Dr Catherine Dakin (she/her) is a late-diagnosed AuDHD psychiatrist working in the East of England. She is the All Ages Specialist Neurodivergence Advisor (trust-wide) at Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (EPUT), providing clinical advice, education, training and governance support across the Trust, as well as Deputy Psychiatry Lead for Autistic Doctors International, and associate with AT-Autism. A former research academic and lecturer at St George’s, University of London, Catherine has extensive experience in autism and ADHD assessment, clinical practice, service development and quality improvement, and is particularly interested in how healthcare systems can become more accessible, compassionate and responsive to neurodivergent people.

Catherine combines her clinical and academic experience with her own lived and living experience of neurodivergence. She is passionate about bringing these perspectives together to challenge assumptions, improve understanding and ensure that neurodivergent people remain visible as individuals rather than being reduced to diagnoses or behaviours. Her work focuses particularly on the relationship between people and the systems around them, and on the role of curiosity, empathy and genuine partnership in creating meaningful change.