EPIC Team

MA (Oxon), DPhil (Oxon), MBBS, MRCPsych, MA (Lon)

Vicky initially trained in Psychology completing an Honours degree in Experimental Psychology and a Doctorate in Clinical Neuropsychology at St Hugh’s College, Oxford University. She then went on to study medicine as a Graduate student at Trinity College, Oxford and Imperial College, London, graduating with her MBBS in 2002. She then specialised in Psychiatry through training rotations at the Maudsley and St Mary’s Hospitals in London.

She has held Consultant posts in Canterbury, Kent, and at the Priory inpatient unit in Ticehurst, and for 4 years was the Clinical Director for CAMHs services in Devon.

Vicky has interests in Adolescent Community Psychiatry and alternatives to hospital admission, including working with young people with Eating Disorders and unexplained physical health presentations, and those that struggle with regulating their emotions. Vicky also has a Masters degree in Ethics and Law from Kings College London.

Vicky is our Data Protection Officer.

MA (Oxon), MBChB, MRCPCH, MScTLHP

Karen trained in medicine at Christ Church and Green College, Oxford University, qualifying in 1994. She then specialised in Paediatrics and Child Health and has been a Paediatric Consultant in Exeter since 2007. In addition to practising in all areas of general paediatrics from 0-18 years Karen has been working on NHS projects across paediatrics and adult services to develop pathways for older teenagers and young adults up to 25 years of age.

Karen has developed specialty interests in eating disorders, persistent physical symptoms, and the overlap between physical and mental health but is happy to see a full breadth of Paediatric presentations.

Karen believes passionately in always considering the whole person when assessing and supporting any health presentations, and in working in a joined up way with multi professional colleagues. Karen also has a Masters degree in Medical Education from Bristol University, and further training in Assessment and Management of FASD from the University of Edinburgh.

Karen is our Safeguarding lead.

Tracy qualified as a Mental Health Nurse in 1997, undertaking a further BA(hons) in Specialist Community Mental Health Practice in 2004.

She began her career supporting working age adults who were experiencing a range of complex mental health issues, both in a hospital and community setting. Very quickly she realised she had a passion for working with children and young people and moved to specialist child and adolescent services supporting young people with a range of mental health presentations.  Tracy's special interest is in working with young people who have experienced a range of adverse childhood experiences and trauma.  She's qualified in a wide range of assessment and treatment interventions that are targeted at supporting children who experience emotional and behavioural difficulties as a result of interrupted relations with their primary caregivers.

In addition to a strong clinical background, she has worked as a Senior Manager within NHS provider and Commissioner services locally and regionally, undertaking a Postgraduate Certificate in Healthcare Leadership in 2012.  Tracy’s passion for transforming services has resulted in various leadership roles including operational leadership of specialist services, development of “alternative to hospital provision” for children experiencing acute mental health crisis and professional leadership posts supporting a wide range of allied health professionals and nurses.

BSc (Hons), CGMA, ACMA

PhD MSc MA CertMRCSLT

Val has worked in a number of specialist roles supporting children and young people with social, emotional and mental health needs (SEMH). Many of these children and young people have a history of early trauma. In 2010, Val established the Speech and Language Therapy service within Devon Youth Justice Service, assessing the communication skills of young people presenting with a wide range of attachment, communication, and mental health needs. In 2017, Val received a national award from the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) in recognition of this work. Val wrote and teaches the Masters Module on language development and complex trauma at Plymouth Marjon University. She has additional external teaching roles at Exeter University and Plymouth Marjon University. Val is a supporting author of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists’ Mind Your Words e-learning training on SEMH needs. She also wrote the SEMH Modules for Plymouth Marjon University’s e-learning programme to special schools. Val is a Visiting Fellow at Plymouth Marjon University. Val is currently Devon’s Strategic Lead for children and young people with SEMH needs.

Rachel completed her undergraduate degree in Clinical Psychology at Worcester University and is currently studying her masters degree in Social and Organisational Psychology. Rachel holds a diploma in Therapeutic Counselling and is a qualified counsellor who has worked for several years with both adults and children supporting their mental health.

