Dr Jo Young is a Clinical Psychologist who has worked within clinical psychology services for over 10 years. She has worked at the Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability, Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital, Child and Family Consultation Services across London and Neurodevelopmental Teams in Ealing, Guy's Hospital and London Child Development Centres.

Jo has specialised in working with children with Neurodevelopmental disorders, such as ADHD and Autism, and has a clinical interest in working with children with cognitive impairments. Jo enjoys working with complex diagnostic and intervention challenges in schools, home and clinic, involving cognitive assessments, individual therapy, family work, group work, consultations, teaching and training professionals, and liaison with multi-agencies and the voluntary sector.

Jo trained in Clinical Psychology at University College London with the focus of her doctoral research in memory rehabilitation using errorless and effortless processes, which has been published.

Jo is a member of the British Psychological Society and is registered with the Health Professions Council.

Dr Heather Altinok-Ball, Educational Psychologist

I have been working as an Educational Psychologist in a local authority in the West Midlands since 2011 and as an Associate Practitioner with Recolo since 2013. I have experience with both local authority processes and procedures as well as specialist knowledge in the area of brain injury, rehabilitation and neuropsychology.

I am interested in research that focuses on neuropsychology and education and have published two papers titled: 'How can Educational Psychologists support the reintegration of children with an acquired brain injury on their return to school?' and 'An exploratory study of Special Educational Needs Co-Ordinator's' knowledge and experience of working with children who have sustained a brain injury'. I am particularly interested in the role of Educational Psychologists in supporting children with acquired brain injury who require rehabilitation within their own community.

I am an Honorary Lecturer on the doctoral training programme for Educational Psychologists at the University of Birmingham. I am also currently undertaking further studies at the University of Bristol in the area of applied neuropsychology.

I am a member of the Health Professionals Skills Council and the Association of Educational Psychologists.

Robin Bennett is a Chartered Clinical Psychologist. He has worked in NHS mental health services for more than ten years and currently works with children, adolescents and families in a London Trust.

He has specialist interests in trauma and Autism and utilises cognitive, behavioural and systemic approaches. Robin is a visiting lecturer to the University of East London Clinical Psychology doctorate course and has appeared on LBC radio discussing child mental health during an ‘ask the expert' hour.

Dr Victoria Byram has worked with Recolo since July 2013. Her main areas of work at Recolo are provision of child neuropsychological assessment with expertise in assessment of children with brain injury, provision of support & advice within a systemic and/or behavioural & CBT framework around management of behaviour & cognitive remediation, plus family coping & adjustment to brain injury. Dr Bryam is experienced in working with and providing regular liaison with other professionals in Health, Education & Social Services in ongoing support of child & family. She also has involvement in evaluation & audit of service & clinically-related research.

Jesse Campbell is a clinical psychologist who works with children with cognitive and social communication impairments associated with acquired brain injury or developmental disorder. He is experienced in the use of both naturalistic play-based assessment and structured cognitive assessment. In delivering therapeutic interventions he draws on systemic, behavioural and cognitive approaches in work with both individuals and families.

Consultant Clinical Psychologist Specialised in Clinical Neuropsychology
Clinical Practice

18 years practicing as a Clinical Psychologist with 15 years working specifically in paediatric neuropsychology and learning disability services.

Key Areas of Expertise

• Specialist expertise of children and young adults with traumatic and acquired brain injuries and their families.
• Specialist expertise of children and young adults with complex medical and developmental conditions.
• Specialist expertise of children and young adults with mental health problems, including eating disorders and addiction.
• Specialist clinical neuropsychological assessment, interpretation and intervention.
• Psychological interventions for emotional and behavioural problems, including CBT, Compassion-focused Therapy, Trauma-Focused CBT, EMDR, and Applied Behavioural Analysis.
• Specialist support for young people and their families including Systemic Therapy and Solution-Focused Approaches to mobilise coping strategies.

Areas of research

Associate Professor at Salomons Institute of Applied Psychology and University College London. Previous publications in international peer reviewed journals addressing mental health and clinical neuropsychology. Research focused on identity adjustment following brain injury and trauma. Co-creator of MyAbility, a clinical resource to support the process of identity adjustment to Autism, Cerebral Palsy or Acquired Brain Injury.

MyAbility is the winner of the UKABIF Mike Barnes Award for Innovation 2021. 

