A different kind of practice…
Here at Forward Thinking we understand that every child and family is individual and unique. We are passionate about finding helpful resolutions to whatever might bring someone through our doors and helping young people and families to lead lives that are valuable and meaningful to them.
We are Child & Adolescent Clinical Psychologists who are Chartered by the British Psychological Society (BPS) and registered with the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC). This means that we are all trained and regulated to a high standard in a range of assessments, psychological therapies and approaches. This training allows us to work with people of all ages and abilities, and we all have extensive experience of treating a wide range of presenting problems. We work together to devise a treatment plan that is individualised to your child’s needs and those of your family. Our team of Child & Adolescent Clinical Psychologists have specialised in child and adolescent mental health and behaviour problems.
At Forward Thinking, we understand that finding the way forward is different for every child and family. We are passionate about providing a high quality, bespoke service that is valuable to each child and family.
Forward Thinking is not a “virtual team”: We are all based together in our Practice in Southampton. Our Practice is close to the city centre and is located at The Whitehouse, which is within the grounds of the Southampton Outdoor Sports Centre. We have several attractive treatment rooms as we know that having a space that feels safe and comfortable is important. We also have access to 56 acres of outdoor space that make up the Southampton Outdoor Sports Centre. There is free parking right outside of our building, and various amenities within a few metres of The Whitehouse, including a cafe and children’s playground.
Dr Xav Brooke
I am a Child Psychologist (Clinical Psychologist) and Co-founder of Forward Thinking. I have been a Clinical Psychologist for over 10 years., working within the NHS and Social Care in Specialist CAMHS for Children in Care; Hampshire and Isle of Wight Forensic CAMHS ; across Paediatric Services at Southampton General Hospital, including the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit; and in Independent Practice. I have the following qualifications:
- DClinPsychol.Clinical Psychology – University of Southampton
- MScHealth Psychology – University of Southampton
- BSc(Hons) Psychology – University of Southampton
During my time in the NHS I specialised in helping children, young people and families who were experiencing complex difficulties and/or trauma. In addition to therapy, I regularly provided specialist training, consultation and supervision to professionals from Health, Education and Social Care. I was an Honorary Lecturer in Child & Adolescent Mental Health for the Doctoral Training Programme in Clinical Psychology at the University of Southampton for over 10 years, regularly contributing teaching sessions and workshops on Child & Adolescent Mental Health. Having worked in Independent Practice since 2013, Lucinda and I set up Forward Thinking together in 2015, at our former base at Woodmill. These days I work at Forward Thinking full-time, and co-ordinate the therapy service. I currently provide therapy for children and young people with a wide variety of presenting difficulties, such as anxiety, low mood and OCD. I am, trained in a range of evidence-based approaches including CBT, ACT and Narrative Therapy.
Dr Lucinda Mannion
I am a Clinical Psychologist and Co-founder of Forward Thinking, with over 10 years’ post-doctoral experience within the NHS and the charitable sectors. To be able to do this I have the following qualifications:
- DClinPsycholClinical Psychology – University of Southampton
- AdvDipMHN –University of Southampton
- BSc(Hons) Psychology – University of Kent at Canterbury
Although I have particular expertise in helping children, adolescents and families, I am able to work with people of all ages and regularly see adult clients. I have additional training in mindfulness based approaches, EMDR, Narrative Therapy, Makaton and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. I am also an experienced sleep practitioner and can offer bespoke sleep packages to families experiencing sleep difficulties.
Dr Anastassia Sedikides
I am a Clinical Psychologist with over 25 years’ post-doctoral experience, 15 within the NHS. To be able to do this I have the following qualifications:
- PhD Psychology – Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
- MA Psychology – City University of New York, USA
- BA Psychology – University of Ioannina, Greece
- Statement of Equivalence in Clinical Psychology – BPS
- Postgraduate Certificate in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) – Adult Mental Health – University of Southampton
I have expertise in the areas of Autism Spectrum Disorders and Learning Disability helping children, adolescents and families who are experiencing complex behavioural and emotional difficulties. I have particular expertise in diagnostic assessments and intervention with preschool as well as older children for Autism Spectrum Disorders and a variety of difficulties, including feeding, sleep, and challenging behaviours. I regularly provide training, consultation and supervision to other professionals, and am Honorary Tutor for the Clinical Psychology Doctoral Training Course, University of Southampton
Dr Kate Willoughby
I am a Clinical Psychologist who has specialised in working with children, adolescents, young adults, and their families. I qualified as a Clinical Psychologist in 2010 and have experience of working in the NHS, in Social Care and in University settings both in Clinical and Academic/Research roles – having worked in primary care psychology, CAMHS, adolescent mental health, children in care and specialist child and adolescent eating disorder services. Alongside independent practice I work on the Doctoral Programme for Clinical Psychology at the University of Southampton.