More recently Rachel has worked in private practice working alongside a multi-disciplinary team of professionals. Rachel is a creative, thoughtful and caring assistant psychologist who takes the time to get to know her clients. Previous work has included counselling, supporting assessments and therapeutic life story work.  Rachel believes that everyone deserves the chance to make a positive change in their lives. 

Emma is all about creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere for everyone who walks through the door. From greeting clients to managing phone calls and appointments, Emma thrives on helping others and creating an organised and efficient work environment.

With a passion for the healthcare sector, Emma has completed a BSc (Hons) in Health and Social Care from the University of Plymouth in 2022, focussing her dissertation on how the pandemic impacted the support children and young people with ASD. Emma wishes to implement her skills and knowledge into the role and expand them further through working at EPIC.

Outside of work Emma is family orientated, loves running and going on long woodland walks.

FCA FMAAT

Fern qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 2012 and is also a Fellow member of the Association of Accounting Technicians. She has worked in local accountancy practices in Exeter and the surrounding area for over 20 years and has spent most of her career advising individuals and local SMEs. Fern has recently moved into a business-focused role, bringing her finance background and a fresh perspective to the team. Fern is committed to efficient and strategic financial management and is looking forward to expanding her commercial knowledge and developing her role further within the business.

Outside of work, Fern enjoys playing netball, staying active, and travelling with her young family. She's also a keen socialiser and loves spending time with friends.

Filipa is a versatile and accomplished professional with a diverse background spanning the arts, education, leadership, and operations.

She began her career as a professional violinist in 2010 while pursuing her BA (Hons) in Violin Performance at Minho University in Portugal, performing across various countries in Europe. 

In 2014, Filipa earned a TESOL qualification (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages), an Ofqual Level 5 certification from Trinity College London, and spent six years teaching English to children and adults across England, Portugal, Spain, Italy, and Malta. During this time, she developed a passion for leadership, inspiring others, and fostering growth, leading her to transition into operations and leadership in 2019. This experience refined her communication and interpersonal skills while deepening her ability to lead and motivate others.

Filipa then moved into operations and leadership, first within the private education sector, and later expanding into healthcare. To solidify her expertise, she pursued an MBA Essentials Certificate from The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), followed by an intensive Leadership in Healthcare course. She is currently undertaking a Level 7 qualification from the University of Exeter in Leading People and Organisations and Leading High Performing Organisations.

Her diverse experiences allow her to bring a unique, well-rounded perspective to her work. She thrives in roles that require strategic vision, operational excellence, and a commitment to empowering others.

Outside of her professional pursuits, Filipa enjoys socialising, reading, cooking, traveling to see her family and practicing CrossFit, embracing an active and enriching lifestyle that fuels both personal and professional growth. She thrives in roles that require strategic vision, operational excellence, and a commitment to empowering others.

Yasmin is very warm and approachable, dedicated to providing exceptional customer service and creating a welcoming atmosphere.  With a genuine smile and a friendly demeanour she strives to make every visitor feel valued and comfortable.  Whether it’s answering phone calls, scheduling appointments, or assisting with enquiries, she is here to ensure a smooth and positive experience for all. 

Outside of work you can find Yasmin exploring local coffee shops, indulging in her love for travel or walking her dog Kobe.

Sam qualified from University of Plymouth with a BSC 1st Class Honours Degree in Occupational Therapy. After completing core rotations at Derriford Hospital Plymouth and Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital Sam went on to pursue work with children and young people. Sam has continued to participate in training to support her practice, most recently completing an MSc module in Sensory Integration with Sheffield Hallam University.

Sam is passionate about working collaboratively with children and families to identify the personal, activity or environmental factors that support or inhibit their ability to participate in everyday occupation. With EPIC Solutions Sam offers assessment of priority occupations to explore your child’s strengths and challenges and to identify interventions to help them achieve their goals.

