We have a multidisciplinary team at Oxford ADHD & Autism Centre, offering a wide range of experience, skills and knowledge about ADHD, Autism and related conditions.
Consultant Psychiatrists
Professor Peter Hill is a consultant child and adolescent psychiatrist with extensive training and qualifications in general medicine, psychiatry, child and adolescent psychiatry and paediatrics. His main work nowadays is in private practice, focusing on neurodevelopmental disorders and mental illness in the young. He has previously headed departments at St George’s, University of London, (where he was foundation professor of child mental health in the University of London), and at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children. Over the years he has advised government departments in the UK and overseas on child mental health issues, particularly service delivery. He has been a key opinion leader in ADHD for some twenty years, and writes, lectures and advises on the management of ADHD nationally and internationally.
Dr Tanya McGregor was born and raised in South Africa and she studied Medicine at the University of Cape Town.She immigrated to the UK in 1996 and trained in Psychiatry in Oxford, completing her training in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the Tavistock and Portman NHS Trust.
She returned to Oxford in 2005 as a Consultant, and has worked for Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust for 12 years as a CAMHS Consultant.
She has a special interest in the diagnosis and management of children with neuro-developmental disorders.
Dr Haido Vlachos MBBCH, MRCPsych, PG Dip Applied Systemic Theory (UEL), PGCCE with Distinction (OBU). Dr Vlachos completed her specialty training in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry in Oxford. She has been a Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist for the last 15 years, with additional interests in developing colleagues, promoting excellence balanced with humanity in medical education, and pragmatic clinical research. Her main area of clinical specialism is neurodevelopmental disorders such as Autism and ADHD, and the mental health of children with learning disabilities. In her previous role as a Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist for Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust, she was the local lead for the Neuropsychiatry and Neurodevelopmental Pathway. Her work in this area garnered her the 2017 Women Leaders MK awards for both Professional Services and Public Services. Her current Clinical work for the Cambian Group involves the assessment and treatment of a range of disorders in younger children and adolescents with autism and learning disabilities, (including among others depression, ADHD, anxiety disorders, OCD, eating disorders, and emotional and behavioural disorders). She delivers treatments in the following therapeutic modalities: Psychopharmacology; Behavioural Therapy; Cognitive Behaviour Therapy; Family therapy; and Psychodynamic psychotherapy, in addition to complex multisystems work, particularly when child protection issues are involved.
Among her other roles, she is also a GMC-accredited trainer for both the Core Psychiatry and Higher Specialty Training Schemes in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry for the Oxford Scheme with enhanced professional supervision and appraisal skills, and an Associate Dean for Professional Support at Health Education England-Thames Valley (formerly the Oxford Deanery) where she focuses on physician well being and resilience.
Dr Angus McLellan is a consultant psychiatrist specialised in assessing, diagnosing and treating a wide range of mental health disorders in adults, including ADHD. He completed his medical degree at the University of Glasgow before moving to Oxford where he undertook all his psychiatric training before working as a consultant in Oxford.
Dr McLellan is passionate about providing evidence based care and following a biopsychosocial model of treatment that ensures that all aspects of people’s situations are taken in to account in a collaborative and supportive manner.
Dr Stephen Barrattshaw MBChB BA BMedSci MSc MAcadMEd MRCPsych is a Consultant General Adult & Rehabilitation Psychiatrist. He originally trained as a nurse before medical school where he completed research, publishing papers in several international medical journals. He completed psychiatry training South Wales, obtaining Membership of The Royal College of Psychiatrists and completed a Masters Degree in Strategic Leadership in Healthcare. Dr Barrattshaw is a Member of The Academy of Medical Educators, was formerly Clinical Lecturer in Psychiatry for The University of Cardiff, Psychiatry Module Director for Swansea Medical School’s Physician Associate Course and is currently Director of Medical Education for a large NHS Trust. As a Consultant he has worked within in-patient and psychiatric intensive care settings, hospital liaison and community mental health. He is currently the Consultant Psychiatrist for a busy Early Intervention in Psychosis Service, and due to his special interest in ADHD, also holds a busy NHS Adult ADHD clinic. Dr Barrattshaw joined our team in 2021 and provides remote (online) assessment and reviews only.