I have the following qualifications:
- Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice – University of Southampton
- DClinPsych Clinical Psychology – University of Southampton
- PhD Eating Disorders – University of London (pending viva)
- BSc(Hons) Psychology – Middlesex University
I am passionate about enhancing the lives of children, young people and families experiencing a range of complex mental health, emotional, and behavioural difficulties. I have experience of providing specialist training, consultation, and supervision to a range of professionals and I value integrating research knowledge and evidence into my clinical practice.
Drs René Westbroek
I am a Clinical Psychologist specialising in the assessment and treatment of children of primary school age. I have over 30 years of experience in the NHS and private practice.
- Doctoral Exam, University of Amsterdam, 1986
- UK Statement of Equivalence, British Psychological Society, 1988
- Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society
In addition, I have post-doctorate training in psychometric assessment, systemic family therapy, and cognitive behaviour therapy and can be flexible and combine different approaches to meet your child’s needs and your wishes. I can provide assessment, advice and therapy when you have concerns about your child’s social behaviour, anxiety, sadness or anger, at home or at school.
Dr Sharon McKinnon
I am a Child Clinical Psychologist with over 20 years of experience of working for the NHS, in a range of settings and now in Independent Practice. I worked as part of a specialist multi-agency service for children looked after and adopted with complex mental health and behavioural difficulties for 17 years, but have also worked in specialist and inpatient adolescent services and in autism assessment. My qualifications are:
- Doctorate in Clinical Psychology – University of Southampton
- BSc. (Hons) Psychology – University of Northumbria
- Levels 1 & 2 Dyadic Developmental Practice
- Accredited Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy practitioner
I am passionate about working to increase the well-being of children and young people and their families, particularly those who may have experienced early developmental trauma and difficulties in their attachment. I am experienced in working alongside parents and carers to develop ‘therapeutic parenting’ and delivering interventions to help families to strengthen their relationships with their children, as well as offering consultation and training to other professionals from Health, Education, Social Care and the Independent sectors. I have been an Honorary Lecturer for the Doctoral Training Programme in Clinical Psychology.
I also qualified as a Yoga Teacher in 2018.
Dr Sarah Airdrie
I am a Clinical Psychologist with experience working across the lifespan. I have worked in the NHS since 2009, including within Specialist CAMHS, a Specialist Trauma Service, and with teenagers and adults at Southampton General Hospital. I have the following qualifications:
- PGCert Trauma Studies – University of Reading
- DClinPsych Clinical Psychology – University of Southampton
- MSc Mental Health:Psychological Therapies – Queen Mary’s University of London
- BSc (Hons) Applied Psychology – Cardiff University
I am passionate about working with children, young people and families who are experiencing a variety of mental health, emotional, behavioural, and physical health difficulties. I use a variety of psychological approaches to help young people and their families live more meaningful lives and move towards goals that are important to them. I have additional training and experience in trauma, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT), systemic family therapy, and EMDR.
Dr Rebecca Barrett
I am a clinical psychologist with ten years post-doctoral experience of working in the NHS. I have worked within a health psychology service supporting adults with chronic health conditions; and for the last nine years have worked within a specialist CAMHS team for children and young people, including those looked after and adopted, presenting with complex mental health and behavioural difficulties. I hold the following qualifications:
- DClinPsychol. Clinical Psychology University of Southampton
- MSc Health Psychology University of Southampton
- BSc Hons Psychology University of Surrey
I am experienced in working with children, young people and their families/carers, with a wide range of complex mental health, emotional, and behavioural difficulties. I strongly believe in working collaboratively with individuals to help develop a shared understanding of the presenting issues, build emotional resilience and enhance emotional wellbeing. I draw on a range of different therapeutic approaches within my work including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) and Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP), whilst also focusing on individual strengths. This enables me to tailor and deliver interventions according to individual need and in line with therapeutic goals. I have considerable experience in providing specialist training, consultation, post-adoption support and supervision to organisations including Local Authorities, schools, residential children’s homes and the independent sectors. I have a special interest in working with developmental trauma and looked after children.
Dr Nick White
Nick is a highly qualified and experienced Clinical Psychologist, who is joining our team soon
