Dr Cathy McLellan – Principal Clinical Psychologist – London

Dr Cathy McLellan – Principal Clinical Psychologist – London

Dr Cathy McLellan – Principal Clinical Psychologist – London leads Harwood Child Psychology’s neurodevelopmental assessment and behaviour support services for children, adolescents, and families. She earned her BSc (Hons) in Psychology before completing a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, and she holds registration with the Health and Care Professions Council as well as Chartered status with the British Psychological Society. Moreover, she works concurrently as a Lead Clinician within a Central London NHS CAMHS trust, where she oversees ADHD, autism, and intellectual disability assessment clinics. Consequently, she brings over a decade of specialist NHS experience to her private practice, ensuring every evaluation reflects both clinical precision and real‑world insight.

Furthermore, Dr McLellan has directed an enhanced behaviour support service within the NHS, which equips her to manage complex presentations confidently. In that role, she provided specialist input to inpatient care units, community teams, and paediatric environments. Therefore, she applies Positive Behavioural Support (PBS) and Non‑Violent Resistance (NVR) techniques directly within Harwood’s pathways. Meanwhile, she also delivers clinical supervision to NHS staff and trainee psychologists, which sustains high standards of care across multiple services.

Dr McLellan adopts a person‑centred, strengths‑based approach. As a result, even clients with significant distress feel heard and supported. She focuses on building trust quickly and tailoring communication styles to each family’s needs. Thus, every assessment and intervention plan at Harwood draws on her extensive training in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Compassion‑Focused Therapy (CFT), Systemic and Family Therapy, Narrative Therapy, and PBS.

Services

• Autism Spectrum Disorder Assessments
  Conducts structured interviews and observational protocols—such as ADOS‑2—to clarify social communication and sensory profiles.

• ADHD Diagnostic Evaluations
  Applies validated rating scales and multi‑informant interviews to differentiate attention‑deficit presentations and guide personalised care.

• Learning Disability Evaluations
  Utilises psychometric assessments to map cognitive strengths, identify learning challenges, and recommend educational accommodations.

• Enhanced Behaviour Support
  Delivers PBS and NVR strategies that equip families with practical techniques to manage complex behaviour in home and school settings.

• Anxiety & Depression Interventions
  Provides tailored CBT and CFT approaches to reduce anxiety, lift mood, and foster resilience in young people.

• School Refusal & Transition Support
  Designs graded exposure plans and liaises with educators to ensure smooth school reintegration.

• Family Consultation & Coaching
  Offers guided sessions that empower caregivers with communication, routine‑setting, and behaviour‑management strategies.

• Clinical Supervision & Training
  Leads workshops and supervision groups for clinicians in advanced neurodevelopmental assessment and behaviour support methods.

Additional Information

Harwood Child Psychology convenes weekly multidisciplinary case‑review meetings, in which psychiatrists, speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, and psychologists share insights. Consequently, each care plan benefits from diverse expertise and the latest evidence‑based guidance. In addition, the practice operates a secure online portal for pre‑consultation questionnaires and digital outcome‑tracking tools. Therefore, Dr McLellan can devote sessions to core clinical concerns rather than administration.

Moreover, Harwood hosts periodic community workshops on positive behaviour support, emotional regulation, and school transitions. These events provide families with practical tools and foster peer networks beyond clinic walls. Meanwhile, the clinic’s child‑friendly assessment rooms feature interactive materials and sensory resources, which help young clients feel comfortable and engaged.

Finally, we invite you to book an initial consultation with Dr Cathy McLellan at Harwood Child Psychology. Let her specialist expertise in neurodevelopmental assessment and enhanced behaviour support guide your family toward clarity, confidence, and lasting well‑being. Take the first step today by arranging your personalised assessment pathway.