Dr Hamilton McBrien is a Child and Adolescent Consultant Psychiatrist in London with over 20 years of experience working with young people and their families, providing essential adolescent mental health treatment.
Dr McBrien has his practice in private outpatients at Nightingale Hospital, Lisson Grove, where he sees young people facing a variety of emotional, behavioural, and mental health challenges. His extensive experience across NHS, inpatient, and outpatient services enables him to approach difficulties from a comprehensive perspective—considering not just the symptoms but also the young person, their family, and the broader context of their lives.
Professional Experience
Dr McBrien's consultant career in child psychiatric services has covered diverse areas of child and adolescent psychiatry. His initial consultant post was with Barnet, Enfield & Haringey Mental Health NHS Trust, where he served as lead clinician for the Haringey Adolescent Outreach Team, providing critical support to young people with severe mental health issues to help them remain at home and prevent hospital admissions.
He went on to work as a Consultant Psychiatrist and Medical Director in a Greater London medium-secure service for youths detained under the Mental Health Act, focusing on individuals with complex and high-risk presentations while collaborating with multidisciplinary teams.
Later, Dr McBrien became Medical Director and lead Child & Adolescent Consultant Psychiatrist at Priory Hospital North London, leading the adolescent inpatient unit and serving as Clinical Director for CAMHS across the Priory Group. He also held the position of Interim Medical Director for the Priory Group during his tenure.
As Medical Director and lead Child & Adolescent Consultant Psychiatrist at Priory Roehampton, he worked to enhance clinical quality and develop the service, maintaining standards recognized by the CQC. His efforts included establishing a private CAMHS inpatient service that remains operational.
While much of his earlier career was centered on intensive psychiatric care, Dr McBrien's current practice largely focuses on outpatient adolescent mental health treatment. His wealth of experience equips him to identify difficulties early, prioritize critical issues, assess for alternative explanations, and determine when specialist treatment is necessary.
Medical Education
Dr McBrien began his medical training at Queen’s University, Belfast, and completed his psychiatric postgraduate training in Dublin under the mentorship of Trinity College, Dublin. His higher specialist training in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry was part of the South London & Maudsley training scheme affiliated with Kings College, London.
Qualification s
FRCPsych MB BCh BAO
Specialisms
Dr McBrien specializes in treating children and adolescents up to the age of 18, with a focus on conditions such as:
- ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
- Depression and recurrent depression
- Anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety, social anxiety, separation anxiety, health anxiety, and specific phobias
- OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder)
- Panic attacks and Panic Disorder
- Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD)
- Trauma and PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder)
- Self-harm and emotional dysregulation
- Anger and behavioural difficulties
- Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)
- Sleep difficulties and insomnia
- Selective Mutism
- Tourette Syndrome and tic disorders
- Trichotillomania and related body-focused repetitive behaviours
- Somatic Symptom Disorder and medically unexplained symptoms
- Adjustment difficulties and stress
- Bereavement and challenges following loss
- Gender-related distress and Gender Dysphoria
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS/ME)
We accept private medical insurance as detailed under 'Frequently Answered Questions', but please contact us to confirm your coverage.
Seeing a psychiatrist can sometimes feel a little daunting, particularly if you are a young person who has never done it before. I aim to make appointments relaxed, straightforward and supportive.
I believe that young people should be listened to and involved in decisions about their care. An assessment is not an exam, and there are no 'right' or 'wrong' answers. There is certainly no need to arrive with a perfectly organised list of symptoms!
The first appointment usually involves talking about what has brought you to see me, how things are at the moment, and what life has been like more generally. Depending on the reason for coming to see me, this may include questions about mood, anxiety, attention and concentration, behaviour, sleep, relationships, school or college, and how difficulties have developed over time.
I will usually want to understand the young person’s perspective first. With their agreement and where appropriate, I will also talk with parents or carers to gain a fuller picture. This can be particularly helpful because young people can behave quite differently at home, at school and with friends.
The aim is to understand what is happening, why it may be happening, and what might help.
I understand that young people may want to talk about things that they would prefer not to discuss in front of their parents.
Where appropriate, I therefore offer young people some time to speak privately during an appointment. I will explain how confidentiality works at the beginning, so that everyone understands what can remain private and the limited circumstances in which information may need to be shared — principally where there is a significant concern about a young person's safety.
The approach is supportive rather than judgemental. Young people are encouraged to talk openly about whatever is troubling them, without worrying that they will be criticised or judged.
Over 25 years’ experience in Child & Adolescent Psychiatry.
Expert, personalised care tailored to each young person and family.
A calm, approachable and confidential service where you feel heard and understood.