Claire is very approachable and will greet you with a friendly smile, she creates a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Having worked within the NHS and retail management over the years, Claire prides herself on giving excellent customer service. Claire feels she was wanting to challenge herself within a new career learning more about what she is passionate about. Claire will be taking calls, organising bookings, assisting with enquiries and welcoming you in at the door.

Outside of work you can find Claire enjoying walks, socialising with family and friends, shopping and enjoying booking trips away. 

In 2010, Deana graduated with a BSc (Hons) in Dietetics from the University of Plymouth. For the past 12 years she has been working as a paediatric dietitian within the NHS. Deana initially worked supporting children that required nutrition via feeding tubes, as well as within outpatients clinics and the children's ward, seeing children of all ages with varying problems such as poor growth, allergies, inflammatory bowel disease and coaliac disease. She later moved into more specialist areas of dietetic practice, supporting children and young people, and their families to meet the nutritional needs of their child while going through cancer treatment.  While in this role, Deana also developed a specialist service in Exeter, to support the use of the Ketogenic Diet a dietary treatment for some forms of epilepsy.

For the past 4 years Deana has worked with children and young people with eating disorders and disordered eating, supporting young people who are struggling to eat for a wide range of reason. She is really passionate about helping young people and their families to understand how a restricted diet effects physical, mental and social health, taking time to explore fear foods, food rules and rituals that may have developed.

Ebony has been an Emotional Support dog for 5 years, she has been working with children and young people since she was 3 months old. Ebony began her career supporting children with complex trauma and neurodivergence in residential placements during covid, she then spent 4 years working in a SEN school. Ebony is now enjoying her time at EPIC Solutions. She will say hello in the waiting room or greet children and young people who are feeling anxious coming to their appointment. Ebony accompanies Heather in her Play and Creative Arts therapy. She is great at helping regulate nervous systems and emotions by creating a ‘weighted blanket’ sitting on laps, walking around the building on her lead to provide movement, and allowing stroking of her soft fur that can be scented with favourite sprays. Ebony can also become ‘characters’ or metaphors in therapeutic stories to help children and young people express themselves or trial therapeutic modalities.

Leone is an Accredited Play Therapist, Creative Arts Counsellor and Filial Play Coach, she brings warmth, creativity, and a decade of experience to her work with children and families across Exeter. For more than 10 years, Leone has supported children as an independent therapist, with many referrals coming through the Kinship Care Team. She is trained to Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy Level 2 (DDPI), holds a certificate in Therapeutic Life Story Work (TSLWi), and contributes to the development of outdoor therapeutic practice as part of the COOPT steering committee. Leone is passionate about strengthening relationships, supporting healing through play, and helping children feel safe, understood, and valued.

Hannah is a Psychoanalytic Psychotherapist trained to Doctoral and MA level respectively with children and adolescents, and adults. She also has a PGDip in perinatal, child, adolescent and family work: psychoanalytic observational approach. Hannah has 13 years' experience in the NHS and has worked for charities and in independent practice. She is a visiting lecturer for a psychotherapy course at The Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust. 

Hannah has experience of working across the age range with a wide variety of mild, moderate and severe presenting problems. Often these problems have their roots in early experiences and they affect the way we come to feel about ourselves and our capacity to relate to others. Psychoanalytic psychotherapy is aimed at increasing self-understanding, which may lead to change if the client is open to this. This can take time.

Some people see Hannah because they're very unhappy, distressed or worried, others come because they want to understand themselves better and they're curious about why they encounter the same patterns. 

Hannah's work is most often with individuals, sometimes she works with parents and at other times she consults with schools or other professionals. Sometimes the work is medium term or brief (Short Term Psychodynamic Psychotherapy) and sometimes she will assess the internal world of the child or young person and make recommendations from this perspective. 

Hannah offers fifty-minute therapy sessions, at least once weekly. Sessions are patient, exploratory and we build an understanding of what's occurring over time. Children can use play materials provided by Hannah as a means of understanding the internal world of the child. Young adults may draw or talk and adults usually talk about what they are experiencing.

Dr Garcia-Costas is a Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist with over two decades of experience supporting children, young people, and families through a wide range of emotional and mental health difficulties.

