About Me | Jo Hamilton Educational Psychologist

I have a broad range of experience. I completed an undergraduate degree in Psychology at the University of Birmingham. During this time, I worked as a volunteer at a social club for adults with learning difficulties. I also worked in America on a summer camp for young people with ADHD. After graduating, I worked as a teaching assistant in a school for children with profound and multiple learning difficulties before gaining my PGCE qualification to be a primary school teacher. I taught in primary schools for several years in the Midlands. I then qualified with a distinction in Educational Psychology from the University of Birmingham before working as a Chartered Educational Psychologist.

In my work as an Educational Psychologist, I have a particular interest and understanding of social, emotional and mental health needs (including Emotionally Based School Avoidance); social, communication and sensory differences such as Autism, including with a Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) profile; and attention and concentration differences, including ADHD. My approach is neurodiversity affirming, my practice has been shaped and influenced through listening to, and my experience of, the neurodivergent community.

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My focus is on promoting enabling environments and adaptations at school that allow the young person to feel safe, validated, supported and able to thrive.

Professional/Quality Assurances

My work is regulated by the Health and Care Professionals Council (HCPC) whose guidance and standards I must adhere to as a practitioner psychologist. You can check the register here: https://www.hcpc-uk.org/check-the-register/

I am a chartered member of the British Psychological Society and abide by their code of ethics: https://www.bps.org.uk/guideline/code-ethics-and-conduct

I am a member of the Association for Educational Psychologists. I abide by their ethics and professional accountability: https://www.aep.org.uk/support/ethical-trading

I am fully insured for my work and hold a current enhanced DBS Certificate through the Association of Educational Psychology (to show I am safe to work with young people). I subscribe to the online DBS update service.