Lead Occupational Therapist
BSc (Hons), OT
Claire Underwood joined the St Andrew’s team in 1998 and is an Occupational Therapist with the Adolescent service leading on the development of sensory care pathways for sensory integration intervention, developmental trauma, post traumatic stress disorder, autism and self-harm. Claire manages a team of 25 Occupational Therapists (OT) across the service and is developing innovative practices such as a graded skills pathway, animal assisted therapies and providing Duke of Edinburgh opportunities as part of OT intervention.
With a wealth of experience of working with elderly and adult mental health services, Claire provides specialist clinical input, delivers in-service training on key aspects such as sensory approaches and solution focused brief therapy.
Claire is a member of the British Association of Occupational Therapists (BAOT) and the Health Professions Council (HPC).
Claire has built strong links with the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS). She is co-author to a chapter on ‘The Application of Sensory Integration in a CAMHS Tier 4 service’. She also hosted and chaired a national Occupational Therapy conference with CAMHS in 2008 and has presented at CAMHS and Northampton County Council Inclusion conferences.
Claire also hosted the visit of HRH Princess Anne to Malcolm Arnold House in 2010.