Dr Graeme Tosh qualified as a General Adult Psychiatrist in 2009, having studied in Dundee, Scotland; and originally from Northern Ireland. He completed his psychiatry training in a number of locations across the UK before joining Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber NHS Trust in 2012 when he became a Consultant. Whilst at RDaSH he has worked in a variety of General Adult Psychiatry teams including Early Intervention in Psychosis, Intensive Community Therapies, Hospital Liaison, Perinatal Mental Health, Assertive Outreach, Adult Inpatients and most recently Adult ADHD where he has worked for the past 3 years as the medical lead for diagnostic services in Rotherham. In a management capacity Dr Tosh has led on service development and improvement in many of these teams and currently holds the post of Deputy Medical Director in his NHS Trust. He is also Executive Medical Director designate for the Trust, due to take up this role in April 2022.
Dr Shahnaz Hassan is a general adult consultant psychiatrist with a specialist interest in adult ADHD, experienced in its diagnosis and management. She graduated from the university of London, St George’s with a bachelors in neuroscience as well as medicine and surgery. She is also qualified as a member of the royal college of psychiatrists and a published researcher.
Dr Hassan has a passion for lifestyle psychiatry, aiming to equip people with lifelong personal resources such as regular physical activity, to manage their mental wellbeing. She is a qualified UK athletics coach, setting up & personally volunteering at a community based, weekly mental health support running and walking group (Run talk run & walk talk walk). She lives by what she preaches and is a keen triathlete herself and encourages others to find their passions in life to help them reach their full potential.
Dr Karolina Szumanska-Ryt is a Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist who has a wealth of experience in the assessment and treatment of a wide range of mental health problems and emotional difficulties affecting children and young people including depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorders, body dysmorphic disorder, eating disorders, deliberate self-harm, ADHD, ASD and Pervasive Arousal Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS). Her goal is to help children with early intervention to reach their full potential and thrive with a long term positive impact for both the child and their family.
Dr Szumanska-Ryt completed her core Psychiatric training in Cork and Kerry, Ireland. She then gained further experience working on an Adolescent PICU before completing her Specialist Training in Manchester. Dr Szumanska-Ryt started her Consultant career working on a children’s inpatient unit helping children and young people with neurodevelopmental difficulties (ADHD and ASD), eating disorders, depression, anxiety, psychosis, OCD and Pervasive Arousal Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS).
Dr Szumanska-Ryt takes a holistic and whole family approach and appreciates that the journey to seek an assessment can be a long and stressful one. She strives to create a safe and calm environment that will put you at ease and adopts a comprehensive and empathetic method when working with children and their families ,extending support during challenging moments. Safe and bespoke care is at the centre of her practice.
Dr Rachael Rattlidge is a child and adolescent psychiatrist with over a decade of experience in a variety of roles, including working with autistic people and treating related conditions such as specific learning difficulties, anxiety, and depression. Prior to this she worked as a consultant in a CAMHS team for the NHS. Dr Rattlidge graduated from Cardiff University before moving to Bristol where she trained in a variety of psychiatry specialities. She undertook further training in child and adolescent psychiatry and became recognised by the General Medical Council as a specialist in child and adolescent psychiatry. She has worked in a variety of services, including inpatient adolescent hospitals, community and outreach teams, and an inpatient forensic unit, assessing and treating people with a wide variety of complex needs and diagnoses. Dr Rattlidge is passionate about working with young people and their families, and works in a patient centred way, drawing on her experience and knowledge in the field to ensure the most appropriate approach is taken. Dr Rattlidge has a special interest in autism and has experience in the assessment and treatment of a wide variety of mental health difficulties experienced by children and young people including autism, low mood and anxiety.
Dr Clare Redmond is a Consultant Psychiatrist working in our adult service.
Alongside her Adult ADHD work Dr Redmond works for NHS Practitioner Health, assessing and treating mental health and addiction problems in healthcare professionals.
Dr Redmond has considerable medicolegal experience and completed her psychiatry training and early Consultant years within the Yorkshire Region.
Dr Redmond has conducted adult ADHD assessments for the Centre since 2023.
Dr Jennifer Roxburgh (MRCPsych MBChB BSc(MedSci) AFMCP) is a Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist in NHS CAMHS and Neurodevelopmental Services for Children and Young People. She trained in the West of Scotland and has expertise and experience in diagnosing and managing a wide range of mental health and neurodevelopmental presentations. For the clinic, she conducts ADHD assessments, and has a particular interest in ADHD in girls. Dr Roxburgh is passionate about integrative psychiatry and holistic health approaches that may support neurodevelopmental conditions and mental health difficulties in children and young people. She emphasises the significance of environmental and lifestyle factors including nutrition, sleep, exercise, and meaningful activities in empowering families and achieving optimal mental health outcomes.
Dr Parveen Chand is an experienced Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist also working in Community CAMHS as a Consultant in the NHS. She has a special interest in the diagnosis and management of neurodevelopmental conditions including ASD, ADHD and tic disorders and co-morbid mental health conditions. She also specialises in the diagnosis and management of adolescent depression, anxiety disorders, eating disorders and OCD. She has previously worked as a Psychiatrist in India and Saudi Arabia and has a keen interest in cultural influences in psychiatry. She uses a holistic and biopsychosocial approach in the management of mental health conditions. Dr Chand is a Consultant Teaching Fellow and Clinical supervisor for medical students and core trainees in psychiatry. Dr Chand is fluent in English, Hindi, Urdu and Tamil.
Dr Kenneth Wood is a hard-working and dedicated consultant general psychiatrist with over 30 years of experience working within the NHS. He has now been working as a private consultant since 2015 when he retired from the NHS.
He is particularly interested in ADHD and other neuropsychiatric conditions; he has significant experience diagnosing and treating a wide range of presentations, including ADHD, depression, bipolar affective disorders, severe mood disorders, and dementia. Highly regarded by his peers, Dr Wood is known as a compassionate and capable clinician with a gentle manner who likes to build warm relationships with clients and staff alike.
Dr Lamia Ali is a Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist who has expertise in Depression, Anxiety, Panic Attacks, OCD, Tics/Tourette’s Syndrome, Eating Disorders, ADHD and Autism. Her most recent NHS CAMHS consultant role was with South West London and St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust in the CAMHS team. Lamia was previously a CAMHS consultant in the Child and Adolescent Eating Disorders Service in Surrey & Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. Lamia completed her MRCPsych with the Royal College of Psychiatrists in 2015, and went on to sub-specialise in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry with the London Deanery (St Mary’s Training Scheme). During this time, she trained at Collingham Child and Family Centre, an in-patient unit providing mental and emotional health services to children under the age of 13.
Lamia recognises the importance of taking a multidisciplinary approach when working with young people and their families in order to establish a holistic treatment plan, considering appropriate evidence-based approaches – psychological, psychoeducation, parenting strategies and medication where necessary. Lamia takes pride in ensuring that young people and their families feel listened to and understood. As a parent watching your child struggle socially, academically or emotionally is heart-breaking. Working together, Lamia is confident she can provide your child and family with the right support to feel empowered to navigate the challenges you face.
Dr Swetangi Ambekar is a Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist with extensive experience in assessing and managing a range of mental health conditions including depression, anxiety, OCD, ADHD and ASD.
Dr Ambekar completed her training from West Midlands deanery and has been working as an NHS consultant and clinical supervisor for both higher and junior trainees. She is also actively involved in the academic teaching programme for higher child and adolescent trainees as the Consultant lead.
Dr Ambekar’s supportive and warm approach, blended with curiosity and sound clinical knowledge ensures that young people and their carers feel listened to and receive evidence based assessment, diagnosis and management support.
