Dr. Rebecca Amissah

A decade in the NHS, across the full breadth of psychiatry

I am Dr Rebecca Amissah, Consultant Neuropsychiatrist and Therapist. As a medical doctor I have worked for over a decade across NHS settings — from acute hospital wards and emergency departments to forensic services and specialist children's homes. That breadth matters: I have supported people at their most acute, their most vulnerable, and at every point on the road back. It shapes how I assess, how I listen, and how I plan care.

Specialist focus — autism, ADHD, and complex emotional needs

I am a Neuropsychiatrist specialising in the assessment and support of children, adolescents and adults with autism, ADHD, and complex emotional needs. My work combines diagnostic accuracy with a warm, reassuring approach that helps young people feel understood and families feel confident in the care they are receiving.

I am fully registered with the General Medical Council and Section 12 approved, with extensive experience across NHS inpatient wards, emergency settings, and specialist neurodevelopmental services.

Therapeutic leadership — Outstanding children's home

As Senior Medical Advisor and Therapeutic Lead within an Ofsted-rated Outstanding children's home, I have designed and led trauma-informed, neurodevelopmentally tailored care models that support some of the most vulnerable children in the UK. My work focuses on helping young people feel understood, regulated and empowered — while supporting families and carers to navigate challenges with clarity and confidence.

Gold-standard assessment, holistic understanding

I specialise in autism and ADHD assessments, alongside complex presentations involving trauma, mood disorders and behavioural difficulties. My approach is both precise and deeply human: gold-standard diagnostic tools combined with a holistic understanding of each individual's emotional world, developmental history and environment. A diagnosis is only useful if it is accurate and if it leads somewhere — so every assessment I deliver is paired with a formulation, a plan and a person who stays involved.

Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT)

I am a qualified Dialectical Behavioural Therapy practitioner, integrating evidence-based techniques that support emotional regulation, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, resilience and long-term wellbeing. DBT is particularly powerful for young people and adults whose emotional intensity and neurodevelopmental profile have not been well-served by standard CBT alone.

Policy, training and public contribution

Alongside my clinical work, I have contributed to shaping mental health care policy. I have delivered training to Health Education England and senior Government policy advisors, contributing to the development of UK initiatives and legislation addressing online harms and safeguarding vulnerable young people.

I am an experienced medico-legal expert witness, providing detailed psychiatric assessments and court reports, including work on complex and high-profile cases.

I have presented internationally and appeared in the media speaking on mental health inequality — advocating for more equitable, culturally informed care, and bringing psychiatric insight into the public sphere with clarity and impact.

What families can expect

Families can expect a thorough, thoughtful and reassuring assessment process. I prioritise creating a safe, respectful space where children and young people feel at ease, and where parents feel heard, informed and supported. My aim is not only to reach an accurate diagnosis, but to offer meaningful guidance that leads to real, lasting change.

You can be assured of exceptionally high standards of care within my practice, delivered with expertise, integrity and genuine commitment to each individual's potential.

Therapeutic Approach

Formulation over labels

A diagnostic code answers one question. A formulation explains how neurodevelopment, emotion, trauma, family context and environment interact — and what will actually help. Every assessment I deliver ends in a formulation, not a one-line answer.

Neuro-affirmative and strengths-based

I assess to understand — not to deficit-score. Reports are written around what a young person is good at, what they find harder, and what needs to be adjusted around them so they can thrive.

Trauma-informed throughout

Years in forensic and children's-home settings have taught me that behaviour is communication. Trauma is actively considered in every assessment, and care plans are built to contain rather than re-expose.

DBT-integrated care

Where emotional regulation, self-harm, or relationship difficulties are part of the picture, I weave DBT skills into the care plan directly — rather than referring out and losing continuity.

Family and system inclusive

Children do not exist in isolation. I work with parents, carers, schools and — where relevant — CAMHS, social care and legal teams, so the whole system moves in the same direction.

Notable Work & Contributions

• Senior Medical Advisor & Therapeutic Lead — Ofsted-rated Outstanding children's home.
• Training delivered to Health Education England and senior Government policy advisors.
• Contributor to UK policy work on online harms and safeguarding of vulnerable young people.
• Medico-legal expert witness — psychiatric assessments and court reports, including complex and high-profile cases.
• International conference presenter on mental health inequality and culturally informed care.
• Media contributor — psychiatric commentary on inequality, safeguarding and youth mental health.

FAQ

What does Dr Amissah specialise in? Neuropsychiatric assessment of autism, ADHD and combined neurodevelopmental (AuDHD) presentations in children, adolescents and adults, and psychiatric assessment of complex emotional needs — including trauma, mood and behavioural difficulties. She is also a qualified DBT practitioner.

What ages does Dr Amissah see? Children from age 5, adolescents, and adults. Pathways are adapted to the young person's developmental stage, sensory profile and emotional needs.

Is Dr Amissah registered and regulated? Yes. Dr Amissah is a GMC-registered medical doctor and Section 12(2) Mental Health Act approved, with over a decade of NHS experience across acute, emergency, forensic and specialist neurodevelopmental services.

Does Dr Amissah provide medico-legal and court reports? Yes. Dr Amissah is an experienced expert witness, providing detailed psychiatric assessments and court reports, including complex and high-profile cases. Instructions are accepted through solicitors and directly from instructing parties.

Does Dr Amissah offer DBT? Yes. Dr Amissah is a qualified Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) practitioner and integrates DBT skills — emotional regulation, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness — into care plans where clinically appropriate.

Is Dr Amissah involved in NHS policy or training? Yes. Dr Amissah has delivered training to Health Education England and senior Government policy advisors, and has contributed to UK initiatives and legislation on online harms and safeguarding of vulnerable young people.

Can Dr Amissah see my child if they already have CAMHS involvement? Yes. Dr Amissah works alongside NHS services, not instead of them. She liaises with CAMHS, GPs and schools and is happy to contribute to shared-care arrangements where appropriate.

Appointments & Contact

• Location: 10 Harley Street, London W1G 9PF — in person and secure video
• Bookings & enquiries: info@etonpsychiatrists.co.uk