Our Team

Meet our team

Dr Melissa Clapp, Clinical Psychologist

Melissa has received her Clinical Psychology doctorate at Royal Holloway, University of London, and has experience working in a range of settings with children, young people, families and adults, including community-based NHS CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services) and an adult IAPT (Improving Access to Psychological Therapies) service at Oxleas NHS Trust.

Melissa works with children, young people (aged 7+) and their families, as well as adults. Her therapeutic approach incorporates evidence-based models including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Third-Wave Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) approaches (such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Mindfulness based approaches) and narrative / systemic approaches. Melissa believes in working collaboratively with clients, taking a compassionate and empowering stance in supporting clients to work towards their therapeutic goals.

As well as working privately at Fernwood Clinic, Melissa holds a post as a Clinical Psychologist at Croydon CAMHS, supporting young people and families with common emotional and neurodevelopmental concerns.

Melissa is registered with the Health and Care Professional Council (HCPC) and is a Chartered Member of the British Psychological Society (BPS).

Corinne Gurvitz, Counselling Psychologist

Corinne completed her doctorate-level training at Roehampton University in 2011 and has over 10 years of NHS and private sector experience in primary care services for adults and young people, including Counselling Psychologist roles working with Looked After Children, work in the IAPT service in Kent and Medway NHS Trust and in the Hillington Hospitals Trust Counselling team.

Corinne is accomplished at delivering evidence-based psychological support, utilizing Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, psychodynamic and person centred approaches. She believes that the therapeutic relationship between the client and therapist is key to the success of the therapy and emphasises a collaborative approach to therapy where both client and therapist are bringing something important.

As well as working privately at Fernwood Clinic, Corinne currently works as a Counselling Psychologist at Camden and Islington NHS Trust IAPT services.

Corinne is registered with the Health and Care Professional Council (HCPC) and is a Chartered Member of the British Psychological Society (BPS).

Shiri Gurvitz, Counselling Psychologist

Ms Gurvitz received her doctorate training at the University of Roehampton and has over 5 years of experience in a range of settings, including Counselling Psychologist roles at NHS Tower Hamlets IAPT (Improved Access to Psychological Therapy), Capital City Academy Psychology service for young people and community organisations.

Shiri is an integrative therapist, combining psychodynamic, existential and cognitive behavioural (CBT) models to provide therapy which is specific to the needs of the client. Shiri uses a relational approach, exploring dynamics in the therapeutic space to inform and personalise the therapy.

As well as working privately at Fernwood Clinic, Shiri also provides psychological services to the corporate sector.

Shiri is registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and is a Chartered Member of the British Psychological Society (BPS).

Dr Alison Mac Crosain, Clinical Psychologist

Alison has received her Clinical Psychology doctorate at the University of Surrey and has a variety of experience working at NHS CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services) and other specialist support services for young people, including Royal Marsden Paediatric Psychological Support Service and Roehampton Youth Support Team.

Alison works with children aged 4+ and their families. Her therapeutic approach incorporates evidence-based models including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT), compassion focused therapy and systemic family therapy. Alison focuses on building a collaborative relationship with young people and their families, working together to make sense of difficulties. The therapeutic work often involves eliciting strengths within the system to help overcome these difficulties, supporting the young person and their family to move forward.

As well as working privately at Fernwood Clinic, Alison currently works as a Clinical Psychologist at Wandsworth CAMHS, supporting young people with common emotional concerns and difficulties engaging with mainstream education.

Alison is registered with the Health and Care Professional Council (HCPC) and is a Chartered Member of the British Psychological Society (BPS).

Dr Gregorio Melendez, Clinical Psychologist

Gregorio has received his Clinical Psychology doctorate at Ohio University in the US and has over 15 years experience of supporting children and young people around the world in a variety of healthcare settings, including partnerships with NHS children’s services, specialist schools and charitable organisations in the US and Europe.

Greg works with children aged 4+ and their families. His therapeutic approach incorporates a wealth of evidence-based models including Systemic Family Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), trauma-based CBT, exposure therapy, Solution Focused Brief Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Reinforcement Based Treatment (RBT), Attachment, Regulation and Competency (ARC) approach and Motivational Interviewing. He believes that therapy works best when three core elements are achieved: a strong therapeutic relationship, proven techniques wielded by a skilled clinician, and a supportive home and community environment.

