At Niva Medical Clinic, we believe that looking after your health means considering both physical and psychological wellbeing.

We are therefore delighted to welcome Dr Shereen Charles, an experienced HCPC-registered Clinical Psychologist, to our multidisciplinary team in Stanmore.

Dr Charles works with children, young people and adults experiencing a broad range of psychological, emotional and neurodevelopmental difficulties. Her clinical experience includes anxiety, depression, trauma, emotional regulation difficulties, low self-esteem, relationship problems, stress-related difficulties, autism, ADHD and more complex mental health presentations.

Alongside her private clinical work, Dr Charles holds a specialist role within the NHS, working within a neurodevelopmental diagnostic and treatment service.

Her approach is compassionate, collaborative and evidence-based. Rather than applying a standard treatment to every patient, Dr Charles aims to understand each person’s individual circumstances, experiences, strengths and goals before developing an appropriate therapeutic approach.

For individuals and families looking for a Clinical Psychologist in Stanmore or North-West London, her arrival further strengthens the psychological and mental health support available through Niva Medical Clinic.

Who Is Dr Shereen Charles?

Dr Shereen Charles is a Senior Specialist Clinical Psychologist with extensive experience across NHS and private healthcare settings.

Her academic and professional training includes:

• Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (DClinPsy) from Royal Holloway, University of London
• MSc in Social Cognition: Research and Applications from University College London
• BSc in Psychology with Professional Placement from Aston University
• Registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)

She works with patients from childhood through to adulthood and brings together extensive experience in clinical psychology, neurodevelopment, mental health and education.

Within her NHS work, Dr Charles specialises in the assessment and treatment of neurodevelopmental conditions. Her experience includes working with ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, Tic and Tourette’s Disorder, as well as associated difficulties such as depression and anxiety.

She has also worked across a broad range of specialist psychological services, including complex adult mental health, trauma, looked-after children’s services, physical health psychology, early intervention in psychosis, forensic services and eating disorder services.

This breadth of experience is particularly valuable because psychological difficulties rarely fit neatly into one category. Emotional wellbeing can be affected by developmental differences, family circumstances, physical health, relationships, education, work and previous life experiences.

Dr Charles’ Work with Brighter Paths Psychological and Educational Services

In addition to her work at Niva Medical Clinic and within the NHS, Dr Charles also works through Brighter Paths Psychological and Educational Services.

Brighter Paths brings together psychological assessment, therapy, coaching, educational support and professional guidance, reflecting Dr Charles’ combined experience in both clinical psychology and education.

Her work through Brighter Paths includes support relating to:

• ADHD
• Autism
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Trauma
• Emotional regulation
• Low self-esteem
• Stress
• Burnout
• OCD
• Social anxiety
• Sleep difficulties
• Bereavement
• Relationship difficulties
• Parenting challenges
• Learning difficulties
• Exam stress
• Career and life transitions
• Tic and Tourette’s Disorder

Brighter Paths also reflects an important part of Dr Charles’ professional background: her longstanding interest in the relationship between mental health, neurodevelopment, learning and education.

She has more than 17 years of experience within education and tutoring and is involved in doctoral-level clinical psychology selection processes at London universities.

This combination of psychological and educational expertise can be particularly useful when working with children and young people whose emotional, developmental and educational needs may overlap.

A Psychologist for Children, Young People and Adults

One of Dr Charles’ key strengths is her experience working across different stages of life.

Psychological needs can look very different depending on someone’s age.

A young child struggling with anxiety may show this through behaviour, physical complaints, sleep problems or difficulties attending school.

A teenager may experience low mood, anxiety, difficulties with friendships, academic pressure or uncertainty around identity and self-esteem.

An adult may seek psychological support following trauma, relationship difficulties, work-related burnout, depression, anxiety or longstanding emotional difficulties.

Dr Charles works with individuals from approximately five years of age through to adulthood, adapting the way she assesses, communicates and works therapeutically according to the person’s developmental stage and individual needs.

Psychological Support for Anxiety

Anxiety is one of the most common reasons people consider psychological therapy.

Everyone experiences anxiety from time to time. It becomes more concerning when worry, fear or avoidance begins to interfere with everyday activities, relationships, education, work or quality of life.

Anxiety can take many different forms, including:

• Persistent worry
• Panic
• Social anxiety
• Health anxiety
• Specific fears or phobias
• Work-related anxiety
• School-related anxiety
• Anxiety associated with life changes
• Obsessive thoughts or compulsive behaviours

People can also experience physical symptoms such as muscle tension, difficulty sleeping, increased heart rate, stomach discomfort or feeling constantly “on edge”.

