THE ST ANDREWS PRACTICE - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Highly Specialist Occupational Therapist
My name is Carien (pronounced Ca-reen) Sabey.
I am a dedicated occupational therapist (OT) with 17 years of experience in a variety of
I completed my undergraduate degree from the University of St Andrews in 1987 and completed my training to be a Clinical Psychologist in at the University of Edinburgh in 1993.
I worked in the NHS in adult services until my early retirement in 2021. I have a breadth of experience in adult mental health working with people who have experience mild to very severe mental health problems.
I have worked broadly in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and I am trained in Behaviour Family Therapy (BFT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Solution Focused Therapy (SFT) Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) and in Mindfulness.
I've worked in several mental health services including a rehabilitation and recovery service. I have offered highly specialist assessment and treatment plans for clients (and their therapists) working with complex mental health problems. I have enjoyed working with clients and their families to help them understand their mental health problems and make practical changes to improve family life.
Even though I have been working for a long time, I still very much enjoy coming together with a client to understand their experience in a new way and this allows us to collaborate to find new solutions to repetitive difficulties.
Diane is responsible for managing the business, operational and communicative tasks associated with keeping The St Andrews Practice and our sister service, The Invertay Practice, running smoothly on a day-to-day basis. Diane has been in Practice Management for over 10 years, having previously managed two veterinary practices. She brings a wide range of skills and experience to her role. Diane will often be the first point of contact for new clients, and responsively addresses any non-clinical issues that arise. Diane also works closely with the practice directors and with staff and associates to make sure they have the information and resources to complete their clinical work optimally. Her calm and ‘can do' mind set make her very popular with clients, clinicians and stakeholders. Diane shares a passion for the overarching vision of the organisation, and often goes above and beyond to ensure clients' needs are met in all possible ways. She is a significant asset to our team.
I completed a degree in Psychology and Cognitive Neuroscience at the University of Nottingham in 2006 and a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the University of Sheffield in 2013. I am a HCPC registered Clinical Psychologist with over 15 years' experience of working in the NHS. I currently work as the Lead Psychologist in an NHS perinatal mental health team and have worked in adult mental health for most of my career. I use a range of therapeutic approaches, often integratively, to ensure that my approach is suited to the individual I am working with. The main therapeutic models I draw upon are Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR), Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).
I believe that we all have an innate desire to survive and thrive and we make our best attempts in the situations in which we find ourselves, to do this. Even if these choices later on start to cause us difficulties, they very often come from a place of having helped us to survive. I also believe that talking is very important in terms of helping us to understand where difficulties have come from and what maintains them, but that real change can be seen when we make changes in our behaviour.
I completed my BSc (Hons) degree in Psychology in 2014 at Abertay University, my MSc in Psychology of Mental Health in 2015 at Dundee University and completed my Doctorate in Counselling Psychology in 2019 at Glasgow Caledonian University. At the core of my practice is the therapeutic relationship which facilitates a collaborative approach, offering a safe and non-judgmental space where you can explore your difficulties. Together, we can develop and agree a way forward, focusing on what matters most to you.
With over 10 years of experience, I have worked in the NHS (with mild to complex and enduring difficulties) within primary care and community mental health services as well as specialist services, private practice and third-sector services. I have supported individuals facing various psychological challenges, including disordered eating, low self-esteem, low mood, anxiety, interpersonal difficulties as well as trauma-related issues.
I utilise a neuro-affirming, integrative therapeutic approach tailoring our work to your specific needs. I have extensive training in Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) including adapting (when and if required) EMDR when working with neurodiverse people, as well as attachment-focused EMDR. Additionally, I utilise Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Person-Centered Therapy (PCT), and elements of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT).
Job Titles:
- Consultant
- Member of the Management Team
- Psychiatrist
I have always had a passion for psychiatry, and have worked in the NHS for the last 21 years. I became a Consultant Psychiatrist in General Adult Psychiatry in 2010 and have worked in a range of in-patient and community settings in this role over the last 13 years in North-East Scotland. I have an endorsement in Addictions Psychiatry, and have built up experience working with people who have a range of mental health difficulties, including depression, anxiety, trauma and neurodevelopment disorders.
