About Tidswell Clinical Psychology
Hello, I'm Dr Katharine Tidswell
Tidswell Clinical Psychology is my independent Clinical Psychology practice. Qualifying as a Clinical Psychologist in 2011, I have gained 12 years experience across community, hospital and school settings, developing specialist skills in working psychologically with children, adolescents, families and other systems around the child.
My NHS role over the past 12 years has been within Community CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services). I currently lead a Specialist CAMHS Service, where effective multiagency working is paramount.
My key skills are in helping children, their families and the agencies around them understand "what is going on" . In psychology speak, we call this "formulation".
Qualifications and Skills
Along with a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, I am an accredited Interpersonal Psychotherapy for Adolescents (IPT-A) practitioner and supervisor. I have received training to deliver Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing therapy (EMDR) and Theraplay, which I integrate with my general psychological therapy skills.
I am skilled at assessing Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), having contributed to well over 100 multidisciplinary assessments of children and young people over the past 12 years. I am experienced in using the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS-II) and have recently started using the Autism Diagnostic Interview (ADI-R) to enrich the developmental history taking aspect of the assessment.
My reports enable a further understanding of the child, regardless of whether a diagnosis is given.
Schools Experience
Experience as a Clinical Psychologist working in both mainstream and specialist (SEMH) schools, as well as providing case by case consultation to schools throughout my NHS career, has given me a realistic insight into the challenges faced by education professionals. I acknowledge that as a Clinical Psychologist I might spend an hour a week with a young person, on a 1:1 basis with a clear focus on addressing their mental health needs. Educators, pastoral and safeguarding staff can spend over 30 hours a week with children whose mental health needs and social circumstances are at odds with their readiness and capacity to engage with learning.
Through observations, 1:1 assessments with pupils and consultations with key staff, I bring psychological theory and formulation skills to this multi-source information to deliver bespoke formulations and tailored recommendations for how to meet individual needs.