Meet the Team

Dr Fern Griffiths

Clinical Psychologist

Dr Fern Griffiths joined Psychology Associates in 2021 and is a HCPC registered Clinical Psychologist who specialises in working with adolescents and adults. Fern has 10 years of experience supporting adolescents and adults with complex emotional difficulties in a range of NHS and private settings including inpatient hospitals, schools and community services. Fern’s background also includes working with individuals with health difficulties including adjustment and rehabilitation following brain injury and neurological disorders. Fern has extensive experience of working with individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma and eating disorders using Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT), Cognitive Analytic informed Therapy (CAT informed) and psychodynamic approaches. Fern has a specialist interest in working with trauma and using mind-body approaches to therapy.

As you may be aware, on the 14th April 2025 the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund (ASGSF) announced changes to the Fair Access limit with a reduction of funding to £3000 and the discontinuation of the separate Fair Access Limit for specialist assessments.

We are currently working really hard to amend quotes for ongoing therapy work to fit within the new Fair Access Limit and working closely with Adopt South West and other local RAAs. We are also working closely with other specialist adoption support providers and therapeutic organisations including DDP connects and Theraplay UK to explore how we can continue to deliver specialist therapies within this limit.

If you are waiting for a new package of therapy please look out for correspondence from ASW or your regional adoption support agency, as they will need to regain your consent for the amended therapy contract.

If you are concerned about the impact of the delay on your family or have questions about the therapy or assessment you are waiting for please get in touch with Ellen or Jen and we will do our best to support you.

We will be contributing to a wider response to this and the following is a link to a petition requesting government action – Petition · Action Against ASGSF Changes (Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund) – United Kingdom · Change.org