I have always been keen to help folk learn about and understand how mental illnesses can affect people. I have a Postgraduate Diploma in Medical Education and have been the Teaching Lead for undergraduates in psychiatry at the University of Dundee, as well as a training programme director and supervisor for post-graduate doctors specialising in psychiatry. I have worked nationally with the Patient Safety and Co-Production Groups with the RCPsych, and chaired the general adult psychiatry faculty of the Royal College of Psychiatrists in Scotland from 2019-2022. I was recently awarded a Fellowship of the RCPsych.
When you have difficulties with your mental health it can be confusing and frightening. Often seeking help and advice is the hardest step, so when people have I try to ensure they feel comfortable and heard. I strive to help folk regain some control through understanding their diagnosis, how it may affect them, and what effective evidence-based treatments are available to them.
I graduated from The University of Dundee in 1999 with an MA (Hons) degree in Psychology. I completed my Doctorate in Clinical Psychology in 2006 at The University of Edinburgh. I have worked in the field of Adult Mental Health for over 20 years, and with the NHS for 19 years. My early experiences as a Clinical Psychologist were based in both Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services and Adult Primary Care Services. The combination of these fields has influenced and informed my practice over the years and I continue to hold an interest in the role of early experiences in childhood and how they may influence the relationships we hold with our adult self and with others.
One of my long-standing interests has been in working with adult survivors of childhood abuse and I am continually humbled at the human strength of spirit to survive. I work regularly with individuals who are experiencing suffering and distress, which can manifest in a vast number of ways, for example, in depression, panic, anxiety, to name but a few. Asking for help at our most vulnerable times takes strength. I view therapy as place of safety and respite and a place to catch your breath. It is a place of uncovering and learning, retracing the path that led you to this point and helping you to rediscover your inner skills and strength to move towards your own personal growth and/or goals with hope. In getting to know you and understand you I will draw upon a range of psychological theories and practical therapy models to help us make sense of your difficulties and find some meaning. These theories and models will also guide and inform our therapy in an approach that works best for you.
Job Titles:
- Consultant
- Member of the Management Team
- Psychiatrist
I have been a senior consultant psychiatrist for more than a decade and have worked exclusively in the NHS for 24 years. My postgraduate qualifications are DRCOG and MRCPsych, with dual accreditation in Rehabilitation and General Adult Psychiatry. I've trained in Neurosurgery, Neurology and A&E plus vocational training for General Practice. I've worked in NHS wards, theatres and intensive care and seen a large variety of physical and psychological trauma. Through all my professional roles, and as a patient myself, I've appreciated what it is to be listened to and treated as an individual, not a ‘case.'
I've worked in both inpatient and community mental health settings, leading a multidisciplinary team in Aberdeen which supported people through hospital admission and into the community. In recent years I've worked entirely in the community, focusing on adult mental health in clinics, people's homes and care homes around Dundee and Angus. My daily work involves meeting individuals who experience problems such as depression, anxiety or psychosis, often with underlying trauma. Sometimes people have complex problems, and need time to explain their experiences before we agree on a diagnosis and individual treatment plan. I will also assess the impact of physical, psychological and social problems on mental health, and whether a physical problem might explain symptoms, such as thyroid disease or the menopause. I can discuss the safest treatment options available in the context of existing physical problems, such as cardiac disease, and review the impact of medication.
I think it is a privilege to hear about people's experiences and my work has shown me that people from all walks of life and economic backgrounds can experience mental health problems. I've met a diverse range of people and approach each assessment with an open mind. Sometimes I need a translator, and I think it is important to be aware of cultural and religious contexts. I believe people are not ‘a diagnosis' but a diagnostic label, for all its pros and cons, can be useful to direct treatment and self-awareness, helping people and their families to research what has helped others with similar difficulties. My aim is to treat everyone to the same standard that I would expect for a member of my own family, with an individual, holistic and collaborative approach to mental wellbeing grounded in evidence-based treatment.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Management Team
- Management Team
I qualified as a Clinical Psychologist from Edinburgh University in 1997 and have worked as a Child Clinical Psychologist since qualifying. My experience spans a range of settings within the NHS, latterly working in a specialist therapeutic team for looked after children, living in local authority care in Fife.
I have been involved with the project since its inception 17 years ago and have been responsible for developing the provision of psychological input within this service. My clinical work within the team has comprised of; assessment, individual therapeutic work, consultation with carers, systemic work with a range of professionals, clinical supervision and delivery of training to foster carers, social workers and other professionals. The main therapeutic approach drew on cognitive behavioural principles but within an attachment and trauma framework.
Previous to joining the specialist team I worked for a project focussing on support for children with a diagnosis of ADHD and their families. My work involved providing training and advice for parents and providing individual therapeutic input for children and young people.
I have post graduate qualifications in Trauma Focussed CBT, The Child Attachment Interview and extensive experience in running Solihull training which focusses primarily on parent/child relationships. My particular areas of interest are childhood trauma, attachment and neurodiversity.
I have worked in adult mental health services for 19 years. I graduated from the University of Dundee with a BSc (Hons) degree in Psychology in 2003 and qualified with a Doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology in 2009. I have worked in both inpatient and community based teams delivering a range of interventions. Since qualifying, I have trained in several therapeutic models including Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR), Compassion Focussed Therapy (CFT), Behaviour Family Therapy (BFT) and Schema Focussed Therapy. Most of my experience has involved working with individuals who have experienced multiple traumatic events. However, I have also worked with neuro divergence throughout my career and this remains an interest of mine.
Job Titles:
- Consultant
- Member of the Management Team
- Psychiatrist
I graduated in medicine and surgery from the University of Aberdeen in 1990 and rapidly decided to specialise in psychiatry, becoming a Member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists in 1995. I took a circuitous route to becoming a consultant, including time out of medicine and as a Specialty Doctor, before finally completing my higher training and entering the GMC specialist register in 2017 for General Psychiatry with Rehabilitation Psychiatry. Since then, I have held consultant posts in Tayside, Orkney and Fife and have spent three years as a Clinical Lead. I used to be consultant with the Tayside Adult Autism Consultancy Team (TAACT), so I have worked with several members of the St Andrews Practice team in the past and am delighted to be doing so again! I have been a clinical and educational supervisor for trainees and still hold an Honorary Clinical Lecturer post with the University of Dundee, teaching and examining medical students. I have also been an Honorary Teaching Fellow with the University of St Andrews in the past.
Having completed my undergraduate degree at Heriot Watt University 2010, I went on to work in the third sector for a number of years primarily supporting adults with autism and their families/carers. Alongside this, I worked with the Scottish Government to develop strands of the national autism strategy aiming to improve the quality of lives of autistic people and their families. I then completed a Masters from the University of Dundee in 2017 which allowed me to work therapeutically with adults experiencing a range of mental health difficulties, including depression and anxiety, using Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). Most recently, I completed my Doctorate in Clinical Psychology in 2021 at the University of Edinburgh. I have since been working in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) specialising in assessment and intervention for a range of neurodevelopmental/neurodiverse conditions, including autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and intellectual disabilities (otherwise known as learning disabilities). Within my current role, I work with children, young people, and their network of adults to collaboratively make sense of emotional, behavioural and mental health difficulties, and provide tailored systemic interventions.
Central to my clinical practice is the therapeutic alliance. This represents my commitment to ensuring a client-centred practice where I will work to understand you, your life experiences, and therapeutic goals, in a non-judgemental and safe space we will share together. Coming to therapy and investing in the therapeutic alliance involves taking measured risks which will be unlike most relationships we experience in our day to day lives. It is a chance to experience and participate in open and reflective conversations which may be personally confronting and challenging, but ultimately move you towards discovery and growth. For some, therapy may be a mode of self-learning through a formal assessment of neurodiversity and/or adapted intervention. I have maintained a strong interest in this area and continue to incorporate relevant up-to-date theory and evidence-based practice into my approach.
I completed my BSc (Hons) degree in Psychology at the University of Liverpool in 2007 and went on to complete my Doctorate in Clinical Psychology in 2016 at the University of Glasgow. I have also undertaken additional training programmes, including: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT); Behavioural Family Therapy (BFT); and Schema Therapy. I often will draw upon Compassion Focus Therapy (CFT), Mindfulness and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) approaches in my clinical practice. I have around 13 years experience working within both private and public healthcare settings. During the last 10 years I have worked across three different NHS health boards, predominately in community mental health settings, providing assessment and both individual and group treatment working with mild to severe mental health difficulties.
