About

Dr Michele McKenner

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