About
Hello!
I am Dora and I am a Clinical Psychologist with a specialist interest in working with children, young people and families. I am registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and am a Chartered member of the British Psychological Society (BPS). I am Portuguese and have lived in the UK since 2002. I am based in Devon and provide clinical consultations at Homedale Health, in Exeter (as well as online).
In terms of previous experience, I have trained and worked as a clinical psychologist in a number of services in the NHS including Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, Child Development Centre, Paediatric Psychology services in England and Scotland. I led the Paediatric Psychology Service in the NHS in Torbay up to 2021. In addition to my clinical work, I also work as a Senior Lecturer at the University of Exeter, Psychology Department. There I enjoy teaching clinical psychology themes.
In terms of my offer, I can provide specialist clinical psychological assessments and interventions to children, young people and parents. Regarding psychological approaches which inform my work, I have completed specialist training in Family Therapy (Foundational), Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP, Level 1), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT Postgraduate certificate). I draw on my clinical experience and families’ preferences when setting a clinical plan and I work in a friendly, nurturing and creative way with children, young people and parents.
Languages spoken: English and Portuguese.
For an appointment, please call me on 07377 – 897904.
Qualifications & Accreditations
- Doctor of Clinical Psychology (DClinPsy)
- Doctor of Philosophy in Social Psychology (PhD)
- Postgraduate Certificate in Evidence-based Psychological Interventions (PGCert)
- Bachelor of Science in Psychology (BSc Hons)
- Chartered member of the British Psychological Association (BPS, 288336)
- Registered with the Health Professions and Care Council (HCPC, PLY25802)
Biography
I completed a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology with Distinction at Plymouth University. During my training, I was fortunate to be selected for a clinical placement at the Tavistock Clinic in London, Adolescent Department. In 2012 I was awarded a British Psychological Society Award for contribution to Clinical Psychology at doctoral level.
Prior to my career in Clinical Psychology, I completed a PhD in Social Psychology at the University of Exeter. With the support of a Scholarship by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology, my research focused on the ways we make impressions and how this impacts on how we relate to group members. I was awarded a Post-Doctoral Fellowship by the Economic and Social Research Council which I took up at Cardiff University.
I have also been a teacher of Portuguese Language and Culture at the University of Exeter and I have volunteered working with refugee children, older adults with dementia and with adults with mental health difficulties.
I completed my Psychology undergraduate degree in Lisbon, Portugal.
Dora receiving a British Psychological Society award in 2012
Publications
- Bernardes D, Nicholson J, Prior H, Mills S. (2013). Setting up a Paediatric Psychology Service: Reflections and recommendations. Division of Clinical Psychology, Scotland.
- Bernardes D, Shafi S, Gillies B, Brown F and Couper, R. (2013) Pilot evaluation of a manualised cognitive-behavioural treatment package for children (and their parents) with anxiety. Family and Child Clinical Psychology Review, 1, 93-104.
- Bernardes, D, Wright, J and Livingstone, A (2012). Researching the mental health status of asylum seekers: Reflections and suggestions for practice. Diversity and Equality in Health and Care, 9, 201–8.
- Bernardes D (2011). Learning from an Iranian man about his experience of CBT for treatment of PTSD: A case report. Ethnicity and Inequalities in Health and Social Care, 4(4), 210 – 216.
- Bernardes D, Wright J, Edwards C, Tomkins H, Dlosz D and Livingstone A (2010). Asylum Seekers’ Perspectives on their Mental Health and Views on Health and Social Services: Contributions for Service Provision Using a Mixed-Methods Approach. International Journal of Migration, Health and Social Care, 6(4), 3-19.
Services
Psychological Support
Psychological support for children and support to parents with any aspect of parenting. Clinical psychology assessments of children are also provided.
Psychological skills training
We provide training for professionals and parents in a wide range of topics related to supporting children and young people mental wellbeing.
Clinical Supervision
We provide clinical supervision to professionals working with children. This can be on an individual or group basis, face to face or online.
I am looking forward to hear from you and see how we may be able to work together.