My therapeutic stance prioritises creating a safe, collaborative environment to enable clients to reflect and make sense of factors that may influence their mental health. I will initially focus on a detailed psychological assessment and individualised formulation to understand how mental health difficulties have developed over time using relevant psychological theory. Following this I work with my clients to identify personally meaningful therapeutic goals and targeted treatment plans based upon evidence based psychological treatments.
I completed my undergraduate Bsc (Hons) degree in psychology at Glasgow University in 2010 and my Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at the University of Edinburgh in 2015. I have worked in the NHS since 2010 in a range of general adult and specialist mental health services, across three different health boards in Scotland. I have also been involved in service development, consultation, and supervision and have worked part time providing education and training in relation to psychological practice since 2019.
I have a range of experience working within Community Mental Health Teams, inpatient and acute hospital services, and residential care settings providing individual and group interventions with adults with moderate to severe mental health difficulties, physical health difficulties, and cognitive problems. I use range of psychological approaches in my practice including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Interpersonal Therapy, Compassion Focussed Therapy (CFT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.
I enjoy working with people with a range of difficulties, though I have a special interest in neuropsychology and cognitive problems, physical health problems, and psychological trauma.
I believe in a truly person centred and collaborative approach to therapy that will work for you and your life. My philosophy is that, while I can offer psychological knowledge and expertise, the client is the expert in their situation and it is important to
I completed my undergraduate BSc degree in Psychology in 2002 at the University of St Andrews. After gaining work experience in a number of roles, such as supporting individuals with Autism and working within inpatient mental health settings, I completed my Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (DClinPsy) in 2011 at the University of Edinburgh. I have since worked for the NHS for 9 years as part of a Community Mental Health Team providing psychological treatment to individuals with a wide range of difficulties. I have been trained in a range of psychological treatments including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (tfCBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Behavioural Family Therapy (BFT). At the heart of all my clinical work is developing a safe space for patients to be able to openly discuss their difficulties and feel they will be supported in a non-judgemental forum. I believe that developing effective therapeutic relationships is one of the most crucial components for therapy to be effective, and applying this together with evidence based treatment approaches that are tailored to each individual.
Job Titles:
- Highly Specialist Occupational Therapist
I qualified as an Occupational Therapist (OT) from Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, in 2006. I have worked in NHS mental health services in both inpatient and Community Mental Health Teams in Dundee and Angus, undertaking individual and group interventions with adults with severe and enduring mental health difficulties. I obtained my Masters in OT in 2015. Prior to this I worked as a commercial artist; I feel that this background helps me to approach occupational therapy creatively.
In 2014, with my colleague, Susan Munro, SALT, I developed Post Diagnostic Interventions for people with a diagnosis of ASD in Angus. I have continued to shape and develop this treatment over the years, as both individual and group treatments. I have specialised in assessment and interventions for ASD and have seen how diagnosis and treatment can make a huge difference to an individual's life. Individuals with neurodiverse conditions often experience the world in a very different way, and can find this difficult and challenging. Understanding how sensory differences and executive function can affect an individual, and working with them to pinpoint issues, identify strengths and develop coping strategies has been an important part of my work.
As an OT, I use evidence based interventions, and like to keep abreast of current thinking and developments. I work holistically, using recommended OT assessments, to assist individuals to recognise their strengths and identify the barriers that prevent them from engaging in their daily activities; looking at productivity, self care and leisure. I will then collaborate with the individual to devise a treatment plan. I think that good therapeutic relationships are very important in occupational therapy, as you are working together to achieve the best outcome possible.
After completing my BSc (Hons) in Psychology in 2008 at Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh I worked in an independent school for a number of years before continuing my studies in 2014 at Dundee University and completing my postgraduate MSc in Educational Psychology. From there I worked as an Educational Psychologist (EP) for a Scottish local authority until 2022 when I began to focus on independent practice and pursue further training opportunities. I have always been interested and passionate about supporting learners who are struggling in school, especially those who have experienced adversity and trauma. I have significant experience developing and delivering training for schools, with a particular focus on nurturing approaches. More recently, my focus has been on Eye Movement Desensitisation & Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, where I have been working with children, adolescents and adults.
