Meet the Team

Dr. Krissie Ivings

I’m Krissie, a Consultant Chartered Clinical Psychologist and Clinic Director of Aspire. I have spent many years working within the NHS in senior clinical and leadership roles, supporting children, young people, adults, and families with complex mental health, attachment/trauma and neurodevelopmental needs.

My previous roles include Consultant Lead for Stockport CAMHS, Consultant Lead for Learning Disability Services, DBT Lead for Pennine South, Head of Looked After Children’s Services, and Head of Psychological Therapies across five NHS trusts. I have also worked at a regional and national level, including as Clinical Lead for the Greater Manchester & East Cheshire Service Improvement Group for NHS England, where I led the development and rollout of the Greater Manchester Adolescent Crisis Care Pathway.

Alongside my clinical work, I am an author and regularly write and speak about psychological wellbeing, neurodiversity, and compassionate, evidence-based care. My approach is collaborative and evidence based. I am passionate about providing clear, holistic assessments and interventions to help all children thrive.

Brandon McLaughlin

I’m Brandon, a Youth Intensive Psychological Practitioner (YIPP), a role developed by NHS England, working with children and young people with complex needs in complex settings. I have taken part in a multi-site research trial as a researcher-clinician, which received very positive evaluations and feedback. I work in a collaborative approach, am able to explain complex information clearly, and aim to build strong, trusting relationships with young people. I am known for going the extra mile (or ten!) to ensure the highest standard of care.

I have four years’ experience in my current role with Aspire, where I work closely with looked-after children, adoptive families, and other young people with complex emotional and psychological needs. My previous experience includes working within the Offender Personality Disorder Service for HMPPS Probation Service and North Staffordshire Combined NHS Trust, as a CAMHS Support Worker within an Adolescent PICU, and as a Therapeutic Support Worker with adults with learning disabilities, autism, and forensic needs.

I have extensive experience in psychological assessment, formulation, and the delivery of evidence-based psychological interventions, as well as providing therapeutic consultation to professionals and families. I am currently undertaking my Doctorate in Counselling Psychology and remain deeply committed to compassionate, thoughtful, and high-quality clinical practice.

Beckie Rose

I’m Beckie, a Family Intensive Practitioner, with a PG Cert in Clinical Applications of Psychology. I am currently undertaking an MSc in Integrative Psychotherapy. I bring over 10 years’ experience of working with vulnerable children, young people, and families across mental health, domestic abuse, sexual violence, and addiction services.

I offer specialist support to adoptive and care-experienced families, as well as families impacted by trauma and/or neurodivergence. My work is grounded in person-centred, DDP-informed, and DBT-informed approaches, and I have extensive experience supporting individuals and families affected by neurodivergence and attachment trauma.

I am neurodivergent myself and work in strongly neuro-affirming ways. I value both lived experience and professional expertise, and I believe that neurodivergent practitioners can bring important additional perspectives when supporting neurodivergent individuals and families. My approach is compassionate, respectful, and tailored to the unique needs of each family I work with. I advocate strongly for families, helping them navigate complex systems and supporting people to access services and have their needs understood and met.

Sara Barnes

I’m Sara, Co-Founder and Deputy Director of Aspire. I am an ADOS-trained Clinical Nurse Specialist and previously held the role of Director of Operations at Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust. I have specialist expertise in neurodevelopmental differences, including autism, learning disability, ADHD, FASD, sensory processing differences, and demand sensitivity. I am particularly experienced in working with children whose neurodevelopmental profiles add complexity to presentations that are also shaped by developmental trauma and attachment difficulties.