Bethanne Willingham is a Chartered Clinical Psychologist and specialises in working with children with cognitive impairments and their families.  She uses neuropsychology and family systems’ theory to think with families about how to address situations that may be causing difficulties.

Dr Catherine Hankinson has worked with Recolo since 2008 and provides excellent experience within specialist neuropsychology, neurodevelopmental and neurorehabilitation services for children & adults.

Dr Hankinson has extensive experience of neuropsychological assessment, interpretation and intervention for children and young people and their families and is skilled in psychological & behavioural assessment & intervention for children and their families. Dr Hankinson uses a broad range of therapeutic approaches for intervention including:

• Cognitive behavioural therapy
• Behavioural interventions for challenging behaviour
• Cognitive rehabilitation
• Family adjustment and coping

Dr Flo Charles is an Educational Psychologist and HCPC registered Psychologist.

Following her degree in Experimental Psychology at the University of Bristol, Flo started her psychology career working in schools as a Science & Psychology Teacher and an equal opportunities coordinator.

In 2014 Flo received her Doctorate from Cardiff University, writing a thesis which explored class teachers’ constructions of the application of therapeutic alliance within the classroom.

Flo chose educational psychology, as she wanted to promote positive change for young people and their families. She found that the most effective way to achieve this was through in depth and on-going therapy, applying psychology in a creative and flexible way.

Flo works in a coordinated way with other professionals to create an holistic plan for the child, helping people to move forward in a direction that suits their unique situation, supporting them to find confidence & clarity and believing better outcomes are achieved when people work together to find a way forward.

Flo is able to bring a mindful and reflexive approach to her work both within Recolo and her work in primary, secondary and specialist settings for the London Borough of Ealing.

Flo continues her professional development at University College London where she is studying for her PGDip in Clinical Paediatric Neuropsychology. Other recent courses taken have concentrated on mindfulness, addressing mental health needs in schools & communities and stress reduction.

Dr Sam Edwards is an HCPC registered Consultant Clinical Psychologist with over 20 years’ experience of working with young people and families experiencing distress after significant life events and illness.

Sam completed her Doctorate at Leeds University in 2004 and furthered her studies with a Post Graduate Diploma in Paediatric Clinical Neuropsychology at University College Hospital completed in 2016.Sam’s key areas of expertise are:

- Psychological assessment, formulation and intervention
- Neuropsychological  assessment, interpretation and intervention
- Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
- Attachment based and systemic family therapy (Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy)

Sam is a visiting tutor to the Hull Doctorate in Clinical Psychology course and delivers workshops at the Quality Network for Inpatient CAMHS (QNIC) and Forum for Inpatient Child & Adolescent Psychologists (FICAPS) annual conferences.

Sam is registered with the British Psychological Society and FICAPs. Sam also supervises Clinical Psychologists in private practice and psychology trainees within the Child & Adolescent Mental Health Service.

Dr Kate Hawkins is a Chartered Clinical Psychologist and HCPC Registered Practitioner Psychologist. She is passionate about working with children, young people and families affected by acquired brain injury and joined the Recolo team in 2016.

Kate graduated from Nottingham University in 1998 with a First Class BA (Hons) in Psychology. She completed her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology in 2002. In 2006, Kate completed a Post-Graduate Diploma in Applied Systemic Theory, gaining a distinction from the Tavistock Centre.

Kate has over 15 years’ experience working in the NHS and more than five years in the private and charitable sectors. Her most recent NHS post was at Great Ormond Street Hospital, supporting children and families affected by a range of paediatric and developmental conditions. Kate works collaboratively with young people and their families to support them in managing the impact of illness and disability. Her specialist training in systemic therapy enables her to formulate and intervene with individuals, families and professional networks, and also appreciate the full range of contextual and cultural factors that influence clinical work.

Kate’s independent work in the UK and USA has included carrying out comprehensive assessments of children’s psychological and educational needs. Working in these diverse communities has deepened Kate’s experience and expertise in working with families from different cultural backgrounds.

Carys Pritchard is a Consultant Clinical Psychologist and HCPC Registered Practitioner Psychologist with extensive experience in delivering systemic, CBT and behavioural interventions. She is a BPS Chartered Psychologist and Associate Fellow (AFBPsS, awarded to psychologists recognised to have considerable experience and competence within the field).

Carys graduated with a BSc.Hons in Psychology from University College of North Wales, Bangor in 1983 and completed her Masters in Clinical Psychology from the University of Manchester in 1987. In 1993 she successfully completed the 2 year Tavistock Clinic Course in A Systems Approach to Change in Families, Work groups and Organisations.

