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, Gaynor Bannister, Clinical Specialist Occupational Therapist, 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 and the Hemispheres Think Write Programme™ for handwriting.
Gaynor offers specialist services to Snowflakes School in London.

Sharon Cook,
Since joining the team in February 2010 after spending five years living abroad Sharon has become an integral part of Hemispheres. Her extensive and varied experience from running her own businesses, teaching in Barcelona and her voluntary work with children in Thailand has now become a welcomed asset to the company. Generally she will be the one on the end of the telephone when you call with support to the Patents and Therapists and co-ordinating our ever expanding diaries.

Andrea Smitten, completed a BSc (Hon) degree in Occupational Therapy from Lancaster University in June 2010, which was led by over 10 years previous experience working within the fields of rehabilitation, therapeutic recreation and special education with children. Her more recent clinical experience includes work within conductive education and community paediatrics.

Andrea has had post graduate training in Sensory Integration, through the SI Network. Andrea also has training in, Introduction to practice & principles of Conductive Education, Musculo-skeletal System, Cerebral Palsy, Eating & Drinking difficulties for children with motor disorders, all through The Pace Centre.
Over the past year Andrea 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 in the Hemispheres Think Write Programme™ for handwriting.
Andrea will be holding clinics in St. Albans and Northamptonshire.

Rachel Taylor, a Senior Occupational Therapist, graduated from Canterbury Christ Church University College in 2002, during a short career break Rachel completed a Graduate Teacher Programme in 2006.
Rachel has experience in working with children as an occupational therapist and a teacher in the state and independent sectors. Her combined qualifications position her in a unique position to appreciate the impact of a child’s difficulties have on their learning.
Rachel has successfully completed training on the primitive and postural reflexes, the administration of the Hemispheres Neurological Assessment™ and the Hemispheres Motor Programme™ with additional Post Graduate Training in the Hemispheres Think Write Programme™ for handwriting. Rachel holds clinics in East Kent.

Lynn Herbert, Senior Specialist Occupational Therapist graduated from Glasgow Caledonian University in 1993.
Lynn has specialised for the last 8 years in the assessment and treatment of children with neurological and developmental difficulties including sensory integrative disorders. To compliment her traditional occupational therapy techniques Lynn has successfully completed training on the primitive and postural reflexes, the administration of the Hemispheres Neurological Assessment and the Hemispheres Motor Programme.
Lynn has post graduate training in Sensory Integration and the School Assessment of Motor and Process Skills (AMPS).
She has also completed additional Post Graduate Training in the Hemispheres Think Write Programme™ for handwriting.
Lynn holds clinics in St Albans and Northamptonshire.

Natalie Black, Natalie Black, Clinical Specialist Occupational Therapist, graduated from Brighton University in 1997, having previously completed a BSC (Hons) in Sociology and Psychology. Natalie has since become a specialist in the management of neurological conditions and prosthetics.
She has extensive experience working with both Paediatrics and Adults. Over the last 10 years she has established herself as an authority within the field of Assistive Technology, operating as an Expert Clinical Specialist covering the South of London.
Natalie has continued to build upon her neurological expertise by completing widespread training, assessment and treatment using the primitive and postural reflexes, the administration of the Hemispheres Neurological Assessment™ and the Hemispheres Motor Programme™.
She has also completed additional Post Graduate Training as a Rhythmic Movement Consultant and the Hemispheres Think Write Programme™ for handwriting. Natalie holds a clinic in Kent.

Alex Williams, Paediatric Occupational Therapist, graduated from the Post Graduate Occupational Therapy course at the University of Essex in 2008, having previously completed a Sport and Exercise Science Degree, from the University of Portsmouth in 2003.
Alex has worked as an Occupational Therapist assessing children’s need in a Paediatric Social Services setting and Charitable Sector. Alex has additional experience in fitness and nutrition.
Alex has successfully completed the Hemispheres training for the administration of the Hemispheres Neurological Assessment™ and the Hemispheres Motor Programme™. He has also completed additional Post Graduate Training in the Hemispheres Think Write Programme™ for handwriting.
Alex will hold clinics in the Surrey clinic and will be working in schools in the surrounding areas.

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.