Meet the Prime Psychology Team

Dr. Tara Pennington – Consultant Clinical Psychologist

BSc (Hons), D.Clin.Psychol, CPsychol
BPS Chartered & HCPC Registered Clinical Psychologist

Founder & Director of Prime Psychology

About me

I am a Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Chartered by the British Psychological Society (BPS) and registered with the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC). I offer independent, specialist psychological assessment and therapy to children, adolescents, adults, and families who are struggling with a range of emotional, behavioural, and mental health difficulties. I am supported by a team of skilled and highly experienced Psychological Therapists with broad experience across both NHS and private practice.

With over twenty years of experience in the field, I hold a BSc (Hons) in Psychology from Cardiff University and a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Edinburgh University. Throughout my career I have worked across a wide range of services, including senior positions in NHS Lothian’s Child & Adolescent Mental Health Services and specialist Trauma and Child Protection Services. I have chaired hearings as a Public Appointee for the Scottish Government and worked as an Expert Witness for the Child & Family Courts. In 2018, due to the level of demand for my services, I left the NHS to focus solely on my private practice.

My work as a Clinical Psychologist involves undertaking specialist assessments, formulating treatment plans, offering individual and family therapy, and delivering group interventions for young people and parents.

I am trained in a number of psychological models including Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR — for both adults and children/adolescents), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), trauma-focused CBT, Mentalization Based Therapy (MBT) and Reflective Parenting. I work integratively, tailoring my approach to the individual needs of each person, and frequently drawing on other theory and approaches, including Polyvagal Theory, Mindfulness, Compassion Based Therapy, Schema Therapy, and Systemic Theory.

A note on qualifications

‘Clinical Psychologist’ is a protected title — only those with the required qualifications and HCPC registration are permitted to use it. The profession is highly regulated, with all Clinical Psychologists bound by rigorous professional standards and a Code of Ethics & Conduct.

It is important to be aware that the titles ‘Psychologist’ and ‘Child Psychologist’ are not protected, meaning anyone can use them regardless of their qualifications or training. When seeking support for yourself or your family, we encourage you to verify your practitioner’s credentials. You can do so via the links below:

• HCPC Register
• BPS Register
• BACP Register 

Molly Pennington

Assistant Psychologist & Accredited EFT Practitioner, Level 1 & 2, The EFT Centre

I am an Assistant Psychologist and registered student member of the British Psychological Society.

Qualifications:

• MSc in Psychology of Mental Health, University of Edinburgh
• BSc (Hons) in Sociology, University of Bath

I am an Assistant Psychologist, registered with the BPS. I have a background in supporting children and young people in various roles, including tutoring children with special educational needs and supporting young people to develop independent living skills. At Prime Psychology I offer psychological assessment and therapy as well as behavioural observations as part of wider assessments by our clinical team (including school and home observations). My work is underpinned by various psychological models including Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) and neurobiological theory. 

I am also trained in Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT). I work with children, adolescents and young adults who are experiencing difficulties such as anxiety, panic, phobias, low mood, eating difficulties and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and my work can be community based, where this is beneficial therapeutically. 

I am part of the Prime Psychology autism assessment team and I work for an autism assessment centre out with Prime Psychology. 

I have significant experience of working therapeutically with neurodivergent people including providing post-diagnostic support to them and their families.

Dr Andrew Parkinson

Consultant Clinical Psychologist

Dr Andrew Parkinson, a HCPC registered Consultant Clinical Psychologist and an expert in assessing and working with children, young people and adults with Autism Spectrum Condition and other neurodivergent conditions.

Dr Parkinson has been working in the field of psychology for over 20 years, across the NHS Child & Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS), in private practice and as an Expert Witness for the UK Family Courts. Alongside providing his expertise and knowledge to Prime Psychology, Dr Parkinson runs his own successful autism assessment practice in the South of England.