Who We Are
Dr Theresa Nicholas
My name is Dr Theresa Nicholas (previously Dr Theresa Turner) and I am a Chartered Forensic Psychologist and Cognitive Analytic Therapist.
My Background
I am an Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society (AFBPsS), a member of the British psychological Society’s division of forensic psychology and registered with the Health Care Professions Council (HCPC). As a registered psychologist, I abide by the codes of ethics and conduct stipulated by the HCPC and BPS as a practitioner psychologist. I am also registered with the information Commissioners office and I am compliant with European union general data protection regulations (GDPR).
I have worked clinically with adults and children with neurodevelopmental conditions for over 15 years. Within that time I have also worked in the assessment and treatment of adults and young people with mental health problems in forensic and non-forensic services with varied and very complex problems, including personality difficulties, mood disorders, substance misuse, suicide and self-harm, violence and psychotic illness, often in addition to coexisting neurodevelopmental conditions. I also enjoy teaching and training, and this has been a regular part of my practice, as well as developing and delivering therapy groups
I currently work as a neurodevelopmental specialist assessing adults and young people for neurodevelopmental conditions and working therapeutically with adults and young people with neurodevelopmental conditions. I also work with people with mental health problems without neurodevelopmental conditions and those wanting to change aspects of their life. I regularly present at conferences and teach trainee psychiatrists as a visiting lecturer at Kings College, London.
My Training and Experience
My academic qualifications are: Bachelor of Science in Psychology (First Class with Honours; 2008; Master of Science in Forensic Psychology Practice (2013) and Doctorate in Forensics Psychology Practice (2015). I previously worked in biomedical research and teaching after completing a degree in Chemistry in 1992 and studied to be a teacher at Oxford University in 2000.
I qualified as a Forensic Psychologist at the University of Birmingham in 2015. Forensic psychologists specialise in the assessment and treatment of people who have committed crimes and those who have been the victims of crime. However, I have worked with many people who have had no contact with the criminal justice system.
I have professional training in several therapeutic models and numerous diagnostic and forensic assessments. I have trained in Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) to advanced level, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Mentalisation Based Treatment (MBT). I am an accredited Cognitive Analytic Therapist (CAT) registered with the Association of Cognitive Analytic Therapists and a trained Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapist. In addition, I completed supervisor training at Solomon’s University and supervise other mental health professionals.
I have experience of working with adults and young people (from the age of 17 years) in the following areas:
Assessment of:
- ASD (ADOS-G, ADOS-2 and ADI-R)
- ADHD (DIVA)
- Mental health and related difficulties
- Forensic/medico-legal issues
Understanding and management of difficulties relating to:
- Autism (across the spectrum)
- ADHD
- Learning disability
- Anger problems
- Depression
- Anxiety (including social anxiety)
- Severe and enduring mental illness (such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and other psychotic illnesses)
- Substance misuse/addiction
- Self-harm and feeling suicidal
- Complex trauma
- OCD
- Personality issues (sometimes called ‘personality disorder’)
- Offence related issues (such as violence, sexual offending, violence, fire-setting)
I see people as individuals and therefore adapt my approach and therapy to the abilities and needs of each of my clients and patients, making best use of their strengths in managing and overcoming their difficulties.
My Professional Interests
I have personal and professional experience of neurodiversity and became very curious about the psychology and neurobiology of neurodevelopmental conditions when studying psychology. Throughout my career my work has focused increasingly on this area and the more my knowledge grew the more I have been asked to do in this area (please see the Resources section for more information about neurodevelopmental conditions).
Equality and fair access to services for those with neurodevelopmental conditions and/or mental health conditions is important to me. As a psychologist and therapist, I aim to promote fair treatment by providing accurate information that dispels myths and reduces intolerance and prejudice, but also empowers individuals with these conditions to obtain support and services that can enrich their lives (please see the Resources section for more information about equality and rights).
Through my interest and work in the area of developmental disabilities I have become increasingly aware of the adversity that many people experience, often linked to their condition. This led me into the field of trauma, which has much to offer in deepening our understanding of the lived, embodied experience of mental health conditions and developmental disabilities. To bring this understanding into my therapeutic work and meet the needs of my patients I trained in trauma focused Compassion Focused Therapy and EMDR (please see the Resources section for more information about these therapeutic approaches).
Emma Higgins
Emma Higgins was born and raised in Oxfordshire and has spent the past five years working as an Administrator for Gillman &Soame. She previously worked as a Secretary in the Neurosurgery department at the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford.
Outside of work, she loves walking, cycling, and cooking. She lives with her partner, two children, and cavapoo, Teddy.
“I am delighted to be a member of Dr Turner’s Team, she has welcomed me warmly.”
Maxine Slapper
My name is Maxine Slapper and I am an accredited Cognitive Analytic Therapist. I am a member of the Association of Cognitive Analytic Therapists (ACAT) and I am registered with the Health Care Professions Council (HCPC). I am also a registered Occupational Therapist (OT) and a member of the British Association of OT and the Royal College of OT. Being a member of the above organisations ensures that I abide by the Codes of Ethics. I am also registered with the Commissioner’s Office and I am General Data Protection Regulations compliant (GDPR).
I have worked with a wide range of people with mental health conditions over more than a 30-year period in NHS settings. This includes:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Personality difficulties
- Relationship difficulties
- Suicidal thoughts
- Bereavement
- Addiction
- Issues with eating
- Psychosis
- Autism
- ADHD
- Learning disability
- Physical health issues
I currently work as a CAT Therapist in an NHS Primary Care setting and as a private practitioner. My priority is to respect what each individual brings, which is at the heart of a unique personal struggle. My focus is to work collaboratively with each individual to support an increased sense of control over one’s life through reviewing old, historic patterns of behaviour and revising coping strategies. Looking together at the barriers to change and the emotions behind this is important to me. Endorsing and building on strengths is central to my work.
I feel passionate about supporting a person to improve their quality of life through looking at how life events can challenge our sense of self in the world. I am interested in how our emotional world or mental health issues can impact on our daily functioning. This may show itself in personal relationship difficulties or a feeling of inertia in everyday life. I enjoy offering a safe and trusting space to work with everyone equally, regardless of background, gender, sexuality or religious belief.