Dr Rachel Lancaster
Background experience
I have worked in the NHS for around twenty years, and have been a practising Chartered Clinical Psychologist since completing my training in Bangor, North Wales. Although I am trained to work with individuals experiencing a range of mental health difficulties and difficulties coping across the lifespan, I work primarily with children from birth to age 18, particularly those with diagnoses of, or suspected diagnoses of learning disabilities and/or Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASDs), and the systems around them.
I generally work behaviourally using concepts such as reward and reinforcement, based on functional assessment and analysis, focusing on helping to shape a child’s behaviour and teach the child or young person new skills to replace his or her more challenging behaviour; use narrative approaches to help young people to understand their feelings and work towards shifting these; complete neuropsychological assessments to help develop an understanding of the child or young person, in order to inform therapy; and I am additionally a qualified cognitive therapist and EMDR therapist, using cognitive models, and adapted versions of these (for individuals with LDs and/or ASDs) to support young people in managing anxiety disorders and low mood.
My main areas of interest are challenging behaviour in individuals with learning disabilities, ASDs and child sleep problems. I am available to provide group work, training and consultation to children, families, schools and other professionals. I offer supervision to clinical psychologists and other mental health professionals. I additionally undertake medico-legal work.
Qualifications
University of Manchester, Postgraduate Certificate in Supervisory Skills for Evidence Based Therapies (2018)
University of Manchester, Postgraduate Diploma in Cognitive Therapy (2015-2017)
University of Bangor, Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (2006-2009)
University of Manchester, Masters of Science in Profound Learning Disabilities and Multi-Sensory Impairment (2003-2005)
Kings College, Guy’s Hospital, London, Postgraduate Diploma in Mental Health Studies (Learning Disabilities) (2000-2001)
Newcastle Upon Tyne University, BSc (Hons) Psychology (1996-1999)
I am additionally trained in a number of ASD specific tools such as the Brief Observation of Symptoms of Autism (BOSA), Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule - 2nd Ed (ADOS-2), and Preschool Autism Communication Tool (PACT); in addition to Riding the Rapids, a parent training intervention for parents of children with additional needs including ASDs/LDs; the Griffiths Developmental Scales; and Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing (EMDR)
Membership of Professional Bodies
Member of Health and Care Professionals Council (HCPC)
Chartered Member of British Psychological Society (BPS)
Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society (AFBPsS)
Member of the BPS Division of Clinical Psychology (DCP)
Member of Association for Research in Infant and Child Development (ARICD)
Member of the EMDR Association UK