Psychological therapy can help patients understand the factors contributing to their anxiety, recognise unhelpful patterns and develop strategies for managing difficult thoughts, feelings and behaviours.

Support for Depression and Persistent Low Mood

Feeling low occasionally is a normal part of life.

However, persistent low mood can affect motivation, concentration, sleep, appetite, relationships and the ability to enjoy activities that would normally feel rewarding.

Some people experiencing depression may feel:

• Persistently sad or low
• Emotionally numb
• Less motivated
• Withdrawn from friends or family
• Tired despite adequate rest
• Less interested in previously enjoyable activities
• Critical of themselves
• Hopeless about their circumstances

Dr Charles has considerable experience supporting people experiencing depression and associated psychological difficulties.

Therapy is tailored to the individual, with the aim of helping them understand their difficulties and develop more effective ways of responding to them.

Trauma and Difficult Life Experiences

Traumatic experiences can affect people in different ways.

Some individuals experience difficulties soon after an event. For others, the emotional impact can emerge much later.

Trauma-related difficulties may include:

• Distressing memories
• Avoiding reminders of an experience
• Feeling constantly alert or unsafe
• Anxiety
• Sleep difficulties
• Emotional numbness
• Anger
• Relationship difficulties
• Changes in self-esteem
• Difficulties trusting other people

Dr Charles’ professional background includes experience within trauma and complex mental health services.

Her approach recognises the importance of providing a psychologically safe environment where difficult experiences can be explored sensitively and at an appropriate pace.

Autism, ADHD and Neurodevelopmental Psychology

A significant part of Dr Charles’ clinical expertise is in neurodevelopmental conditions, particularly autism and ADHD.

Her NHS role is based within a specialist neurodevelopmental diagnostic and treatment service, where her work includes ADHD, autism, Tic and Tourette’s Disorder and related psychological difficulties.

Neurodevelopmental differences can influence:

• Attention
• Organisation
• Impulse control
• Emotional regulation
• Communication
• Social interaction
• Sensory processing
• Learning
• Self-esteem
• Relationships
• Everyday routines

Importantly, every neurodivergent person is different.

Psychological support should therefore not be based simply on a diagnostic label. It should consider the individual’s strengths, challenges, environment and personal objectives.

Dr Charles also has experience providing psychoeducation and supporting families to better understand neurodevelopmental differences.

Diagnostic Assessment Experience

Dr Charles also has specialist experience in neurodevelopmental diagnostic assessment.

Through her wider professional work, assessments may involve detailed developmental history, exploration of mental health and learning needs, validated assessment measures, information from schools or colleges where appropriate, clinical formulation and feedback.

A thorough assessment is important because difficulties involving attention, behaviour, learning or emotional regulation can sometimes have several possible explanations.

For example, symptoms associated with ADHD may overlap with anxiety, trauma, sleep difficulties or learning needs.

A comprehensive assessment therefore looks beyond individual symptoms to understand the person as a whole.

Patients seeking a specific ADHD, autism or other neurodevelopmental assessment at Niva Medical Clinic should contact the clinic to confirm which assessments are currently available and which clinician is most appropriate for their needs.

Emotional Regulation

Emotional regulation refers to our ability to recognise, understand and manage emotions.

Some people experience emotions particularly intensely or find it difficult to recover after becoming upset, anxious, frustrated or angry.

Difficulties with emotional regulation can affect:

• Relationships
• Family life
• Education
• Work
• Decision-making
• Confidence
• Behaviour
• General wellbeing

These difficulties can occur in isolation or alongside conditions such as anxiety, ADHD, autism, trauma or depression.

Psychological therapy can help individuals understand emotional triggers and develop more effective ways of responding.

Low Self-Esteem and Confidence

Low self-esteem can influence almost every part of someone’s life.

A person may repeatedly question their abilities, compare themselves negatively with others or avoid opportunities because they expect to fail.

Low self-esteem can also contribute to difficulties within relationships, work, education and social situations.

Rather than simply encouraging someone to “think positively”, psychological therapy examines how these beliefs developed, how they are maintained and how they influence thoughts, emotions and behaviour.

This can help patients build a more balanced and realistic understanding of themselves.

Stress, Burnout and Life Transitions

Not everyone who sees a psychologist has a diagnosed mental health condition.

Modern life can involve significant pressures from careers, finances, parenting, caring responsibilities, relationships and major life changes.

Periods of prolonged stress can leave people feeling overwhelmed, exhausted or unable to cope as effectively as they normally would.

Dr Charles’ wider clinical work includes supporting people with:

• Stress
• Burnout
• Work pressures
• Academic pressures
• Career changes
• Relationship difficulties
• Major life transitions
• Motivation and confidence

Therapy can provide an opportunity to step away from immediate pressures, understand what is contributing to them and develop more sustainable coping strategies.

