DR. MADELEINE VIEIRA

Clinical Psychologist | Child & Adolescent Specialist | Anxiety & OCD Expert

PhD, MA, PgDip, Cert.Clin.Sup,
HCPC, BPS, PTUK



Dr. Madeleine Vieira is a Clinical Psychologist, author, and podcaster with advanced training across clinical psychology, neuropsychology, developmental psychopathology, and evidence-based psychological therapies. She works across the full lifespan — from infancy through adulthood — while specialising in children, adolescents, and young adults.

Her clinical work is grounded in psychological science and developmental understanding, supporting individuals with complex emotional, behavioural, neurodevelopmental, and relational presentations.


ACADEMIC BACKGROUND & ADVANCED TRAINING


Dr. Vieira completed advanced postgraduate training at the University of Oxford, one of the world’s foremost centres for psychological and clinical research, where she developed a strong foundation in clinical formulation, research literacy, and evidence-based practice.

She also undertook advanced studies at UCLA, where she was exposed to contemporary developments in clinical psychology, neuropsychology, and interdisciplinary mental health models within a leading American academic setting.

This UK–US academic background enables her to integrate British clinical psychology rigour with the innovation and breadth of American training, grounding her work in both tradition and forward-thinking practice.


CLINICAL ORIENTATION


Dr. Vieira’s work is grounded in a biopsychosocial and neurodevelopmental framework, informed by:

  • Neuropsychology (executive functioning, emotional regulation, attention, learning systems)

  • Developmental psychology and attachment theory

  • Cognitive and behavioural science

  • Infant mental health research

  • Psychiatric diagnostic frameworks (DSM-5-TR / ICD-11), where relevant for formulation and multidisciplinary collaboration

Her approach prioritises psychological formulation over diagnosis alone, ensuring interventions are developmentally appropriate, evidence-based, and individually tailored.


THERAPEUTIC ORIENTATION


Dr. Vieira draws on a range of evidence-based psychological therapies, including:

  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
    For anxiety disorders, OCD, depression, perfectionism, rigid thinking styles, and emotional regulation difficulties.

  • Graded Exposure Therapy
    Used across anxiety disorders including generalised anxiety, separation anxiety, social anxiety, panic disorder, health anxiety, and specific phobias, targeting avoidance and threat-based learning.

  • Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)
    The gold-standard psychological treatment for Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder, combining graded exposure with systematic prevention of compulsive behaviours and mental rituals.

  • Creative Arts & Play Therapy
    A developmentally appropriate, evidence-based approach enabling children to process emotional experiences symbolically through play.

  • Cognitive Behavioural Play Therapy (CBPT)
    Integrating CBT principles within play-based modalities to support children with anxiety, behavioural difficulties, emotional dysregulation, and trauma responses.

  • Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) approaches, including Discrete Trial Training (DTT)
    Used in work with children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder and developmental disabilities, involving detailed behavioural analysis and structured behavioural intervention alongside play-based methods.

  • Cool Kids Programme (NESA-accredited)
    A structured, evidence-based CBT programme for childhood anxiety disorders, delivered with parents and children to support long-term emotional resilience and anxiety reduction.

She also incorporates systemic interventions, and psychoeducation to support sustainable change.


PRESENTATIONS & DISORDERS TREATED


Dr. Vieira has extensive experience assessing and treating:

Anxiety Disorders

  • Generalised Anxiety Disorder

  • Separation Anxiety Disorder

  • Social Anxiety Disorder

  • Panic Disorder

  • Specific Phobias

  • Health Anxiety


Depressive & Bipolar Spectrum Disorders (Mood Disorders)

  • Major Depressive Disorder (episodes of low mood and loss of interest)

  • Persistent Depressive Disorder / Dysthymia (chronic low-grade depression)

  • Adjustment Disorder with depressed mood (stress-related depressive response)

  • Cyclothymic Disorder (chronic fluctuating low-level hypomanic and depressive symptoms)

  • Bipolar I Disorder (at least one full manic episode, possibly severe)

  • Bipolar II Disorder (recurrent depression with hypomania, not full mania)

  • Mood instability presentations


Obsessive–Compulsive & Related Disorders

  • Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder (intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviours)