Dr Cipriano Beccar Varela is an adult Consultant Psychiatrist with over 17 years of experience in Argentina, Spain, and the UK, including 8 years as a Consultant Psychiatrist with the NHS. He earned his medical degree from Universidad del Salvador in 2006 and completed his specialist training in psychiatry through the Argentine Association of Psychiatrists (APSA). Dr Beccar Varela’s advanced education includes a postgraduate course in neurosciences from the Neuroscience Institute of Buenos Aires, a fellowship in dual diagnosis at Vall d’Hebron Hospital in Barcelona, and specialized training in the diagnosis and treatment of neurodivergent patients, particularly those with ADHD, since 2019 through the UK Adult ADHD Network (UKAAN).
Dr Beccar Varela has 8 years of experience as a Consultant Psychiatrist in the NHS, where he has provided comprehensive mental health care, supervised trainees, and managed complex psychiatric cases. Since 2019, he has also worked in private practice, conducting general psychiatric assessments, specialising in adult ADHD and neurodivergent conditions. He is actively registered with the GMC and the Official College of Physicians of Barcelona. Additionally, Dr Beccar Varela is an affiliate of the Royal College of Psychiatrists and a member of the Spanish Society of Dual Pathology and the World Association on Dual Disorders.
Paediatrician
Dr Ranjini Mohan is a paediatrician who works in both general and community (developmental) paediatrics. She trained in one of the top institutions in India, in St. John’s Medical College Hospital, completed her internship in India and then completed her postgraduation in UK, training and working in paediatrics since 2000. Ranjini developed a special interest in endocrinology, working at Great Ormond Street Hospital, part of UCLH. As part of her endocrinology interest, Ranjini worked with growth and puberty difficulties and with diabetes for a while. Subsequently this led to an interest in obesity and eating disorders. Ranjini worked with the eating disorders team at Oxford Health as a paediatrician, before joining Warwick hospital as a community paediatrician, having realised that feeding difficulties could often be a result of undiagnosed autism spectrum disorder. She has worked with children with autism for a number of years, and dealt with associated medical problems such as sleep and restrictive eating. Ranjini has also enjoyed teaching and training junior doctors throughout her career and has previously taught on MRCPCH courses. Ranjini has published research articles on various topics in the Archives of Diseases of Childhood and presented a paper at New York as a trainee on growth hormone in achondroplasia, and published in hot topics in Current Diabetes Reviews. She has presented with merit at Royal Society of Medicine. Her current interest is in all aspects of autism and she has been a part of the ARFID pathway being developed in Warwickshire and has written the guidelines for Oxford University Hospitals.
General Practitioner with Specialist Interest
Dr Heidi Phillips is a highly-skilled, approachable senior clinician with training in Autism assessments as well as advanced level training and significant experience diagnosing and treating ADHD.
Alongside her work as a neurodevelopmental specialist clinician, Heidi is Chair of the British Association for Neurodiversity, Clinical Advisor to the Royal College of GPs for Neurodiversity and a member of the Clinical Advisory Group for Wales Government for the Neurodevelopmental Pathway. She is an Associate Professor at Swansea University Medical School.
Heidi holds an MSc in Research for the Health Professions, a postgraduate certificate in medical education and British Medical Association awards for Clinical Teacher of the Year and Innovation in Medical Education. She teaches regularly on the subject of neurodiversity.
As a doctor, teacher and mother in a wonderfully neurodivergent family, Heidi is passionate about working with people to help them identify and understand the strengths and challenges associated with being neurodivergent.
Clinical Psychologists and Therapists
Dr Claire Rowbury is a Chartered Clinical Psychologist with over 20 years’ experience in an NHS Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service and Neurodevelopmental Service. Claire’s interest in Autism Spectrum Disorder and ADHD began during her early career when as a Developmental Psychologist, she was part of a research team at the University of Nottingham which explored the impact of Neurological and sensory conditions on infant social development. Recently, Claire has completed specialist training in clinical supervision which has led to her developing her role as a clinical supervisor to other team professionals. Currently, Claire is part of the Coventry and Warwickshire Neurodevelopmental Service, assessing children from the age of three to seventeen years and contributing to the provision of psychological therapies to children and young people.