Her approach is compassionate, collaborative, and tailored to each individual. She aims to create a safe and non-judgemental space where young people feel heard and understood, while also working closely with families.

She has extensive experience in working with complex presentations, including anxiety, depression, trauma, eating difficulties, self-harm, and neurodevelopmental conditions such as autism and ADHD. Alongside her clinical work in NHS inpatient and community services, she contributes to specialist pathways including Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) and secure setting.

She trained in medicine at the University of Navarra in Spain when she qualified in 2000 and completed her psychiatric training at the Oxford Rotational training scheme (2007) and Child and Adolescent Psychiatric training at the Peninsula Deanery higher specialist training programme (2011), obtaining MRCPsych (2006) and further qualifications as Postgraduate Diploma in Family Therapy and Systemic Practice from the University of Bristol (2011). Her background also includes training in psychodrama with the Oxford Psychodrama School (2010), which informs her interest in understanding relationships, emotions, and lived experience more deeply.

In addition to clinical work, she has held leadership roles within CAMHS and remains actively involved in teaching, supervision, and service development. She is committed to evidence-based practice while recognising the importance of flexibility and individuality in care.

Sarah studied at Plymouth University and qualified as a Registered Paediatric Nurse in 2001. In 2016 Sarah completed further training at University West of England (UWE) and completed a BA (HONS) in Child and Adolescent Mental Health. In 2014 she completed a masters module and qualified as a Non-Medical Prescriber (NMP).

Sarah has spent 23 years working in the NHS in children's services. Her passion has always been working with children, young people and families and she has worked in a wide variety of services and teams with a focus on mental health, autism and ADHD. As well as being the clinical matron in a CAMHS in-patient and crisis team. Sarah has experience in completing neuro-developmental, mental health assessments and specialist prescribing for children.

Sarah has been a Senior Operational Manager within children's services, completing a Post Graduate Leadership Programme at Exeter University in 2017. She has loved leading and transforming mental health, children's and paediatric services.

BPharm (Bath)  PgCert, PgDip, MRPharmS, MCMHP

Amanda completed her pharmacy training at the University of Bath, and has undertaken further post-graduate qualifications in clinical pharmacy and psychopharmacology. She has practiced extensively within the specialist field of mental health and learning disabilities, with over a decade of experience within child and adolescent mental health services. Amanda is a credentialed member of the College of Mental Health Pharmacists. 

Amanda is passionate about enabling others  to use medicines safety and effectively. As a specialist in medicines, Amanda recognises that medication can play a valuable part of treatment to support recovery and well-being, but that this should only ever be considered as part of a holistic and person-centred approach. 

Amanda strongly encourages curiosity and empowering people to ask question about medication. As a mother herself, she is constantly inspired by what children and young people can teach us. Listening and seeking to understand their experiences with medication, and those of their families, is essential for us to learn and improve practice.  

It is always a delight to have a job that inspires you but, when not working, Amanda also enjoys adventures with her son, growing vegetables, keeping chickens, walking in wild places, swimming in the sea, playing the violin (probably badly!), sewing and patchwork and is keen to develop her interest in herbalism.

Heather graduated from Loughborough University in 2000 with a degree in Sociology and Psychology. Following this, she went on to complete her Master’s degree in Social Work at the University of Exeter and began her career as a Social Worker for children and families with special educational needs and disabilities. Heather developed a passion for working therapeutically with children, which inspired her to complete her post graduate training in Play and Creative Arts Therapy with Canterbury University.

Heather has been running her therapeutic company, Coastal Therapies Ltd, for fifteen years while practising as a child and adolescent play and creative arts therapist, clinical supervisor and trainer. She has worked with children and young people aged between 4-25 years who have experienced developmental trauma, a range of mental health issues and neurodivergence.

Heather takes a particular interest in working with the whole child and incorporates play and creativity into neuroscientific evidence-based approaches. Heather believes that often, play and creativity is the child’s natural language and by working with this medium, the child can be helped to access trauma that Is sometimes unconsciously stored in the body and the limbic part of the brain.

