M Downs and Associates

M Downs and Associates High quality specialist psychological services including therapy, training, supervision and medico-legal reports.

Providers of medico legal reports and psychological services.

Today is World Bipolar Day, marked every year on 30th March, the birthday of Vincent Van Gogh, who was posthumously beli...
30/03/2026

Today is World Bipolar Day, marked every year on 30th March, the birthday of Vincent Van Gogh, who was posthumously believed to have lived with the condition.
Bipolar disorder is one of the most misunderstood conditions in mental health. It is often sensationalised in the media and poorly understood in professional and legal contexts, yet it affects an estimated 1 in 50 people in the UK.
What is it?
Mind Mental Health charity describes it as ‘a mental health problem that mainly affects your mood. If you have bipolar disorder, you’re likely to have times where you experience:
Manic or hypomanic episodes, which means feeling high Depressive episodes, which means feeling low Potentially some psychotic symptoms during manic or depressive episodes’
If you suspect you, or someone you care about, is living with this condition and would benefit from a diagnosis, you can reach out to your GP for support. Further information is available on the Mind website below;
Mind
https://Inkd.in/dpxWWkw
Any diagnosis, does not define a person’s ability to parent, work, or live well; context, support, and stability matter enormously.

Children, Social Media and Mental Health: the latest insights 💡 A new study from Imperial College London found that chil...
27/03/2026

Children, Social Media and Mental Health: the latest insights 💡

A new study from Imperial College London found that children aged 11–12 who spent more than 3 hours a day on social media were more likely to show symptoms of depression and anxiety by ages 13–15.

The association was especially strong for girls.

Interestingly, while much of the discussion and debate around social media use often centres around themes like bullying, harassment, unrealistic lifestyles, inappropriate adult content and body image….. the key factor identified by these researchers was the impact that screen use has on sleep.

The study suggests that later bedtimes and too little sleep help explain why higher use (compared to less than 30 minutes a day) is associated with poorer mental health outcomes over time.

That matters because it shifts the conversation from simple blame to something more useful:
how do we help children build healthier digital habits without oversimplifying a complex issue?

“The relationship we see is complex…but we see that children who use social media above a certain level when they are in Year 7 are more likely to develop mental health problems when they reach Years 9 and 10, and we believe this is largely due to sustained disruptions to sleep,” added Dr Chen Shen, School of Public Health at Imperial College London.

The challenge is not just reducing screen time, and managing what content children are being exposed to, but it also requires protecting the routines and behaviours that support children’s wellbeing in the first place.

Source; Open Access Government

Education Parenting

Clinical psychologists assist the courts by providing expert, objective evidence on mental health, capacity, and psychol...
25/03/2026

Clinical psychologists assist the courts by providing expert, objective evidence on mental health, capacity, and psychological risk to aid legal decision-making.

They conduct comprehensive assessments, usually involving interviews, testing, and reviewing documents such as medical records to provide comprehensive reports, and testify in criminal, family, immigration and civil cases regarding competency, trauma, risk and more.

They are independent witnesses and use their expertise to provide insights and recommendations, that assist judges and juries in their legal decision making.





expertwitnesspsychologists

Our team member Dr Sarah Harper shares her recommended books on attachment and relationships and how they influence a ch...
23/03/2026

Our team member Dr Sarah Harper shares her recommended books on attachment and relationships and how they influence a child’s development - Perfect for parents, carers or professionals looking to deepen their knowledge and understanding.

Starting therapy can bring up a lot of questions.What do I say?Will it feel awkward?What actually happens in a session?T...
21/03/2026

Starting therapy can bring up a lot of questions.

What do I say?
Will it feel awkward?
What actually happens in a session?

The truth is that the first few sessions of therapy are often about getting to know each other, building trust, and understanding what has brought you there.

You don’t need to arrive with the perfect words or a clear story. Many people start therapy saying things like “I’m not sure where to begin” and that’s completely okay.

