Dr Nina Meikle

Previous to beginning my role as Clinical Tutor on the Clinical Associate Psychologists Apprenticeship (CAP) Program in Plymouth University, I was practicing as a Clinical Psychologist working with children and families in a variety of contexts. 

I worked primarily in NHS Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) and later in Peadiatric Health services. Specialist roles within CAMHS included working with: children excluded from mainstream education, children who are looked after, and working with under 5's and their families in community contexts. The strongest themes in my clinical work across these specialties were issues of disrupted attachment, multi-generational trauma, difficulties linked to social and economic disadvantage, Systemic approaches and multi-agency working.

In Bristol Children's Royal Infirmary I offered Psychological services to children and families within the Peadiatric Cardiac Team, and Intensive Care Unit. In Community Peadiatric Services I delivered a Psychology Service supporting families and children's with Complex Physical Disabilities. Clinical work frequently focused on difficulties relating to acute and on-going medical trauma and developmental issues. Systemic Theory and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) approaches underpinned clinical interventions in these specialties . 

I held a lead Psychology role in Autism assessment within Community Peadiatrics, and contributed to service restructure in centralising the assessment teams across Bristol and South Gloucester. Here I was also able to deepen long-standing interest in Autism and Neurodevelopmental differences, including understanding of how trauma and attachment difficulties can also influence neurological development.

In my on-going private practice I work with a range of presentations but frequently support young people and families with challenges relating to neurodiversity, such as anxiety, school struggles and relationship difficulties. Key therapeutic approaches include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, ACT, Systemic approaches, Eye Movement and Desensitisation and Reprocessing, and supporting parents with psychologically informed approaches to parenting. I also use Yoga Therapy to support children and young people who struggle with anxiety and emotional dysregulation. This playful approach is especially helpful for children who find it hard to verbalise difficulties or for whom sensory and neurological differences are a significant factors in their difficulties. 

Qualifications

Qualified as Clinical Psychologist from the Bristol Doctorate in Clinical Psychology Training course in 2009, Doctorate in Clinical Psychology awarded by the University of Plymouth.

BSc in Psychology Degree; University of Wales, Cardiff, 2002.

Professional membership

I am a member of the British Psychological Society and am registered with the Health and Care Professions Council.