Katherine Goodsell, Consultant Forensic and Chartered Psychologist, BSc (Hons), MSc, MA, PGCert, AFBPsS, CSci.

I have been a Chartered Psychologist with the British Psychological Society (BPS) since 2007, and Registered as a Forensic Psychologist with the Health Care and Professions Council (HCPC). I have worked for many years within secure forensic and non-forensic services. Prior to my career in psychology, I was a teacher.

 

I am the Clinical Director and Consultant Psychologist for The Family Practice Group, a private psychology practice based in Oxfordshire.  I hold responsibility for the management and delivery of clinical services for private clients seeking initial consultations, diagnostic assessments and therapy, as well as services instructed by local authorities, the NHS, and schools.

Alongside and prior to my private practice, I have worked within several low and medium secure settings, the prison service, as well as National Health Service Trusts.

Prior to a family relocation to Oxfordshire in late 2020, I was Clinical Director of two Milton Keynes based companies providing autism diagnostic, learning disability, mental health assessments for children and adults privately, on behalf of the NHS and for local authorities for 9 years. For 5 years my practice held an NHS contract to deliver adult autism diagnostic assessments for individuals aged 16 and over for which I was responsible for.

 

I have also been appointed over the years to assist with reducing NHS waiting lists for autism, ADHD and learning disability assessments for various NHS Trusts. Between 2015 and 2017 I contracted for 2 years within NHS neuro-developmental pathways for children, both in paediatric services and CAMHS. I delivered autism diagnostic, ADHD, cognitive (learning) and mental health assessments and In 2017 I was contracted to develop a psychology service for a secure training centre.

 

I have been fully trained in the gold standard diagnostic tools for autism spectrum disorder (Autism Diagnostic Interview Revised (2011), Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (2010) and Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule 2 including for forensic services (2014).  I completed my Certificate of Competence in Educational Testing in 2008 and over the years have built an extensive knowledge base and skill set in my specialist areas due to continuous training, CPD and gaining experience within appropriate services.

 

I predominantly work from my practice in Banbury, but also travel to different locations for assessment purposes.

 

I am a fully trained Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing practitioner (parts 1, 2 and 3) and have also been trained in Solution Focused Brief Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Acceptance & Commitment Therapy, principles of CBT, Trauma Focussed CBT, Dialectical Behaviour and Compassion Focused Therapy. I also attended the CBT and Counselling with Autism Spectrum Disorder Clients: A Masterclass conference.

 

I have acted as an expert witness in over 300 court (criminal / civil / family) cases, parole boards and tribunals since 2014 and am a member of the BPS Expert Witness Directory. I complete assessments and reports for autism spectrum disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), learning disability, general mental health, trauma, personality disorder, psychopathy as well as risk assessments and treatment / care planning.

 

I am trained in specific forensic and clinical assessments that I deliver for Expert Witness purposes, including the Historical Clinical Risk Management- 20 V3, Risk of Sexual Violence Protocol (RSVP), the Psychopathy Checklist – revised (PCL-r), International Personality Disorder Examination (IPDE), Structured Assessment of Protective Factors for violence risk, and the Diagnostic Interview for ADHD in adults (DIVA). I have additionally completed the Personality Disorders CPD Certificate Course: Advanced Diagnosis, Treatment & Management.

 

For four years, I was a Prevention and Management of Violence and Aggression Instructor (PMVA, Broadmoor trained) and facilitated training to clinical staff in Physical Intervention, Control & Restraint and Managing Challenging Behaviour. I was also trained in the RAID® (Reinforce Appropriate, Implode Disruptive) approach for working with Disturbed and Challenging Behaviour.

 

I have delivered training courses to the Metropolitan Police Service, as well as to other professionals as well as parents relating to autism spectrum disorder and common co-morbid diagnoses.

 

I regularly undertake continuous professional development and supervision, and my work is always delivered within the codes of practice set out by the BPS and HCPC.