Hello

Dr Hassi's Story

About me

I grew up in both rural and urban settings in Devon, North London, and Cornwall in a unconventional family with my mum and dad, three siblings, a dog (Minka) and two horses (Hickory and Schweppa). I had a childhood crafted of traditional values and creative expression, learning who I was and what mattered to me in life.  I was not really sure what I wanted to do with my life until I was in my late 20s. I started my current career when I enrolled on a Psychology undergraduate degree and I have not stopped growing yet.  I currently live in Devon and I’m very happily married with one daughter, a dog (Sunny-the-Bunny) and cats (Luthie-woothie and Flo).  I enjoy cooking and eating, nature-bathing, horse riding, yoga and walking, all of The Arts which includes everything between Netflix and Bach. I am a lifelong learner and I never get bored.  I am a survivor of complex trauma and feel ultimately this has enriched my world, as hard as it was at the time.

​

​

​

How I work

I am a supportive and professional Occupational Therapist.  I provide a safe space, help you develop coping skills and offer new perspectives.  My professionalism is central to everything I do, so I have your best interests at heart, work at your  your pace, and in ways that matter to you.​​   One of my written testimonials that  captures this was when someone I worked with wrote, “Thank you for your support and kindness on your visits… whilst I had lost my way and had mental health issues... It has been a very difficult journey but I feel blessed to have been given your support along the way”.

Another written testimonial that makes me so glad I do what I do is, “[You] helped me get my life back again”.

​I have an present day focus and a strength-based approach.

​​

How I Can Help

• Personal Growth: Let’s work together to rebuild your confidence and sense of self so you feel safe and grounded.

• Habits and Behaviours: If you’re ready for change, I’ll support you in making adjustments that stick.

• Difficult Emotions: Whether it’s anxiety, stress, or low mood, I’ll help you find ways to manage and move forward.

• Life Changes: Big transitions or losses can feel overwhelming—I’ll be here to help you adapt.

• Health Challenges: From burnout to pain and fatigue, I can support you in managing new diagnoses or long-term conditions.

​

I look at the whole picture—your mind, body, and the world around you—because everything is connected. My approach is practical and holistic, focusing on what matters most to you: independence, health, meaning, and connection.

For your mind and emotions, we might use counselling, coping strategies, and therapies like CBT or Compassion-Focused Therapy. For your body, I can help you understand how your brain and nervous system affect how you feel, and support lifestyle changes, rehabilitation, or adaptations to make life easier. And for your context, I’ll help identify barriers and find solutions that fit your world.

We’ll work in the here and now, tackling whatever’s getting in your way—inside or out—so you can move forward with confidence.

​​You don’t have to face this alone—I’m here to walk beside you every step of the way. Let’s start your journey toward feeling better, together.

​

​

​

My Qualifications and Experience

Hassina Carder-Gilbert, PhD, PG Dip, PG Cert, BSc, BSc, BTec HND, FHEA, HCPC registered.

• Accredited with the HCPC as an Occupational Therapist

• Member of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists

• Fellow of the Higher Education Authority

• PhD (Psychology) with published peer reviewed research paper authorship in youth mentoring, executive functioning and memory, and children’s play, and grey literature related to service evaluation, social prescribing, children’s eating, and co-occupation.

• BSc Hons x 2 (Occupational Therapy; Psychology)

• PG Dip (Psychological Research Methods)

• PG Cert (Learning and Teaching)

• BTec HND (Business Studies with Publicity and Promotion)

As well as being experienced in private practice, my clinical experience includes placements in these NHS settings;

Acute, rehabilitation and community settings (in both mental health, and physical health, and in residential care for complex conditions), and working in individual’s homes and lives, and with groups.

​​

My toolbox draws on:

Core clinical skills of health professionals, including insight gained from knowledge of neuroscience, the nervous system, the brain and hormonal functioning.

Personalised Care, Humanistic Counselling, listening, and motivating

Evidence-based treatment, particularly using Occupational Therapy and Cognitive and Behavioural approaches and Compassionate Focussed approaches

Activity analysis, grading, adapting and compensating, assistive technology, psychoeducation and training and skill development, and practical and therapeutic exercise.  ​

​

Teaching/training/coaching and mentoring experience includes

I have worked as a facilitator/teacher/ trainer/coach/mentor/supervisor since 2000.  I have worked in further and higher education, work places, and with individuals and groups, online, over the telephone and face to face.

I have many proudest moments since I love to see those I work with grow and succeed, but one piece of feedback I feel good about is that I am “ warm and friendly, encouraging a warm environment to grow between us [as a group] where we can speak and share ideas without the fear of being judged”

What are my aims?​

Improve  Occupational Balance,  Occupational Presence, and Occupational Flow

Increase Occupational Engagement and Occupational Participation

​

​