Shelley Birkett-Eyles, the Director and Founder of Hemispheres, is a Consultant Occupational Therapist who graduated from Oxford Brookes University in 1992. Unusually for someone operating at this level Shelley is still a full time practitioner in the Surrey area and offers Independent Assessments for SEN purposes and has over 6 years experience as an Expert Witness. She has extensive experience in the fields of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Paediatrics. She also has a dual qualification in the Spalding Method (a research based literacy acquisition programme), School Assessment of Motor and Process Skills (School (AMPS), Assessment of Motor Process Skills (AMPS) and Rhythmic Movement Training (RMT). These specialist fields combined have enabled her to devise the Hemispheres Neurological Assessment™ and the Hemispheres Motor Programme™. Shelley is committed to her patients and to training like minded Occupational Therapists and allied professional alike. Shelley has dedicated her expertise to developing a programme which is suitable for all children, of all ages and all disabilities: one that empowers both the parent and the child to realise their child’s full potential and skills.

Gaynor Bannister, Clinical Specialist Occupational Therapist, who graduated with Shelley from Oxford Brookes University in 1992. Gaynor has wide ranging knowledge in Neurology and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. She has a special interest in the role of emotions in learning and behaviour. Gaynor has post graduate training in the School Assessment of Motor and Process Skills (AMPS) and in assessment and treatment using the primitive and postural reflexes. Gaynor has been trained by Shelley in the administration of the Hemispheres Neurological Assessment™ and the Hemispheres Motor Programme™, with additional post graduate training as a Rhythmic Movement Consultant. Gaynor holds clinics in Surrey, St Albans and London.

Debbie Hartland,obtained a BSc (Hon) degree in Occupational Therapy in 1996, and also has a post graduate certificate in Occupational therapy and Neurology. Debbie has considerable experience in the field of neurology and paediatrics. Over the past year Debbie has successfully completed widespread training on the primitive and postural reflexes, the administration of the Hemispheres Neurological Assessment™ and the Hemispheres Motor Programme™, with additional post graduate training as a Rhythmic Movement Consultant. Debbie has also studied several psychological therapies obtaining a certificate in counselling with a particular interest in Cognitive behavioural therapy and mindfulness. Debbie holds clinics in St Albans and London.

Natalie Black, Clinical Specialist Occupational Therapist, graduated from East Sussex University in 1995, and has considerable experience in the field of neurology, paediatrics and brain injury as well as specialist expertise in environmental controls and prosthetics. Over the past year Natalie has successfully completed widespread training on the primitive and postural reflexes, the administration of the Hemispheres Neurological Assessment™ and the Hemispheres Motor Programme™, with additional post graduate training as a Rhythmic Movement Consultant. Natalie holds clinics in Orpington and Sevenoaks in Kent.

Katherine Stevens, will graduate from the post graduate occupational therapy course at South Bank University in June 2010; which she has completed whilst working as an occupational therapy assistant, over the last 4 years. Katherine has a degree in Psychology and has a specialist interest in evidence based practice and research. Katherine has successfully completed the Hemispheres training for the administration of the Hemispheres Neurological Assessment™ and the Hemispheres Motor Programme™. Katherine will hold clinics in Surrey, whilst also undertaking clinical research on the impact of primitive and postural reflexes in childhood development and their role in neurodevelopmental disorders and generalised learning difficulties.

All Hemispheres therapists are registered with the Health Professions Council (HPC) and actively maintain their registration though a committed to their growth and development. All Therapists have up to date Criminal Records Bureau Certificates (CRB), to an enhanced level of disclosure to certify they are safe to work with children.