bird-family

we are a group of psychologists passionate about working with families

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About Us

We are a group of psychologists passionate about working with families. Founded by clinical and forensic psychologist, Dr Andrea Shortland and joined by Dr Jocelyne Kenny (clinical psychologist and systemic practitioner), Dr Ananda van den Heuvel (clinical psychologist), Dr Sharon Brooks (clinical psychologist and EMDR accredited practitioner) and Dr Louisa Stokou (clinical psychologist). We have extensive experience in working with families from all walks of life across a range of settings. Our work has included working with: couples facing relationship difficulties; attachment and trauma difficulties with adopted and looked after children; and working with families following bereavement, traumatic experiences, acquired brain injury and long term neurological and health conditions. In addition to the online and digital resources provided by the Pocket Family Psychologist, we also offer face-to-face therapy through www.shortlandpsychology.com.

As psychologists, we are trained to draw upon multiple theoretical approaches and the research evidence base to develop flexible frameworks and interventions that are based upon individual client need.

Why Family Psychology Matters?

What is clinical psychologist

A brief overview of the main therapeutic approaches we use and will draw upon in our work with families

Dr Andrea Shortland

Clinical & Forensic Psychologist, EMDR Consultant (adult & child) and accredited ddp practitioner.

Dr Andrea Shortland is a Chartered Clinical Psychologist, EMDR Consultant and Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP) Practitioner. Andrea specialises in working with trauma, anxiety and attachment difficulties with both children and adults. Andrea is available for family consultations and regular therapeutic sessions with adults and children.
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Dr Jocelyne Kenny

clinical psychologist and systemic practitioner

Dr Jocelyne Kenny is a Chartered Clinical Psychologist and is also a Systemic Practitioner registered with the Association of Family Therapy. Jocelyne specialises in helping parents to understand and manage children’s challenging behaviour and tantrums. Jocelyne also specialises in couple work and helping parents to co-parent effectively; including parents who have divorced or separated and ‘blended’ families. Jocelyne is available for family, parent and couple consultations.
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Dr Charis Green

Clinical Psychologist

Dr Charis Green is a Clinical Psychologist with further specialist training in: EMDR, Adaptive Mentalisation Based Integrative Treatment (AMBIT) and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT). Charis is also trained in animal assisted therapy. Charis has a particular specialism in working with young people with complex mental health difficulties and risk presentations, including those at high risk to themselves, those in contact with the youth justice system and those at risk of exploitation. Charis is available for family consultations and regular therapeutic sessions with adults and adolescents.
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Dr Ananda Van Den Heuvel

Clinical Psychologist

Dr Ananda Van Den Heuvel is a Chartered Clinical Psychologist, a registered Dynamic Interpersonal Therapy (DIT) Practitioner and a Mentalization Based Treatment for Families (MBT-F) Practitioner.
Ananda’s areas of specialism include supporting adults, children and families affected by: neurodevelopmental difficulties such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD); developmental difficulties (e.g. feeding, toileting, sleep) including those that occur in the context of ASD; trauma/PTSD; and physical illness and unexplained medical symptoms.
Ananda provides family consultations, assessments and therapeutic interventions.

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Dr Louisa Stokou

Clinical Psychologist

Dr Louisa Stokou is a Chartered Clinical Psychologist with further training in EMDR, Mentalization Based Therapy for Families and attachment focused therapies such as Video Interactional Guidance (VIG). Louisa specialises in working with adults and young people who have experienced trauma and anxiety; parent-child attachment relationships; and child and adolescent mental health difficulties. Louisa is available for family consultations and regular therapeutic work with children, adults and families.
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Dr Sharon Brooks

Clinical Psychologist and EMDR Accredited Practitioner

Dr Sharon Brooks is a Clinical Psychologist and is also an EMDR trained therapist. Sharon specialises in working with adults with a wide range of mental health difficulties, these include trauma and attachment difficulties, anxiety, mood-based problems (including depression), stress and relationship difficulties. Sharon works collaboratively with clients using interventions such as EMDR, CBT, compassion-focussed therapy and systemic models. Sharon is available for adult consultations and regular therapeutic sessions with adults.
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Dr Lucy Mills

Clinical Psychologist

Dr Lucy Mills is a Chartered Clinical Psychologist and is currently training to gain Systemic Practitioner status with the Institute of Family Therapy and integrates this with CBT and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Lucy also works as a clinical and academic tutor on the Salomons Doctorate in Clinical Psychology Programme. Lucy specialises in working with couples, families and adolescents. Lucy has specialist experience in working with families caring for elderly family members or those with mental health difficulties or neurological impairments such as dementia or psychosis. Lucy is available for family consultations and regular therapeutic sessions with adults and adolescents.
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Saskia Raymond

Office Manager

Saskia works behind the scenes, making sure all runs smoothly. If you make an inquiry, you are likely to be in contact with Saskia. In addition to her work with Pocket Family Psychologist, Saskia is a mother of two boys and enjoys art & photography.

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About us

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Dr Andrea Shortland

BACKGROUND

Dr Andrea Shortland is a Consultant Clinical Psychologist chartered with the British Psychological Society and registered as a Practitioner Psychologist as a Forensic and Clinical Psychologist with the Health & Care Professions Council. Andrea is a fully accredited EMDR Practitioner accredited in working both with adults and children. Andrea is also trained and experienced in a range of attachment focused therapies for children and families including Theraplay and Dyadic Development Psychotherapy (DDP). Andrea has specialised in working with families throughout her career. Highlights have included a specialist placement at the Bouverie Family Therapy Centre in Melbourne, Australia; working with Looked After and Adopted families in CAMHS and Social Care; working with families in a specialist service for families affected by homicide; and Expert Witness assessments for the Family Courts.

EXPERTISE

Andrea has specialist expertise in the assessment and treatment of trauma, anxiety and attachment difficulties in children, adults and families. Andrea is passionate about integrating and tailoring interventions for families to ensure choice and control for the family and the most effective approach. She combines latest approaches such as ACT and Compassion Focused Therapy with EMDR, CBT and systemic approaches. Andrea’s therapeutic style is collaborative and playful – even when discussing very serious issues, a little humour or story can go a long way to keeping things accessible.

ANDREA SAYS:

“I am very fortunate in that I really love my work – it can be amazing to watch the changes for a family or individual with just a new idea, perspective or space to process something painful that has been getting in the way. I also love the continual learning that goes with being a psychologist – I belong to several specialist learning groups and seem to always have a training course or two booked. When not working I love to spend time with precious family and friends. Travel is probably my biggest indulgence as I get to combine family/friend time with great food and amazing places.”

What clients say:

“Andrea was lovely and I am so happy my son is comfortable and content to go back to see her. She has already got him talking.” “Andrea created a nurturing and supportive environment for us to be open and honest which meant we could fully benefit from her expertise. We felt such validation of our feelings and experiences and she made our life feel ordinary in such extraordinary circumstances. Now our children are thriving at this stage of their little lives because we have taken the time we needed to understand, accept and develop to be the best parents we can to two children impacted by loss and trauma. We can’t thank you enough.”

Dr Jocelyne Kenny

BACKGROUND

Dr Jocelyne Kenny is a highly specialist Clinical Psychologist chartered with the British Psychological Society, registered as a practitioner psychologist with the Health and Care Professions Council, and member of the Association of Family Therapy. Jocelyne has a keen interest in working with couples and families, and the various systems that are often part and parcel of family life, including health and social care services, schools, residential homes and employers. In addition to being a Clinical Psychologist, Jocelyne also has Systemic Practitioner status following her successful completion of two years of further training in working with families and organisations at the Tavistock & Portman in London. Undertaking this training, on top of a busy career in the NHS, reflects Jocelyne’s dedication to providing the highest quality work in this area.

EXPERTISE

Jocelyne is an experienced therapist who is comfortable working with one or any number of people in the therapy room. She is highly skilled in providing support to individuals, couples and families, and has developed expertise in compassion focussed therapy (CFT) and family and systemic work. Jocelyne has undertaken additional training in CBT also, and enjoys supporting people in learning ways to help themselves in a more ‘hands off’ approach. 

Working for the NHS is important to Jocelyne. She has a busy practice in a local neuropsychology service supporting ‘stroke survivors’ and their families in adjusting to life after stroke. In her NHS work Jocelyne carries out highly complex neuropsychological assessments as well as ongoing therapy.

JOCELYNE SAYS:

I find the process of working with couples and families freeing, in the sense that ‘anything goes’. I respect the diversity and uniqueness that each and every couple or family bring, and feel hugely privileged to be allowed into their lives. Combining my NHS related work with Shortland Psychology and Pocket Family Psychologist enables me to develop an exciting and diverse range of experience, knowledge and skills. Gardening is my other big passion. When I’m not in the therapy room you can find me digging up worms with my daughters, talking to the vegetables or endlessly pruning the roses.

Dr Charis Green

BACKGROUND

Dr Charis Green is a Clinical Psychologist registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). Charis has significant experience of working within NHS mental health services with adults, children and families. She currently works within the NHS as a Highly Specialist Clinical Psychologist within an NHS Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) setting, alongside her work with Shortland Psychology. She also has experience in completing expert witness assessments for Family Court.

EXPERTISE

Charis has a particular specialism in working with young people with complex mental health difficulties and risk presentations, including those at high risk to themselves, those in contact with the youth justice system and those at risk of exploitation. Charis is trained within the Adaptive Mentalisation Based Integrative Treatment (AMBIT) model, and draws upon this strongly within her therapeutic work. Charis has also trained in Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), is a member of the Dialectical Behaviour Therapy Society in the UK and Ireland, and has experience of practicing within an accredited DBT team. Alongside these approaches, Charis uses an integrative approach to clinical practice, also drawing on Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Compassion Focused Therapy and Attachment Therapies within her therapeutic work.

JOCELYNE SAYS:

Young people's stories and strengths can often be lost within complex difficulties and traumatic experiences. Within my clinical work I aim to use a safe therapeutic relationship to support individuals to make sense of their lives and experiences, build upon their strengths, skills and relationships, and work towards the things that feel important to them. In my spare time I am more often than not outside, either with my horses and my dog, or trying (with limited success) to be a gardener..

What client says:

“We were very pleased and grateful… Charis was a delightful therapist to share our daughters difficult journey.”

Ananda van den Heuvel

BACKGROUND

Dr Ananda van den Heuvel is a Chartered Clinical Psychologist registered with the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) and the British Psychological Society (BPS). She is also a Dynamic Interpersonal Therapy (DIT) Practitioner registered with the British Psychoanalytic Council. Ananda has extensive experience in supporting adults, children and young people who present with a variety of difficulties and problems affecting their mental health and well-being.

EXPERTISE

Ananda has specialist knowledge and experience in Adult Mental Health and Child Development and Paediatrics and offers a range of psychological services within the NHS and private practice, including assessments, interventions, consultation, teaching and supervision. Her practice is informed by a variety of theoretical approaches, including cognitive behavioural, psychodynamic, and systemic models that are tailored to the needs and preferences of clients and informed by available evidence. Ananda has a broad range of interests. Her main areas of expertise include supporting individuals and families affected by: neurodevelopmental difficulties such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD); developmental difficulties (e.g. feeding, toileting, sleep) including those that occur in the context of ASD; and physical illness and unexplained symptoms.

ANANDA VAN DEN HEUVEL:

After more than 10 years of practice in mental health I continue to be inspired by the human potential for growth and resilience through connectedness with ourselves and others and a willingness to acknowledge and explore our emotional suffering. It is an absolutely privilege to accompany my clients on their path to personal growth.

What clients say:

“A huge thank you to Ananda for yesterday’s session. She was utterly lovely and spot on. Some useful things to try and book recommendations. It was a very positive experience and will really help. Incredible.”

Dr Louisa Stokou

BACKGROUND

Dr Louisa Stokou is a Chartered Clinical Psychologist, registered with the Health and Care Professions Council and the British Psychological Society. Louisa has worked extensively within NHS and Social Care/Child Protection settings, including within child and adolescent mental health teams (CAMHS). Since 2016, she has been delivering complex psychological assessments for Family Courts.

EXPERTISE

Louisa specialises in supporting: children and young people who have experienced complex developmental trauma and parents and carers who wish to make changes in their parenting and relationship with their children. Louisa is highly skilled in attachment-based parenting interventions, such as Video Interaction Guidance and TheraPlay, and has specialist training in mentalisation-based family interventions. Although Louisa has a particular expertise in working with children and young people who have experienced developmental trauma, she is also extremely experienced in: parent-child attachment relationships; the impact of adult mental health difficulties; personality difficulties and child and adolescent mental health difficulties in school and within the family.

LOUISA SAYS:

Adversity is an inevitable part of life and we can all become overwhelmed or confused by our relationships, interactions with others and the memories that we carry with us from our early years. As a clinician, I try to listen to the spoken and unspoken narratives that people bring into therapy and co-create new meaning through a process of exploration and acceptance. Sometimes an outside perspective is enough to create new possibilities of change. When I am not working, I love to spend time with my two children, usually covered in paint or making ninja swords and slime.

What clients say:

“We found our appointment with Louisa to be wonderful and so helpful. We would like another session in a few weeks time.”

Dr Sharon Brooks

BACKGROUND

Dr Sharon Brooks is a Clinical Psychologist, chartered with the British Psychological Society (BPS) and registered with the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC). Sharon is also an Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) trained therapist and a member of EMDR UK and Ireland Association. Throughout her career, Sharon has specialised in working with adults with a wide range of mental health difficulties and has worked within a range of Adult Mental Health settings, including inpatient, forensic, mental health rehabilitation and the community. Sharon’s experience includes extensive work in the NHS and private sector both in a clinical and leadership capacity.

EXPERTISE

Sharon has expertise in working with adults experiencing a range of mental health difficulties. These include trauma and attachment difficulties, anxiety, mood-based problems (including depression), stress and relationship difficulties. Sharon works collaboratively with clients using evidence-based interventions such as Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR), CBT, compassion-focussed therapy and systemic models. Sharon uses an integrative approach, drawing on a range of psychological models, enabling her to tailor her approach to the needs and preferences of each client. Sharon has undertaken additional training in Attachment Informed EMDR, many aspects of which inform all of her work, in particular the powerful benefits of developing a strong resource team with all clients.

SHARON SAYS:

I have always been fascinated by human experience and, in particular, the impact of our early relationships and experiences on our well-being. Emotional disturbance is an understandable and natural response to the challenges we can all experience in our lives. I am inspired by our natural ability to heal and the possibilities for long-lasting change. Working with my clients to understand, manage and find ways to relieve their distress is an incredibly rewarding experience. Outside of my work, my friends and my family are my passion. I have 2 young children and so spend a lot of time playing and with them I have recently re-discovered the joy of swimming in the sea.

What clients say:

“One of the most helpful things is when Sharon effortlessly remembers small things I may have said in past sessions and uses them to add to the bigger picture. I may not have even noticed some of the comments I have made but she pays so much attention to detail and I know she is really listening. It makes me feel like she is really invested in helping and supporting me.” “I am still amazed at the therapy which seems so simple, worked fantastically for me. Thank you so very much.”

Dr Lucy Mills

BACKGROUND

Dr Lucy Mills is a highly specialist Clinical Psychologist chartered with the British Psychological Society, registered as a practitioner psychologist with the Health and Care Professions Council, and member of the Association of Family Therapy. Lucy has a keen interest in working with couples and families, as well as understanding individual clients, including young people and adults, very much within their family and wider context. In addition to being a Clinical Psychologist, Lucy is currently completing a further two year training in working with couples and families at the Institute of Family Therapy to gain Systemic Practitioner status. In addition to her clinical work, Lucy also works as a Clinical and Academic Tutor on the Salomons Doctorate in Clinical Psychology Programme.

EXPERTISE

Lucy is an experienced therapist who is comfortable working with a wide range of difficulties and ages. She is highly skilled in providing support to individuals – working with young people and adults, as well as couples and families, and has developed expertise in CBT and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy as well as family and systemic work. Lucy places an emphasis on the unique values that individuals and families bring to therapy and enjoys helping her clients to live their lives more fully within their values. Lucy’s experience includes work in a wide range of settings including community teams and inpatient, crisis services, as well as specialist services for young people experiencing Psychosis and for older people. She now works as a tutor on the Training Programme for Clinical Psychologists which also allows her the opportunity to be involved with research work.

LUCY SAYS:

It is always a privilege when a person invites me to help them particularly when I am invited to join with a couple or family to understand their relationship and witness the love and care between them, even in difficult times. I know that starting therapy can be quite scary, so I feel it’s really important to make you feel as comfortable as possible. Beyond my work as a Clinical Psychologist I enjoy cycling, baking and sea swimming, in between looking after my two young children, which means I’m unlikely to make it to the Bake Off Tent any time soon!

Saskia Raymond

ABOUT

Saskia works behind the scenes, making sure all runs smoothly. If you make an inquiry, you are likely to be in contact with Saskia. In addition to her work with Shortland Psychology, Saskia is a mother of two boys and enjoys art & photography.

5/5

"Dr Andrea Shortland’s session for MediaCom on a children’s mental health was incredibly informative"

“Dr Andrea Shortland’s session for MediaCom on a children’s mental health was incredibly informative. During the second period of lockdown and home-schooling; parents and children found themselves again in a period of upheaval and transition. Many parents and carers were extremely worried about their children’s mental health and their own ability to be present and engaged whilst also playing the role of teacher and care giver. Dr Shortland gave attendees an insight into how many parents were feeling; tips on supporting children and helping them cope whilst studying from home and also managing their mental health. She also helped us realise the importance of taking care of ourselves in order to effectively support our children. It was such a useful session that we realise it was also pertinent for not only children’s mental health but also adults! We will be holding another session with Dr Andrea and MediaCom soon.”

Avelon Thompson, MediaCom (following a parenting workshop)