  • Body-focused repetitive behaviours

  • Maladaptive perfectionism

  • Obsessive–compulsive personality traits


Neurodevelopmental, Cognitive & Learning Profiles

  • Autism Spectrum Disorder (social communication differences and restricted patterns)

  • ADHD / ADD (inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity)

  • Executive functioning difficulties

  • Specific Learning Disorders

  • Developmental and intellectual disabilities

  • Sensory Processing Disorder (sensory regulation difficulties)

  • Giftedness (high intellectual ability with possible asynchronous development)

  • Twice-exceptional (2e) profiles (giftedness co-occurring with a learning or neurodevelopmental condition)


Personality Disorders & Emotional Regulation Difficulties

  • Borderline Personality Disorder

  • Borderline personality traits

  • Narcissistic personality structures

  • Emotional dysregulation

  • Identity development difficulties

  • Complex relational trauma presentations

Psychotic Disorders (within multidisciplinary frameworks)

  • Schizophrenia-spectrum disorders

  • Early psychosis presentations

  • Attenuated psychotic symptoms


Trauma-Related & Dissociative Disorders

  • Trauma-related presentations

  • Dissociative disorders

  • Dissociative Identity Disorder

  • Trauma-related dissociative symptoms


Infant, Toddler & Early Childhood Mental Health (0–5 years)

  • Attachment and bonding difficulties

  • Emotional regulation and co-regulation challenges

  • Parent–child relationship difficulties

  • Early trauma and developmental stress

  • Feeding and sleep difficulties

  • Behavioural regulation challenges

  • Early neurodevelopmental and sensory concerns

  • Supporting caregivers to foster secure attachment and healthy development



PROFESSIONAL STANDING, ETHICS & CLINICAL GOVERNANCE


Dr. Vieira practises in accordance with the ethical frameworks, codes of conduct, and clinical governance procedures set out by:

  • Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)

  • British Psychological Society (BPS)

  • Play Therapy United Kingdom (PTUK)

She holds an Enhanced CRB Certificate, is covered by professional indemnity insurance, and is registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) for data protection and confidentiality compliance.

Dr. Vieira regularly attends professional support groups, specialist training courses, and annual national and international conferences as part of her ongoing commitment to professional development and clinical excellence.




SENIOR CLINICAL SUPERVISION


Dr. Vieira is an Accredited Play and Creative Arts Therapist and an Accredited Certified Senior Clinical Supervisor in Play and Creative Arts Therapy, registered with Play Therapy United Kingdom (PTUK) and accredited by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA).

She provides senior-level clinical supervision to psychologists, therapists, and trainees, supporting ethical practice, reflective clinical work, and high-quality therapeutic delivery.



CLINICAL PHILOSOPHY


Every child Dr. Vieira meets represents a unique subjective reality and lived perspective of the world. Each client carries a personal narrative shaped by pain, love, loss, resilience, curiosity, and experience.

To sensitively unravel and facilitate the unpacking of this narrative is both the challenge and the privilege of the Clinical Child Psychologist.


MEDIA & PROFESSIONAL ENQUIRIES


Dr. Madeleine Vieira is available for media, expert commentary, and professional enquiries.



INVESTMENT


Dr. Madeleine Vieira is registered with several private health insurance companies such as Aviva, AXA PPP, Cigna, Cigna Global, Allianz Worldwide Care, and VitalityHealth who can offer reimbursement on session fees.




PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

  • Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)

  • The British Psychological Society - Register of Qualifications in Test Use (BPS RQTU)

  • The BPS Division of Clinical Psychology - Faculty for Children, Young People and their Families (BPS DCP CYPF)

  • The BPS Division of Educational & Child Psychology (BPS DECP)

  • Association of Child Psychologists in Private Practice (AChiPPP)

  • Play Therapy United Kingdom (PTUK) accredited by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA)

  • Association for Play Therapy (APT)

  • Association for Infant Mental Health (AIMH UK)

  • World Association for Infant Mental Health (WAIMH)

  • ZERO TO THREE

  • American Psychological Association (APA)

  • California Psychological Association (CPA)

  • Cool Kids accredited by the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA)