Meet our practitioners

We are a group of independent practitioners working collaboratively to best support you and your family.

Meet the Team

  • She/her

    I’m Dr Katie Adolphus, a Clinical Psychologist with over 20 years’ experience. I started my working life in the NHS in 1995, qualified as a Clinical Psychologist in 1999 and have worked independently since 2009.

    I’ve worked in Specialist Hospital settings, such as Great Ormond Street, and in Community Child & Adolescent Mental Health Teams (CAMHS) and coordinated services for autistic children in a London Borough. I have also been part of a childhood anxiety research project at Reading University providing an innovative form of therapy. I am also a lecturer at Exeter University, helping train Primary Wellbeing Practitioners to support children and young people who are autistic and/or have a learning disability.

    What am I like as a person?

    I’m knowledgeable, professional and experienced. I’m also understanding, straightforward and compassionate; caring deeply about my client’s frustrations, anxieties and concerns. I’m a good listener who likes to work in a collaborative way using a combination of expertise, experience and team work to help you find a positive way forward.

  • I’m Kathryn Adolphus and alongside my wife, Katie, I am Company Director and Practice Manager of the family-run Adolphus Practice. I will be your main point of contact both at the beginning and then again towards the end of your journey with us, planning assessment dates and then coordinating our final diagnostic report.

    I look after our team and all things ‘behind-the-scenes’ that nobody else gets to see! I also run our Facebook and Instagram Social Media pages.

    I worked as a veterinary nurse during my early career history, within two small animal practices. I was also driving instructor and an interviewer with the Office for National Statistics. I have worked within the NHS for many years, most recently before relocating to Wiltshire, for Yorkshire Ambulance Service in my home county as a part of one of their four specialist palliative care crews. It was an extremely rewarding role. We were lucky enough to have received funding to provide special, final trips for some patients. I will never forget the visits we facilitated for our patients, allowing them to see loved ones, places and pets one last time.

    What am I like as a person? I’m the quiet, thoughtful type with a compassionate nature. Organised and thorough and have an eye for detail.

    I enjoy a good documentary, crime drama or stand up comedy. I’m also a huge animal lover (with two rescued street dogs from Romania named Nelly and Nora) and a keen gardener with a passion for growing vegetables. I’m also a bit of a foodie with a love of cooking and of nice restaurants. I enjoy the countryside and feel lucky to now live in the beautiful county of Wiltshire, although nothing beats being in my happy place on a Cornish beach.

Assessment team members

  • I am Dr Claire Radbourne, Clinical Psychologist and Clinical Lead at the Adolphus Practice. I began working in the NHS in 2004 and qualified as a Clinical Psychologist in 2008. Before moving into independent practice, I worked in NHS learning disability services in London and the South East for over 14 years. Prior to training, I worked in an autism residential service and I also gained experience working with adults post ADHD diagnosis at the Maudsley Hospital in London. I have a wealth of experience and expertise in the provision of assessment, as well as therapy, to neurodivergent adults and young people, and have provided consultation and training to staff teams and services both within and outside of the NHS. I have extensive experience of conducting diagnostic assessments as part of multidisciplinary specialist teams and have undergone training in a number of autism and ADHD diagnostic and assessment tools, which I incorporate into my assessment work at The Adolphus Practice. I also provide examining and teaching to the Clinical Psychology Doctoral Training Course at the University of Southampton.

    What am I like as a person?

    As well as being knowledgeable, skilled and professional, I am compassionate and non-judgemental and described by others as being easy to talk to. I am motivated to develop a shared understanding of an individual’s life experiences and how they may or may not relate to neurodiversity. My aim is to develop a collaborative sense of what will help improve wellbeing and enable an individual to live a life aligned with their individual strengths and values.

  • She/her

    I am an HCPC – registered Clinical Psychologist who completed the Statement of Equivalence in Clinical Psychology via the British Psychological Society in 2010 and after qualifying I spent 13 years working in the NHS Adult Psychology Service.

    My main area of expertise is working with adult clients with mental health difficulties. As a part of my role, I has been involved is completing autism assessment and supporting other clinicians in carrying out adult autism assessments as well as working with neurodivergent clients in therapy. I have experience working with families and young people within a neurodevelopmental assessment service and previously worked in a residential National Autistic Society school providing individualised support for young people. 

