Child Psychology
Meet The Expert Psychologists
The team of experienced psychologists is here to ensure your child gets the
support they need to thrive.
Julie Smith
About
Julie Smith is a HCPC-registered Educational Psychologist, specialising in Educational Neuropsychology, and a Trauma Psychotherapist with more than 18 years’ experience across the NHS, private practice, and the voluntary sector.
A recognised specialist in neurodevelopmental assessment, Julie has advanced training in the diagnosis and support of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). She provides comprehensive assessments for children, adolescents, and adults, and also leads a Specific Learning Differences Clinic within private practice.
Drawing on her specialist qualification in Paediatric Clinical Neuropsychology from University College London, Julie provides expert support to children with complex neurodevelopmental and learning needs. Her approach integrates cognitive profiles, executive functioning, language, and literacy assessment to inform practical recommendations for families, schools, and multidisciplinary teams.
Julie is an integrative, trauma-focused psychotherapist, formally trained in Narrative Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) for both adults and children. She also utilises the Flash Technique and Children’s Accelerated Trauma Training (CATT) to deliver developmentally attuned, evidence-based interventions.
She has extensive clinical experience within a regional specialist sexual violence clinic, providing therapy to adults affected by sexual violence and childhood sexual abuse. This work has deepened her understanding of trauma and recovery, and underpins her compassionate, evidence-based therapeutic practice. Julie holds a Post-Diploma in Psychological Trauma from the University of Chester.
Her NHS experience includes specialist roles within the Autism Intervention Service, working with complex neurodevelopmental and trauma-related presentations. Julie also acts as an Expert Witness in medico-legal contexts, preparing psychological assessments and reports for court proceedings, with recommendations grounded in her neuropsychological and trauma expertise.
Julie is committed to ongoing professional development and to delivering individualised, evidence-based interventions that enhance learning, wellbeing, and life outcomes—particularly in ASD/ADHD assessment, paediatric neuropsychological care, and trauma-focused psychotherapy
Dr Rebecca Docherty
England
About
Dr Docherty is an educational neuropsychologist with a breadth of experience in assessing and working with children with complex needs, including those arising from acquired brain injury.
She has held senior educational psychology roles in England and Scotland. These roles have seen her introduce authority wide training for teaching assistants working with children with special educational needs, establish nurture groups in primary schools, and lead educational psychology provision for social, emotional, and mental health needs.
From 2018 to 2024, Dr Docherty led psychology provision across the Kisimul residential special school group for children and young people with complex needs, autism and learning disability. Here, she developed the Meaningful Life Model now used across Kisimul that ensures all students have an individualised educational and therapeutic experience that is meaningful to them personally.
Dr Docherty has extensive experience in completing detailed assessments for families, schools, EHCP applications, and medico-legal requirements.
Having been a chartered psychologist since 2006, she has a Doctor of Education (EdD) degree from The University of Sheffield and a Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Paediatric Neuropsychology from University College London (UCL)
Dr Caroline Bryant
Sunderland, Gateshead, Durham, Darlington and Stockton.
About
Dr Caroline Bryant is a HCPC registered Specialist Clinical Psychologist with extensive experience of working with young people especially with complex physical health needs.
Dr Bryant has successfully completed further training in Paediatric Clinical Neuropsychology at University College London and is involved in the development and set up of local paediatric clinical neuropsychology settings.
Dr Bryant will be providing specialist assessments and reports within the Sunderland, South Tyneside, Durham, Darlington, Stockton and Middlesbrough area.
Child Psychology
Take the first step towards support
Get in touch to find out how an educational or neuropsychological assessment can help you and your child move forward.
“...the report...provided was very thorough...”
“My son was assessed for dyslexia, dyscalculia and Dysgraphia and the report Julie provided was so thorough with a lot of her recommendations being implemented by school.”