Dr Alister Baird

Clinical Psychologist

My therapeutic practice as a Clinical Psychologist draws primarily on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), alongside approaches including Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT). I have a broad range of experience working across psychological modalities in NHS mental health and neuropsychology services. I work with adults experiencing a variety of difficulties, with clinical interests in anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), trauma, neurodivergence and adjustment to physical health conditions.

I aim to create a therapeutic space which is collaborative and compassionate focused, developing trust and a mutual therapeutic relationship which fosters openness and confidence. This is the foundation upon which we can develop new ways to understand your experiences and implement practical techniques to help you live aligned with your values. I believe therapy is most helpful when it is tailored to the individual, and I am passionate about adapting psychological approaches to suit different communication styles, cognitive profiles, cultural backgrounds and ways of experiencing the world.

During my doctoral clinical psychology training, I worked across specialist services including, the Maudsley National Specialist OCD and BDD Service for children and young people, Neuropsychological Rehabilitation Services, the National ADHD and Autism Psychology Service, and the Centre for Anxiety Disorders and Trauma (CADAT). These roles have provided me with extensive experience working within specialist national services to treat a broad range of psychological presentations.

Prior to my clinical work, I completed a PhD in Environmental Psychology at University College London, where my research examined the relationship between children’s environments, neurodevelopment and mental health. My wider research interests include autism, environmental influences on wellbeing, eco-anxiety, and the use of technology to improve psychological care.

I am particularly interested in how emerging technologies can complement traditional psychological therapy. My work has included contributing to the development of a CBT-based mental health applications, and, more recently, research at King’s College London exploring virtual reality interventions for psychosis, anhedonia, and adapting therapy for autistic adults. This work has strengthened my interest in developing psychological care that is innovative while remaining grounded in evidence and the experiences of the people it is designed to support.

Ultimately, I aim to provide a space in which people feel understood and able to make sense of their experiences, while working together towards meaningful and achievable change.