Meet Dr Christopher

​My professional background spans speech and language therapy, psychology, clinical and

developmental neuropsychology, education and research.

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This multidisciplinary experience shapes the way I work today, allowing me to consider a child’s speech, language and communication within the wider context of their development, learning and everyday life.

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My career began in early years education, specialising in Montessori education, before my interest in child development led me into psychology, neuropsychology and language and communication research, and ultimately into clinical practice as a Speech and Language Therapist.

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Clinical Practice

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Alongside The Christopher Clinic, I work as a Speech and Language Therapist within a local specialist SEND school, supporting children and young people with complex physical and learning needs. ​This has given me extensive experience in using a Total Communication approach, supporting children to communicate in the ways that work best for them, including through speech, signs, symbols, visual supports and Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC).

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This experience has shaped my belief that communication should never be viewed through speech alone and that assessment and therapy should recognise and support all the ways in which a child communicates.

Research & Academic Work

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I hold a PhD in Language and Communication Sciences, with doctoral research exploring working memory in children with Developmental Language Disorder (DLD).

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My research included the development and evaluation of a working memory intervention for children with language difficulties and has been published in peer reviewed research. This work has given me a particular depth of knowledge in the relationship between language, memory and learning and continues to inform my clinical practice.

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Alongside my clinical work, I remain involved in research and higher education as an Honorary Research Fellow at City St George’s, University of London, where I also have experience mentoring doctoral students. Maintaining this connection with academia allows me to continue bringing together current research and clinical practice.

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Looking Beyond Speech and Language

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Communication does not develop in isolation. For some children, understanding their speech and language skills is only one part of the picture.

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My background in psychology, clinical and developmental neuropsychology and education, including postgraduate study in Specific Learning Difficulties, allows me to consider how communication may interact with areas such as working memory, attention, executive functioning, literacy and learning.

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Where appropriate, this broader perspective can form part of a comprehensive assessment, helping families and educational settings develop a more detailed understanding of a child’s individual profile and the support they may need.

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My Approach

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For me, good speech and language therapy starts with understanding the individual child. I look beyond individual test scores, bringing together assessment findings, clinical observation and information from families and educational settings to understand how a child communicates in everyday life.

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My aim is for families to leave The Christopher Clinic with a clearer understanding of their child’s strengths and needs, practical recommendations and a clear way forward.

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Qualifications & Professional Memberships

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• PhD in Language and Communication Sciences

• Doctoral research into working memory and Developmental Language Disorder

• MSc Speech and Language Therapy

• MSc Clinical and Developmental Neuropsychology

• PGCE Education Studies (Specific Learning Difficulties)

• BSc Psychology

• Early Years Teacher – Montessori Education Specialist

• HCPC Registered Speech and Language Therapist

• Member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT)

• Honorary Research Fellow, City St George’s, University of London