I have been practising as an Educational Psychologist for over 25 years.

I provide a range of educational psychology services for pupils & students, parents, schools and other professionals.

I am published in academic journals.

Areas of interest include

Literacy (including dyslexia)

Mathematics (including dyscalculia)

Study skills (including revision)

University preparation (including assessments and reports)

Organisation and self-management

Behaviour & social development

Self-esteem and motivation

Parenting & family therapy

My work as an educational psychologist

I work systemically, which means I look at a range of factors that may affect a young person’s functioning. Strengths and weaknesses; thoughts and feelings; the individual and their surroundings: these things are all important parts of the jigsaw.

Parents express appreciation of my thoroughness, sensitivity and careful attention to their child.

Schools say they value my “360 degree” perspective and the tailor-made recommendations I offer each young person.

Having trained at world-class institutions, my practice has been refined by extensive experience with families and other professionals.

My privacy policy is available on request.

I am Health Care Professions Council (HCPC) registered.

My services

Assessments include psychometric testing and look at the learning needs of individuals.

  • They explore the learning needs in depth, including for examination access arrangements and university.

  • They are designed as a positive experience, with strengths and interests as important as weaknesses.

  • Information is gathered through a variety of tests, informal work and discussions.

  • The detailed reports include a wide range of recommendations which are sensitive to context.

  • The outcomes of the assessment are only shared with third parties with relevant family consent.

Consultations address difficulties using a discussion-based approach.

  • They employ a dynamic model with up to three sessions available.

  • They can address difficulties such as specific social/emotional/behavioural concerns and milder learning difficulties.

  • Examples of the difficulties are discussed to explore patterns of occurrence and the child’s development.

  • Appointments can involve just parents or include the young person and/or the school.

Training can also be requested for groups of people.

  • It can be for parents or professionals.

  • Is designed for the group’s specific requirements.

  • May be on a range of subjects, including positive home discipline, motivation and educational research.

Executive Function Packages combine testing and consultation to help individuals with self-management difficulties (e.g. ADHD).

  • Executive Functioning covers many of the self-management skills that we need to learn, including organisation, time-management, focus and “getting started”.

  • Executive Functioning difficulties are strongly associated with ADHD, but not only that condition.

  • This Executive Functioning package is in two stages: first, exploration of the pupil’s Executive Functioning profile; secondly, consultation sessions to develop practical management strategies.

  • The management sessions employ a range of approaches, including coaching and family therapy.

Qualifications & education

 

2012 UCL: Doctorate in Educational Psychology

1987 Tavistock Clinic: Professional Qualification in Educational Psychology

1983 Institute of Education (University of London): Postgraduate Certificate in Education

1981–1982 Research into mathematics and learning, University of London 

1981 University of Leicester: Degree in Psychology, BSc Hons II(i)

I have also undertaken extensive training at The Institute of Family Therapy

Professional experience

 

1992–current Educational psychologist in private practice

1987–1991 Educational psychologist for local authorities, including work in CAMHS

1983–1986 Teacher, including special needs, in multilingual local authority schools

Contact me

Please contact me first via email.

Leave your contact details and I will reply promptly to arrange a telephone discussion.

Please do not put confidential information in an email.

 

I am based in London and work across South-East England.

drjcarden@gmail.com

Monday–Friday,

09:00–18:00