Dr Jennifer Chapman is a Clinical Psychologist with a passion for working with children, young people, and their families. Since completing her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at The University of Oxford, she has worked for Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust in their CAMHS Neurodevelopmental conditions team. She is qualified to use the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS), the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R), and the WISC (Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children). These are comprehensive tools which are particularly useful for diagnosing neurodevelopmental conditions and learning needs. Jennifer has a particular interest in anxiety disorders and has conducted and published research on social anxiety disorder in children, collaborating with leading experts in the field. She also teaches and supervises students on The University of Oxford Doctorate programme in Clinical Psychology. Jennifer joined the Oxford ADHD & Autism Centre team in Summer 2022.
Kate Philip is a Speech and Language Therapist from the UK. She gained a BSc in Psychology from Exeter University in 2005 and qualified as a Speech and Language Therapist from City University London in 2011. She has provided assessment and therapy within paediatric multidisciplinary clinics, special education/mainstream schools and specialist schools for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in London and Singapore for 11 years. She works with a range of diagnoses including Autism Spectrum Disorder, Social Communication Disorder, Articulation delay, Phonological delay/disorder, Language delay/disorder and Apraxia.
Zoë Hodge is an accredited Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and EMDR Therapist with 20 years of experience in both NHS and private practice settings. She holds an MSc in Psychological Therapies Research and Practice from the University of Exeter and is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Educational Psychology (DEdPsy) from the University of Dundee, expected to complete in 2024. Her doctoral research focuses on the mental health of neurodivergent adolescents across various educational pedagogy and she is passionately interested in this field. She is trained in ADOS and ADIr, Autism Clinical Interview for Adults (ACIA), and is also a qualified ADHD assessor, conducting assessments with adults and children for the past 4 years.
Assistant Psychologists
Jess Downs is an Assistant Psychologist who graduated with first class honours in psychology from Bangor University.
Following work experience in a number of school settings she has gained a passion for working with individuals with neurodiversity and seeing the difference a diagnosis can make to a person’s life.
Jess joined the Oxford ADHD & Autism Centre in summer 2023, and assists in assessments for children’s ADHD &/or autism assessments as well as the initial triage process for both adults and children.
Daisy Evans is an Assistant Psychologist who graduated with a first-class degree in psychology from the University of Warwick.
She has worked as an SEN Teaching Assistant in schools, supporting children with neurodevelopmental conditions, and is passionate about promoting awareness and understanding of neurodiversity. She has previously gained experience in hospital settings and mental health charities while studying.
Daisy joined the Oxford ADHD & Autism Centre in 2024 and is responsible for the initial triage process for children and adults entering our service to ensure that we are appropriate for their needs.
Bethany Whiteley is originally from Gloucestershire, and joined the Oxford ADHD & Autism Centre in 2024. Beth acquired her 2:1 BSc Psychology (Hons) degree from the Open University in July 2022.
Prior to this Beth worked as a support worker with adults with learning disabilities and/or mental health issues in various settings. She has also previously worked as an Assistant Psychologist within a CLDT, and has worked with children in a school in Gloucestershire as a TA. Beth is also responsible for the initial triage process for children and adults looking for support from our service.
Neurodevelopmental Specialists
Mark Brady is a Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist with a special interest in
autism. Mark completed his undergraduate degree in Psychology and Masters degree in Neuropsychology in Bath, before attending training in Psychological Therapies at Exeter University. Mark has over 10 years experience working across a range of NHS and independent settings, in both Primary and Intermediate Care Teams. Mark provides psychological interventions for a broad range of mental health difficulties as an accredited CBT Therapist. He also utilises Compassion Focused Therapy, Mindfulness, Lego Therapy groups for children and provides social skills training for adults. Mark also works for autism diagnostic services and is both ADOS-2 and ADI-R trained.
