Our Consultants
Dr Ben Gurney-Smith
Chartered Consultant Clinical Psychologist
Dr Ben Gurney Smith assesses, treats and consults to Clover Childcare Services.
View Dr Ben Gurney-Smith on DDP Network
- Accredited in Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy 2016, Membership Number 114
- Bachelor of Science in Psychology (2.1) University of College, London
- Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (awarded) BPS/OU
- Consultant and Practitioner in Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy
Ben has presented nationally and internationally on practice and research concerning Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy.
2008–present: Registered with HCPC as Clinical Psychologist: Membership no: PYL05452
- DDP Institute (DDPI) board member and Research Coordinator for DDPI
- Honorary Senior Lecturer, University of Glasgow
Ben has published research, chapters and books on several areas of psychological practice including: mindfulness, cognitive behavioural therapy, needs assessment in secure settings, parenting stress, assessing qualities in prospective foster and adoptive parents, DDP and the application of DDP principles to the practice of mental health.
Ben has worked with looked after and adopted children and their families since 1997. He has worked in a number of settings including residential, secure facilities, local authority, CAMHS and third sector. He established the ATTACH team in Oxford. This is a recognised service of good practice by the British Psychological Society which works with looked after and adopted children. Currently he is the Clinical Lead at Adoptionplus Adoption Agency, Milton Keynes which is an Outstanding Provider and is a partner of Proximity Partnership, an Independent Clinical Psychology Practice.
Dr Lesley Ashby
Consultant Child Psychiatrist
Qualifications
- GMC Registration number: 2711142.
- Royal College of Psychiatrist membership: 6001.
- CPD record for Royal College Psychiatrists valid until May 2016.
Experience:
- 1992–2012: Consultant Child Psychiatrist in the City Community Team at Bethel Child & Family Centre, Norwich
- 2008–2012: 4 years’ experience as Consultant Child Psychiatrist with the Primary Care Trust LAAC Team
- 1992–2012: Consultations on attachment presentation to AFFU
Clover Lodge provides a therapeutic milieu in which children can receive “therapeutic re-parenting” from well trained and supported staff. The therapeutic care provided is consultant-led, using the theoretical basis of Attachment Theory.
We meet as a staff group in each home on a regular basis with our Consultant Child Psychiatrist to review the presentation of the children we look after. Using attachment theory, we analyse each child’s attachment behaviours and styles and formulate our practice responses. In this manner, we are able, as a group, to think very similarly about the delivery of our therapeutic care, as well as have a shared understanding about our young people.
This model of consultant led care follows the model of therapist led care found in Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP), a term first used by American Clinical Psychologist Dan Hughes to describe the style of therapeutic intervention between therapist, carer and child in placement.
Successful clinical studies of Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy have established this style of intervention in the United Kingdom, and it is now widely taught as a programme by organisations such as Family Futures. Our Consultant Child Psychiatrist, Dr Lesley Ashby, is trained in DDP at levels 1 and 2.