Summit Team Member
Dr Dawn Bradley Profile
Dr. Dawn Bradley founded Summit Psychology Services in 2017 and is the Director of Applied Psychology and Wellbeing. With over 20 years’ experience as a practitioner psychologist (Child and Educational) and as a trauma therapist specialising in EMDR for children and adolescents, Dawn is dedicated to supporting vulnerable children, young people, families, carers, schools, and professionals through evidence-based, compassionate practice.
Her work focuses on children and young people who have experienced adversity, those who are looked after, or who have a social worker. Dawn’s expertise lies in providing therapeutic support, registered supervision, and systemic consultation where relationships and belonging are central to healing, growth, and learning.
Qualifications & Licensure
- B.Sc (Dual Hons.)
- QTS (Secondary)
- Doctor of Education (EdD)
- Chartered Psychologist (C.Psychol)
- Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society (AFBPsS)
- HCPC Registered Practitioner Psychologist
- British Psychological Society Register of Applied Psychology Practice Supervisors (RAPPS)
Professional Experience
- Secondary teacher: English, Drama, Child Development
- Teacher in the Prison Service for High-Risk Young Offenders
- Child and Educational Psychologist in Local Authority services
- Lead psychologist for raising awareness of child trafficking: West Midlands consortium
- Lead psychologist for supporting Mothers and their children seeking asylum: Stoke-on-Trent
- Specialist Child and Educational Psychologist (SEMH): Private Practice
- Founder and Director, Summit Psychology Services
Areas of Specialisation
- Specialist Child and Educational Psychology: Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH)
- EMDR trauma therapy: Children and Young People
- Childhood adversity (ACEs)
- Developmental and traumatic experience(s)
- Systemic and Organisational Change
- Relational care for looked-after children
- Polyvagal theory applied in practice
Therapeutic Approaches
- Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR): Children and Young People
- Trauma-Informed Care
- Attachment-Based Therapy
- Relational Care Approaches
- Polyvagal Theory in Practice
- PACE Approaches
Conferences and Speaking Engagements
Dr. Bradley is a speaker and has spoken at international, national, and regional levels. Most often she is requested to be a keynote and speaker at conferences on attachment, trauma, relational approaches, and why our vulnerable and care experienced youngsters need to experience relational care. Dr Bradley also collaborates with Geese Theatre on trauma-related projects, working regionally with virtual schools. Please see the training page for more information.
Accreditations & Memberships
- EMDR Therapist: Children and Adolescents
- Advisory Educational Psychologist for the National Attachment Research Community (ARC)
- Member of the National Emotional Literacy Support Assistant (ELSA) Steering Group
- Practitioner Trainer Emotion Coaching (UK)
- Research Partner to Manchester University: DEdChPsy Educational and Child Psychology
- Member of ACAMHS, BPS, SEBDA, ARC, EMDR UK
Personal Philosophy
Dr. Dawn Bradley is deeply committed to creating environments where empathy, compassion, and connection are at the forefront of daily lived experience. She believes that relationships are fundamental to personal and collective well-being, and that with the right relational care and support, all individuals can tap into their inner strengths and flourish.
Dr. Bradley embraces the idea that personal discovery often comes from stepping beyond one’s own personal comfort zone, living by her motto: “Feel the fear and do it anyway.” Her work reflects her steadfast belief in everyone’s potential for growth, and she is dedicated to nurturing that potential by building trust and meaningful connections with those she supports. Grounded in both evidence-based practice and deep compassion, Dawn also draws on creativity, sound, and connection to the natural world, reflecting her belief in holistic wellbeing as a foundation for growth. She is committed to creating safe, nurturing spaces where all people can grow, heal, and thrive.
Personal Interests
Dr Dawn brings the same energy and curiosity to her personal life as she does to her professional practice. She is passionate about the holistic wellbeing of people and finds inspiration in the natural and creative world. She loves gardening, with a particular interest in the healing power of plants and the therapeutic benefits of nature as medicine. Music and sound are another source of energy and transformation for her — whether that’s dancing, listening to live music, or reflecting on her time as a semi-professional DJ.
Theatre holds a special place for Dawn as a way of connecting deeply to lived experiences, exploring role holding and role reversal, and celebrating human stories. She is also a published poet and continues to use writing as a creative outlet. Curious and adventurous, Dawn enjoys travelling, exploring ancient sacred sites, and engaging with historical cultures. Above all, she treasures time spent with family and friends, always happiest when meeting new people and hearing their stories.
Testimonials
“Dr. Bradley’s expertise and dedication have had a huge impact on our school’s approach to trauma and emotional well-being. We can’t thank her enough for guiding us and supporting us to think and work relationally.”
- R.B., Headteacher, Staffordshire
“I want to say a huge thank you for helping my daughter. I wasn’t sure whether she would ever come to therapy, but you have made a massive difference. She’s going to college next year now. We never thought that was possible. Thank you for everything.”
- Parent of an EMDR Therapy client
“I was very impressed with how quickly you picked up on my carer’s needs, thoughts, and attachment style. I really appreciated how you were so kind and empathetic while trying to offer other perspectives.”
- J.R., Supervising Social Worker
“Dr Bradley was a brilliant speaker, highly knowledgeable, and with great theory and practice ideas. I could have listened all day.”
- Conference Delegate Feedback
Continuing Interests and Professional Development
- Development and Critical Analysis of Schools Trauma Informed and Attachment Aware Pathways
- Ongoing research and development in relationally embedded educational practices
- Ongoing research and development in complex childhood trauma and EMDR
- Collaborating research partner with Manchester University, on behalf of the national Emotional Literacy Support Assistant steering group
Contact Information
Office Address: Summit Psychology Services Ltd, 15a High Street, Newcastle-Under-Lyme, Staffordshire. ST5 1RB