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Dr Jemma Theivendran

Medical Director and Child and Adolescent Consultant Psychiatrist
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About

Dr Theivendran joined Priory Hospital Roehampton as a consultant child and adolescent psychiatrist for Richmond Court where she works with highly skilled nurses and therapists to deliver care to young people who have significant mental health issues that require an inpatient stay.

She also has an outpatient clinic, where she works alongside qualified therapists within Priory, to deliver personalised care to young people. Dr Theivendran is also the medical director for specialist services, overseeing the child and adolescent mental health inpatient services and eating disorders services.

As a solo practitioner in a private outpatient setting, Dr Theivendran is unable to accept referrals if there is a risk that cannot be safely managed or if the needs of the young person/family cannot be met in the private outpatient setting. This may be the case if a young person is presenting with potential risk of harm to self or others, or a degree of complexity that may require more urgent or intensive intervention and a multidisciplinary team approach to treatment. It is important that all available and relevant information is provided in the referral so that a decision can be made before an assessment is offered. This is to avoid a young person and family requiring signposting via the GP to another service. At the end of your initial assessment, Dr Theivendran will advise whether she can accept you under her care. All initial assessments take place in-person, and Dr Theivendran can offer online appointments for any follow-up sessions, if required.

Training

Dr Theivendran completed her medical training at Imperial College London, graduating in 2010. She went on to complete her core training in psychiatry across the St Mary’s and Charing Cross hospital training schemes where she attained her membership to the Royal College of Psychiatry.

Dr Theivendran completed her specialist training in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at South West London and St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust. During her specialty training, she took a year out to complete a clinical teaching fellow post in psychiatry at St. George’s University of London where she attained a Post Graduate Certificate in Medical Education and remained an honorary clinical lecturer at the university until she qualified as a consultant. Prior to joining Priory, Dr Theivendran held a consultant post at the Bethlem Adolescent (inpatient) Unit at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust.

Relevant publications

Hayes D, Theivendran J, Kyriakopoulos M Adolescent inpatient mental health services in the UK

Archives of Disease in Childhood Published Online First: 30 August 2021. doi: 10.1136/archdischild-2020-321442

Book chapters

Theivendran J. 2021. Rapid Tranquilisation in Children and Adolescents – The Maudsley Guidelines in Prescribing, 14th edition Taylor, D., Barnes, T. and Young, A.

Theivendran J. 2019. Oxford Handbook for Medical School. Sugand, K., Berry, M., Yusuf, I., Janjua, A., Bird, C.

Qualifications

  • Approved Clinician and Section 12 doctor within the Mental Health Act 1983
  • Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule 2 (ADOS-2) trained
  • Bachelor of Medicine-Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) degree
  • Bachelor of Science (BSc.) in Immunology and Infection
  • Certificate in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
  • Introduction to Systemic Therapy – Foundation course
  • Level 2 Dialectical Behaviour Therapy
  • Member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists (MRCPsych)
  • Mentalization-based Therapy (MBT) for children and parents

I have a wealth of experience in both the inpatient and outpatient setting. I believe in the multidisciplinary approach, which can include considering medication, talking therapy, alternative therapies and lifestyle changes to develop individual care plans for each young person under her care. I take on an holistic approach, and consider promoting wellbeing including nutrition and physical exercise, as part of longer term recovery work. I understand the anxiety around seeking help for mental health, and I have a gentle approach to consultations. I am also aware that it can be a stressful time for parents and family members, and I work to develop relationships with parents over the course of their child’s treatment. I believe that every young person, with the right support, can overcome their mental health difficulties to gain access to opportunities in education, employment and positive life experiences.

I specialise in anxiety disorders (including social anxiety, generalised anxiety, panic disorder, OCD), Mood disorders (including depression, bipolar disorder, emotional dysregulation) PTSD, ASC, ADHD, Psychotic Disorders, and mental health difficulties.