Heather is also a lecturer on the Foundation Degree in Integrative Counselling at Iron Mill College and has written and delivered their Post Qualifying Diploma in Counselling Children and Young People (8-18 years). Heather wrote the Diploma in line with the BACP’s core competencies to encompass a holistic understanding and approach in working with children and young people, incorporating play and creativity throughout.

Rachel completed her undergraduate degree in English literature and Sociology at BathSpa University in 2007. She then completed her postgraduate degree in mental health nursing at City University, London in 2010. Following qualifications as a mental health nurse, she worked at a psychiatric intensive care ward in London, supporting young people experiencing severe mental health conditions including OCD, depression, and psychosis. She moved to Devon in 2012, and since then Rachel has worked in community CAMHS, specialising in working with young people with eating disorders, anxiety, self-harm, and low mood.

Rachel completed a post graduate qualification in eating disorder therapy in 2014 and went on to complete her masters in Family Therapy at Exeter University in 2017. Rachel is passionate about meeting young people where they are at, working with them to improve their mental health and develop coping strategies to support themselves post intervention.

Rachel can support young people in a variety of ways including working with them individually and/or working systemically with them and their families.

Jo will greet you with a warm smile and has an infectious passion for delivering excellent customer service and creating a welcoming atmosphere.  Having worked within a school setting for over 16 years Jo decided on a fresh new challenge and joined the EPIC team as an administrator and receptionist.  As an administrator she is responsible for managing and overseeing various tasks and operations including scheduling appointments . 

Outside of work Jo is family orientated and loves travelling, attending music concerts, or simply a long walk with her 3 dogs.

Fran completed her Degree in Occupational Therapy in 1997. She worked in Adult Mental Health Services, and since 2002 has worked in CAMHS as an Occupational Therapist and Senior Mental Health Practitioner. She has worked in both in patient and community settings and with Young Offenders, all of whom have had a range of mental health concerns.

Fran completed a Post Graduate Certificate in Cognitive behaviour Therapy for Children and Young People in 2012 under the University College, London and a Post graduate Diploma in Evidenced Psychological Therapies for Children Young People and Families (Cognitive Behaviour Therapy), at the University of Exeter in 2014. She also has a Post Graduate Certificate of Supervision of Psychological Therapies Practice (Cognitive Behaviour Therapy) from the University of Exeter, 2016. She is accredited with the British Association of Behaviour and Cognitive Psychotherapists.

Fran has a Certificate of EMDR accredited training and Level 1 Child and Adolescent Training in EMDR.  

Fran has an interest in eating disorders, particularly bulimia nervosa, and emotion regulation. She also has worked extensively with young people with Autism.  Fran is dedicated in her work with young people and to striving towards the best outcomes for them in their everyday lives.

Charlotte graduated from the University of Plymouth with a BSc Physiotherapy degree in 2009. Having completed core rotations within the NHS as a junior Physiotherapist, Charlotte then pursued her clinical interest working within Paediatrics from 2012.

Charlotte continues to undertake post graduate training to ensure her practice is evidence based. This has included completed modules in MSc Paediatric Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy and MSc Paediatric Neuro-Physiotherapy at University College London.

Charlotte has a wide range of experiences working with children from 0-18 years of age including atypical development, genetic conditions, hypermobility, gait abnormalities, co-ordination difficulties and neurological conditions such as CP and Spina Bifida. More recently Charlotte has focused on 0-5’s physical development working with babies born prematurely and common conditions in the under 5’s such as delay of motor milestones, plagiocephaly and Torticollis. Charlotte is happy to assess your child/ baby and give individualised advice and guidance where appropriate.