    I competed DISCO training in 2016 and have extensive experience in delivering psychological assessments and formulations with clients experiencing mental health difficulties as well as those who are neurodivergent. I regularly update and expand my skills in working with neurodiversity and I continue to work with adult clients as well as with young people and their families. 

  • I’m Helen Frost, a Specialist Speech and Language Therapist with over 20 years experience in autism, as well as a qualified Psychotherapist. I have worked in London, Swindon, Bath and Wiltshire in various settings in education, in the NHS, in mental health settings and in private practice. I have extensive experience delivering autism diagnostic assessments within a multidisciplinary team and am passionate about the assessment process being a therapeutic collaboration between client and professional.

    What am I like as a person? I am a sociable introvert, with a calm, containing nature and a focussed curiosity in the world and its population. I love getting to know new people and learning from new insights and perspectives. I also love being in nature, giving myself time to refuel and rebalance. I work in a thoughtful, person-centred way.

  • She/her

     I am Amy Cooper, an Assistant Psychologist at The Adolphus Practice. Since 2004, I have worked a number of different roles within the NHS. I have supported a range of client groups including adults with learning disabilities, supporting them with daily living skills. I have worked with adults within a forensic population, supporting them to rehabilitate back into the community. I have also worked with adults seeking help to manage anxiety and low mood. As part of this role, I gained a postgraduate qualification in teaching Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) skills. After taking a career break to start a family, I completed a Level 3 Diploma in Counselling skills, before working within a primary school as a teaching assistant.

    As Assistant Psychologist, my role in the assessment process is to ensure that everyone completes the relevant questionnaires in time for their assessment, and interpret the scores. I also conduct any necessary school observations, and you may see me at the face to face assessment appointments. I also help with writing the final reports before our feedback meetings.

    What am I like as a person? I am friendly, approachable and empathic. I have had a keen interest in working with neurodivergent individuals throughout my career so far, and feel privileged to be a part of a team that supports people through such a significant time in their life. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with family and friends at the beach or in the New Forest. When my children allow it, I also enjoy relaxing with a good book or crocheting.

  • She/her

    I’m Dr Jennifer Turner, a qualified Clinical Psychologist since 2014.  I’ve worked in the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services and undertaken autism assessments both privately, and for the NHS. I have also worked in services that help young neurodivergent people with mental health difficulties (anxiety, obsessional and compulsive behaviours, low mood and depression) and their families, to access education. I am trained to offer Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) interventions specially adapted for neurodiverse children and young people. 

    What am I like as a person? I am warm-hearted, skilled and professional, using a combination of expertise, experience and understanding to find the positive solutions and outcomes you need.  I offer a safe and inclusive space to enable young people to explore  experiences and feelings. I have a particular interest in working with neurodiverse young women.

  • (She/Her)

    I’m Dr Sharon McKinnon, an Independent Clinical Psychologist since 2017, having previously worked for the NHS both before and after completing my clinical psychology doctorate in 1999. 

    My specialisms are therapeutic parenting, attachment-based approaches and developmental trauma. For 17 years, I worked as part of a multi-agency team for children with complex behavioural and mental health difficulties, specialising in children who are looked after and adopted. I’m also trained to complete autism assessments.

    What am I like as a person? I am thoughtful, respectful, considerate and calm.  In addition to my role as an Independent Clinical Psychologist, and my assessment work with the Adolphus Practice, I am also a qualified Yoga Teacher.  I have an interest in working with care-experienced young people, and families created through adoption. I use my knowledge and experience to help find the most positive way forward for you and your child.

  • She/her

    I’m Dr Christina White, a qualified Clinical Psychologist and experienced autism assessor. Since qualifying from Cardiff University in 2009, I have worked in the NHS extensively with adults with intellectual disabilities (learning disabilities) and autistic adults. 

    I offer Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Compassion Focussed Therapy (CFT) for a range of emotional difficulties, including anxiety, low mood, and emotional regulation. I can work with people who have experienced traumatic and adverse life events. I am skilled in being able to adapt these approaches for neurodiverent people or people with intellectual disabilities in order for them to fully access psychological therapy.

    What am I like as a person? I am thoughtful, caring and have a deep interest in supporting people to understand and adapt to the discovery that they are autistic. I can work with the individual and, if appropriate, alongside family members and carers to facilitate understanding. I offer a compassionate and reflective space to discuss any concerns, as well as support to recognise your strengths and resources, working towards your hopes and goals for the future.