Carys has over 20 years’ experience working within the NHS with her most recent post as Principal Clinical Psychologist for Lancashire Care Foundation NHS Trust, where she took the clinical lead for children with complex difficulties, including children with neurodevelopmental disorders and acquired brain injuries. As a member of the Senior Team, Clinical Lead and Line Manager, Carys supervised and mentored Clinical Psychologists, Doctoral Trainees and other NHS Professionals, whilst also leading on service developments and helping to support the continued development of the Children and Families Service. Carys worked clinically with children, young people   and their families. She was a member of the Family Therapy Service in Blackpool. Carys developed and ran specialist support groups for parents of children with neurodevelopmental conditions.

Carys has used her knowledge and specialist experience to help children with complex neurodevelopmental disorders and their families, working extensively in NHS Community and Paediatric settings including within CAMHS services. She uses a systemic framework to work collaboratively with families and is passionate about enabling and supporting parents to help them achieve improved relationships and positive outcomes for their children. She is experienced in working in multi-disciplinary and multi-agency settings and appreciates the value of working collaboratively with a range of professionals, using her systemic knowledge and experience to help inform a goals-based approach to paediatric brain injury rehabilitation.

She continues to study and apply innovative approaches such as Video Interaction Guidance (VIG), and she is qualified to Stage 2 of VIG.

As an independent practitioner with Recolo, Carys provides the services of treating neurorehabilitation clinician.

Anna Ridley qualified as an Educational Psychologist in 2006 and has 12 years’ experience working for Local Authorities. Anna is a registered Practitioner Psychologist with the Health & Care Professions Council. Anna specialises in working with children and young people on the autism spectrum, supporting school communities following bereavement or critical incidents and working with children and young people with an acquired brain injury.

In her work with Recolo, Anna specialises in neuropsychological assessment, interpretation and intervention. Much of her work involves consultation and training with school staff to understand the difficulties associated with acquired brain injury and the implications of this in the school environment.

For seven years, Anna has been a bereavement volunteer for Cruse Bereavement Care supporting children and adults following loss and uses this experience to support her work with families and children who have experienced an acquired brain injury.

Anna is a Chartered member of the British Psychological Society and the Division of Educational and Child Psychology and a Full member of the Association of Educational Psychologists

Dr Jackie Gorman is an HCPC registered Clinical Psychologist with considerable experience in assessment and therapeutic intervention.

After qualifying in 2003, Jackie worked for the NHS primarily with children and families. She now works entirely for Recolo and in independent practice.  Jackie has a long-standing interest helping children, young people and their families adjust to, and recover from, trauma and brain injury.

Jackie also works closely with the wide range of professionals who often support the young person and their family. She values the opportunity to gather and synthesise information from multiple sources to reach a collaborative formulation upon which the intervention plan is based.

Jackie has substantial experience in working with young people who present with a range of difficulties and conditions, including neurodevelopmental conditions such as autism. She draws upon a range of clinical approaches such as applied behavioural analysis, CBT, attachment therapy and systemic theory to respond to the needs of the family and individual child. She recognises the individual need and treatment goals of each child, their family, support system and the wider community.

Jackie is trained in the Incredible Years group programme and the Parent Child game, which aim to enhance relationships and decrease problematic behaviour.

Jackie holds the post of Associate Clinical Tutor on the Doctorate in Clinical Psychology Training Course at Lancaster University.

Dr Ceri Bowen has twenty years of extensive clinical and research experience, working as a Clinical Psychologist in neuropsychological rehabilitation and trauma services.

Ceri uses a systemic approach in his assessment and therapy, inclusive of the family, along with mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) and Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing therapy (EMDR). The role of the family in rehabilitation and therapy is a key factor for Ceri, thinking of the family in terms of a system, learning ways to support and help each other, creating positive outcomes. Ceri offers treatment using specific trauma therapies, drawing on the latest mind-body approaches, addressing also wider psycho-social-relationship needs.

Following three years as a Research Fellow at the Royal Hospital for Neuro-Disability in Putney, Ceri co-authored a 2010 book entitled, ‘Relational Approaches to Rehabilitation’ (London: Routledge). During this period, he founded the TBIFAMILIES network, an organization to support professionals interested in broader ways of working, in therapeutic models of care that are supportive of relationships and the family. In this networking role, he organized many training events and conferences, as a member of Putney hospital’s academic steering committee.

