OUR SPECIALISTS
VASILEIOS SPYRIDONIDIS
Highly Specialist Clinical Psychologist
BA (Hons), MPsyc, MA (Distin), DPsych, MBACP (Accred), HCPC (Reg)
Having worked as Counselling Psychologist and Psychotherapist in various mental health services for over fifteen years Vasileios specialised in ASD. He has worked as Highly Specialist Clinical Psychologist conducting neurodevelopmental (ND) assessments in NHS and private services. He works as Highly Specialist Clinical Psychologist in Oxleas NHS, Greenwich, Autism Diagnosis Team. He has a special interest in Theory of Mind (ToM), psychoeducation and family work in ASD.
Vasileios is also a service user of NHS & private ND services for his children.
Registration: Practitioner Psychologist (HCPC: PYL31897) & Psychotherapist (BACP: 722094).
DR ATHINA ZAKYNTHINAKI
Consultant Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist, MD, MBBS, MSc
Athina is a Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist with 19 years of experience in the field of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and NHS CAMH Services nationwide. She currently holds a position as a Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist in Cheshire and Wirral Partnership Trust- Neurodevelopmental service (Autism and ADHD team). She has previously worked with multidisciplinary teams and local networks across the country in supporting and promoting mental health of young people and offering diagnosis and treatment to children and adolescents with a variety of mental health conditions and complex presentations. She has an interest and experience in assessment and diagnosis of Neurodevelopmental disorders (such as ASD and ADHD) as well as anxiety and PTSD. She’s trained in using assessment tools for ASD & ADHD (ADI-R, ADOS, 3Di, DIVA, DAWBA, QBtest and others) and therapeutic approaches such as Systemic Family Therapy, EMDR and DBT.
Registration: General Medical Council, 6161141.
HEATHER CRAWFORD
Highly Specialised Speech & Language Therapist
MSc, MA (Cantab), MRCSLT, MASLTIP, HCPC (Reg)
Heather qualified as a Speech & Language Therapist from City University in London (Distinction) in 2013. Since then, she has gained extensive experience of working with children and young people with a wide range of communication needs in various services across London.
Heather has a clinical specialism in supporting children & young people with social communication difficulties including ASD. She is ADOS trained and also works in an ASD diagnostic service in the NHS.
Registration: Speech and Language Therapist (HCPC: SL3185, RCSLT: RC0032852).
KIM DUESBURY
Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist
BSc (Hons), MRCSLT, HCPC (Reg)
Kim qualified as a Speech and Language Therapist from Newcastle University (1st class degree) in 2014 and currently holds a position as a Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist within Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust Neurodevelopmental Autism diagnostic service. Kim has a clinical specialism in Autism and social communication difficulties and has built up considerable experience in supporting children and young people with a wide range of communication needs through working across various NHS trusts in the UK and a Local Authority Autism Outreach service. Kim is trained in using the ADOS-2 assessment tool for diagnostic assessments.
Registration: Speech and Language Therapist (HCPC: SL32435, RCSLT: RC0035493)
GEMMA SHIFFNER
MA, PGDip, BA (Combined Hons), HCPC (Reg).
Gemma qualified as a Music Therapist from Roehampton University in 2009, and has gained comprehensive experience of working with children and young people in special needs and mainstream education, specialising in working with children with ASD and ADHD. Gemma qualified as a Systemic Family Practitioner from Kings College London (Distinction) in 2021, and currently holds a position as a CAMHS Practitioner with North London NHS Foundation Trust, working across the Generic and Neurodevelopmental Teams, delivering therapy to Neurodivergent young people and their families, and conducting Autism assessments. Gemma is trained in using the ADOS-2 assessment tool for diagnostic assessments.
MRS PAIGE BECKFORD (TAYLOR)
BSc (Hons), PGDIp, HCPC (Reg).
Paige holds an undergraduate degree in Psychology (2:1) and a postgraduate diploma in Occupational Therapy. With 8 years of experience as a specialist occupational therapist, she has worked with the local authority to support children facing sensory, emotional regulation, and motor difficulties, helping them access learning in educational settings. Paige has also completed a diploma in Trauma-Informed Practice and is currently pursuing a diploma in Autism and Mental Health. Her passion lies in supporting children and young people with sensory and emotional regulation challenges. Additionally, she is trained in using assessment tools for Autism Spectrum Disorder, including the ADI-R and ADOS.