Dr Suzie Johncock

Clinical Psychologist

I am registered with the Health Care Professionals Council (HCPC)

Degrees and Education

Doctorate of Clinical Psychology – University of Edinburgh

Professional Training in

  • Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (2nd Edition)
  • Behavioural Family Therapy
  • Talking Mats
  • MSc in Psychological Research Methods – University of Dundee
  • BA (hons) Psychology – University of Aberdeen

Clinical Practice

I am a clinical psychologist with experience of working across the age ranges, currently employed as a Highly Specialised Clinical Psychologist within the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) in Lothian. As well as working in the CAMHS sector team, assessing and treating a range of mental health difficulties as one of the leads of the training in psychological skills service, I train and coach those delivering the Let’s Introduce Anxiety Management (LIAM) programme and Brief Behavioural Activation.

My experience includes treating and assessing anxiety, low mood/depression, phobia, obsessive compulsive disorder, anger, emotion regulation difficulties, self-harm and risk, self-esteem, behaviour difficulties, Autism, ADHD, intellectual disabilities and family/systemic issues along with other conditions. I have a particular interest in understanding behaviour in those with and without neurodevelopmental disorders.

My Therapeutic Approach

I would describe my therapeutic approach as eclectic and flexible. I draw on a range of approaches to best meet the needs of the individual/system I am working with. I am experienced in using Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Behaviour Family Therapy (BFT), and elements of Compassion Focussed Therapy (CFT), Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) and Cognitive Analytic Therapy. I consider myself very creative and enjoy using these skills when working with those who find traditional talking therapies challenging. Especially when working with young people and children I find introducing fun, creativity and humour into the therapy can help not only develop robust positive relationships and rapport but can also help the young person remember and want to use what they have learned in the clinic room.

My longstanding experience of working with people (of all ages) with neurodevelopmental disorders such as Autism and ADHD means I am skilled in assessing these disorders in a sensitive manner and use a range of techniques to help the individual (and their families) to understand the outcome of these assessments, and what this means for them at the current time and into the future.