Meet Dr. Linnie
My name is Dr Elina Telford, better known as Linnie to my family, friends and colleagues. I am a Chartered Clinical Psychologist with over twenty years’ experience of working in the NHS and am the founder of The Bluebell Clinic. Over the past decade I have worked as a qualified Clinical Psychologist in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) in the UK, providing NICE guideline compliant assessment and evidenced based treatments to children, young people and their families.
I have specialist trainings in family work (systemic practice), as well as in the treatment of trauma (EMDR) and assessment of neurodiversity, such as Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
I specifically work with children, adolescents and young adults who present with a range of difficulties including, but not limited to: anxiety; phobias; trauma; anger; low mood and depression; poor self-esteem; disordered eating; emotional dysregulation; school avoidance; self-harm; and suicidal ideation. My trainings mean I am well placed to deliver both 1:1 and family work.
I have a passion for supporting peers and staff groups through clinical supervision, teaching and reflective practice. More recently, I have been appointed as a Tutor the British Psychology Society DCP Early Career CPD Programme, supporting newly qualified psychologists to kick start their careers. I am also, a keen researcher and historically have completed a PhD in Psychology, specifically in the area of Pro-Anorexia.
Away from The Bluebell Clinic, I am a mother, a step-mother, a wife, a daughter and an owner of an exceptionally grumpy old cat. I enjoy being creative, having my face painted, the outdoors, live music, yoga and swimming. I love writing, and in recent years have contributed to a number of news articles in mainstream media. I like to dabble in social media in a professional forum, but acknowledge I am far from ‘down with the kids’ on my current platforms.
My Approach
I have a warm, respectful and curious approach to my work. I am passionate about working with young people and the systems that they live in. I endeavour to create a therapeutic space that is led by each client’s individual needs, tailoring my approach inline with a person’s age and stage of development, neurotype, gender/sex, ethnicity, religion, family and social factors... in short, I adapt the way I work for each individual to ensure that therapy feels supportive, containing and accessible.
In terms of assessment and intervention, I utilise a broad range of evidence-based models to inform my work, including, but not limited to: attachment, systemic, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), trauma (EMDR) and solution-focused informed approaches. Interventions are person centred, reflective and dynamic in order to meet the needs of those with whom I work.