Emma Woodhouse is a Neurodevelopmental Specialist at The Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience. She has extensive clinical and research experience, and has worked at The Maudsley Adult outpatient ASC/ADHD service, The National Autism (inpatient) Unit at The Bethlem Hospital and The Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families. Emma is an experienced trainer and supervisor in the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule –Second Edition (ADOS-2) and the Autism Diagnostic Interview- Revised (ADI-R). She has completed over 1,000 ADOS-2 and ADI-R assessments, which includes high profile medicolegal work. Emma is a qualified integrative counsellor and member of The British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), and works therapeutically with both adults and children. Emma is a member of the UK ADHD Partnership with a particular interest in ADHD and co-occurring conditions. In addition to ASC and ADHD, she has a particular interest in working with gender dysphoria, personality disorders and forensics. Emma runs workshops about ASC and ADHD, and has contributed to a number of research publications.
Specialist Nurses and Non Medical Prescribing Team
Sam Barry qualified as a registered learning disabilities nurse in 1999. Her nursing career spans over 20 years with 15 of those being in senior nurse positions and management roles. Sam has worked with children and young people since 2009 in the role of Head of Healthcare at a secure training centre. Sam is currently a Senior Practitioner and NMP (nurse prescriber) for the NHS within a Specialist Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service, providing care to children and young people with complex mental health needs, including diagnosis and treatment for ADHD patients. Sam is the pathway lead for anxiety and mood disorders, overseeing the treatment path of all patients on this pathway. Sam is also a trained Dialectical Behaviour Therapist and is part of the specialist DBT team within her CAMHS service. Sam supervises and supports other practitioners within the team and holds a position on the senior leadership team. In addition Sam is currently studying her Masters in Advanced Clinical Practice. Sam’s engaging personality ensures that families and children alike feel comfortable and supported within challenging times and whilst seeking professional support.
Jennifer Hawkins qualified as a Mental Health Nurse in 2013 and became a Non-Medical Prescriber in 2018 whilst working within Berkshire CAMHS. Prior to qualifying as a Nurse, Jenny worked as a support worker with Older Adults in Berkshire who had acute and chronic mental health difficulties; and in a domiciliary care service prior to this. Jenny currently works in the NHS Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services providing support, assessment and management of treatment within the NDC (Neurodevelopmental Conditions) team. Jenny joined the Oxford ADHD & Autism Centre in 2022 and offers follow up appointments for ADHD medication reviews.
Noel Swarbrick qualified as a Mental Health Nurse in 2006 and became a non-medical prescriber in 2016. Prior to his nursing Noel completed a BSc honors degree in Psychology and Health Science. Noel has worked with adults and children in different roles throughout his career. This has been in both hospital and community environments with the NHS and private sector. Noel is also a trained Dialectical Behaviour Therapist (DBT) and whilst working for CAMHS in Somerset set up a DBT service in this area. Noel joined the Oxford ADHD and Autism Centre in November 2023. Within his current role he offers appointments for ADHD medication reviews and support to members of the clinical team.
Funmilayo Ajala (known as “Layo”) is a qualified Mental Health Nurse with more than 10 years experience, specialising in neurodevelopmental conditions, particularly autism and ADHD. Funmilayo is deeply passionate about making the assessment process as comfortable as possible, ensuring that individuals can express their needs clearly for the best possible outcomes. Funmilayo has extensive experience working with clients of all ages. Over the years, she has developed a specialist interest in working with individuals with autism, ADHD, and their families, with a particular focus on how these conditions present across ethnic minority cultures. Funmilayo works at a diagnostic level and has been actively involved in diagnostics for over five years, being trained in ADI-R, ADOS, and ADHD assessments. She enjoys the diversity of working with both adults and children and takes a person-centered approach to neurodevelopmental assessments, ensuring that key aspects such as masking are thoroughly explored. In the clinic setting, Funmilayo conducts parental interviews, ADOS and ADHD assessments, participates in multidisciplinary panel discussions, and provides diagnostic feedback with care and sensitivity to families. Additionally, she offers one-on-one support to families, providing education about autism and ADHD outside of the clinical environment. In addition, Funmilayo has a diverse background in mental health therapeutic services, including psychiatric intensive care and rehabilitation units. She has also contributed to clinical research, working on the development of therapeutic medications. Funmilayo is described by her peers as knowledgeable and hard working with an authentic passion for supporting families, and her colleagues. She is known for her approachable, friendly and smiling nature.
