We understand that this is a very stressful time for everyone.

We want to support you and work with you to improve the situation.

We make no judgements. We listen to you making absolutely sure we understand what is going on. Remember, you are not alone. This is a safe place. We are here to support and care for you all. We are psychiatrists. This means we are specialists in mental health and have a medical degree which qualifies us to prescribe medication (if appropriate) as well as delivering therapy.

The safety and wellbeing of the people we work with is a priority, so we have strict policies and procedures in place. If there are concerns that a child or teenager has been harmed or is at risk of harm, we will support you in contacting the local safeguarding services in your area.

Our team are professional, friendly and approachable. We are here to answer your concerns. Do get in touch for an initial chat to see how we can help.

Dr Julia Moss – Clinical Lead/Children services

Dr Julia Moss – Independent Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist

I qualified as a doctor in 1988 and worked in the NHS until 2008. I am registered with the GMC (Number 3291601).

I am fully registered with the GMC as a medical practitioner working as an Independent Consultant in Child, Adolescent Psychiatrist. I have been a member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists since 1992 and have worked with children young people and their families for over 20 years.

As a Consultant, in addition to working clinically I have experience in:

working collaboratively with other health professionals, teachers and social workers
teaching and training large and small groups of parents about mental health issues
clinical governance focusing on delivering a quality service which is effective and efficient

My particular area of interest is adolescent depression. Whether I work with individuals, couples, families or schools my mission is to provide the opportunity to feel listened to and understood, not judged but supported to access the treatment in a way which is tailored to your needs.

Dr Samantha Child – Independent Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist

Dr Samantha Child is a Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist with a particular interest in neurodiversity. Samantha qualified as a doctor in 2011 and worked in the NHS until early 2026. She has been a member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists since 2017. Samantha became a Consultant in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry in February 2023. She has a full licence to practice with the GMC (her number is 7151347).

Samantha is committed to providing compassionate, evidence-based care and works collaboratively with families, schools, and other professionals to develop clear and effective treatment plans.

Samantha has held senior roles within the NHS, contributing to service development, clinical governance, and the supervision of trainees. Samantha values open communication, shared decision-making, and high-quality, patient-centred care.

Outside of work, Samantha is a mother of three who enjoys reading, crochet, and spending time with her many pets. She has a guide-dog mum who will be having her first litter of puppies this year—something Samantha and her family are very excited about.

Dr Samantha Child – Associate

Dr Sobia Rafi – Associate

Dr Sobia Rafi - Independent Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist

Dr Sobia Rafi qualified as a doctor in 2001 and works as a Consultant Psychiatrist in NHS and Independent Sector.

Sobia is fully registered with the GMC as a medical practitioner, Consultant in Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. (GMC Number 6111570)

Sobia has been a member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists since 2011 and has worked with children, young people and their families for over 12 years.

Sobia’s particular areas of interest are Neurodevelopmental disorders (Autism Spectrum Disorder and ADHD), Anxiety, Depression and sleep difficulties.

Sobia believes in working with children, young people and their families to make a significant difference by providing comprehensive assessment and early intervention at a critical time in their lives.

Dr Sarda Magar Rai – Independent Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist

I qualified as a doctor in 2003 and worked in the NHS until November 2022.

I am fully registered with the GMC as a medical practitioner working as an Independent Consultant in Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
(GMC number 6110766).

I have been a member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists since 2014 and have worked with children, young people and their families for over 10 years.

I have a particular interest in neurodevelopmental disorders, especially assessing and managing young people with ADHD. However, as a Child Psychiatrist, I also have a vast experience of managing children with emotional and mental health difficulties.

I believe in giving the best chance to young people to empower them in their difficult journey of mental health recovery, whilst keeping them at the centre of heart when liaising with the wider system including parents/carers and multiagency involvement for holistic care.

Dr Sarda Magar Rai – Associate

Dr Taghrid Tahoun – Associate

Dr Taghrid Tahoun – Independent Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist

Dr Tahoun qualified as a doctor in 2009 and completed her specialist training in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry in the UK, receiving her Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) in 2023. She is fully registered with the General Medical Council as a Specialist Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist (GMC No. 7120464) and has been a member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists since 2016. She holds a Master’s degree in Neuropsychiatry, bringing a deep understanding of how brain development, behaviour, culture, and lived experience interact in child and adolescent mental health. Dr Tahoun also holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Medical Education and is widely involved in teaching and supervision of clinicians, ensuring her clinical practice is firmly grounded in evidence-based and up-to-date care.  

She is the founder of ThynkHouse, an ethical mental health education company focused on high-quality continuing professional development for psychiatrists and psychologists that supports health equity in underprivileged communities. She is also the creator and presenter of the podcast “Your Friendly Child Psychiatrist”, where she makes complex mental health topics accessible and practical for clinicians and families.  

Dr Tahoun speaks both English and Arabic fluently and brings a strong cultural awareness to her work. This allows her to work effectively with families from diverse backgrounds, particularly where culture, identity, migration, or intergenerational expectations shape a young person’s experience. Trained in ADOS and ADI-R, she has particular expertise in neurodevelopmental conditions, including ADHD and autism. Whether working with young people, families, or wider systems such as schools, her approach is patient centered, collaborative, respectful, and non-judgemental, with care tailored to each individual’s values, context, and needs.

Dr Mahmoud Barakat – Independent Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist

Dr Mahmoud Barakat is a Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist with extensive experience supporting children, young people, and their families with a wide range of mental health and neurodevelopmental needs. He is fully registered with the General Medical Council and holds specialist qualifications in psychiatry, leadership, and sleep medicine.

Mahmoud has worked across community, inpatient, and crisis services within the NHS, and has a particular interest in ADHD, autism, mood and anxiety disorders, and the impact of sleep on young people’s wellbeing. He is also trained in the assessment and management of complex mental health presentations and is approved under the Mental Health Act as both a Section 12 and Approved Clinician.

Alongside his clinical work, Mahmoud is actively involved in teaching, training, and research, having presented nationally and internationally on topics including child mental health and sleep disorders. He is committed to providing thorough, compassionate, and evidence based assessments, with a focus on helping young people reach their potential.

Child and Adolescent Psychiatrists