Dr Catherine Dakin will be working at Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (EPUT) to ensure autistic patients receive the best-suited mental health care.
She is the first autism specialist consultant psychiatrist in the county, supporting neurodivergent patients in the community and on inpatient wards.
Dr Dakin, who was diagnosed with autism and ADHD at the age of 47, shared her experiences on Autistic Pride Day on June 18.
Dr Catherine Dakin (Image: EPUT)
She said: “As an autistic person, who has specialised in autism, I am passionate about making sure that the care we provide at EPUT is best suited to the individual.
“My role involves helping clinicians view patient care through an autistic lens so that we work with patients to optimise their care and help them thrive.”
Dr Dakin’s own personal experiences have significantly shaped her career and driven her to advocate for neurodivergent patients within the healthcare system.
She added: “I’ve had to work harder than most to navigate the world in a way that works for me.
“As an autistic autism consultant, I am able to advocate for autistic people, ensuring that their voices are heard, their needs are met, and that they are able to engage with mental health services.”