Psychological Support for Children and Teenagers

Children do not always have the vocabulary to explain how they are feeling.

Emotional or psychological difficulties may therefore appear through changes in behaviour, sleep, school attendance, relationships or emotional regulation.

Parents might notice:

• Increased anxiety
• Frequent emotional outbursts
• Withdrawal
• Persistent sadness
• Difficulties at school
• Reduced confidence
• Sleep problems
• Difficulties making or maintaining friendships
• Problems concentrating
• Behavioural changes
• Increased stress around examinations or school
• Concerns about ADHD or autism

Dr Charles’ combined psychological and educational experience enables her to consider difficulties within the broader context of a young person’s development, family relationships, education and environment.

Supporting Parents of Neurodivergent Children

Receiving an autism, ADHD or other neurodevelopmental diagnosis can raise many questions for both a young person and their family.

Parents may want to understand why certain situations are difficult for their child, how best to respond to emotional distress, how to support school routines or how to discuss a diagnosis in a positive and constructive way.

Dr Charles has experience providing parent support and psychoeducation around neurodevelopmental conditions, helping families develop a better understanding of the young person’s individual profile.

The aim is not simply to concentrate on areas of difficulty, but to recognise strengths while developing practical approaches to challenges.

Evidence-Based Psychological Therapy

Dr Charles is experienced in a broad range of psychological approaches.

Her wider clinical practice includes techniques and principles drawn from therapies such as:

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
• Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT)
• Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
• Cognitive Analytic Therapy (CAT)
• Trauma-focused psychological therapy
• Person-centred approaches
• Psychodynamic approaches
• Integrative psychological therapy

Different therapies work in different ways.

For example, CBT often examines relationships between thoughts, emotions and behaviour, while ACT may focus on helping people respond differently to difficult thoughts and feelings while moving towards personally meaningful goals.

An integrative psychologist may draw appropriately from several evidence-based approaches rather than relying on one rigid method.

The choice of therapeutic approach depends on the individual, their needs and the psychological formulation developed during assessment.

What Does “Evidence-Based” Psychology Mean?

Evidence-based psychological practice means combining established psychological research with professional clinical judgement and the individual patient’s needs, circumstances and preferences.

It does not mean following exactly the same treatment programme for every person.

Dr Charles’ approach is collaborative and personalised. She works with patients to understand what they are experiencing, identify goals and agree an appropriate therapeutic direction.

For many patients, feeling understood and involved in decisions about their care is an important part of the therapeutic process.

What Happens During Your First Psychology Appointment?

It is normal to feel uncertain before seeing a psychologist for the first time.

You do not need to arrive with a diagnosis or know exactly which therapy you need.

An initial consultation will generally focus on understanding:

• What has brought you to therapy
• Current difficulties or symptoms
• When these difficulties began
• How they affect everyday life
• Relevant personal or family history
• Previous support or treatment
• Your strengths and existing coping strategies
• What you would like to achieve

Your psychologist can then begin developing an understanding of the difficulties and discuss the most appropriate next steps with you.

Depending on the complexity of the situation, assessment may continue over more than one appointment.

Therapy Is a Collaborative Process

Effective psychological therapy is not simply a psychologist telling a patient what to do.

It is a collaborative process.

A psychologist contributes clinical knowledge, assessment and therapeutic expertise. The patient brings their own understanding of their experiences, values, relationships and goals.

Bringing these perspectives together can help establish a treatment plan that is both clinically appropriate and meaningful to the individual.

Dr Charles places particular importance on creating an environment where patients feel listened to, understood and able to participate actively in their treatment.

Why Choose a Clinical Psychologist?

Clinical Psychologists undertake extensive specialist training in understanding mental health, behaviour, emotional wellbeing, psychological assessment and therapeutic interventions.

Their training enables them to work with straightforward psychological difficulties as well as more complicated presentations where several issues may overlap.

This may be particularly useful where someone is experiencing a combination of difficulties such as:

• ADHD and anxiety
• Autism and emotional regulation difficulties
• Trauma and depression
• Physical health problems and psychological distress
• School difficulties and low self-esteem
• Relationship difficulties and anxiety

Rather than considering each issue separately, a Clinical Psychologist can develop a broader psychological formulation of how different experiences and difficulties may relate to one another.

Why See a Clinical Psychologist at Niva Medical Clinic?

Niva Medical Clinic provides a broad range of healthcare services from its purpose-built clinic in Stanmore Broadway, North-West London.

Alongside Private GP services, Niva provides mental health and psychotherapy services as part of a wider multidisciplinary healthcare model.

