Matthew Hotton

I have worked in the Spires Cleft Centre since qualifying from the Oxford Institute of Clinical Psychology Training in 2016. I work with people of all ages, helping them and their families to adjust to being born with a cleft lip and / or palate and to cope with any associated treatment. I use a variety of different therapeutic models, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Systemic Therapy. I am particularly interested in the psychological impact of having a visible difference and also work in the Oxford Facial Palsy Service.

I have a keen interest in research, and am currently involved in projects looking at:

• the psychosocial impact of being born with a cleft lip and / or palate
• the impact of being born with a cleft lip and / or palate on feeding behaviour in later childhood
• the effectiveness of psychological interventions for people born with a cleft lip/and or palate

I am also a member of the Cleft Psychology Clinical Excellence Network Research Sub-Group and collaborate with multidisciplinary colleagues from around the country as part of the Early Career Researchers Group.