Dr Bradley Hillier

I am Dr Bradley Hillier, an experienced and respected Consultant Psychiatrist based in London and the medical director of HumanMind Health.

I have been practicing medicine and psychiatry for over 20 years, during which I have developed extensive expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders and mental health problems. I have worked both in the UK and internationally, in the NHS, various charitable and international organisations, and privately.

I have a broad network of trusted mental and physical healthcare providers, whom I have fostered constructive and nimble working relationships based upon my direct experience of working with them and being able to vouch for the standard of their care, values and qualification.

I completed my medical degrees (BMBCh MA(Oxon)) in 2004 at the world renowned Trinity College, University of Oxford, and subsequently trained in psychiatry at a number of prestigious institutions including the Maudsley Hospital, Bethlem Royal Hospital, Imperial College London, Chelsea and Westminster Hospitals, University College London Hospital, The Whittington Hospital, and Broadmoor High Secure Psychiatric Hospital, amongst others.

My areas of special interest

• Mood disorders (such as Depression, Recurrent Depressive Disorder, and Bipolar Affective Disorder)
• Anxiety Disorders (such as Generalised Anxiety Disorder and Panic Disorder)
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
• Neurodevelopmental disorders (such as Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder – ADHD; and Autism Spectrum Condition/ Disorder – ASC/ASD/Aspergers Syndrome);
• Psychosis (such as Psychotic Episode, Drug-induced Psychosis, Psychotic Depression, Mania with Psychosis, Acute and Transient Psychotic Disorder, Schizoaffective Disorder, and Schizophrenia)
• Trauma conditions (such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and Adjustment Disorder)
• Dissociative Disorders (such as depersonalisation and derealisation disorder – DPDR)
• Personality problems (such as Borderline and Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder)
• Substance use and addictive behaviours (such as problems with the use of Alcohol, Cocaine and other stimulants, Chemsex, Gambling, Sexual Behaviour etc)
• Specialist experience in minority stress, and the mental health of members of the LGBTQI+ community

I understand how the decision to see a psychiatrist can be very difficult and can occur after a period of significant distress and concern, both for the individual seeking help, and for those close to them. I know that it often comes at the most challenging time in someone’s life and that they may need to talk about some of the most sensitive matters. I have had my own experience of how mental health problems can impact on people’s lives, both personally and in those close to me, and this strongly informs my practice.

I strive to create a safe, compassionate, confidential partnership with my clients, that is free from judgement and focused on recovery.

My Approach

I approach the diagnosis and treatment of mental health conditions by undertaking an initial thorough and sensitive psychiatric assessment, including a detailed background personal & medical history and characterisation of the main concerns and symptoms. 

I recognise the importance of physical health and the interaction with mental health, as well as remaining mindful of the role of individual circumstances in reaching a shared understanding, or formulation, of the problem. I also follow a curious and inquisitive approach in partnership with a person to consider whether there may be multiple explanations for a particular symptom, without solely or rapidly concluding that a mental health problem is the only explanation. I use established externally validated self-report and observational psychometric tools to screen and support diagnosis as well as to characterise need and monitor treatment responses. 

We will discuss any diagnosis and explore how it manifests, the practical implications of this, identify needs and strengths, and then agree a treatment plan. This will consider a variety of approaches including pharmacological, psychological and lifestyle interventions to help with the key issues, and what the requirements are for follow-up. 

I have an emphasis on being informed by evidence-based treatment, and place significant value on the role of psychological and psychotherapeutic approaches to recovery. This means that I  will use literature and up-to-date evidence from clinical studies and respected international standards to formulate a treatment plan. This is not restricted to medical only since I may recommend engaging in psychotherapy, for example, as part of your multi-disciplinary care plan.

I am very happy to provide an initial 15 minute discussion on the telephone free of charge for those who are considering booking an appointment with me and may have questions or concerns that they would like to explore before committing to a more comprehensive assessment and / or treatment.

Further roles and training

As well as my clinical practice I hold (or have held) a number of national and international roles, including:

• Expert Advisor to the United Nations in Mental Health
• Expert Advisor to the Committee for the Prevention of Torture at the Council of Europe
• Vice-Chair of the London Division of the Royal College of Psychiatrists
• Executive Committee Member in Equity and Equality of the Forensic Faculty of the Royal College of Psychiatrists
• Executive Member, Private and Independent Practice Special Interest Group of the Royal College of Psychiatrists 
• Executive Board Member Private and Independent Practice Special Interest Group (PIPSIG) , Royal College of Psychiatrists
• Member-at-large of the Forensic Section at the World Psychiatric Association
• Visiting Consultant Psychiatrist to the States of Jersey, Channel Island
• Honorary Consultant Psychiatrist, West London NHS Trust
• Executive Committee Member of the International Association of Forensic Psychotherapy
• Panel Member for Section 12 Approval in London

I am a Member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists (MRCPsych), and was made a Fellow (FRCPsych) in 2020 in recognition of my exceptional contribution to the field of Psychiatry. I nonetheless remain critical of the organisation where I consider that there is dissonance between ours values and it's behaviours.

I hold a Masters Degree in Public Health (MScPH) awarded by the internationally renowned London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, and am a Member of the Faculty of Forensic and Legal Medicine (MFFLM) at the Royal College of Physicians of London. 

I am registered with the General Medical Council, the Medical Register of the States of Jersey, and the Medical Register of the States of Guernsey in the Channel Islands, and I am insured to practice from all of these separate jurisdictions globally, except for in the USA.

I am an 'Executive Board Member At Large' of the forensic section of the World Psychiatric Association. 

I am recognised internationally as an expert within the justice system. I am frequently instructed to prepare Expert Psychiatric Reports by the Courts, Prosecution and Defence, litigants in criminal, civil, family, appeal, judicial review and employment proceedings, as well as extradition and deportation cases.

I have been instructed and called to give expert evidence in high profile cases as reported in the national and international media and which have had direct impact on case law (a list is available upon request), and frequently attend Crown Courts around the UK, including the Old Bailey, as well as the Royal Court of Jersey in the Channel Islands.

I compliment my clinical work through active involvement in the Royal College of Psychiatrists, the UK'S professional and training body for psychiatry, and I hold a number of senior executive committee roles across a number of areas, contributing to policy scrutiny and development, education and training, and equity and diversity matters. 

I have a strong interest in addiction (both in terms of substances and behaviours) and the importance of understanding addiction in the broader context of an individual's life, using a trauma-informed approach and with familiarity with the main recovery models. I have positive connections with a number of rehabilitation services around the world. I also provide governance and advisory roles for organisations delivering substance use services.

I have a strong interest in the holistic health and wellbeing of sexual minority groups and the disproportionate burden of negative mental and physical health problems and addiction, as well as the increased micro- and macro-traumas that contribute to this. I take a minority stress and trauma-informed approach to working with sexual minorities, and am a recognised expert in the field of Chemsex, in which I have published and provided care and expertise.