  • I worked in private practice for the past 8 years, with special interests in trauma and neurodiversity. I am passionate about supporting neurodivergent young people and their families, and have particular expertise in PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance – or, ‘pervasive drive for autonomy’, as is a more accurate title), as well as non-demand avoidant presentations of autism and ADHD.

    After obtaining my undergraduate degree in Psychology, I started my NHS career in inpatient and residential adult mental health services. During my doctoral training, I moved towards child and adolescent mental health with specialist placements at Great Ormond Street Hospital in eating disorder and child inpatient services, as well as placements in CAMHS community teams. I also had specialist placements in adult trauma services and conducted my doctoral research in forensic services looking at offence-related PTSD. Since qualifying in 2015, I have undertaken further training in EMDR.

    Now based overseas, I am available for remote appointments.

  • (She/Her) 

    ’m Sally Leung, a Specialist Speech and Language Therapist (SLT) with over 25 years’ experience, and an autism and ADHD specialist since 2004. 

    I’ve been Lead SLT in this field for a London borough, worked closely with specialist teams in CAMHS and education and have extensive experience in conducting autism and ADHD diagnostic assessments. I have also developed new therapy approaches and packages for autistic children and those with ADHD.

  • She/her

    I am Yasmin Taylor, qualified Mental Health Nurse with 12 years' experience. I have worked in both private and NHS organisations within Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, completing autism and ADHD assessments for young people.I also work therapeutically with neurodivergent young people with mental health difficulties such as Anxiety, low mood, depression and trauma, supporting them to build on skills using adapted Cognitive Behavioural Therapy or Dialectical Behaviour Therapy approaches. I have recently completed training in Non-Violent Resistance, in which I have been working with families and parents to support a reduction in violence, control and challenging behaviour within the home.

    What am I like as a person?I am often a busy, playful person. I enjoy working with children and young person, they can teach us so much. I have a special passion around ADHD and Autism, whilst I see it first-hand within my home. If I can help support these young people through some of the challenges and offer support, to make these time less difficult for them to experience.  I am a very passionate about helping animals too if I can. I have rescued many animals from harm and rewilded them back into nature. I provide a loving home for ex battery hens and supporting the local wildlife conservation groups with protecting certain species.

Ongoing Support, Therapy and Coaching:

  • She/her

    I am an autistic autism and ADHD coach and I have been working in this field since 2019.  In addition to my lived experience, I have recently achieved a Distinction in my Masters in Autism (Adults).  I also work as a specialist coach for the hybrid self-management system Brain in Hand, and have previous experience in health, HR and voluntary youth organisations gaining additional training in employment law, talent development and ACAS workplace mediation. I am a member of the Institute of Equality and Diversity Professionals.

    I am passionate about supporting people in understanding their ‘So what now?’ after a discovery or diagnosis of autism or ADHD.  I champion and centre the voices of the people I work with as we work together to find and implement ways of doing life well. 

  • I’m Dr Jennifer Turner, a qualified Clinical Psychologist since 2014.  I’ve worked in the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services and undertaken autism assessments both privately, and for the NHS. I have also worked in services that help young neurodivergent people with mental health difficulties (anxiety, obsessional and compulsive behaviours, low mood and depression) and their families, to access education. I am trained to offer Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) interventions specially adapted for neurodiverse children and young people. 

    What am I like as a person? I am warm-hearted, skilled and professional, using a combination of expertise, experience and understanding to find the positive solutions and outcomes you need.  I offer a safe and inclusive space to enable young people to explore  experiences and feelings. I have a particular interest in working with neurodiverse young women.

  • I’m Helen Frost, a Specialist Speech and Language Therapist with over 20 years experience in autism, as well as a qualified Psychotherapist. I have worked in London, Swindon, Bath and Wiltshire in various settings in education, in the NHS, in mental health settings and in private practice. I have extensive experience delivering autism diagnostic assessments within a multidisciplinary team and am passionate about the assessment process being a therapeutic collaboration between client and professional.

    What am I like as a person? I am a sociable introvert, with a calm, containing nature and a focussed curiosity in the world and its population. I love getting to know new people and learning from new insights and perspectives. I also love being in nature, giving myself time to refuel and rebalance. I work in a thoughtful, person-centred way.

WE USE IDENTITY FIRST LANGUAGE

The Adolphus Practice uses identity-first language (‘Autistic person’).  

We do this because, after listening to the autistic community we understand that the majority prefer it.  Of course, if you would like us to use person-first language, we will be very happy to do so.