Dr Isaac Akande

Dr Isaac Akande is a Principal Clinical Psychologist in the Southwark Assertive Outreach and Rehabilitation Teams (AORT) at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust. For over a decade, Isaac has worked across the psychosis spectrum, from early detection (OASIS) and early intervention services to community mental health and complex care teams supporting adults with schizophrenia spectrum diagnoses.

He has a strong interest in trauma-informed care, the Power Threat Meaning Framework, Open Dialogue, team formulation, workforce development and systems theory. His previous work as a community psychologist and project lead focused on reducing inequalities in access, outcomes, and experiences for racially minoritised communities within secondary care psychological services in an East London borough.

In addition to being a clinical psychologist, Isaac is an accredited CBT therapist and also practises EMDR therapy, Open Dialogue, narrative therapy, and family interventions. Within the Southwark directorate, he has played a key role in introducing and delivering innovative African-centred psychological approaches, including Emotional Emancipation Circles and Sawubona groups (developed by Malcolm Phillips from Kawaida Therapy) for Black men with a schizophrenia spectrum diagnosis.

Isaac has contributed to various publications and is a co-author of a chapter in the most recent British Psychological Society guidelines for family interventions for psychosis. His work reflects a deep commitment to equity, culturally informed practice, and the empowerment of marginalised voices in mental health care.