My philosophy:
nurturing connections
Logical connections; making sense of our experiences
Sometimes it is hard to make sense of our emotions and experiences, and we often blame ourselves for feelings, thoughts and behaviours which are simply human. We didn’t design our brains; they have been shaped by the process of evolution. We are driven by motivations and desires which we did not choose but need to learn to accept and manage in order to live a life we value. Our brains respond to various triggers in our environment, some of which may be unique to us. Once we understand how our own experiences have impacted on us, we can begin to train our brains and bodies to respond differently. We can begin to develop a ‘compassionate mind’; that is the courage to turn towards our suffering (or that of others) while developing the wisdom and skills to alleviate it.
Human connections; the power of love
Humans have evolved for connection. Our body even has a specific branch of our nervous system designed to help us recognise and respond to safe social relationships. When we are in relationships that allow us to feel emotionally safe and soothed we are able to think most clearly and relate to those around us as well as ourselves with sensitivity and care. This is why the relationship is at the heart of all my work and I aim to provide a non-judgemental and compassionate space where you can explore your experiences. For the same reasons, we can think together about how to offer this experience to our babies and toddlers.
Synaptic connections; making new pathways in the brain
Babies’ brains are developing rapidly during the first few years of life, and the experiences we offer our babies shape this development and can support their own long-term wellbeing. This is why it is such an important time to support and care for mums, partners and the wider family, so they are able to offer their baby these optimal experiences. However, the plasticity of our brains means we are always able to adapt and learn new ways of coping, so we are also able to make positive changes for ourselves throughout our lives.
Dr. Katie Splevins (pronouns she/her)
Chartered Clinical Psychologist
BSc (Hons). DClinPsy, CPsychol
I am a Clinical Psychologist and mum with a special interest in the wellbeing of parents and their children from pre-conception to toddlerhood and beyond.
I qualified as a Clinical Psychologist in 2009 and have spent the last decade working within Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) and perinatal services in the NHS. I began a private practice in 2020 alongside a part-time role as the Perinatal Clinical Lead for NHS England and NHS Improvement in the North where I have the privilege of supporting the development of perinatal and maternity mental health services across Northern England.
Prior to clinical training I worked for over a decade in the charitable sector and am also trained as a journalist. I worked with seldom heard communities worldwide to raise awareness of issues of poverty and injustice.
Professional Registration
I am registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) which is the regulatory body for clinical psychologists. I am also a member of the British Psychological Society (BPS), the representative body for UK psychologists. I am listed in the BPS Directory of Chartered Psychologists and I belong to the Division of Perinatal Psychology.