

 

Jeremy Knowles (Counsellor, Family Systems Therapist)

I am a qualified integrative counsellor with a Diploma in Counselling, and am a registered member of the BACP. I am also trained to work with trauma as a Level 2 Internal Family Systems Therapist with the IFS Institute.

I have experience of working with a broad range of mental health issues including Addiction, ADHD, Alcohol Use, Anger Management, Anxiety, Bereavement, Depression, Dissociative Disorders, Drug Abuse, Eating Disorders, Gambling, Hoarding, Men’s Issues, Parenting, Relationship Issues, School Issues, Self Esteem, Sexual Abuse, Sex Addiction, Stress, Trauma and PTSD.

I find the Internal Family Systems model (IFS) to be a particularly powerful and rewarding way of working and have a developing interest in working with older adults, trauma and ADHD. I draw primarily on person centred, existential and psychodynamic theories for my integrative work.

I currently work with the West Dorset Practice via online sessions only.

 

Kelly Houghton (BA, MSc BABCP, Cognitive Behavioural Therapist, Counselling)

I am a BABCP accredited Cognitive Behavioural Therapist, I am also trained in counselling skills and compassion focused therapy (CFT).

I have worked within mental health/ therapy supporting children and adults for over 20 years.
I also currently work in local NHS psychological therapies delivering CBT to adults.

I have an interest in working with childhood trauma and ADHD due to my years of experience working with families and I’m passionate as a neurodivergent myself to support people in their own journeys to maintaining wellbeing.

 

Maria Bailey (CPCABDip, IFTAdv.Dip, MNCIP)

I am an experienced Relationship, Couple and Family Therapist, and a registered member of the National Council of Integrative Psychotherapists. I became a fully qualified Relate Relationship Therapist in 2014, and then trained with the Institute of Family Therapy. I became a fully qualified family therapist in 2016, developing my private practice after moving to West Dorset in 2017.

I have extensive experience of working with individuals, couples and families in exploring a variety of issues such as communication, anxiety, attachment, control and abuse, low self-esteem, affairs, infidelity, divorce, separation and blended families. I offer an integrative practice style and am trained primarily in systemic, solution focused and psychodynamic models.

Regardless of the therapeutic approach or the issues you might be facing, you will be warmly welcomed with sensitivity, empathy, and curiosity.

 

Dr Emily Brown (BSc, D.Clin.Psych)

I am an HCPC Registered Clinical Psychologist with additional Foundation accreditation in Systemic Therapy. Over 7 years in the NHS I have worked in a range of settings, including child and adult mental health, chronic pain, autism assessment and specialist anxiety services. I currently work in Child and Adolescent NHS Services.

I work across the lifespan and have a particular interest in working with individuals affected by physical health conditions and those experiencing anxiety disorders (including OCD, social anxiety and health anxiety). I also work with individuals experiencing depression, self-esteem issues, and difficulties with relationships. I have experience working with individuals who have experienced adversity and relational trauma in childhood and can support people to make sense of this and change how this impacts their life now.

I am integrative and person-centred in my approach to therapy and draw on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Cognitive Analytic Therapy (CAT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). I am currently undergoing additional training in CAT to support my proficiency in relational therapy approaches

 

Sophie Read (Mental Health Nurse and EMDR Therapist)

I am a qualified Mental Health Nurse and EMDR Therapist with over six years of experience working within the NHS across a variety of settings.

I enjoy working with individuals across all stages of life, although specialise in supporting children and adolescents. I have worked with a wide range of psychological difficulties, including trauma, anxiety, panic disorder, phobias, and addressing adverse life events.

My approach is warm, compassionate, and person-centred.

I believe in creating a safe, trusting space where individuals feel heard, supported, and empowered to move towards a life which feels meaningful to them.

 

Nicola Brown (BSc, DipPsychCouns, MNCPS)

I am an accredited psychotherapist with over 15 years experience supporting children, adolescents, and adults through a wide range of emotional and mental health challenges. I hold a BSc in Child and Adolescent Mental Health, which informs my specialist understanding of development, emotional wellbeing, and the unique needs of young people and families. I have worked in a variety of settings including schools, colleges, charities and private practice.

I specialise in working with neurodivergence, grief and loss, anxiety, trauma, and eating disorders. I also have a particular interest in working with parents to help them navigate the challenges of parenting and parenting stress.

My approach is compassionate, collaborative, and evidence-informed, recognising that every individual’s experience is unique. I aim to provide a safe, supportive, and non-judgemental space where clients feel understood and empowered to explore difficulties at their own pace. I currently work at West Dorset Practice face to face on Wednesday afternoons.

 

El Taylor (BSc, BABCP, CBT Therapist)

I am a BABCP-accredited Cognitive Behavioural Therapist with six years of experience working in the NHS, including the past three years supporting individuals with severe and complex mental health difficulties. I also hold Counselling Skills Level 3, which supports my ability to build a compassionate and collaborative therapeutic relationship alongside evidence-based CBT.

I offer remote therapy sessions for convenience and accessibility. My approach is flexible and tailored to each person, including adapting therapy to meet individual needs such as neurodivergence and other personal circumstances.

I work with adults aged 18+ experiencing a range of difficulties, including depression, generalised anxiety disorder (GAD), social anxiety, OCD, bipolar disorder, psychosis, aggression, PTSD, health anxiety, low self-esteem, panic disorder, stress, and related challenges.