Dr Isabel Avery

Hi! I’m Isabel and I’m a Clinical Psychologist.

Hello, I’m Isabel, a Clinical Psychologist at Oak Tree Practice. I’ve had a deep interest in psychology and understanding people for as long as I can remember and I feel incredibly lucky to be able to do this as my job.

Through my training, I’ve gained experience working with adults, young people and families in a range of settings, supporting people through a range of challenges, including anxiety disorders, depression and trauma. Working in these diverse settings has given me insight into how different environments can shape our mental health and it has inspired me to take a compassionate, individualised approach with each person I meet.

My academic journey has included a BSc in Experimental Psychology from the University of Bristol, a Postgraduate Certificate in Psychodynamic Counselling from the University of Oxford, a Master’s in Applied Neuropsychology from the University of Bristol and a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the University of Hertfordshire. These experiences, both in training and practice, have strengthened my commitment to helping people navigate life’s complexities in a way that respects their unique strengths and needs.

When we meet, I hope you’ll feel that this is a safe, welcoming space where you can be yourself without any judgment. I am warm, approachable and open-minded and I’ll listen closely to what matters most to you.

Our sessions are collaborative, meaning I’m here to understand your unique perspective and help you find ways to navigate life’s challenges. I bring a calm, grounded presence and take an integrative, compassionate, values-based approach, encouraging you to set the pace as we work together.

Whether you’re facing a specific difficulty or are just feeling a bit lost, my goal is to make our time together a place where you feel supported, respected, and understood. I’ll bring in insights from my experience and qualifications, but ultimately, the focus will be on what works best for you.

I’m passionate about helping people, especially those with neurodiversity like Autism and ADHD, find ways to thrive in a world that often isn’t set up to support their unique strengths. As someone with dyslexia, I understand how vital it is to feel both understood and supported.

My approach is tailored to each person and I work in a integrative, trauma-informed way to ensure that sessions feel safe, respectful, and attuned to your needs. I draw on a mix of compassion-focused therapy, psychodynamic approaches, values-based methods, and adapted cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques. For ADHD in particular, I use adapted CBT strategies to help people manage day-to-day challenges more effectively, building skills to support organization, focus, and resilience.

I also incorporate elements of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) when helpful, as its focus on emotional regulation and interpersonal effectiveness can be invaluable for navigating complex life situations. Additionally, I have worked with individuals facing both acute and long-term mental health difficulties, including depression and anxiety, providing tools and perspectives to support healing and stability.

Beyond individual work, I have experience working with families, helping them understand and manage challenging behaviours that young people may exhibit during difficult phases. I support families in building communication, safe boundaries, compassion and strategies to navigate these dynamics together.

Outside of work, you’ll usually find me with my family and friends, getting lost in a book or TV show, traveling, or unwinding through art, yoga or running.