MEET OUR TEAM
AUTISM ASSESSMENT TEAM
Experienced. Exceptional. Experts.
What makes Lancefield Private Clinic great is our incredible team. Passionate, experienced, specialist and approachable, we truly have the best of the best. Get to know our team, who are dedicated to making sure your expectations are not only met, but exceeded.
MICHAELA REAVEY
Clinical Director
Specialist Speech and Language Therapist
Michaela Reavey studied Speech and Language therapy at the University of Ulster, Jordanstown and graduated with a BSC Hons degree in 1996. She is a highly skilled and professional Specialist Speech and Language therapist. She is registered with the Royal College of Speech and Language therapists (RCSLT), the Health Care Professionals Council (HCPC), and the Association of Speech and Language Therapists in Independent practice (ASLTIP). Her career history includes over twenty years experience in the assessment, diagnosis and management of children with speech, language and communication disorders. In addition, she has eighteen years experience in a specialist clinical role. This clinical role has been as a diagnostician in a number of Autism assessment clinics for children and young people. She has acquired an in-depth, specialist knowledge of assessment and diagnosis of autism in children and young people. In 2014, she was awarded the Laura Millen Award for Excellence in Speech and Language therapy from Autism N.I. Michaela is also a member of the NI Autism Diagnosticians forum. Michaela is a lead trainer in the TEACCH approach within NI, affiliated with University of North Carolina. She is a core member of the NI Regional TEACCH steering group, planning and delivering TEACCH training for a range of professionals across NI.
Michaela is trained in the administration and scoring of the ADOS and ADOS-2 assessment, and has extensive experience with administering this assessment. She has participated in post ADOS-2 consensus training with Newcastle University to ensure her scoring reliability remains at the optimum clinical level.
In addition to her Health Service post, Michaela has worked in Independent practice including as a lead member of a diagnostic team within a private clinic. Working within this private clinic involved delivering diagnostic assessment and second opinions to NHS and HSE Trusts. At Lancefield Private Clinic, Michaela is the Clinical Director of the team.
LAUREN HEASLIP
Specialist Speech and Language Therapist
Lauren Heaslip is a highly experienced Specialist Speech and Language Therapist. She is registered with the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT), The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), and is an Associate of Speech and Language Therapists in Independent Practice (ASLTIP).
Over the course of her career, Lauren has developed specialist knowledge and skills in managing children and young people with a range of speech, language and communication needs. Since 2010, Lauren has held a specialist post working as part of a multidisciplinary Autism Diagnostic and Intervention Service. She is passionate about providing the highest quality assessment and support for autistic children and young people.
Lauren is trained and has significant experience in the administration of ADOS-2 assessment. She has participated in consensus training for coding of ADOS-2 through Newcastle University. Lauren is an executive committee member of the Autism Diagnosticians Forum in Northern Ireland.
Lauren has worked in independent practice since 2017.
JUDITH MCLERNON
Advanced Clinical Specialist Occupational Therapist
Judith McLernon is an Advanced Clinical Specialist Occupational Therapist with over 25 years’ experience in child development and paediatrics, specialising in the assessment and diagnosis of autism in children and young people. She is registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT). She is a member of the NI Autism Diagnosticians Forum.
Judith is Clinical Lead Occupational Therapist for the Child & Adolescent Autism Service in the BHSCT, helping to define the role of Occupational Therapy within the multidisciplinary team. She has completed formal training in ASD diagnostic assessments and is certified to administer the Diagnostic Interview for Social and Communication Disorders (DISCO) and Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS-2). She has extensive experience in completing ASD assessments in keeping with NICE guidelines, and is passionate about communicating the diagnosis to families and young people in a positive and affirming way.
Her clinical role includes the treatment and management of children and young people with coordination and functional difficulties.
Judith has a special interest in helping autistic young people with sensory processing differences. She co-developed and implemented a parent and young person training programme using sensory processing strategies to support emotional regulation. She has presented at the National Autistic Society (NAS) Conference.
Dr Emmet Kinsella
Consultant Clinical Psychologist
Dr Kinsella is a Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) registered Practitioner Psychologist and member of the British Psychological Society (BPS). He has significant experience in providing psychological assessment and therapeutic support to neurodiverse young people, adults and families within the NHS and in the independent sector. He currently holds the post of Consultant Clinical Psychologist and Lead Clinician in the Psychological Therapies Team in Autism Services in the SHSCT. Dr Kinsella is an honorary lecturer on the Queen’s University Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (DClinPsych) and Doctorate in Educational Psychology (DECAP) programmes. He is a member of the Autism Clinician’s Forum – Northern Ireland (ACFNI).
