Dr Heather Dilks-Hopper – Clinical Psychologist – London

Dr Heather Dilks-Hopper – Clinical Psychologist – London

Dr Heather Dilks-Hopper serves as Principal Clinical Psychologist at Harwood Child Psychology in London. She holds a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology and is registered with the Health and Care Professions Council. Moreover, she brings over twenty years of specialist experience with autistic children and their families to the practice.

Before joining Harwood Child Psychology, she led therapy services at an independent specialist school for autistic young people with complex needs. Consequently, she applies her expertise in Positive Behaviour Support and multidisciplinary collaboration directly to client pathways at Harwood. In addition, she spent eight years in NHS CAMHS‑LD teams, where she honed skills in complex needs assessment and family‑centred interventions.

Furthermore, Dr Dilks‑Hopper co‑led the nationally recognised Intensive Therapeutic and Short Breaks Service (ITSBS), which prevented unnecessary residential placements. As a result, she designs assessment and treatment plans that prioritise staying at home and strengthening family resources. She also published on ITSBS outcomes in Tizard Learning Disability Review, reflecting her commitment to evidence‑based practice.

Throughout her work at Harwood Child Psychology, she mentors junior clinicians and integrates the latest research into everyday assessments. Therefore, every evaluation and intervention reflects both rigorous academic standards and compassionate care.

Services

• Autism Spectrum Disorder Assessments
  Conducts structured interviews and observational evaluations using ADOS and ADI‑R protocols.

• ADHD Assessments
  Applies validated rating scales and multi‑informant input to clarify attention‑deficit presentations.

• Learning Disability Evaluations
  Utilises psychometric tools to identify cognitive profiles and recommend educational accommodations.

• Behaviour Management Planning
  Designs bespoke Positive Behaviour Support strategies tailored to each child’s needs.

• Family Consultation & Coaching
  Provides practical guidance for caregivers on communication, routines, and behaviour techniques.

• Complex Case Formulation
  Integrates medical, psychological, and social factors to develop holistic care pathways.

• Therapeutic Intervention Referrals
  Coordinates in‑clinic and community‑based therapies, including speech and occupational support.

• Expert Witness Psychological Reports
  Delivers independent assessments and clear, court‑ready documentation for legal proceedings.

• Remote & In‑Person Evaluations
  Offers flexible assessment options via secure telehealth or face‑to‑face sessions.

• Multidisciplinary Case Reviews
  Leads weekly team meetings to refine interventions with input from psychiatrists, SLTs, and OTs.

Additional Information

Harwood Child Psychology operates from multiple London clinics, including Hampstead, Harley Street, Chiswick, and King’s Cross. In addition, a secure online portal hosts pre‑assessment questionnaires and progress‑tracking tools, which streamlines each appointment. Consequently, families and clinicians focus immediately on core clinical concerns.

Weekly multidisciplinary forums ensure that every assessment benefits from shared professional insights and the latest best practices. Therefore, care plans evolve dynamically in response to client feedback and emerging research. Furthermore, Harwood hosts community workshops on topics such as emotional regulation, school transitions, and positive behaviour support. These events empower caregivers with practical strategies and build peer support networks outside of clinic hours.

We invite you to book an initial consultation with Dr Heather Dilks‑Hopper at Harwood Child Psychology. Let her specialist expertise in neurodevelopmental assessment guide your family toward clarity, confidence, and lasting well‑being. Take the first step today by arranging your personalised assessment pathway.