BSc (Hons) in Occupational Therapy, PGDip in Sensory Integration

Claire qualified as an Occupational Therapist from the University of Derby in 2005. After qualifying as an OT she worked in the R.D&E. hospital in Exeter and in the field of rheumatology before moving into an NHS paediatric OT role in the community in 2009. Claire completed her post-graduate diploma in sensory integration with Sheffield Hallam University in 2023. Claire has always been keen to expand her knowledge and learning in the field of OT and has completed additional training in the CO-OP approach, Talking Mats and the Interoceptive Curriculum. In 2024 Claire completed a pre-doctorate award with the University of Plymouth which included additional master’s modules in research methods. Her research project focused on the transition to adulthood for autistic young people with an intellectual disability, a particular area of interest. Claire values the importance of linking OT assessment and intervention to the evidence-base. Outside of work Claire enjoys playing with her nephews and nieces, running, walking, cycling and painting.

Katy is an experienced and enthusiastic paediatric speech and language therapist, qualifying in 2008 with a BSc (Hons) degree in speech and language therapy from the University College of St Mark and St John, Plymouth.

Katy commenced her career within the NHS seeing children with delayed and disordered speech and language skills, social communication difficulties and children who stammer. After 8 years, Katy left the NHS working as a specialist speech and language therapist and relocated to Devon to set up in independent practice seeing children with a range of speech, language and communication disorders.

Katy has a particular interest in developmental language disorders and dysfluency. However, she has recently taken on a new role in a special school for students presenting with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs and is enjoying this new challenge.

Katy brings her experience and enthusiasm to the EPIC team and the clients that she works with.

BSc, MRes, DClinPsy

Eva completed her psychology degree at the University of Birmingham in 2007 before working with adults with learning disabilities. She returned to Birmingham to complete a Masters of Research in Psychology in 2009.

Eva held several Assistant Psychologist roles, working with children and adults with learning disabilities and in an adult autism assessment service. She also took some time out to travel, volunteer, and teach English in South America and Europe.

Eva completed her Doctorate of Clinical Psychology at the University of Exeter. This included placements in CAMHS, an eating disorder service, health psychology, older adults, and learning disability services. She conducted research into the impact of nature on wellbeing and gained therapeutic experience in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Compassion Focussed Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Cognitive Analytical Therapy.

Eva is keen to put her skills to good use with EPIC Solutions, ensuring the individual's needs and goals are at the heart of the work.

BA (hons) PGCE (English and SEND Oxon) MA (Psychology and SEND, London)

Kate has over 30 years experience teaching, leadership and consultancy in Special Educational Needs, Literacy and English. Having gained a Post Graduate Certificate in Education at Oxford University, she has worked in 10 educational settings, including specialist, mainstream and independent  schools. She undertook research in multi-agency collaboration at Great Ormond Street Hospital School as part of a Masters degree in Special Education. She has significant experience with children and young people in London, Oxfordshire, West Sussex and Devon.

Having started her career in a SEMH residential school in Devon, she was first a SENDCo in 2000 in a secondary comprehensive in Oxford. She was Chair of Governors with responsibility for SEND in an Oxfordshire primary school for several years. This was one of four settings where her work and team was identified as outstanding. She has advised on literacy development within West Oxfordshire and Sussex, as well as enjoying nine years leading Learning Support for 4-13 year olds. She most recently worked as Assistant Headteacher and SENDCo at a 4-16 school within Reach South Academy Trust before working independently as a specialist teacher and SEND consultant.

Nicole earned a Mental Health Nursing qualification from the University of the West of England in 2012. She began her career on acute adult inpatient wards in North Devon before moving to a CAMHS inpatient ward. Over the years, Nicole has devoted herself to working with children and young people's services in both inpatient and community settings.

In 2017, Nicole obtained her Non-Medical Prescribing qualification and has throughout her career engaged in further professional development, including courses in Dialectical Behaviour Therapy and Non-Violent Resistant Therapy. Her dedication to continuous learning highlights her commitment to delivering the highest quality care, consistently striving to be evidence-based and reflective in her practice.

Nicole's true passion lies in working with young people, listening to their lived experiences, understanding their needs, and helping them reach their goals. She has substantial experience supporting young individuals in distress, those who have experienced trauma, and those facing challenges with emotional regulation. Recently, Nicole has focused on improving healthcare accessibility and experiences for neuro-divergent young people and their families.