Dr Kinsella has worked within Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services and specialist multidisciplinary Autism Services in BHSCT and SHSCT. He has a particular interest in supporting mental health within the autistic community. This includes promoting a positive autistic identity, and offering a neuro-affirming assessment and diagnostic experience for young people, adults, and families.
Dr Kinsella has completed formal training in Autism diagnostic assessments including the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule- Second Edition (ADOS-2) and the Autism Diagnostic Interview – Revised (ADI-R). He has completed NHS consensus training on diagnostic assessment. He has extensive experience in differential diagnosis, complex case formulations, and in assessment of autism in keeping with NICE guidelines.
DEBBIE PAUL
Specialist Speech and Language Therapist
Debbie is a Specialist Speech and Language Therapist, registered with both the RCSLT (Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists), and the HCPC (Health and Care Professions Council).
Debbie obtained a Bachelors Degree in Clinical Language Sciences, Speech and Language Therapy from Leeds Metropolitan University in 2013. She went on to receive a Masters Degree in Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) from Queen’s University Belfast in 2015.
Debbie is experienced in the assessment, diagnosis and intervention for children age 2–18 with a range of speech, language and communication difficulties. However she specialises in working with children and young people with an Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Debbie is trained to Research Reliability Standard in the use of the ADOS-2 assessment.
SIOBHAN MAWHIRK
Specialist Speech and Language Therapist
Siobhan is a highly skilled Clinical Specialist in Autism Spectrum Disorder who has worked in ASD and Mental Health services for over 25 years. She has worked across community, residential and forensic services, and has provided assessment and intervention programmes for clients and families through health and education departments at local, national, and international level. She has been the lead clinician within the Child & Adolescent Mental Health ASD assessment service (B.H.S.C.T) for the last 10 years. Siobhan is a registered member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists, and of the Health and Care Professions Council.
Siobhan provides ASD assessment clinics for children, young people and adults presenting with a range of social communication and mental health difficulties.
Siobhan is a Certified ADOS and ADI trainer. She is affiliated with the Northumberland Tyne & Wear ADOS Training service, and provides ADOS & ADI training to a wide range of staff in the Health & Social Care services across England and Northern Ireland.
KATRINA MCCLINTOCK
Specialist Occupational Therapist
Katrina McClintock is an Advanced Specialist Occupational Therapist, registered with HCPC (Health and Care Professions Council) and RCOT (Royal College of Occupational Therapists). She obtained her degree in Occupational Therapy (BSc Hons) from University of Ulster in 2003.
Katrina has worked across schools and community settings and has more than 15 years of experience working in Child Development Clinics. Since 2010, Katrina has worked as part of a multi-disciplinary Autism Diagnostic and Intervention Service. She has completed formal training in ASD diagnostic assessments (DISCO and ADOS-2) and has extensive experience in administering these and completing ASD diagnostic assessments in keeping with NICE guidelines.
Katrina has a specialist interest in sensory processing and autism. In 2020, she obtained a PGDip in Sensory Integration and was commended with The Elizabeth Stephenson award for outstanding work, presented jointly from Ulster University and Sensory Integration Education. Within her Paediatric OT post, Katrina has co-written a programme helping young people to understand their sensory processing difficulties and identify strategies to help with self-regulation. Katrina is currently working towards her MSc in Advancing Practice in Occupational Therapy with a focus on sensory self-regulation for young people within the school setting.
LORRAINE MCERLEAN
Specialist Speech and Language Therapist
Lorraine McErlean is a Specialist Speech and Language Therapist with 37 years experience in her field. She is registered with both RCSLT and HCPC. Lorraine is currently the lead clinician in the Child Development Speech and Language Team in Belfast Health and Social Care Trust. She has extensive experience of working with children with additional needs, including autism and learning disability.
Lorraine chairs the regional Speech and Language Therapy Autism working group. In this role she has led on the development of a Competency and Training Framework for Speech and Language Therapists working with autistic children and young people in Northern Ireland. Lorraine was also the regional representative for Speech and Language Therapists in the Regional Autism Collaborative, a regional MDT network that was established with the aim of overseeing the implementation of the Autism Strategy.
Lorraine is a member of the Autism Diagnosticians Forum NI and has extensive training in, and experience of using, the ADOS-2 and BOSA.
