Dr Hayley Ponsford

Dr Hayley Ponsford is a distinguished consultant child and adolescent psychiatrist with extensive clinical experience in child and adolescent mental health. She is registered with the General Medical Council (GMC) and is a Fellow of the Royal College of Psychiatrists.

Her clinical work covers a broad range of conditions, including anxiety, depression, eating disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), ADHD, autism, emotional difficulties, psychosis, and bipolar disorder. She provides care for children, adolescents and young adults, with her profile indicating an age range of approximately 6 to 20 years.

Dr Ponsford has developed particular expertise in ADHD, autism and eating disorders. Her previous NHS work included leadership of ADHD clinics and involvement in developing ADHD care pathways and services in South London and Maudsley. She has also worked extensively with young people experiencing eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID). Her experience includes working with children and young people with complex needs, including those in foster or residential care, adopted children and those who have experienced abuse.

Her approach is described as holistic and family-centred, with an emphasis on understanding the wider circumstances affecting a young person's mental health. She considers information from the young person, parents, school and other professionals when developing an assessment and formulation.

She has training in family therapy and may incorporate psychotherapy approaches, motivational interviewing and medication where appropriate. Her treatment plans can also consider factors such as sleep, exercise, diet and social or creative activities, with the aim of developing an individualised approach rather than relying on a single form of treatment.

Dr Ponsford completed her medical degree with honours at Liverpool Medical School in 2005 and subsequently trained in psychiatry in South London and Maudsley, and South West London & St George’s NHS services. During her NHS career, she held several leadership and educational roles, including safeguarding responsibilities, supervision of trainees and involvement in medical advisory and professional-development programmes.

She has also contributed to research and quality-improvement projects involving ADHD, transitions between child and adult services, communication between mental-health services and families, and treatments for young people. She now works privately and provides consultations through the London Psychiatry Clinic.