Meet dr barendse

I'm Dr B — a PhD health psychologist, researcher, founder of Nutrigenomic Medicine and creator of the THRIVEChild programme. I'm on a mission to change the way we think about autism and neurodevelopment — and, more importantly, what we do to help our children. I didn't set out to build a global programme. It started with a simple, persistent question: what's going wrong, and how can we do better?

A BIT ABOUT ME

I've spent decades immersed in the science of 360 degree wellbeing, starting with adults facing mental health challenges, and now focusing on children through to young adults who are struggling with neurodevelopmental and mental health challenges - whether diagnosed or not.

My experience as a clinician, consultant, researcher and advisor in complex health systems provides me with a unique perspective.  I've held roles in global health and patient-reported outcomes, contributing to evidence dossiers submitted to regulators such as the FDA. I've lectured, reviewed and published scientific papers, served on advisory boards and helped raise the patient voice in research — always trying to ensure that quality of life, not just numbers on a chart, stays at the heart of real-world health decisions. 

I created the THRIVEChild Programme because I was deeply disappointed to see children's potential overlooked, and tired of parents being left to figure out how to help their children outgrow challenges, regressions and set backs. Children can heal, grow and thrive far beyond what the system tells us to expect, if we restore their brain chemistry and the foundations of development. But that requires a focused, bio-individual approach and parents who are equipped to help their own children. 

What began as a single centre has, over the years, grown into a global, virtual hub. Today, I guide families in their own homes, in many countries, wherever they are and whatever the time zone. The doors are wider than they've ever been.