DR KATRIN LEHMANN
Consultant Nurse and Family Therapist
Katrin is a highly skilled Consultant Nurse and family therapist with over 20 years experience working in child & adolescent mental health services. She is also an academic, completing a Public Health Agency NI funded clinical research study for her PhD in 2020, which focused on autism and gender variance. Katrin has published a number of papers in relation to autism and gender variance.
Katrin is a Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC) registered clinical nurse specialist mental health and independent non-medical prescriber. She is also registered with the UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) as a systemic family therapist. Katrin is a certified Diagnostic Interview for Social and Communication Disorders (DISCO) user and has extensive experience in completing complex ASD diagnostic assessments.
JACKIE WARDLOW
Specialist Social Worker
Jackie attended Queens University Belfast and completed her degree in Sociology in 1984. Jackie then achieved a Masters degree in Social Work and a Certificate of Qualification in Social Work. She is registered with the Northern Ireland Social Care Council (NISCC) and the British Association of Social Workers (BASW). Jackie was further awarded her Post qualifying Award in Social Work from QUB in 2008.
Jackie’s early career focussed on supporting children, adolescents and their families who had complex life experiences and mental health challenges, working in therapeutic residential care and community settings. Jackie’s passion to support families through early intervention led her to working within the Trust’s Child Development Clinic for over 10 years, where she developed a role within the multidisciplinary setting of supporting and advocating for parents and children who had received a diagnosis of Autism.
Jackie has continued to develop specialist knowledge and skills in autism assessment and intervention, particularly with children and young people who have complex needs. She works within the Health Service in a specialist Child Development Practitioner post, working as part of a multidisciplinary autism diagnostic and intervention service and remains passionate in supporting families in their journey.
Jackie has completed formal training in ASD diagnostic assessment (ADOS-2) and has extensive experience completing ASD diagnostics assessments in keeping with NICE guidelines.
LOUISE HEYWOOD
Specialist Speech and Language Therapist
Louise Heywood studied Speech and Language Pathology at the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow and graduated with a BSc Hons degree in 2006.
She is registered with the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT), the Health Care Professionals Council (HCPC) and is a member of the Autism Clinicians Forum Northern Ireland (ACFNI).
Louise has over 16 years experience in assessment, diagnosis and intervention for children with speech, language and communication needs aged 0-18.
She has extensive experience working in education as part of a trans-disciplinary team and has worked as a Lead Speech and Language Therapist in Sure Start, Community Clinic and Early Years Training (Education Authority).
Louise currently works in the Child and Adolescent Autism Service in the BHSCT. She specialises in Autism assessment and intervention and has completed formal training in the ADOS-2 and ADI-R.
DR CHRIS TENNYSON
Specialist Clinical Psychologist
Dr Tennyson attended Queen’s University Belfast, completing his Bachelor’s degree in Psychology (2008) and a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (2012). He has worked within NHS Psychological Services since 2008, as well as gaining extensive experience within the private and charitable sector.
Dr Tennyson is registered as a Practitioner Psychologist with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). He has held posts within Paediatric Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), Adult Mental Health, Child and Adolescent Mental Health, Physical Health Services and Perinatal Psychology. In additional to his Doctoral training in Clinical Psychology, Dr Tennyson has completed further formal training in ASD diagnostic assessment (ADOS-2 and DISCO). He has extensive experience of completing ASD diagnostic assessments in keeping with NICE guidelines, as well as diagnostic assessments for conditions such as ADHD, intellectual disabilities and attachment/mental health difficulties.
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KATE CULLEN
Specialist Occupational Therapist
Kate Cullen is an Advanced Specialist Occupational Therapist for autistic children and young people. She has over 17 years experience in paediatric assessment and intervention across health, education and independent sectors. She is registered with the HCPC (Health and Care Professions Council), CORU (Regulator for Health and Social Care Professionals Ireland), a member of RCOT (Royal College of Occupational Therapists), NI Autism Diagnosticians forum, Sensory Integration Education and is involved in variety of autism and occupational therapy related working groups across Ireland and UK.
She is a TEACCH Certified Practitioner and was involved in the TEACCH trainer programme in NI. Kate is trained in the administration and scoring of ADI-R (Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised) and has extensive experience in completing neurodevelopmental histories. She has vast experience in the administration and scoring of the ADOS-2 (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule-2nd Edition) assessment and participates in consensus training to ensure scoring reliability.
