Meet our team

EAP Medical Director & Consultant Psychiatrist

Dr. John Ferguson is a highly experienced Consultant Psychiatrist with a strong background in neuroscience, mood disorders, ADHD, and sports psychiatry. He holds a dual degree in Medicine and Neuroscience from the University of Aberdeen, where his fascination with the brain and consciousness first took shape.

Dr. Ferguson commenced his psychiatry training in Edinburgh in the early 2000s, drawn to the field for its emphasis on understanding people's lives and experiences. Over the years, he has worked in both NHS and private settings, providing compassionate, evidence-based care tailored to each individual. Dr. Ferguson continues to serve as an NHS Consultant in East Lothian, where he leads a specialist clinic focused on ADHD.

With a specialist interest in neurodevelopmental conditions and mood disorders, Dr. Ferguson is particularly motivated by personal insight and a deep belief in his patients’ capacity for recovery and growth.

Qualifications:

MBChB – University of Aberdeen

BScMed Sci (Neuroscience) – University of Aberdeen

MRCPsych

Outside of work, he enjoys open water swimming and playing chess. He lives in East Lothian with his family and their two dogs, Maisie and Brodie.

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Associate Specialist

Dr. David Crocker is a thoughtful and compassionate Associate Specialist with a special interest in ADHD and general adult mental health. He studied Medicine at King’s College London, where his fascination with the mind and the vital role of mental health in overall well-being began.

After graduating in 2013, David spent his early medical career in Cornwall, followed by additional training in expedition medicine. In 2018, he moved to Edinburgh to begin his core psychiatry training, gaining broad clinical experience across diverse mental health settings. He became a Member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists in 2022.

With a personal connection to ADHD, David understands the frustration many feel when trying to be heard. His approach is empathetic, non-judgemental, and personalised, with a strong focus on truly listening to each patient’s story.

Qualifications:

MBBS – King’s College London

BSc (Hons)

PgDip in International Diploma of Expedition and Wilderness Medicine (IDEWM)

MRCPsych

David lives in Edinburgh and enjoys mountaineering, racquet sports, and spending time with his dog, Winston.

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Occupational Therapist

Claire Watt is an experienced Occupational Therapist with over 15 years working across NHS Scotland and private care, specialising in both hospital and community mental health. Claire takes a holistic, strengths-based approach, supporting individuals with ADHD, autism, and other conditions to overcome everyday challenges and build meaningful, fulfilling routines.

Claire offers a range of practical services including Workplace Needs Assessments, Occupational Therapy Assessments, and Access to Work application support, all tailored to the unique needs of each individual.

Qualifications:

BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy – Robert Gordon University (2009)

Outside of work, Claire enjoys walking, jogging, CrossFit, and quality time with her husband and two young daughters.

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Counselling Psychologist

Dr. Darren O'Reilly is a dedicated ADHD therapist with over six years of experience supporting adults and university students. With both professional expertise and lived experience of ADHD, he understands its emotional and psychological impact and helps clients navigate challenges with compassion and practical strategies.

Darren specialises in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help clients manage anxiety, self-criticism, and overwhelm. His therapy approach is structured yet flexible, tailored to each individual’s needs.

Qualifications:

Doctorate in Counselling Psychology – GCU (2022)

MSc in Applied Statistics – St Andrews (2019)

MA in Applied Psychology – University College Cork, Ireland (2017)

BA in Psychology – Waterford, Ireland

Outside of work, Darren enjoys an active lifestyle, including surfing, mountain biking, and rock climbing. He also loves hillwalking with his wife and their dog.

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Certified ADHD Coach

Elspeth Campbell is a dedicated ADHD Coach with professional certification from the ADHD & Life Coach Training Program (ADDCA) in the USA. She also holds a Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Groupwork from the Centre of Therapy & Counselling Studies in Edinburgh.

With a deep personal connection to ADHD and mental health through her family, Elspeth brings both professional expertise and personal empathy to her coaching. She is passionate about helping individuals navigate ADHD with confidence, providing practical strategies to improve focus, organisation, and daily life.

Qualifications:

ADHD & Life Coach Training Program (ADDCA), USA

Diploma in CBT & Groupwork – Centre of Therapy & Counselling Studies, Edinburgh

Based in East Lothian, Elspeth finds balance in outdoor adventures, quality time with loved ones, and the company of her cat, Thomas. She enjoys CrossFit, yoga, meditation, walking, and curling up with a good book.

