Dr Ruth Akani

Consultant Psychiatrist, MRCPsych | CCT (General Adult Psychiatry with Liaison Psychiatry Endorsement) | Specialist in Adult Neurodevelopmental Assessment

Dr Akani is a Consultant Psychiatrist with extensive experience across general adult, liaison, community and acute psychiatric services. She currently works in general adult and liaison psychiatry and regularly supports people with neurodevelopmental conditions and coexisting mental health difficulties.

Dr Akani has detailed experience in assessing and managing neurodevelopmental conditions, including ADHD and autism. She recognises that these conditions can present differently in each person and may remain unrecognised for many years. Some people develop ways of masking or managing their difficulties, while others may have received explanations that did not fully reflect their experiences.

Her background in general adult and liaison psychiatry allows her to consider the whole person. During an assessment, she explores each individual’s development, mental and physical health, relationships, education, employment and everyday functioning. She also considers other factors that may contribute to their difficulties or occur alongside a neurodevelopmental condition.

Dr Akani understands that seeking an assessment can feel daunting, particularly for people who have previously felt dismissed, misunderstood or uncertain about their experiences. Her approach is warm, respectful and collaborative. She takes time to listen to each person’s story, understand what matters to them and create a space where they can speak openly without feeling judged.

She aims to provide thorough, evidence-based assessments and explain the findings in clear and accessible language. Her recommendations are practical and tailored to the individual, helping each person understand themselves more clearly and make informed decisions about their care, support and next steps.