Olivia Barrett
Assistant Psychologist
All about Olivia....
What is your education and work history?
- Before studying psychology, I worked in a primary school breakfast and after-school club, where I progressed from Activity Leader to Club Manager. This experience gave me a strong foundation in supporting children, building relationships with families, and leading a team.
- I went on to study for a BSc (Hons) in Psychology at the University of Manchester. Alongside my degree, I worked for two years as a Support Worker, supporting neurodivergent children and young people. My role involved planning and facilitating activities based on each young person's interests, helping them build confidence, independence, and positive relationships, while working closely with their families.
- Following university, I continued to build on my experience working with children and young people before joining Every Mind as an Assistant Psychologist.
Have you undertaken any additional training?
· Throughout my previous roles, I developed experience in safeguarding, behaviour support and working safely with children and young people, alongside receiving role-specific training to support this work.
What do you do at Every Mind?
- I work as an Assistant Psychologist at Every Mind. A large part of my role involves supporting Autism and ADHD assessments by carrying out school observations and interviews to gain a detailed understanding of a young person's strengths and needs across different settings.
- I also assist with face-to-face ADHD assessments in the clinic and support the wider clinical team throughout the assessment process. I enjoy helping to build a comprehensive picture of each young person so that families receive meaningful recommendations and support.
What made you chose to work with neurodivergent children and young people?
- My passion for working with neurodivergent children and young people developed through my early experiences working in schools and grew even stronger during my time as a Support Worker. Building relationships with incredible young people and their families showed me how rewarding it is to help individuals feel understood, valued, and supported.
- I'm fascinated by neurodiversity and the unique strengths that every individual brings. There is always more to learn, and I enjoy understanding how different people experience the world.
- In the future, I hope to train as an Educational Psychologist. I'm particularly interested in understanding neurodivergence within educational settings and exploring how schools can create environments where every child has the opportunity to thrive.
What is important to know about how you work with neurodivergent young people?
- One of the most important things I have learned is that every neurodivergent person is unique. There is no one-size-fits-all approach, and I believe it is essential to recognise and celebrate each individual's strengths alongside understanding the areas where they may need support.
- I am passionate about advocating for neurodivergent young people and helping them to develop confidence in their own identity. Rather than expecting individuals to adapt to systems that weren't designed with them in mind, I believe we should work together to create environments that are more understanding, accessible, and supportive.
What do you do outside of work?
- Outside of work, I enjoy playing hockey, which I've played since I was young and continued throughout university.
- I also love going to festivals and live music events, spending time with friends and family, and getting outdoors. Whether it's a countryside walk or simply being in nature, I find it a great way to relax and recharge.
What is unique about you?
- I come from a big family with four children, and I think growing up in such a busy household has had a big influence on who I am today. It's made me confident, sociable, and always ready to share my thoughts—my mum would probably describe me as a little loud! I love connecting with people, and I think my upbringing has helped me build strong relationships and feel at ease working with children, young people, and families from all walks of life.
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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.