Dr Michelle Kiernan
Clinical Psychologist
All about Michelle....
What is your education and work history?
- After doing my psychology degree at Durham university, I went on to get a PhD from York University where I researched children’s drawings.
- I then worked in a Learning Disability service before training to be a clinical psychologist at Birmingham University.
- After I qualified in 2002, I stayed and worked for the local mental health services for children and young people; I was part of a large team of different professionals looking after the mental health of children and young people living in South Birmingham.
- I looked after a team, supervised other clinicians and offered assessment and therapy to young people.
- I left in 2021 and have been working for myself since then.
Have you undertaken any additional training?
-
I trained in the DISCO in 2004 and the Triple P parenting programme in 2004 and 2009.
-
I have been a BABCP accredited CBT therapist since 2015.
-
I have attending lots of workshops focused on CBT, especially using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and adapting therapy for autistic people.
What do you do at Every Mind?
- I carry out the DISCO assessment with parents online, work with the rest of the team to make a decision about the diagnosis and write the summary report.
What made you chose to work with neurodivergent children and young people?
- I have always been captivated by the way neurodivergent children’s brains work and have loved working with young people who think differently and who challenge me to be flexible and creative.
What is important to know about how you work with neurodivergent young people?
- I have always wanted to understand as much as I can so that I can be as helpful as possible to those that I have worked with.
- This makes me very curious so I do ask quite a lot of questions.
- I also know that I need to do things differently sometimes and will try to be as inventive and adaptable as possible.
What do you do outside of work?
-
I’m a fan of gardening, and baking, and I’m learning to play the piano.
-
I also spend a bit of time reading and watching TV.
What is unique about you?
- I like beetroot which is very unique in my family!
Contact Form
Testimonials
What People Are Saying
Dad of 8 year old girl
We all loved coming to Every Mind, my son importantly. He struggles to go to new places because of anxiety but having the animals, toys and such a calming environment really helped to settle him in. Every person treated him like a human being and took the time to get to know him. This was wonderful to see as he seemed so happy and relaxed when at the clinic.
Mum of 7 year old girl
We are so pleased to have found such an amazing clinic. We have been made to feel comfortable by everyone we have met and more importantly, so has our daughter. She’s been at ease undertaking the assessments because not only are the clinicians and reception staff so friendly, but the environment really caters to her needs and helped her to feel relaxed and engaged.
Dad of 10 year old girl
The diagnostic reports reflect a child we recognise; which means that in the relatively short time each clinician spent with her, they were able to see her strengths and challenges and tailor a report that didn’t just make us feel that she was a number in a system. Thank you to everyone at every mind for helping the beginning of this journey feel less overwhelming and daunting for us as parents. And thank you for seeing our child as the wonderful individual we know her to be.
Mum of 6 year old girl
We had such a fantastic experience with every mind. It was very clear from the outset that you meet the nice guidelines and what you were able to offer which is so important for a parent if they're paying to get a diagnosis.