Having psychological support within a medical clinic can be particularly useful because mental and physical health are closely connected.

Niva Medical Clinic’s wider services include Private GP consultations, health checks, blood testing, physiotherapy and other specialist healthcare services.

This allows patients to access different aspects of their healthcare from one convenient location while maintaining a personalised approach to care.

A Convenient Location in Stanmore

Niva Medical Clinic is located at:

12 Buckingham Parade
The Broadway
Stanmore
HA7 4EB

The clinic serves patients from Stanmore and surrounding areas across North-West London, including Edgware, Harrow, Bushey, Borehamwood, Mill Hill and nearby communities.

For patients looking for a private psychologist in Stanmore, having psychological services locally can make attending appointments more practical and help support continuity of care.

Meet Dr Shereen Charles at Niva Medical Clinic

Whether you are seeking support for yourself, your child or another family member, talking to an experienced Clinical Psychologist can be an important first step towards understanding the difficulties you are experiencing.

Dr Shereen Charles brings extensive NHS, private clinical, neurodevelopmental and educational experience to Niva Medical Clinic.

Her compassionate and evidence-based approach supports patients experiencing a wide range of psychological and emotional difficulties, including anxiety, depression, trauma, stress, low self-esteem, emotional regulation difficulties and neurodevelopmental needs.

Book an Appointment with Dr Shereen Charles

To enquire about seeing Dr Shereen Charles at Niva Medical Clinic in Stanmore, contact our team.

Call Niva Medical Clinic on 020 8865 1938

Our team can advise you about current psychology appointments, availability and the most appropriate service for your needs.

You can also learn more about Dr Charles’ wider professional work through Brighter Paths Psychological and Educational Services, including her background, approach and areas of expertise.

If you or somebody else is in immediate danger or experiencing a mental health emergency, call 999 or attend your nearest Accident & Emergency department.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Dr Shereen Charles a registered Clinical Psychologist?

Yes. Dr Shereen Charles is registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and holds a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology.

What qualifications does Dr Shereen Charles have?

Dr Charles holds a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Royal Holloway, University of London, an MSc in Social Cognition: Research and Applications from University College London and a BSc in Psychology with Professional Placement from Aston University.

Does Dr Shereen Charles work in the NHS?

Yes. Alongside her private clinical work, Dr Charles works within a specialist NHS neurodevelopmental diagnostic and treatment service.

Does Dr Charles work with children?

Yes. Dr Charles works with children, young people and adults. Her wider practice covers patients from approximately five years of age through to adulthood.

Can Dr Charles help with anxiety?

Dr Charles has extensive professional experience supporting individuals experiencing anxiety and related difficulties, including panic, social anxiety, work or school-related anxiety and other anxiety presentations.

Suitability for treatment is considered individually following assessment.

Can Dr Charles help with depression?

Yes. Depression and persistent low mood are among the psychological difficulties within Dr Charles’ clinical experience. Treatment recommendations depend upon the person’s individual circumstances and assessment.

Does Dr Charles have experience with ADHD?

Yes. ADHD is one of Dr Charles’ specialist areas within her NHS neurodevelopmental work. She has experience with assessment, treatment, psychoeducation and supporting associated emotional or behavioural difficulties.

Does Dr Charles work with autistic children and adults?

Dr Charles has extensive professional experience with autism through her specialist neurodevelopmental work. Support is personalised around the individual’s age, circumstances, strengths and needs.

Does Niva Medical Clinic offer autism and ADHD assessments?

Niva Medical Clinic provides mental health and psychotherapy services that include autism and ADHD assessment services. Patients should contact the clinic before booking to confirm the most appropriate clinician, assessment pathway and current availability.

What types of psychological therapy does Dr Charles use?

Dr Charles has experience with a wide range of evidence-based psychological approaches, including CBT, ACT, Compassion-Focused Therapy, DBT, Cognitive Analytic Therapy, trauma-focused approaches and integrative therapy.

The therapy used will depend on the individual’s needs rather than one approach being appropriate for everyone.

Do I need a GP referral to see a psychologist at Niva Medical Clinic?

Niva Medical Clinic’s current mental health service information states that patients can book psychological and psychotherapy support directly without requiring a GP referral.

Contact the clinic if you are unsure which appointment you require.

Where is Niva Medical Clinic?

Niva Medical Clinic is located at 12 Buckingham Parade, The Broadway, Stanmore, HA7 4EB, in the heart of Stanmore, North-West London.

How do I book an appointment with Dr Shereen Charles?

Contact Niva Medical Clinic on 020 8865 1938 to ask about availability with Dr Shereen Charles and the most appropriate appointment for your needs.