Dr Nigel Colbert

Dr Nigel Colbert is an expert witness and Consultant Clinical Paediatric Neuropsychologist, Director and Practitioner at Clinical, Educational & Neuropsychology Services (CENS) Ltd, where he has practised full time since 2011. He specialises in paediatric neuropsychology, particularly the assessment and rehabilitation of children and young people with acquired and developmental brain injuries, complex cognitive, emotional, behavioural and social difficulties, trauma-related presentations and neurodevelopmental disorders. He holds the Qualification in Clinical Neuropsychology (QiCN) awarded by the British Psychological Society and is listed on the Specialist Register of Clinical Neuropsychologists (SRCN), representing the recognised gold standard qualification in clinical neuropsychology in the UK.

Dr Colbert has worked as a clinical psychologist since 2002 and has extensive experience across NHS, charity and independent settings. His current clinical practice focuses on neuropsychological assessment, treatment planning and rehabilitation for children, adolescents and young adults with complex neurological, psychological and behavioural needs. Since 2011, he has worked within multidisciplinary community teams delivering neuropsychologically informed rehabilitation programmes alongside case managers, speech and language therapists, occupational therapists and physiotherapists. He has provided ongoing rehabilitation for many individuals from primary school through to young adulthood, supporting their changing cognitive, behavioural and emotional needs over many years. He is experienced in applying neuropsychological models, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, EMDR and applied behavioural analysis principles to support recovery and functional improvement following brain injury and psychological trauma.

He has held senior clinical roles in paediatric neuropsychology, psychology and behavioural support services, including work with young people with epilepsy, traumatic brain injury, neurological disorders, learning disability and challenging behaviour. He also contributes to professional teaching and has presented on acquired brain injury, rehabilitation and paediatric neurorehabilitation.

Dr Nigel Colbert has over 10 years’ experience undertaking medico legal work, with a practice focused on post-accident assessment and rehabilitation following acquired and developmental brain injury. He accepts instructions in clinical negligence and personal injury matters, acting for both claimants and defendants.

His medico legal work includes screening reports, breach of duty, causation, breach and causation, condition and prognosis, and personal injury assessments. He is most frequently instructed in cases involving children, adolescents and young adults with complex cognitive, emotional, behavioural and social difficulties following brain injury or psychological trauma.

Dr Colbert’s medico legal expertise is particularly relevant to cases involving paediatric neuropsychology, traumatic brain injury, developmental neurological disorders, rehabilitation needs, post-traumatic stress, anxiety, depression, phobia and stress-related presentations. He provides solicitor-focused opinion on the neuropsychological consequences of injury and the implications for treatment, rehabilitation and long-term functioning.

Dr Colbert’s clinical interests centre on the neuropsychological assessment and rehabilitation of children, adolescents and young adults whose development, learning, behaviour or emotional functioning has been affected by brain injury, neurological disorder or psychological trauma. His work commonly involves evaluating the cognitive, behavioural and emotional consequences of acquired and developmental brain injury, including difficulties with attention, memory, executive functioning, emotional regulation, social functioning and adjustment.

A significant part of his practice concerns the development of individualised rehabilitation and intervention plans for young people with complex presentations, particularly where neurological impairment is accompanied by challenging behaviour, anxiety, low mood, post-traumatic stress or wider family and educational difficulties. He applies neuropsychological formulation alongside behavioural and therapeutic approaches to help clarify the nature of a young person’s difficulties and identify practical strategies for support.

His specialist interests also include trauma-focused psychological intervention, including CBT and EMDR, and the use of applied behavioural principles in rehabilitation for children and young people with complex neurodevelopmental and acquired neurological needs.

Dr Colbert has contributed to professional education in clinical psychology and paediatric neurorehabilitation, including teaching on the Lancaster University Doctorate in Clinical Psychology and presenting at national and international conferences. His teaching and presentations have focused on acquired brain injury, rehabilitation, challenging behaviour and therapeutic approaches for children and young people with complex neuropsychological needs.