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Dyslexia and Dyscalculia Assessor and Tutor

Jenny O’Shea is a specialist assessor and tutor with a passion for understanding and supporting neurodivergent learners. After moving from Newcastle to Edinburgh for university, Jenny developed a keen interest in psychology and education. With her extensive background—from primary teaching to advanced studies—she is committed to helping individuals overcome challenges in reading, writing, and working with numbers. Her personalised approach ensures that each learner receives the targeted strategies and support they need to thrive.

Qualifications:

Level 5 OCN Dyscalculia and Mathematical Learning Difficulties: Identification and Intervention (ongoing)

MEd Languages, Literacies and Dyslexia (AMBDA Enhanced) with Distinction – University of Birmingham

Additional Support for Learning (SpLDs) PGCert with Distinction – University of Edinburgh

PGDE Primary – University of Edinburgh

MA in Psychology and Philosophy – University of Edinburgh

Outside of work, Jenny loves spending time with her family outdoors, reading, and watching films at the cinema.

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Registered Dietitian

Oana Oancea is a highly experienced Registered Dietitian with over 10 years of expertise in mental health and eating disorders across both NHS and private sectors. As the Lead Clinical Eating Disorder Dietitian for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, she has a special interest in women’s health and neurodiversity, including how nutrition impacts ADHD.

Oana takes a compassionate, practical approach, helping clients build a healthier relationship with food by challenging unhelpful patterns, debunking nutrition myths, and overcoming limiting beliefs. 

Qualifications:

Honours Degree in Nutrition and Dietetics

Passionate about education, she writes for magazines, hosts webinars for dietetic students at Queen Margaret University, and has recently completed a book on supportive strategies for parents of fussy eaters.

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Psychological Therapist

Samantha Bennett is an experienced Clinical Associate in Applied Psychology (CAAP) who has been supporting clients since 2008 across NHS and private settings. A close family member’s ADHD diagnosis deepened her understanding and inspired her to specialise in compassionate, tailored care for individuals with ADHD.

Samantha uses Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help clients manage anxiety, self-criticism, and overwhelm. Her approach is structured yet flexible, focusing on each individual’s needs.

Qualifications:

MSc Psychological Therapy in Primary Care – University of Dundee (2008)

MA in Psychology – University of Glasgow (2005)

Outside of work, Samantha enjoys staying active and exploring the outdoors.

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Associate Specialist Psychiatrist

Dr. Jake Hawthorn is an experienced psychiatrist specialising in ADHD, autism, and addictions. Originally from the Scottish Borders, he graduated from the University of Edinburgh in 2013 before gaining psychiatry experience in Manchester, New Zealand, and Edinburgh. He became a Member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists in 2019.

Since 2020, Dr. Hawthorn has specialised in addictions, working part-time in an NHS harm reduction team. He also spent a year in a specialist NHS multidisciplinary team supporting adults with autism and ADHD. In 2023, he completed a Master’s in Contemporary Drug and Alcohol Studies, further expanding his expertise.

Qualifications:

MB ChB – University of Edinburgh (2013)

MRCPsych – 2019

Dr. Hawthorn lives in Edinburgh with his family and enjoys keeping fit through running and going to the gym.

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Consultant Psychiatrist

Dr. Rebecca Hammersley is an experienced Consultant Psychiatrist with specialist expertise in addiction psychiatry, general adult mental health, and neurodevelopmental conditions. She graduated in medicine from the University of Edinburgh in 2012 and completed her postgraduate psychiatry training in Edinburgh, becoming a Member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists in 2017.

Dr. Hammersley has a subspecialty endorsement in Addiction Psychiatry and spent a year working with the perinatal psychiatry service in 2022. During her training, she also gained extensive experience in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) assessments.

Since 2022, she has worked as a Consultant Addiction Psychiatrist and is the clinical lead for an NHS community addiction service. Known for her empathetic, non-judgemental, and holistic approach, she specialises in treating co-occurring mental health and substance misuse issues.

Qualifications:

MB ChB – University of Edinburgh (2012)

MRCPsych – 2017

Based near the sea with her husband and young family, Rebecca enjoys paddleboarding and playing the piano in her spare time.