Therapy is a space where you can go at your own pace, explore what matters to you, and begin to make sense of your experiences.

If you’re thinking about starting therapy, feeling unsure or nervous is a very common place to begin.

And taking that first step is often a meaningful one.

✨ Save this post if you’re considering therapy or share it with someone who might find it helpful.

mentalhealthmatters selfunderstanding psychologistlife

Neurodiversity Celebration Week reminds us that different minds make the world richer. 🌍When people share their neurodiv...
19/03/2026

Neurodiversity Celebration Week reminds us that different minds make the world richer. 🌍

When people share their neurodivergence, it helps break stigma, build understanding, and show that there is no one “right” way to think, learn, or experience the world.




The suspect in 1 in 5 cases of women killed by men? The victims own son. And yet it is a type of abuse that is rarely sp...
18/03/2026

The suspect in 1 in 5 cases of women killed by men? The victims own son. And yet it is a type of abuse that is rarely spoken about.

Dr Maria Downs, Consultant Clinical Psychologist and founder of M Downs and Associates discusses the psychology behind the stats in our latest blog post. Link above! 👆🏼





In today’s blog post we look at why so many adults with autism are receiving a late diagnosis and what that can mean…. T...
17/03/2026

In today’s blog post we look at why so many adults with autism are receiving a late diagnosis and what that can mean…. The link to our latest blog post is in our bio ⬆️

Therapy with children looks very different from therapy with adults. Adults usually come to therapy expecting to talk ab...
16/03/2026

Therapy with children looks very different from therapy with adults.

Adults usually come to therapy expecting to talk about their thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Children, however, often communicate through play, creativity, and behaviour. Depending on their age, this can involve sitting and talking, games, drawing, storytelling, or imaginative play.

Through these activities, children can safely express feelings they may not yet have the words for. Play becomes their language, and the therapist gently helps them explore emotions, build coping skills, and feel understood.

Child therapy also often involves working closely with parents or caregivers, because supporting a child means supporting the environment around them too.

Different approach, same goal: helping something to heal and grow.





Tomorrow is the start of Neurodiversity Celebration Week 🌈 At M Downs, celebrating Neurodiversity Celebration Week is im...
15/03/2026

Tomorrow is the start of Neurodiversity Celebration Week 🌈

At M Downs, celebrating Neurodiversity Celebration Week is important because we recognise that differences in how people think, learn, and experience the world are a natural and valuable part of being human. Neurodiversity brings unique perspectives, creativity, and strengths that enrich our communities and workplaces.

As an organisation, we are committed to promoting understanding, acceptance, and inclusion. Taking time to recognise Neurodiversity Celebration Week helps us raise awareness, challenge stigma, and create environments where neurodivergent individuals feel valued, respected, and supported.

It is also an opportunity for us to continue learning, listening to lived experiences, and ensuring that our work reflects a commitment to inclusivity and equality. By celebrating neurodiversity, we reaffirm our belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to thrive in a world that understands and embraces difference.

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Neurodiversity Celebration Week is a dedicated time to recognise and celebrate neurodivergent individuals and the value ...
15/03/2026

Neurodiversity Celebration Week is a dedicated time to recognise and celebrate neurodivergent individuals and the value of neurological differences. This includes people with autism, ADHD, dyslexia, Tourette’s syndrome, and many other ways of thinking, learning, and experiencing the world.

The week aims to increase awareness of neurodiversity, encourage understanding and acceptance, and challenge stereotypes and misconceptions. It provides an opportunity for schools, workplaces, and communities to come together, learn more about neurodiversity, and promote environments where everyone can thrive.

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As part of World Sleep Day we have shared our top 10 evidence based tips; click the link in the bio to read the latest b...
13/03/2026

As part of World Sleep Day we have shared our top 10 evidence based tips; click the link in the bio to read the latest blog ⬆️

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M Downs And Associates Ltd, Barracks House, Hillsborough Barracks, Langsett Road
Sheffield
S62LR

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+441143035053

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