Our Team
Clive Fisher - Chair FAB
Clive Fisher is a Scientist & Engineer, BSc (hons), Fellow of the Institution of Engineering and Technology, Chartered Engineer; Principal Scientist Government Service, Technical & Engineering Director Marconi (retired).
The founding trustees and supporters started FAB 15 years ago supporting clinical psychology to improve family life/wellbeing/community engagement/education/job prospects/life chances to help children and young people with sight loss and visual impairment in the UK reach their full potential.
Dr Ian McCubbin - Principal Clinical Psychologist
Dr Ian McCubbin is a Principal Clinical Psychologist and Chartered member of the British Psychological Society. His first degree (Psychology; MA (hons)) was attained from the University of Glasgow in 2003 and he completed his Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (DClinPSych) at the University of Oxford in 2011.
For the past 11 years he has been funded by the charity Fight Against Blindness (FAB) to provide psychological assessment and support to children with a visual impairment who are under the care of the Eye Hospital in Oxford.
Dr Richa Aspland - Lead Clinical Psychologist
Dr Richa Aspland is FAB's Lead Psychologist, chair of Peer Reviews and Cross Site Reviews for the FAB Psychology Team. Also, Lead Psychologist within the FAB funded Ophthalmology clinical psychology service at Cambridge. I am a Chartered Clinical Psychologist registered with the British Psychological Society and the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC). I have a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, an MSc in Psychology of Education, a Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy with children and adolescents and certifications in Family Therapy. I have worked within Paediatric, Child and Adolescent mental health and Neurodevelopmental teams and have also contributed to teaching at clinical psychology doctoral courses and supervised and consulted to mental health, social care and school systems.
I really enjoy working with young people and their families and listening to their unique personal stories, biopsychosocial journey and perspectives and helping to enhance their psychological wellbeing and resilience.
Dr Emily Goodman - Clinical Psychologist
Dr Emily Goodman (she/her) is a Clinical Psychologist at University Hospital Bristol and Weston. Her first degree (Psychology & Psychological Practice, MSci) was attained from the University of Birmingham in 2018 and she then completed her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (DClinPsych) at Lancaster University in 2022.
Throughout her career and training Emily has been interested in working with children and young people experiencing additional physical and emotional needs. Emily joined the Eye Hospital in Bristol in 2022, funded by the charity Fight Against Blindness (FAB), providing psychological assessment and support to children with visual impairments and their families.
Dr Lisa Brosh – Clinical Psychologist
I am a Senior Clinical Psychologist registered with the British Psychological Society and the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC). I received my Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (DClin Psy) from the University of Hertfordshire in 2011 and have over 15 years experience of working within the NHS. I have worked across a range of both mental health and physical health settings for both children/ young people and adults. In addition to providing teaching and consultation to social care, education and health professional colleagues.
I am funded by FAB to provide a clinical psychology service within Ophthalmology at Great Ormond Street London.
Dr Melanie Osafo – Clinical Psychologist
Melanie is a Clinical Psychologist who joined the Child Psychology Team in Southampton General Hospital in 2023. Melanie completed her first degree in Psychology (BSc hons) at the University of Sussex, then completed an MSc in Mental Health Studies at Kings College London and completed her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (DClinPsych) at the University of Southampton.
Melanie is passionate about supporting children’s and families and is funded by FAB to provide psychological support to children and families who are under the care of the Children’s Eye Services (Ophthalmology) in Southampton General Hospital.
Ms Eleanor Darkin - FAB's Young Person Representative
Eleanor lives and works in London. She joined FAB in 2022 to provide input and advice to the chair and psychology team on lived experience of sight loss in the home and family environment. Her father has Retinitis Pigmentosa.
Dr Scarlett Davis – Clinical Psychologist
Hello, I'm Scarlett. I work at Leeds Children's Hospital as part of the Paediatric Psychology Department. I am a clinical psychologist registered under the HCPC. I am the lead psychologist for ophthalmology. Myself and my team have recently had the privilege of being funded to provide psychological support for children and young people experiencing visual impairment and their families. We work alongside our Paediatric Ophthalmology colleagues to assess the needs of each child and family and then either provide psychological support or signpost onto relevant services. Myself and my team take a flexible and person-centred approach to work creatively with children, young people and their families.
Max Verlander – Assistant Psychologist
Max Verlander is an Assistant Psychologist at University Hospitals Bristol and Weston. He earned his BSc in Sport & Exercise Psychology from Loughborough University in 2021, followed by an MSc in Applied Clinical Psychology from the University of Bath in 2022.
Since graduating from the University of Bath, Max has gained experience in trauma-informed educational care and worked as an Assistant Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner in an NHS Talking Therapies service. In 2024, he joined Bristol Eye Hospital, where he supports Dr Emily Goodman in delivering psychological assessments and support to children with visual impairments and their families. His role is funded by the Fight Against Blindness (FAB). Max aspires to complete the Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (DClinPsy) and become a fully qualified Clinical Psychologist
Samawa Zayat - Trainee Clinical Psychologist
Hello, my name is Sam!
I am a third-year trainee clinical psychologist currently in my final year of training on the Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at the University of Bath. It has been a pleasure to be part of the FAB team in Bristol since October 2024 as part of my 6-month elective placement. During my time here, I have worked with children, young people, and their families, supporting them to manage and understand difficult emotions and psychological challenges related to living with visual impairment.
My approach includes therapies such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), where we explore the connections between thoughts, feelings, and behaviours, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), which helps individuals identify their core values and find ways to lead a fulfilling life in line with their values whilst navigating visual impairment. I also support clients in learning emotional regulation skills to better cope with challenging emotions.
I look forward to completing my training as a clinical psychologist at the end of this year (2025).
You can also see our Patrons here: Our Patrons