Neurodivergent Coach

Jess Sweet is a compassionate coach who specialises in supporting autistic adults. With both professional expertise and lived experience of neurodiversity, Jess offers personalised coaching focused on mental health, emotional resilience, and life skills.

Previously an Autism Specialist at the University of Edinburgh, she has extensive experience providing tailored individual and group support. Jess draws on her background in psychology, counselling, and coaching to help clients build confidence, develop self-advocacy skills, and create meaningful change.

She offers support in areas such as social interaction, sensory management, career exploration, time management, and self-esteem.

Qualifications:

MSc in Psychology – University of Edinburgh (2020)

SCOTACS Diploma in Individual & Group Counselling (CBT Approach) – Centre of Therapy & Counselling Studies, Glasgow (2023)

COSCA Certificate in Person-Centred Counselling – Grounded Learning, LLC (2021)

Originally from Miami Beach, Florida, Jess began her career as a professional opera singer before transitioning into mental health. Outside of coaching, she enjoys dance, movement, and spending time with animals—especially dogs! 

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Consultant Psychiatrist

Dr. Amy Martin is a compassionate and dedicated Consultant Psychiatrist with specialist expertise in adult mental health, addictions, and neurodevelopmental conditions. Since 2022, she has led an NHS community addictions service, providing high-quality, stigma-free care to individuals with complex needs.

After graduating with honours in medicine from the University of Aberdeen in 2013, Dr. Martin moved to Edinburgh in 2016 to complete her psychiatry training and postgraduate exams, becoming a Member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists in 2018.

Amy has a strong interest in the assessment and treatment of conditions such as anxiety, mood disorders, psychosis, ADHD, and autism spectrum disorder. She believes in listening deeply, valuing individual strengths, and tailoring care to each person’s unique needs.

Qualifications:

MB ChB (Hons) – University of Aberdeen (2013)

MRCPsych – 2018

Based in Lothian, Amy enjoys powerlifting competitions and spending time outdoors when not at work.

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Consultant Psychiatrist

Dr. Helen Pears is an experienced and compassionate Consultant Psychiatrist with over two decades of expertise in adult mental health, including ADHD, autism, mood disorders, and women’s mental health. She graduated in medicine from the University of Liverpool in 1999, where her passion for psychiatry first took root.

During her training, Dr. Pears developed a strong interest in medical ethics and education, completing a Master’s in the Ethics of Health Care and a Postgraduate Certificate in Medical Education. She has been a Consultant Psychiatrist since 2007, serving the NHS in and around Merseyside, where she continues to work today.

Known for her collaborative and empathetic approach, Dr. Pears is a skilled communicator who listens deeply and works closely with her patients to understand and meet their individual needs. Her clinical expertise is complemented by personal insight, having close family experience of both ADHD and autism.

Qualifications:

MB ChB – University of Liverpool (1999)
MRCPsych

Outside of work, Helen enjoys walking, yoga, reading, and painting. She lives in Merseyside with her husband, children, and their greyhound, Granger.

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Consultant Psychiatrist

Dr. Sharon Brown is an experienced and compassionate Consultant Psychiatrist with a strong clinical and academic background in ADHD, autism, mood disorders, and OCD. She discovered her passion for psychiatry while studying medicine at the University of Dundee, earning first-class honours in Medical Psychology during an intercalated year and receiving the university’s Psychiatry Prize upon graduating in 2001.

Alongside her postgraduate clinical training, Dr. Brown also contributed to psychiatric research at the University of Dundee, focusing on mood disorders, OCD, and later developing a dedicated interest in neurodevelopmental conditions.

Since qualifying as a Consultant in 2009, she has worked primarily in community outpatient psychiatry across Scotland. Her clinical practice is enriched by personal and family experience of ADHD and autism, which informs her deep empathy and nuanced understanding of neurodivergent care. She currently serves as Chair of the Royal College of Psychiatrists in Scotland’s Working Group on Adult ADHD.

Qualifications:

MB ChB – University of Dundee (2001)
MRCPsych

Dr. Brown lives along the Moray Firth coast with her husband, children, and a growing collection of animals—including cats and chickens. In her spare time, she enjoys cycling quiet rural roads and gardening as a family.

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