Cognition Clinical Psychology
Providers of high quality ethical psychological assessment.
About us
Ethical and experienced practice.
Cognition Clinical Psychology is a small independent clinical psychology service for both children and adults based in Bedfordshire but covering Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire and Northamptonshire.
We specialise in the assessment and diagnosis of individuals with Autism and Learning Disabilities across the life span: from children to adolescents and adults. With ethical values at the core of our business, each and every client can expect a friendly, professional, transparent and high quality service.
We only believe in offering assessments when they are truly needed and not charging people for unnecessary work, or asking people to undergo assessments when we believe there would be no long-term benefit to them. We achieve this through our robust initial consultation process. Our Consultant Clinical Psychologist Dr James Winkworth has worked throughout his career alongside those with Autism and Learning Disabilities. He is highly trained, highly regarded and fully registered as a practicing Clinical Psychologist with the Health Care Professions Council (HCPC).
Where we work
We provide access to Autism Dianogistic Assessments and Learning Disability Assessments to both children and adults.
We currently operate in Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire and Northamptonshire. However if you are outside these areas please contact us to find out if we can help.
Meet the team
Dr James Winkworth
Consultant Clinical Psychologist
Dr James Winkworth is a Consultant Clinical Psychologist who has worked his whole career with people with Autism and / or Learning Disabilities. He has worked across the lifespan from young children to adolescents and adults in various settings, both in the NHS and within Specialist Education.
Originally Dr Winkworth worked for the NHS in forensic Learning Disability services; a large part of his role was assessing and diagnosing adults with Autism and Learning Disabilities. Dr Winkworth’s NHS role took him to both Learning Disability services and to the wider Forensic Mental Health Services where he assessed and diagnosed individuals whose Autism and Learning Disabilities had been missed and ensured post diagnosis these individuals received access to the correct care pathways and that their specialist needs were met.
Dr Winkworth currently works within Specialist Educational Services across a number of schools that specialise in the education of children and adolescents with Autism and / or Learning Disabilities. Again a large part of his current role is the assessment and diagnosis of these conditions and ensuring the unique needs of these students are being met within the school setting. Dr Winkworth is also an Honorary Senior Lecturer for Doctoral students at the University of East Anglia for Autism and Learning Disabilities and gives regular lectures on the same topic at the Institute of Psychiatry Doctoral Programme. Dr Winkworth also offers a wide range of training on Autism and Learning Disabilities to agencies such as the NHS, Social Services and Specialist Education.
Jessica Abbott
Care Coordinator
Jessica started with Cognition Clinical Psychology assessment service in 2020. Prior to this she had a long career as a Registered Service Manager for various private organisations who specialised in the care and the development of independent living skills for people with Autism and Learning Disabilities. Jessica’s services were consistently rated as “Good” by the Care Quality Commission, and she had a strong track record of turning round underperforming services and reaccrediting them as “Good” with the CQC.
During her career as a Registered Service Manager Jessica obtained numerous professional qualifications which related to the leadership, knowledge, and care required to successfully work with, and supervise those working with, people with Autism and Learning Disabilities. These qualifications include: BSc Honours Degree in Social Care, QCF Level 5 in Residential Management, Institute of Leadership and Management Level 3 Award in First Line Management. During her career she has worked with children, adolescents and adults with Autism, Learning Disabilities, Mental Health, Personality Disorder, Sensory Processing and Communication difficulties.
Jessica has a passion for working with people from different backgrounds, ages and settings. She is a firm believer that everyone can achieve/fulfil their potential if given the right support, encouragement and motivation. This type of support enables people to develop a positive attitude towards life and wellbeing.