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Expert psychological support for you and your family
navigating challenges at every stage of life
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How can we help you today
Independent Psychology Services, based in the North East of England, specialising in the challenges of mid to later life. With expertise in physical health adaptations, dementia, and neurological conditions, we provide assessment, therapy, family support, expert witness work, consultancy, training, and professional services—delivered with professionalism, compassion, and care
We offer
Compassionate, one-to-one therapy for people facing life’s challenges—whether managing their own health or supporting someone else.
Our integrative approach, drawing on CBT, ACT, EMDR, and motivational techniques, provides a safe space to explore emotions, make sense of the past, and learn practical strategies to cope, build resilience, and manage stress.
We support people experiencing difficulties related to dementia (including Alzheimer’s Disease, Vascular dementia and rarer subtypes), stroke, Parkinson’s Disease, brain injury, epilepsy and other neurological conditions, chronic fatigue, and adjustment to physical health challenges.
We also provide a neurodivergent-affirming therapy space, with specific expertise in adult ADHD.
Therapy is tailored to each person’s unique needs, helping them work towards their own goals in ways that respect their individual strengths and limitations
WE OFFER
Compassionate and specialist support for family members who find themselves in a caring role for a loved one living with dementia, the effects of stroke, brain injury, or other neurological conditions.
We recognise the many challenges this can bring – from balancing the demands of work, family, and personal wellbeing, to navigating the emotional impact of a changing relationship with someone close.
Our support in caring for a loved one can take the form of structured, evidence-based programmes such as START, or tailored, one-to-one therapy that meets your unique circumstances.
We help families and carers develop both the emotional resilience needed to sustain their own wellbeing and the practical strategies to respond to difficulties such as behaviours that challenge or planning for future care needs.
Whether you are seeking guidance, reassurance, or new ways to cope, we aim to provide a space that is professional, supportive, and grounded in understanding.
WE OFFER
Specialist input for professionals and organisations through a range of services designed to enhance practice and support those working with individuals affected by neurological conditions and later life issues.
We provide clinical supervision for Psychologists and other Health Professionals, consultation to teams and services seeking expertise in dementia, stroke, brain injury and complex neurological presentations, and tailored training to build skills and confidence in working with these client groups.
In addition, we have experience working alongside case managers and legal teams within litigation processes, offering comprehensive psychological assessments, intervention planning and delivery, and collaborative MDT working to ensure that clients’ needs are fully understood and supported.
Our approach is professional, evidence-based, with excellent communication and flexible to meet the demands of individual practitioners, organisations, and legal contexts
WE OFFER
A comprehensive range of medicolegal services, including expert witness work and the specialist assessment of capacity.
Our clinicians are highly experienced in this complex area, with advanced training in medicolegal practice and demonstrated competence in producing robust, evidence-based reports for legal proceedings.
We routinely complete Court of Protection assessments of capacity, ensuring that all relevant documentation and legal requirements are met to the highest professional standards.
Our team also works closely with case managers and legal representatives in litigation processes, providing detailed assessments of psychological needs, recommendations for interventions, and active participation in multidisciplinary planning to ensure holistic care.
We pride ourselves on delivering clear, timely, and defensible reports within an agreed timescale, often on a short turnaround where required. If you would like to discuss a specific case, please contact us with details of your needs so that we can provide a tailored quote and confirm the timeframe for completion.
Dr. Sophie Monaghan
A Consultant Clinical Psychologist in Neuropsychology and EMDR Therapist with over 16 years’ experience helping people navigate the challenges of dementia, neurological conditions, brain injury, mental health and life’s unexpected events.
She offers a safe, compassionate space to work through difficult experiences, manage current stresses, and build a more hopeful future.
Alongside therapy, Sophie provides specialist neuropsychological assessments, capacity assessments and expert witness reports, bringing clarity and support at times of complexity.
Warm, professional and approachable, she is passionate about empowering people to overcome obstacles and take positive steps forward in their lives.
Assessment of capacity
What is assessment of capacity?
Assessment of capacity is a legal framework which operates to understand whether a person has the ability to use and understand information to make a decision, and communicate any decision made.
The decisions can be smaller, day-to-day decisions about personal choices, or more significant decisions to do with health, finances and living circumstances.
This ability can be impaired or hindered as a result of a change in the person’s physical and/or mental wellbeing (e.g. dementia, a stroke, a brain injury).
Training and consultation
We have extensive experience in delivering training and consultation to a wide range of audiences. Including NHS services; university & academic courses; within care settings; to local community groups; and to medical, legal and health professionals.
Bespoke packages can be created which are tailored to your needs and those of your organisation.
We have a number of training packages* ready for delivery:
- A guide to neuropsychological assessment
- What to do after a diagnosis of Dementia
- Working with Distress in Dementia
- Understanding Behaviour that challenges in brain injury
- Responding to your own needs (as a Professional or informal/family carer)
- Trauma Informed Care in Dementia
- Managing worry
- Worried about my memory