As an EP, I work with children and young people to reach solutions to their educational difficulties and achieve positive outcomes. This is achieved through consultation and assessment where I work collaboratively with those who know the child best, as well as the child themselves, to explore and identify individual strengths, areas for development, educational needs and help inform supportive interventions. It is important to take into account how the child's performance compares to others of a similar age but also how they approach learning tasks and what type and level of mediation makes the most impact on their performance. My assessments are child-centred, holistic and interactive, they consider a range of factors that may be contributing to a learner's needs. These include emotional & social, cognitive, academic, language/communication, physical/sensory and environmental factors. This helps to provide a full profile of their educational needs. The views of the child, parent/carer, teacher and other professionals are central to this process. I offer one-to-one interventions where I work with the child or young person to try to resolve difficulties related to trauma, emotional regulation, anxiety, self-esteem and social difficulties to name a few. One of the aims of this work is to establish a trustworthy safe space where children can feel listened to, understood and accepted. In describing myself, I would say that fairness, equality, honesty and kindness are at the heart of everything I do. I am HCPC registered and a Chartered Psychologist with the British Psychological Society.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Management Team
- Practice Administrator
Judith is a welcome addition to our admin team and has brought with her a wealth of business support and secretarial experience, gained mainly through working in legal services. Judith‘s role involves supporting our clinicians and practice manager to keep everything running smoothly and ultimately provide a positive experience for our clients.
Job Titles:
- Assistant
- Member of the Management Team
- Practice Manager
Mel is our hard-working, reliable assistant practice manager, with a hawk eye for detail. She is very much the heart of our team and the glue that holds us all together. Mel worked as a dental nurse for 11 years before taking time out to be a full-time mother. She now works with the SAP team, in a varied role supporting our clinicians and our practice manager, and improving client experience at an operational level.
I graduated from Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh in 2000 with a BSc (Hons) degree Psychology. I completed my Doctorate in Clinical Psychology in 2006 at The University of East London and then a Post Graduate Diploma in Clinical Neuropsychology from the University of Glasgow in 2010.
I have worked as a Clinical Psychologist with the NHS for over 20 years, mainly in older people's services, providing therapy for a wide range of psychological difficulties of varying severity, including depression and anxiety. I work with clients whose difficulties are related to traumatic experiences, either physical, sexual or emotional and often a combination of these. I also work with those who have experienced bereavement, including losing spouses/partners and children, and support them in their journey through loss and adjustment. As well as working with clients who have lost significant people, I work with those who are adjusting to the loss of a working/professional life. As well as bringing many potential benefits, retirement can also be a challenge. I utilise a primarily CBT approach, however I draw on many additional evidence based models to work in an integrative way according to the needs of each person I work with.
As well as psychological therapy with clients experiencing mental health difficulties, I have extensive experience working with clients who have dementia, stroke and other physical health conditions. A significant element of my role has been education, training and supervision and support of health and social care staff, including those training as applied psychologists. I offer a high level of expertise and experience in psychological therapies with clients, work with their families and staff, while approaching this in a warm, collaborative, flexible and accepting style, that enables those I am working with to feel understood and respected.
Job Titles:
- Highly Specialist Speech & Language Therapist
I qualified as a Speech and Language Therapist with a BSC Hons degree in Speech Pathology and Therapy in 2005 from Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh. I have undertaken further MSc modules from the University of Strathclyde in Autism studies. I have worked in the NHS since graduating in 2005, and almost 18 years on, I have as much enthusiasm and zest for this role as I did in the beginning.
During my career, I have gained experience working as a Speech and Language Therapist in a variety of settings including, schools, mainstream and within enhanced support classes, nurseries, clinics and I work with families at home. I have worked with a variety of children with communication needs, ranging from Autism, Social Communication difficulties, verbal dyspraxia, language difficulties/developmental language disorder, and phonological difficulties/disorder. I have also experience with a range of AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication).