Dr Debbie Spain

I am a Consultant Nurse, Cognitive Behaviour Therapist and Systemic Practitioner.  I currently work part time at The National Psychology Clinic, and as a Consultant Nurse and Clinical Researcher in the NHS and at King’s College London.

I qualified as a nurse in 2000 and a Cognitive Behaviour Therapist in 2004.  Since then, I have worked in inpatient and community settings; primarily in national specialist services.  My roles have been varied, typically combining clinical, managerial and supervisory responsibilities.  I have also been involved in carrying out research, focusing on topics including mental health, autism, the needs and wellbeing of families, and the development of psychological interventions.

I have worked with adults, couples and families who have broad ranging difficulties, including stress, anxiety, OCD, depression, trauma, low self-esteem, social and relationship problems, and coping with the impact of challenging life experiences and long-term conditions.

I have specialist expertise in working with adults with neurodevelopmental conditions; specifically autism and ADHD.  This has included regularly conducting adult autism diagnostic assessments, and providing individual and group cognitive behavioural therapy and other psychological interventions, for men and women with autism, ADHD and/or their families.

I think it is a privilege to work clinically and I take this seriously.  I strive to develop collaborative relationships with people, helping them to build up the skills and confidence needed to overcome difficulties and become more resilient.  People I work with tell me that I am good at listening, non-judgmental and supportive.  They also tell me they appreciate the pacing of our sessions; that this matches their individual preferences and goals.  The main therapeutic approaches I draw on are Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Systemic Therapy, Compassion Focused Therapy, Mindfulness-based Approaches, and Schema Therapy.  I have also completed EMDR training.