Freena is a Clinical Associate in Applied Psychology., providing specialist work in supporting children, young people (up to age 21) and their families. Freena completed her clinical MSc in Applied Psychology for Children and Young People, accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) at the University of Edinburgh in 2015. She has 10 years experience working with children and families, and has worked in the NHS Specialist Child & Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS, for up to 18 year olds) for the last 5 years. Freena's skills and experience are carrying out clinical assessments and treatments for children/young people and families in relation to a range of highly complex emotional, psychological and behavioural difficulties. She also offers mental health training, consultation and supervision to Social Care, Early Help and Education staff. Freena is also qualified as an Executive Function Coach, which supports the development and strengthening of Executive Function Skills for neuro-diverse children, adolescents and adults. Freena holds public liability and professional indemnity insurance, and is supervised by Clinical Psychologist in both her private and NHS roles. 

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Memberships  and Governing Bodies  

Member of British Psychological Society (BPS)  

Clinical Supervision provided by a HCPC registered Clinical Psychologist (but Freena herself is not HCPC registered).

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Qualifications  

• MSc in Applied Psychology for Children and Young People (BPS Accredited) – University of Edinburgh

• PG-Diploma in Psychology – University of Nottingham

• PG-Certificate in Children and Young People’s Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (CYP IAPT) Management and Leadership – University College London

• BA (Hons) in English & Psychology – Birmingham City University

 

Work experience:

• 2018-present: Freena currently works at The Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families as Deputy Programme Director on a post-graduate course: CYP IAPT Supervisor’s Course and Clinical Tutor for the Children’s Wellbeing Practitioner’s (CWP) at UCL. She delivers teaching to professionals training to work in children’s mental health, specifically in relation to anxiety, low mood and parenting interventions. She has previously worked there as a School Engagement Trainer.  

• Alongside clinical work,

• 2019: Clinical Director for CHUMS Mental Health Service for children and young people.

• 2017-2019:  Senior Early Help CAMHS Clinician, ELFT NHS 

• 2017: Early Help CAMHS Clinician, ELFT NHS

• 2015-2016: CAMHS Clinician, Lanarkshire NHS

• 2014-2015: Trainee Clinical Associate Psychologist, Greater Glasgow & Clyde NHS

• 2013-2014: Trainee Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner Adult Service, Hertfordshire NHS

• 2012-2012: Assistant Psychologist, CAMHS, Staffordshire NHS & Assistant Psychologist, Psycho-Oncology Service, NHS

• Previous volunteer work includes NSPCC Childline and Age UK.

 

Further training:

• CBT Strategies for working with Emotional Regulation and Self-Harm – Anna Freud Centre – 2020

• Guided Parent-led CBT for Child Anxiety (Train the Trainer) - Cathy Creswell - 2020

• Increasing Access of the CWP service to BAME communities - 2020

• Executive Function Skills Coaching Level 2: Competent Executive Function Coach Status with Grade 1 Outstanding – Connections In Mind Foundation - 2020

• ITSIEY Specialist: Reflective Supervision in Infant Mental Health (0-24 months): Holding the supervisee, child and family in mind (3 day) – Anna Freud Centre - 2019

• Executive Function Skills Coaching Level 1: Core Skills Accreditation – Connections In Mind Foundation - 2018

• Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) Essentials (3 day) ELFT NHS – 2017

• DBT Skills Development Group (3 day) ELFT NHS – 2017

• Wellbeing Ambassador Programme for Schools (Worth-It) – Train the Trainer - 2017

• Enhanced Clinical Supervision Training (4 day)– Anna Freud Centre - 2017

• Adapting CBT for Children/ Adolescents with ASD: Training for Practitioners Experienced in CBT - NHS Education for Scotland (NES) - 2016

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Children & Young People - Theory & Practice - University of Edinburgh – 2014

• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy - University of Edinburgh – 2014

• The Incredible Years® Parenting Programme - Webster-Stratton – 2014

• Dina Dinosaur School The Incredible Years® Child Training Programme - Webster-Stratton - 2014

• Triple P® Parenting Programme - 2014

• Mellow Parenting - Parenting and Relationship Programme - Mellow Parenting - 2014

• Making Sense of Children's Behaviour - Training for Foster Carers/ Adoptees - NHS South Staffordshire & Shropshire - LAC CAMHS 2013

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