Dr Lisa Blatchford

Clinical Psychologist

Hi! I’m Lisa, a HCPC registered clinical psychologist dedicated to supporting children, young people, and parents to navigate life’s challenges.

I have had the privilege of working across a wide range of NHS and non-NHS settings with people of all ages, which has allowed me to appreciate just how unique each individual and family can be. This is why I take an integrative approach to therapy, drawing from different evidence-based techniques to tailor treatment to each person’s needs and life circumstances. Two of my favourite approaches are Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT). I love these therapies because they acknowledge that life’s challenges—and the suffering that comes with them—are a universal part of the human experience. These approaches help to ease feelings of shame around mental health struggles, offering practical and empowering strategies to promote adjustment and cultivate effective coping skills.

Since qualifying, I have worked in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) and in hospital-based child psychology services supporting young people with chronic health conditions. Both of these roles have involved working with trauma and being present with people during the most difficult moments of their lives. These roles have also given me the opportunity to create safe, friendly, and even fun environments where young people, and their parents, can feel understood and supported.

I am used to working with complexity, and I take a holistic, systemic approach, whether that means collaborating with schools, healthcare professionals, or social care services, or finding community-based activities that help promote social engagement and emotional wellbeing.

I’m particularly mindful of the challenges that neurodivergent young people face when accessing mental health services, and I’ve worked hard to adapt my approach and influence the services I work within to be more inclusive and accessible.

In addition to my passion for emotional and psychological support, I have a strong interest in child development. I have invested in specialised training in neurodevelopmental and neuropsychological assessments, which allow me to offer in-depth evaluations to help young people better understand their cognitive and learning needs. I’m also currently pursuing a post-doctoral diploma in Paediatric Clinical Neuropsychology, to enrich my knowledge of how neurodevelopmental and neurological challenges impact young people's lives. Through my work, I’ve seen first-hand how important it is for children and families to have the right support in place, especially when navigating the education system, and I’m dedicated to helping ensure their needs are recognised and met.

Thank you for taking time to find out more about what I do. I believe that with the right guidance and care, everyone can thrive. If you feel like I might be able to help you or your family, I’d love to hear from you.