Outside of her professional life, Nicole finds joy by the sea. Whether she is walking her dog, Buster, with a coffee in hand, spending time with her family, or enjoying paddle boarding, the sea is her happy place.

Dr Cara Redmond is a consultant clinical psychologist with over 20 years experience  of working as a psychologist, both in the NHS and independently. Cara has developed specialist skills in working with children and adolescents with trauma and neurodivergence. She is passionate about multidisciplinary, neuro affirmative assessment; supporting positive identity and helping children to access the resources needed to thrive. 

Cara is trained in a broad range of therapeutic approaches including Systemic Family Therapy,  Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy, Theraplay, Dialectal Behaviour Therapy and Cognitive Behaviour Therapy. She has considerable experience in supporting children and families who have experienced complex trauma, with previous leadership roles in specialist adoption support and services for children in care. 

Tom has over twelve years of management experience across organisations including Jet2, Taking Care, and Heathrow Airport, he brings a strong background in customer service, social media oversight, and people management to his role as Office Manager at EPIC Solutions. Tom has worked in a variety of sectors from fashion, hospitality, travel and healthcare. He is committed to creating a welcoming, organised, and supportive environment for the children, young people, and families who use EPIC services.

Tom studied at Exeter College, achieving a distinction in Performing Arts, and went on to complete his NVQ Level 3 in Management. Tom recently achieved an accreditation as a mental health first aider, which is valuable in supporting our colleagues and clients.  

Alongside his professional career, Tom is also a trained spin instructor, a role that reflects his energy, motivation, and passion for helping others thrive. Outside of work, he enjoys exploring the outdoors with his cocker spaniel, Hugo, who shares his love of long walks.

MBBS, MRCPsych, Cert Med Edu

Dr. Xenofon Sgouros holds a degree in Medicine (MBBS) from the University of Thessaloniki Greece, awarded with merit, and completed his basic training in General Adult Psychiatry in various hospitals in Athens between 1991 and 1998. Following the completion of basic training, Dr. Sgouros immigrated to the UK and continued in higher specialist training, focusing on training in Addiction Psychiatry and Liaison Psychiatry. He was awarded the membership of the Royal College of Psychiatrists in 2003 and has been included in the GMC Specialist Register since 1999.

In 2001, he was appointed as a Consultant Psychiatrist in North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare NHS Trust where he worked in various positions until September 2020. He is currently working as a Consultant Psychiatrist in one of the community mental health teams, in Exeter, Devon.

Dr. Sgouros’ special interests have evolved through the years from Addiction Psychiatry to Inpatient Psychiatry, to assessment and treatment of neurodevelopmental disorders, e.g. Autism Spectrum disorder and ADHD, and assessment and treatment of psychiatric disorders associated with trauma, He is certified to complete assessments of adults with suspected Autism by the Cambridge Autism research centre and has completed specialist training in assessments of adults with suspected ADHD.

Furthermore, Dr. Sgouros has an interest in medical education and holds a Certificate in Medical Education awarded by Staffordshire University with distinction, in 2002. Dr Sgouros is currently holding the post of deputy Director of Medical Education, in Devon Partnership Trust, with responsibility in teaching of Psychiatry of medical students from University of Plymouth

In EPIC Solutions, Dr. Sgouros offers assessment and treatment of young adults, 19-25 years old, with suspected Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). These assessments are completed in collaboration with a clinical psychologist, and involve a clinical assessment, and administration of structured and semi-structured diagnostic tools. Following diagnosis, Dr Sgouros develops in collaboration with the young adult, an appropriate treatment plan, which may include medication and/or psychological treatment and other interventions

Dr. Sgouros is a keen advocate of the bio-psychosocial model of psychiatry and his assessments follow a systematic and holistic approach. He is also a keen advocate of the patient’s choice of treatments and of the recovery model. This reflects his belief in the capacity of human beings for healing and personal development. He is familiar with a range of psychological therapy models, mindfulness practices, and he has an up to date knowledge of the most recent developments in psychiatric treatments, including new medications and non-invasive biological treatments.