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About me

I’m Dr Jo Mueller, and I’m a Clinical Psychologist. I specialise in working with parents.

 

I know that the best way to support families is to support parents. I’ve been privileged to work with mums, dads, and children around the world for the last 15 years, including a decade working in U.K. NHS mental health services. I'm also a mum of two myself, so I understand the day-to-day realities of parenting!

All of my work aims to help you feel calmer and more confident as a parent. In turn, this helps you to feel more connected to your child.

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How I Work

My approach to supporting you with parenting dilemmas is based on the best available scientific research and psychological theory, alongside what is most important to each family, and tried-and-tested pragmatism. I draw upon attachment theory; neuropsychological and developmental models; emotion-focused approaches and mindful parenting techniques. I am experienced in adapting parenting approaches in a neuro-affirmative way specifically for neurodivergent children, and working with neurodivergent parents, too.

The psychological therapy I provide integrates a range of evidence-based talking therapies. I draw on:

  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

  • Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT)

  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapies (CBT)

  • Mindfulness-based therapies (MBSR/MBCT)

  • Emotion-Focused Skills Training (EFST)

  • Schema Therapy & Internal Family Systems concepts

  • Systemic and Narrative Therapies

  • EMDR (Eye-Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing)

 

This variety of approaches at my fingertips allows me to work creatively and flexibly, weaving together the best fit for each parent, child, and family. Whether our work is a consultation or more in-depth psychological therapy, we will work in a transparent and collaborative way so you feel in control of the process and your progress.

My experience

I have been privileged to enjoy a varied career in psychology, both in clinical and research roles. I have worked with parents and children in countries such as Canada, South Africa, Norway, Switzerland, and in multi-cultural communities across the U.K, giving me a rich understanding of parenting across different contexts.

Before moving into independent practice in 2019, I spent a decade working in UK NHS mental health services, with a broad spectrum of individuals and mental health needs.

 

I worked as a Specialist Clinical Psychologist in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) in central London, with children (and their parents) with complex mental health problems and trauma; neurodiverse conditions; and/or physical health conditions (including diabetes, and pain conditions). I also worked therapeutically with parents whose babies were being cared for on the Neonatal Unit at St Thomas's Hospital, London.

 

I am experienced in detailed mental health assessments alongside cognitive and neurodevelopmental assessments, as well as therapeutic work individually, in families, and in groups.

 

I led service development projects whilst working in CAMHS, including improving therapeutic group provision for parents, training clinical staff in understanding neurodiversity, and setting up a new Neuropsychiatry Assessment Hub for complex cases. As a CAMHS Team Lead, I provided clinical, operational and strategic management, leading a team of psychologists, psychiatrists, and mental health nurses.

My research roles at University College London and King's College London have focused on various aspects of child mental health and parenting. Most recently, I co-developed and ran a new parenting programme for parents of autistic children, which has shown promising results in an initial Randomised Controlled Trial (RCT).

I am a visiting lecturer for King's College London, training CAMHS practitioners in running group programmes for parents of neurodivergent children. I have delivered training to the Royal College of Psychiatrists on psychological interventions for autistic children. I am also adapting Emotion Focused Parent Skills Training for clinicians with the Institute for Emotion-Focused Therapy.

 

I work as an examiner and research supervisor for the Clinical Psychology Doctorate at the Salomons Centre for Applied Psychology, Canterbury Christ Church University, U.K. I am currently supervising research into autistic women's experience of self-compassion; the role of self-compassion in parents of adolescents with eating disorders; neuroaffirmative assessments for autism; and into Emotion Focused Parent Skills Training.

I was awarded the Donald Cohen Fellowship for Emerging Leaders by the International Association for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Allied Professions (IACAPAP) in 2016. I present at national and international conferences, and have published a number of scientific articles.

 

I provide expert psychological comment to the media on topics related to parenting, parent mental health, and neurodivergence. I also provide expert consultancy, for example, as a psychological advisor for Your Mood Journal, a book promoting emotional literacy for children by British influencer Fearne Cotton. I provide clinical supervision to other psychologists and therapists.

I am proud to volunteer as an International Paralympic Classifier for athletes with Intellectual Impairments at World Para-Athletics events, undertaking cognitive and sport-specific assessments.

In my clinical work with parents, I draw upon my own personal experience including my journey towards becoming a parent, birth experience, and the day-to-day realities of parenting two lively children. While everyone has their own unique parenting pathway, parents often find it comforting that I have some lived insight into the difficulties they are facing.

I am committed to transparent and ethical practice. My professional registration is with the UK Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), and my registration number is PYL28684. I am a member of the UK Association of Clinical Psychologists (ACP-UK), and the Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health (ACAMH).

You can read more about my experience and qualifications in the FAQs.

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Qualifications

2012. Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (DClinPsy), Salomons Institute for Applied Psychology, Canterbury Christ Church University, UK

2009. MSc. Applied Psychological Research (Distinction), Roehampton University, UK

2005. B.Sc. (Hons). Psychology with Mathematics (First Class), University of Durham, UK

Post-doctoral training

Various additional trainings, including:

Post-Graduate Certificate CBT Supervision (Children and Young People), Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, UK

Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR) Training Parts 1, 2, 3 (Complete), Alexandra Richman EMDR Training

The Flash Technique (EMDR adjunct), Dr. Justin Havens

Emotion Focused Skills Training (EFST) for Parents (Clinician Training), Joanne Dolhanty & Salomons Centre for Applied Psychology

Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) for Adolescents, Dr. Louise Hayes

ACT for Perfectionism & People Pleasing, Dr. Russ Harris

Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) course, London Buddhist Centre

Chair Work Online, Dr. Jo White, Schema Therapy Works

ARFID & Autism, Association of Child & Adolescent Mental Health (ACAMH)

Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS 2) Training, Great Ormond Street Hospital

Advanced ADHD Assessment, South London & Maudsley NHS Trust

Media & Consultation

  • Expert comment on Neurodivergence and Social Anxiety for the Daily Mail Online

  • Expert comment on parental guilt and gifts for children for the i newspaper

  • Consultant to the ACCA on self-compassion in the workplace​​

  • Guest blogger on the Neuropsychology of Imposter Syndrome for STEM Untapped

  • Psychological consultant on Teen Mental Health for BAMM Global & MacDonalds

  • Psychological consultant for HM Government

  • Autism expert development panel member for VIRTUS (World Intellectual Impairment Sport Federation)

Let's talk

I know that the most important thing when making the leap to contact a psychologist, or join a course, is to find someone who you can connect with and who “gets” you and your family.

 

Find out if I can help by booking a free 15 minute chat where I can answer any questions and see if we'd be a good match.

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