Coaching
Francesca Melluzzi is a well-being practitioner, somatic coach, mentor, and trauma & mental health practitioner; with 20 years of experience working with body-based therapies using coaching, breath work, therapeutic art, yoga and embodied movement. Her work is based on Somatic coaching, mindfulness, psychoeducation, attachment theory, and polyvagal theory with the understanding that stress is released through the body and not just talking alone. She firmly believes that people thrive when they are made to feel emotionally and psychologically safe. She feels it is possible to create an empowering and nurturing space for any young person, so that over time, it will bring about a sense of trust towards themselves and others, ultimately resulting in them feeling closer to being in their own autonomy with practical tools and strategies to manage the ups and downs of life. Francesca also works with various Oxford based charities and runs courses for parents with neurodivergent children through the NHS and CAMHS. She has also worked as a support worker for a respite centre – “Camp Mohawk”, which supports children and families with special needs. Francesca has also co-founded a youth well-being project called ‘Thrive teens’ that supports teenagers to connect with other neurodiverse young people, through the use of therapeutic art as well as using movement, sound, and mindfulness as tools and strategies that give people practical ways to manage difficult emotions, and to improve both physical and mental health.
Special Educational Needs
Katherine Rose is a Special Educational Needs specialist, working for over 20 years with young people aged 3 to 16+ in a variety of educational settings. As a SENCO and school senior leader, she has a wealth of experience and knowledge across all aspects of children’s academic and wider learning needs. For the past 12 years Katherine has been SENCO and Inclusion Lead of a large primary and nursery school, alongside her roles as Mental Health First Aider and the Designated Looked After Children and Safeguarding Lead. She has been responsible for the early identification of and planning and overseeing provision for any learning needs, in collaboration with pupils, parents, family, teachers and external agencies. She is an experienced SEND trainer, coach and mentor for staff and parents and headed up a team of 30 support staff. She is a strong advocate, voice, and often mediator, for all those involved in the life of each pupil – the pupil, parents/family and school team. She takes pride in quickly forming trusted, nurturing and confident relationships with pupils and adults. She is particularly skilled at recognizing and unpicking problems swiftly, and often imaginatively, to find resources, lasting strategies and positive outcomes. She has a particular specialism, knowledge and interest in the neurodiverse learning needs of pupils and how underlying self esteem, resilience, anxiety and mental health problems can interplay. Katherine is dedicated to supporting pupils, parents and school teams to understand how to learn to what makes each pupil tick and above all how to “join the dots” for every pupil so that they can be happy, thrive, be resilient and confident and reach their potential.
Administration Team
Charlotte Jarvis has over 18 years’ experience in the NHS, working for the Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust. Charlotte started her career in administrative roles supporting Orthopaedic Teams at the Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre. She then gained Trust wide experience in an analytical role, before becoming the Business Analyst for the Orthopaedic Division; and ultimately an Elective Access Support and Performance Manager for the Trust. Charlotte joined the Oxford ADHD & Autism Centre in February 2019 as Practice Manager, and enjoys working as part of a multidisciplinary team; helping children and adults find the support they need to face their challenges and difficulties in life.
Grace O’Leary joined the Oxford ADHD and Autism Centre in October 2023 as Practice Co-ordinator. Previously Grace obtained a degree in Fine Art from Crawford in Cork City, Ireland, where she specialised in making books about mental health. Grace has previously worked in management in Boots UK and Opticians, gaining a breadth of skills in organisational management, health and safety, healthcare, and HR, in a team-leadership role. Grace also received her NVQ Level 2 for Pharmacy Dispensing while in this role. After 13 years she began her journey with the Oxford ADHD Centre where she co-ordinates clinician’s availability, team schedules and clinic openings. She also supports the practice manager with operational and HR related matters.
