About

Dr Michele McKenner

I am a chartered clinical psychologist with over 10 years experience of working with adults, children and families in a variety of NHS settings. 

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Until recently I worked as part of a multi-agency team (NHS and local authority) to support children and young people in crisis.  I have previously worked on an NHS inpatient unit for children with mental health and behavioural issues (often with underlying neurodevelopmental conditions) and as part of an NHS Community Team supporting adults with complex mental health issues. 

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I have a particular interest in autism spectrum conditions which were the subject of my doctoral thesis at University College London. 

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Prior to becoming a clinical psychologist I studied modern languages at Wadham College, Oxford and then law at the College of Law, qualifying as a solicitor in 1999.  I spent 13 years working as a lawyer in the City and then in the field of entertainment prior to retraining as a clinical psychologist. 

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Qualifications and memberships:

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• Registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) - PYL 33244

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• Chartered Clinical Psychologist registered with the British Psychological Society

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• Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from University College London (UCL)

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• MSc in Experimental Psychology from University of Sussex

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• Qualified solicitor with postgraduate diploma in law and diploma in law from College of Law, London

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• BA Hons in French and Italian from University of Oxford, Wadham College

01.

Working with children and families

I offer support with a range of difficulties including:

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• anxiety

• low mood

• school refusal

• difficulty managing emotions 

• challenging behaviour

• sleep / toileting issues

• neurodevelopmental conditions

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My work is based on approaches including:

• ​Parenting Strategies - based on Social Learning Theory and Attachment Theory - aimed at promoting a secure attachment relationship between parent and child, increasing prosocial behaviour and reducing oppositional / challenging behaviour, maximising parental sensitivity to their child's needs.  

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• Systemic Family Therapy - which aims to: promote mutual understanding between family members, provide a safe space in which to express and explore difficult thoughts & feelings, acknowledge family strengths and build on these to allow for positive change in relationships and lives. 

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• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) - which aims to help children and young people manage problems by changing the way they behave and think.

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• Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) - which aims to support young people to maximise their potential to lead a life which is rich and meaningful to them.   

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02.

Autism 

Spectrum Conditions: assessment

and

support

I have specialist training in the assessment of Autism Spectrum Conditions (ASC) and extensive experience of working with children with ASC and supporting parents to care for children with ASC.

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I am trained in the administration of autism assessment tools:

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• The Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS)

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• The Developmental, Dimensional & Diagnostic Interview (3Di)

I work with a Speech & Language Therapist to offer multi-disciplinary ASC assessments in my private practice.  I also have close links with a number of Consultant Child & Adolescent Psychiatrists who can participate in this process.

03.

Working with adults

I work with a broad range of presentations including:

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• depression

• anxiety

• OCD

• panic 

• relationship difficulties

• problems at work

• generally feeling stuck in life 

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Prior to becoming a clinical psychologist I worked for many years as a solicitor, in the City and then in the field of entertainment. 

I have first hand experience of working in demanding, high powered environments and the impact that these pressures can have on psychological well-being.

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I work with a range of therapeutic models / approaches including:

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• Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) - which aims to maximise your potential to lead a life which is rich and meaningful to you. 

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• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) - which aims to help you manage problems by changing the way you behave and think.

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• Psychodynamic perspective - considers any unhelpful patterns of relating to others that may stem from early childhood experiences. 

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• Systemic / narrative perspective - supports you to identify and acknowledge strengths, knowledge and skills that can help you to confront life's obstacles and build resilience. 

What to expect

Following initial contact I will usually arrange a brief telephone conversation to hear a bit more about the difficulties you are seeking support with.  There is no fee for this.  This preliminary conversation allows us both to get a sense of whether I can offer the right sort of help and we are a good fit. 

We will then arrange an initial assessment meeting in order for me to get a more detailed understanding of what you would like support with / what the difficulties are.  This meeting will last about an hour for an individual, or about an hour and a half if I am meeting you together as a family. 

Then we will make a plan together, which may involve:

• regular therapy sessions

• further assessment and feedback

• school observation / consultation for a child or young person.   

Contact