In recent years, while working for the Civil Service, Ceri has trained in MBCT, CPT and EMDR, and published about adaptions and ways of using mindfulness in occupational health and clinical settings. Ceri has worked in a multi-disciplinary team, providing leadership, supervision and consultancy to colleagues, to alleviate trauma for serving soldiers, and to assist service users in the transition from military to civilian life.

Ceri first completed the Clinical Psychology training programme in Leeds, Yorkshire, then in 2003, gained a further Doctoral MPhil in Peace Studies (University of Bradford), conducting a multi-level analysis of PTSD. In subsequent years, he has completed various professionaltherapy trainings: a diploma in Systemic Therapy at the KCCF institute, affiliated to the University of Bedfordshire; EMDR Level 1-3 training with the Richman EMDR Training Academy and additional training in Attachment-Focused EMDR (AF-EMDR); and from 2012-14, a Master’s Degree in mindfulness (qualifying as a MBCT-teacher) from the University of Oxford. Ceri is a member of the EMDR Association (UK and Ireland), soon to be accredited, and has completed the ‘provider status’ pathway, receiving supervision direct from the founders of the CPT approach.

Coming soon...

Dr Marie Fitzer is an experienced HCPC registered Educational Psychologist.

After completing her Doctorate in Applied Educational and Child Psychology at the University of Birmingham in 2010, Marie worked with Sandwell MBC as an Educational Psychologist until 2014. Between 2014 and 2017, Marie worked for Warwickshire LA in a number of schools and specialist provisions.  As Lead EP on a mental health project in Warwickshire with Coventry and Warwickshire PCT, Marie focused on supporting parents and schools in managing children with attention difficulties, hyperactivity and impulsive behaviour. Marie also worked on specialist placement in the Youth Justice Service where she was responsible for supporting young people on referral orders, youth rehabilitation orders and detention orders (in secure training centres and young offenders’ institutes) to find and identify ways to prevent their reoffending and to facilitate and support their transition back to education.

Since 2017 Marie has developed a successful independent consultancy. She provides independent service delivery to a number of schools, including a large academy trust (primary through to secondary), an independent girl’s school and specialist SEMH provision. In her independent work Marie collaborated with two EP colleagues to create ‘The Moving Forward Series’, which is a set of six online training webinars, which staff accessed during the Covid19 pandemic, including supporting children and young people during transition; supporting vulnerable children through the pandemic; supporting staff wellbeing; facilitating transition for children with emotionally based school avoidance; supporting children who have been bereaved; and returning to school – a trauma informed perspective. Marie has recently implemented and delivered a ‘reading project’ on a whole school level, at a secondary school which included implementing 20-minute reading lessons into the curriculum for all children, focusing on developing accuracy, fluency, reading comprehension skills and Socratic questioning. This involved extensive CPD delivery to all staff on Direct Instruction and theory of Optimal Instruction, and mentoring staff on how to successfully teach reading skills at a class level.

Marie has published two articles in the Division of Educational and Child Psychology ‘Debate’, on the use of multiple case study design in evaluation research and delivering and evaluating a programme to support parents of children with inattentive, impulsive, and hyperactive behaviours (2017). She has also contributed to teaching on the Child and Educational Psychology Doctorate at the University of Birmingham.

Marie’s areas of expertise include

• Anxiety and the use of Cognitive- Behavioural strategies
• Emotionally based school avoidance
• Reading skills and Direct Instruction
• SEMH, in particular working with those affected by relational trauma and developing emotional literacy skills.
• Autism Spectrum Disorder – specifically assessment and supporting anxiety
• Executive function and metacognition
• Attachment and early years
• Families and social care (parenting capacity)
• Youth Justice Service and young offenders

After working extensively as a support worker for looked after children and those with complex medical needs, Emma retrained, completing her masters and doctoral training in educational psychology.

Since 2017 Emma has trained and worked as an Educational and Child Psychologist in the East Midlands and East of England. As a ‘homegrown’ educational psychologist from one of the most deprived areas of the country, she takes enormous pride in working to serve the communities and families that she grew up with.  

This has undoubtedly shaped Emma’s practice, and her recent research interest in the way language is used to talk of those from backgrounds considered disadvantaged or those experiencing complex life circumstances. She has presented work at conferences by the AEP and DECP, and is also an elected member of the National Executive Committee of the AEP.

Emma is experienced in using collaborative consultation to explore fully all problem dimensions, and in using a range of fun and accessible tools and techniques to support children to amplify their views and opinions as a crucial part of this process. Alongside this she is also experienced in using both standardised and dynamic assessments in order to fully assess the neuropsychological, social and emotional needs of children, and in triangulating all sources of information in order to generate ideas for next steps and promote positive outcomes for children in education.

Emma is passionate about creative ways of working with schools, families and other professionals, supporting pupils to attend and contribute these themselves if appropriate. Using technology for problem solving and information gathering, discovering new ways to make learning more engaging, more effective and more fun.

Dr. Josie Bainton is an experienced Educational Psychologist working to improve outcomes for children and young people academically, socially and emotionally.  

Josie holds an MSc degree in Neuropsychology from the University of Bristol and a Doctorate in Educational and Child Psychology from University College London. 

In her work as a Senior Educational Psychologist for Bath and North East Somerset Council, Josie provides assessment, advice and training to enable children and young people to fulfil their potential in educational settings. Working collaboratively in developing plans to facilitate learning and promote positive behaviour, well-being and self-esteem.  

In her work for Recolo, Josie works in partnership with school staff and families to create a safe, healthy and supportive learning environment for a child or young person after an traumatic or acquired brain injury. 

A key focus of her research work has been examining the impact of reduced sleep on school related outcomes for adolescents and exploring the sleep needs of young people who have been excluded from mainstream education. She has published a number of papers and also presented at conferences.  

Josie is registered as an Educational Psychologist with the HCPC and holds Chartered Psychologist status with the British Psychological Society. 

Dr Nikki Collingwood is an experienced HCPC registered Educational Psychologist, working with children and young people with learning and socio-emotional difficulties in school and clinical settings.

Before completing her Doctorate in Child & Educational Psychology at UCL in 2016, Nikki was a Key Stage 1 Class Teacher and Specialist SEN Teacher working with pupils with difficulties in Key Stage 2 in mainstream schools. Since qualifying, Nikki has worked within a Local Authority Psychology Service and more recently as a Lecturer at the University of East Anglia, teaching across all modules of the Doctorate in Educational Psychology. She currently has a part time role as Lecturer at the Tavistock & Portman, teaching on the Educational Doctoral program there. Nikki also works at the Evelina London Children's Hospital providing outpatient neuropsychological assessments for children with brain injuries.

Nikki’s areas of special interest are in Executive Functions, Metacognition and Self-Regulation (EMS) where she has developed training around how school professionals can use this knowledge to enhance learning. Her Doctoral research involved developing a multidimensional meta-cognitive and affective intervention to address maths performance, self-regulation behaviours, self-concept and maths anxiety. 

Nikki values the importance of continued professional development, having recently completed a Diploma in Clinical Paediatric Neuropsychology at UCL.  She is currently or has supervised research in a range of areas including Emotionally Based School Non Attendance (EBSNA); trauma informed schools, academic achievement in spite of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs , responding to Critical Incidents involving suicide in schools, Social-Emotional wellbeing in young people from diverse backgrounds, Professional's Perspectives on PDA and peer supported social emotional support interventions.

Nikki works with children and young people up to the age of 25 at individual, group, class and a systemic level to address barriers to learning; providing advice and training to schools to help them support pupils with affective, learning and behavioural challenges. In particular, training on how to support children and young people who have experienced attachment difficulties and trauma. Using her knowledge and engagement with research, Nikki supports the development of strategies and interventions to enhance social and emotional well-being, identifying needs to achieve the best outcomes.

Coming soon

Josie Richmond qualified as an Educational Psychologist in 2006 and gained her Diploma in Clinical Paediatric Neuropsychology in 2011.

Josie has extensive experience of working as an Educational Psychologist within a Local Authority and has worked for Recolo for 10 years. She is a Senior Associate Educational Psychologist and Clinical Supervisor.  Josie specialises in working with children and young people with acquired brain injury and is active on cases in which support is required to help the child access education and thrive in the school setting. Josie is able to provide advice, support and training to schools and families to help those working with and caring for the child to understand their Acquired Brain Injury and develop appropriate support systems. Her specialist skill areas are child neuropsychological assessment, interpretation and intervention and she has a broad experience of working with a variety of educational settings, including special provisions.

Josie is a registered practitioner psychologist with the Health & Care Professions Council, a Chartered member of the British Psychological Society and a Full member of the Association of Educational Psychologists.