Caroline Godbolt-Kendall joined the Oxford ADHD and Autism Centre Team in October 2017 as a Receptionist.
Caroline previously worked within administrative and PA roles before she joined a local GP practice gaining 15 year’s experience as a Senior Receptionist/Assistant Practice Manager.
Caroline enjoys working with Oxford ADHD and Autism Centre where she finds each day both exciting and challenging and she loves the interaction with with our patients and their families.
Julia Hutton joined the Oxford ADHD and Autism Centre team as a Secretary and office administrator in November 2021.
Julia has over 22 years experience as a medical receptionist and medical secretary, working within both the NHS and private sector.
Julia brings a wealth of experience to the team, assisting with the efficient processing of our office administration duties and effective communication with patients post assessment.
Donna Edwards joined the Oxford ADHD and Autism Centre in November 2022 as a Secretary and office administrator.
With personal experience of autism and ADHD, Donna enjoys being part of our clinic to help and support others, but also enjoys supporting our clinicians with their work for our clients.
Donna comes from a healthcare background, having worked for the NHS in GP surgeries in a variety of roles for 20 years.
Caitlin Godbolt Kendall joined the Oxford ADHD & Autism Centre in April 2022 in an administration and reception role, predominantly at our new clinic premises in Garsington. After finishing her studies, Caitlin worked for her local GP Practice for 3 years. During this time Caitlin achieved a distinction in a Level 3 Business and Administration qualification. In addition to this, Caitlin also has experience working within the catering and customer service industry. Caitlin’s experience in working with people, patients and in a busy environment, has given her a passion to help others. Caitlin enjoys being part of a team where she meets lots of new people and enjoys the variety of her role each day.
Carol Green joined the Oxford and Autism Centre in June 2022.
Carol has worked in a Customer Relations role in hospitality and more recently a care home setting for 25+ years.
With personal experience of Autism and ADHD, Carol wanted to join our team to gain experience, be part of a friendly working team and to offer help with assisting families in the support and guidance we offer through assessments and follow up treatment for children and adults.
Eman Suliman is a junior medical doctor who completed her Bachelor degree in Medicine & Surgery.
Alongside pursuing her GMC registration, Eman manages our incoming clinical enquiries and repeat prescription requests, liaising between clinicians and patients and providing support to the multidisciplinary clinical team in processing controlled and non-controlled medication prescriptions.
Eman joined the team in 2023 and is passionate about mental and public health causes.
Rochelle Roque is an Office Administrator at the Oxford ADHD & Autism Centre who joined the team in October 2023. Rochelle is responsible for managing enquiries, communicating with patients, and collaborating with the team to ensure patients receive the support they need.
Rochelle is dedicated to providing excellent customer service and support to individuals with ADHD and Autism, drawing upon her previous experience in customer-facing roles. Rochelle holds a BA (Hons) International Business Management degree from Coventry University. She is passionate about mental health and helping others, which is evident in her qualification in Youth Work Practice Level 2 (QCF).
Her educational background in International Business Management and Youth Work Practice has equipped her with the skills necessary to effectively communicate and assist patients and their families in need of support.
Arthur Latcham joined the Oxford ADHD & Autism centre in August 2024 as a Secretary/Administrator. Arthur has a BA in Combined Studies: Intercultural Communication and Learning with Japanese.
Arthur is deeply passionate about disability rights and equality and has previously contributed to various NHS-led focus groups and grass roots activism campaigns, as well as being a vocal disability advocate with a specific focus on disabled members of the LGBTQ+ community.
With a lifelong fascination with global languages and culture, Arthur has worked as a freelance proofreader, editor, and translator, as well as spending more than ten years as a teaching assistant in special needs education. They are a hobby writer of fiction and poetry, and especially enjoy collaborative storytelling.
Arthur has personal experience of ADHD and Autism Spectrum Conditions and is determined to ensure that neurodiverse voices are heard, and that patients are informed and active in all aspects of their care. They pride themselves on delivering conscientious, person-centred service, and navigating challenges with compassion and a sense of humour.
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