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Dr Síofra Bradley

Clinical Psychologist

Degrees & Education

I am a registered member of the Health and Care Professionals Council (HCPC)

  • Doctorate in Clinical Psychology – University of Edinburgh
  • Masters in the Psychology of Adverse Childhood Experiences – Queens University Belfast
  • Undergraduate Bachelor of Science, Psychology – Queens University Belfast

Further Qualifications

  • Cognitive Therapy for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
  • Cognitive Behavioural Approaches for working with Perinatal Depression, perinatal anxiety and fear of birth
  • Autistic Experiences of Pregnancy and Childbirth
  • Generic and specialist Supervision Training
  • Infant Mental Health
  • Brazelton, Newborn Behavioural Observation

My Clinical Practice

I am passionate about my current role in the NHS as Clinical Psychologist within a Maternity and Neonatal Psychology service. Within this role I support people with presentations such as fear of birth, birth trauma, antenatal anxiety or perinatal loss throughout the perinatal period. I have over eight years of experience within the NHS, working across the lifespan from babies born prematurely to older adults. I have spent additional time working in services for people with Intellectual Disabilities and Care Experienced Young People (CEYP).

I have worked with children and adults to support difficulties such as anxiety, depression, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), low self-esteem and loss.  I provide training for NHS mental health staff on supporting people with PTSD or Complex PTSD. I also train maternity staff on supporting autistic people or people with ADHD. I have experience in completing intellectual disability assessments and dementia assessments.

My Therapeutic Approach

My main focus is to provide a safe space for people to feel listened to and understood, without judgement. I believe the therapeutic relationship is crucial for working together to achieve goals. I provide a range of therapies such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Trauma Focused CBT (TF-CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT).  Attachment Theory has also been central to my work.

As a Brazelton Champion I am trained in the Newborn Behavioural Observation (NBO). This is an intervention completed with a baby and their main caregiver(s) to find out more about their communication cues, help with parental confidence and the parent-baby relationship.