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e-mail: info@essexautismservice.com
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We pride ourselves as a specialist NICE compliant practice, with highly experienced and registered clinicians

Dr Nadine Bearman

Chartered Clinical Psychologist
BSc, DClinPsych, DipCAT, MBPS, CPsychol
HCPC Registration number: PYL25114

Nadine has nearly twenty years experience of working with people with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Having worked in the NHS for most of her career, she has extensive experience of assessing autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions in child and adult diagnostic teams. Nadine has worked in CAMHS, Adult Mental Health Services, Acute Care, Neuropsychiatry Services and Mother and Infant Mental Health Services. Her extensive and broad range of experience ensures that she has the expertise to understand not only ASD presentations, but other comorbid conditions and complexities. Her passion is ASD and providing a comprehensive and highly specialist assessment service for her clients.
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Dr Makala Balls

Consultant Clinical Psychologist
BSc, DClinPsych, DipCAT, PGCert, MBPS, CPsychol
HCPC Registration Number: PYL25965

Makala has nearly twenty years experience of working as a qualified clinical psychologist and has reached consultant status during her NHS career. She has extensive experience of working with adults with complex mental health difficulties. Since undertaking further specialist training in autism assessment in 2014, Makala has developed an interest in assessment and diagnosis of autism and ADHD, particularly in people who have co-occurring conditions and are able to ‘mask’ their characteristics. Makala has worked in various NHS services over her career, including Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), Learning Disability Services, Palliative Care and Specialist Personality Disorder Services. She has completed significant post-qualification training in multiple therapeutic approaches, as well as being an Accredited Cognitive Behavioural Therapist along with extensive training in autism and ADHD. Makala is an exceptionally experienced clinician who provides high levels of person centred care and compassion to her clients.
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Dr Mhairi Donaldson

Consultant Clinical Psychologist
BA (Hons), DClinPsych, DipCAT, CPsychol
HCPC Registration Number: PYL04586

Mhairi is one of our most experienced clinicians, having worked over twenty years as a qualified clinical psychologist. Mhairi has worked as an associate clinical director in the NHS and achieved consultant status. Mhairi is passionate about her work assessing neurodevelopmental conditions across the lifespan and is particularly skilled in assessing people who may have complex mental health difficulties and people who mask their autistic characteristics. Mhairi has worked with a wide range of client groups within the NHS including people with learning disabilities, child and adolescent mental health (CAMHS), older adult services and adult mental health services. Mhairi has also worked at the Scottish Centre for Autism within the multi-disciplinary diagnostic service. She is exceptionally warm, kind and compassionate, dedicating herself fully to the clients and families that she works with.
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Anna Smith

Chartered Occupational Psychologist
BSc (Hons), BA (Hons), MSc.
HCPC Registration Number: PYL 039920

Anna is a Chartered Occupational Psychologist, registered with the HCPC and the BPS. She is a neurodiversity specialist and has extensive experience of providing psychological assessment of neurodiversity. Her specialist interest is Autism and ADHD, and she has worked in various roles that bring a wealth of experience to the diagnostic team. Anna has worked as a speech and language assistant, a dyslexia tutor, and as a psychology and sociology lecturer before focussing on screening and assessment of neurodiversity. She has extensive experience of supporting neurodivergent clients in employment using evidence-based approaches, enabling clients to reach their potential. Anna is passionate about providing a service which is client focused and strength based.
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Joanne Baxter

Specialist Speech & Language Therapist
BA (Hons), MSc, MHCPC, MASLTIP, MRCSLT
HCPC Registration Number: SL33712

Jo is a highly specialist Speech and Language Therapist with extensive experience of working with children of all ages with a range of speech, language and communication difficulties in primary and secondary mainstream schools. Jo is also experienced in working with children and young people who access specialist provision both for the NHS and independently. Jo works directly for the Local Education Authorities to support children who are home schooled, in outreach projects and alternative provisions. Jo has worked in both private and NHS specialist multi-disciplinary teams assessing ASD in children, young people and adults.
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Samantha Draxler

Highly Specialist Speech & Language Therapist
BSc (Hons), MHCPC, MASLTIP, MRCSLT
HCPC Registration Number: SL24180

Sam has a wide range of experience including working in mainstream and specialist schools, and developing a pre-referral Partnership Early Years Service for the NHS. Sam has extensive experience as an expert witness, and has developed and managed a multi-disciplinary team of health professionals working with commissioners and schools to develop evidence based models of service delivery. Sam specialises in working with children with ASD and has additional training in sensory-behavioural feeding difficulties. Sam is a highly specialist, highly experienced clinician providing a wealth of expertise within her work.
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Denise Austin

Practice Administrator

Denise has extensive experience of working in education as a teacher and in administration. She has knowledge and understanding of neurodiversity, and the needs of families and individuals with autism spectrum conditions.

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Katie Shorter

Practice Administrator

Katie has extensive experience of working in education both in the UK and abroad. She has knowledge and understanding of neurodiversity, and the needs of families and individuals with autism spectrum conditions.

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