Kate has postgraduate qualifications in sensory integration, including SIPT registration and is an Advanced Sensory Integration Practitioner. She is currently working towards her MSc in Advancing Practice in Occupational Therapy. Kate currently works within a multidisciplinary child/adolescent autism diagnostic and intervention service. She was tutor and assessor for the Postgraduate Cerificate/Diploma/MA in Autism Studies course delivered in partnership with Middletown Centre for Autism and Mary Immaculate College, Limerick. Kate has experience writing and delivering training on autism related topics to parents, professionals and under/post graduate students across the island of Ireland. She has delivered presentations at various autism and occupational therapy conferences across the island of Ireland. She has training in a variety of therapeutic approaches.
CLAIRE MCCULLAGH
Specialist Speech and Language Therapist
Claire is a highly experienced Specialist Speech and Language Therapist. Claire specialises in stammering and she is passionate about helping adults who stammer to realise that their stammer does not have to hold them back. She empowers people to communicate freely and to feel confident to achieve their goals in life.
Claire obtained a BSc (Hons) Degree in Speech and Language Therapy from Ulster University in 2009 and she completed a Diploma in Personal and Business Coaching, with the Irish Lifecoach Institute in 2022. She employs a combination of skills, tailored to each person’s needs and individual goals.
Claire is registered with the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT), The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and is an Associate of Speech and Language Therapists in Independent Practice (ASLTIP). Claire is also a member of the National Dysfluency Clinical Excellence Network (CEN).
PLAY THERAPY
SINEAD COREY
Play Therapist
Sinead Corey is an Accredited Play Therapist and a Teacher in a Nurture Room programme within a mainstream school. Sinead has over twenty three years teaching experience in a primary school, where her roles have included class teacher, Nurture Teacher, and Lego Based Therapist. Since 2013 Sinead has held a senior management role as Head of Nurture, Head of Foundation Stage, and Teacher Mentor. She is also a member of the Multi-Disciplinary Pastoral Team and is a Mental Health First Aider. Sinead is trained in delivering ‘Theraplay Informed Practice’ to groups of young children. Sinead has experience in supporting children with Attachment Type Difficulties, Selective Mutism, and children diagnosed with ASD and ADHD. She has supported children experiencing isolation and bullying and has supported children to build resilience and develop skills to engage with peers.She has extensive knowledge of working with individuals and with small groups of children/young people and their parents. As an Accredited Play Therapist, Sinead has worked therapeutically with children experiencing emotional difficulties in a range of areas, such as, anger management, anxiety, school refusal, low self-esteem, peer group difficulties, family separation, domestic violence and bereavement, and also with children experiencing Secondary PTSD. Sinead is experienced with working with children who are fostered or adopted and is trained in Trauma Informed Practice. Sinead has a particular interest in supporting children presenting with symptoms of anxiety and she aims to provide a safe, secure environment, where children can process their emotions within a caring therapeutic relationship. Sinead is a member of PTUK Accredited register which is regulated by Professional Standards Agency (PSA) and monitors the standards and safety in Play Therapy.
MEDICAL TEAM
DR RUTH SUTHERLAND
Associate Specialist in Community Paediatrics
Dr Sutherland is an experienced Paediatrician working in the NHS in the Northern Trust as an Associate Specialist in Community Paediatrics. Dr Sutherland has many years’ experience in the realm of child development, and has a specialist interest in the assessment and management of children with Autism. As part of her NHS work she sees a variety of children with a wide range of medical and developmental issues. During her time as a Paediatrician, she has completed and appropriately updated her Griffiths Developmental Assessment, ADOS, ADIR and QB trainings. Dr Sutherland has full registration with the GMC.
ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM
KATE VERNOR
Bookings and Client Liaison
Kate is an integral part of the Lancefield Private Clinic team, and has been with the practice since day one. With a background in business, she is perfectly suited to manage the administrative duties of a busy clinic. She is often the first point of contact for parents and guardians, from making the appointment with families, to answering queries and providing reassurance ahead of your appointment. Kate always aims to make your experience at Lancefield Private Clinic as comfortable and stress free as possible.
RACHEL ROSS
Business Development and Operations
Rachel joined the Lancefield Private Clinic team after 20 years' experience in business and management. Specialising in operational management and business development, Rachel ensures Lancefield runs efficiently and effectively behind the scenes. Rachel manages quality assurance at Lancefield, and leads strategy, processes, and procedures.