Dr Freya Rumball

Freya is a clinical psychologist and researcher working in the NHS. She completed a PhD at the University of Exeter, specialising in understanding the mechanisms of PTSD development using Virtual Reality environments. During her PhD she became aware of a gap in research into the experience of trauma and development of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in autistic individuals, who are known to be at risk of developing other mental health conditions, and began researching this important area. This sparked a two-year postdoctoral position working with Prof Francesca Happé exploring the experience and interpretation of trauma and mechanisms of PTSD development in autistic individuals. Freya’s research career, collaborating with the Re:Spect Research group, continues to focus on this fascinating and sorely neglected area. She has published articles and chapters on the topic and is keen to discuss current knowledge in the field of trauma and PTSD in ASD with both academic and lay audiences.

Freya completed a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London. Her clinical work uses integrative psychological therapy techniques to treat adults with complex mental health needs, including autistic adults with comorbid mental health difficulties. She is trained in the diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and other neurodevelopmental conditions and is interested in differential diagnosis and co-occurring mental health conditions in autistic adults. She was recently awarded a Health Innovation Network (HIN) Innovation Grant, together with Dr Simon Riches, in order to implement and evaluate a new Virtual Reality relaxation and coping skills technology (VRelax) across acute psychiatric wards in Lewisham.

Recent Publications

Rumball, F., & Spain, D. (2019) Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. In Chaplin, E. (Eds.), A Clinician’s Guide to Mental Health Conditions in Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders Assessment and Interventions. London, Jessica Kingsley Publishers.

Brewin, C., Rumball, F., Happé, F. (2019). Neglected PTSD: The Patients Excluded by DSM-5 Criterion A. British Medical Journal. BMJ 2019;365:l2372. doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.l2372

Rumball, F. (2019). A Systematic Review of the Assessment and Treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 6, 3, 294-324.

Blainey, S. H., Rumball, F., Mercer, L., Evans, L. J., & Beck, A. (2017). An evaluation of the effectiveness of psychological therapy in reducing general psychological distress for adults with Autism Spectrum Conditions and comorbid mental health problems. Clinical psychology & psychotherapy, 24(6), O1474-O1484.

Spain, D., Rumball, F; O’Neill, L., Pui Han, J., Prunty, J., Happé, F. (2017) Conceptualising and treating social anxiety in Autism Spectrum Disorder: A focus group study with multi-disciplinary professionals. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 30, S1, 10-21.