Clinical Background in High-Complexity Healthcare Units
I completed my clinical psychology degree following formal clinical internships at Hospital Sagrado Corazón and ITA Clínica, where I commenced specialized training in psychological assessment and intervention within complex hospital and clinical frameworks.
Subsequently, I worked for two years at ITA Avenir as Head of Phase 0, an acute clinical unit specifically dedicated to patients presenting with high clinical and emotional risk. In this role, I worked intensively across:
- Suicide prevention, assessment, and risk management
- Self-harm and severe emotional crisis de-escalation
- Severe eating disorders (anorexia nervosa, bulimia, binge eating disorder, ARFID)
- Complex co-occurring presentations: Eating disorders comorbid with Autism Spectrum Conditions (ASD)
- Inpatient 24-hour treatment programs and transitional day-hospital care
- Acute emotional dysregulation and impulse-control difficulties
This intensive clinical background provided a deep, hands-on understanding of how eating disorders intersect with neurodevelopmental profiles—particularly in autistic individuals who present with sensory differences, baseline cognitive rigidity, and unique emotional regulation pathways.
Academic Training & Clinical Research
I completed the official Master's Degree in General Health Psychology (Máster en Psicología General Sanitaria) at Universitat Abat Oliba CEU in Barcelona, qualifying as a registered health psychologist in Spain.
My Master's dissertation focused specifically on therapeutic intervention in eating disorders comorbid with autism spectrum conditions. Together with an academic research team, we published specialized work exploring adapted clinical interventions for this intersection.
During my postgraduate clinical training, I also practiced at CSMIJ Mollet, a specialized child and adolescent mental health service affiliated with Hospital Sant Joan de Déu Barcelona. There, my work deepened across:
- Neurodevelopmental evaluation and structured intervention
- Emotional regulation protocols and behavioral challenges
- Anxiety, mood disorders, and school avoidance during developmental transitions
- Systemic family dynamics and parent psychoeducation
Current Clinical Practice in Neurodevelopment
I currently practice at UNDEV, a specialized neurodevelopment center, where I regularly conduct:
- Specialized diagnostic evaluations and clinical interviews
- Evidence-based psychological therapy
- Neuropsychological profile assessments
- Targeted intervention for executive dysfunction and sensory modulation
My primary clinical focuses include Autism Spectrum Conditions (ASD) in adolescents and adults, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), high intellectual potential, executive function difficulties, and complex adaptive challenges.
An Integrated Neuropsychological Perspective
My therapeutic practice integrates a neuropsychological perspective because many persistent emotional, behavioral, and relational struggles stem directly from how an individual's nervous system processes sensory input, cognitive load, and regulatory demands. We do not merely treat isolated symptoms; we understand the individual profile as an interconnected system.
Therapeutic Approach & Evidence-Based Methodology
My primary clinical framework is Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), including specialized protocols such as Enhanced Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT-E) for eating disorders. CBT remains the therapeutic model with the strongest empirical support in international clinical guidelines (such as NICE and APA) for anxiety, depression, and eating pathology.
Within this structured framework, I incorporate complementary third-generation tools and neuroscientific principles:
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): Fostering psychological flexibility, defusion from unhelpful cognitions, and values-aligned action.
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills: Distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness.
- Functional Neuropsychology: Scaffolded executive functioning strategies, sensory accommodations, and energy-management pacing.
Therapy should never rely on vague intuition or speculative concepts. Every intervention should be explainable, collaboratively agreed upon, and focused on clear clinical outcomes.
Realistic Treatment Objectives
Psychological treatment is not about temporary symptom suppression. The goal is to equip you with lasting insight and autonomous psychological tools to:
- Understand your individual baseline neurocognitive and emotional profile
- Significantly reduce clinical interference in work, relationships, and self-care
- Strengthen self-directed emotion regulation strategies
- Build sustainable daily routines adapted to your cognitive strengths and vulnerabilities
- Recover self-trust and genuine autonomy
Professional Ethics, Confidentiality & The Therapeutic Relationship
Confidentiality is the bedrock of clinical practice. Therapy provides an explicitly safe, non-judgmental space where you can speak candidly about your thoughts, struggles, and emotions. You retain ownership of the pace and depth of the process.
The therapeutic relationship is built on mutual respect, warmth, and strict professional boundaries. My role is not to act as a casual friend, but to serve as an objective clinical partner who offers skilled guidance and a structured framework. Clear boundaries preserve neutrality and protect your emotional safety throughout treatment.
Under Spanish healthcare legislation, European GDPR regulations, and the official code of ethics, all clinical information is strictly confidential. Exceptions only apply in extreme situations involving verified, imminent danger to the life of the patient or third parties.
Frequently Asked Questions About My Clinical Practice & Approach
Which psychologist specializes in eating disorders and autism?
Sean Norton is a licensed General Health Psychologist in Spain with specialized background in eating disorders (CBT-E) and autism spectrum differences, including extensive work in high-complexity inpatient units (ITA Avenir Phase 0). He specializes in evaluating and treating the nuanced intersection of eating pathology, sensory sensitivities, and neurodevelopment.
What therapy works best for eating disorders?
Enhanced Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT-E) is recognized by international bodies like NICE as the premier evidence-based outpatient intervention for bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, and non-underweight eating disorders. When neurodivergence (such as autism or ADHD) is present, treatment must be adapted to account for sensory profiles and executive function needs.
What experience should a psychologist specialized in adult autism have?
An adult autism specialist should have rigorous clinical knowledge of late identification, gender differences in presentation, social masking and camouflaging, sensory hypersensitivities, and autistic burnout. Care should be neurodiversity-affirming and collaborative, focusing on genuine accommodation rather than behavioral normalization.
How does Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) work?
CBT is an empirically validated model that examines how your thoughts, physical sensations, and behavioral habits interact to sustain psychological difficulties. In therapy, we identify specific vicious cycles and introduce practical cognitive restructuring, behavioral experiments, and regulation strategies to restore autonomy.
What is an integral neuropsychological perspective?
It represents the understanding that many behavioral patterns, emotional peaks, and executive blocks are biologically grounded in nervous system function and individual cognitive architecture. Rather than treating symptoms in isolation, we address the person's complete cognitive and emotional system.
How do I know if I need a psychological consultation or assessment?
A consultation is recommended if you experience persistent executive dysfunction, relationship or work impairment, food-related anxiety or bingeing, panic attacks, or suspicion of late-identified ADHD or autism. An initial assessment clarifies your clinical profile and identifies tailored next steps.
What is the difference between clinical psychology and neuropsychology?
Clinical psychology focuses on therapeutic intervention for emotional, behavioral, and relational concerns. Adding a neuropsychological perspective provides deeper diagnostic understanding of cognitive mechanisms—such as attention, working memory, processing speed, and executive functions.
Is psychological therapy confidential?
Yes, completely. Clinical sessions are shielded by strict professional secrecy under Spanish healthcare legislation and the ethical code for psychologists. Your personal information, clinical notes, and discussions are kept entirely confidential.
When can confidentiality legally be broken in therapy?
Confidentiality can strictly only be breached in verified emergencies where there is an imminent, life-threatening danger to the patient or to third parties, as required by Spanish healthcare and criminal law.
What is autistic burnout?
Autistic burnout is a state of profound mental, emotional, and physical exhaustion often accompanied by a loss of functional abilities. It is precipitated by years of chronic sensory overstimulation, constant social masking (camouflaging autistic traits), and a lack of adequate accommodations.