As well as working privately at Fernwood Clinic, Greg currently works as a Clinical Psychologist and Deputy Service Manager at Westminster Department of Children’s Services, co-managing an Intensive Support Team and providing direct therapeutic support to families and children.

Dr Melendez is registered with the Health and Care Professional Council (HCPC) and is a Chartered Member of the British Psychological Society (BPS). He is an author of over 20 publications and workshops on different aspects of mental health outcomes for children.

Karen Piper, Counselling Psychologist

Karen completed her doctorate-level training at Regents University in 2006. In the years since qualifying she has developed her clinical experience by working in both NHS and third-sector organisations. Alongside her private practice at Fernwood Clinic, Karen continues her public sector role as an Applied Psychologist providing a specialist service for clients experiencing persistent pain.

Karen’s orientation to clinical work is integrative; her approach is grounded in existential thinking and practice, and complemented by third wave therapies.

By taking time to explore narrative, and by paying attention to the therapeutic relationship, Karen aims to work together with each client to develop greater understanding of their unique experience of the world and their relationships within it. From this position of increased awareness, Karen can support clients to identify and move towards any desired change.

Karen is registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and is a Chartered Member of the British Psychological Society (BPS).

Emma Southgate, Counselling Psychologist

Emma completed her training at City University in 2002 and has over 15 years of post qualification experience as a practicing Counselling Psychologist in both the NHS and private sector. Her experience has been working with adults in primary care settings and outpatient clinics.

Emma is highly skilled at utilising evidence-based therapeutic approaches, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT). Emma believes that building a collaborative working relationship is key to therapeutic change.

As well as working privately at Fernwood Clinic, Emma currently works at South West London and St George’s Mental Health Trust. She is a qualified teacher in Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy.

Emma is registered with the Health and Care Professional Council (HCPC) and is a Chartered Member of the British Psychological Society (BPS) and the British Association of Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapists (BABCP). In addition, Emma has a Masters degree from the Institute of Psychiatry at King’s College London.

Aleks Srbinoski, Clinical Psychlogist

Aleks completed his Clinical Psychology training at the University of Wollongong in Australia in 2006 and has since worked as a practitioner in a variety of private and institutional settings in Sydney and across Australia, providing therapy for common emotional concerns.

Aleks employs a range of evidence-based methods in his practice, particularly Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), mindfulness based therapies, psychodynamic therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) and evidence-based hypnosis. In addition, Aleks has experience of neuropsychological assessments and cognitive testing.

As well as working privately at Fernwood Clinic, Aleks is continuing his work in the field of positive psychology as an author, technology entrepreneur, speaker and trainer. Aleks published 3 best-selling books on decision making, happiness and improving mental health. His expert psychological commentary is regularly featured in Australian media. To get a free copy of Aleks's best-selling book Maximising Mental Health, please email info@fernwoodclinic.co.uk with "free book" in the email subject.

Aleks is registered with the Health and Care Professional Council (HCPC) and is a Chartered Member of the British Psychological Society (BPS).

Julia Susewind, Clinical and Counselling Psychologist

Julia completed her doctorate-level training with focus on psychodynamic therapy in Germany and has since worked as a Deputy Head of Clinical Psychology at a leading rehabilitation hospital in North-West Germany, providing CBT-based assessment and treatment to individual clients with a variety of presentations, as well as psychological education to groups.

Julia has a flexible and integrative approach to her practice, combining psychodynamic therapy with Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and systemic therapeutic methods, as appropriate to her clients’ needs. She puts emphasis on a trusting and collaborative therapeutic relationship and works towards a shared understanding of her client’s problem. In her experience, this enables them to find their own solutions.

Having lived in the UK, Germany, France and India, Julia blends her wealth of experience and academic training with a heightened sensitivity to different cultural backgrounds, as well as possible issues arising from migration.

Julia is registered with the Health and Care Professional Council (HCPC) and is a Chartered Member of the British Psychological Society (BPS).

Dr Jo Weekes, Clinical Psychologist

Dr Jo Weekes completed her doctorate training at Canterbury Christ Church University College (Salomons) and has over ten years experience as a Clinical Psychologist working with adults with a range of psychological health needs.

Dr Weekes uses evidence-based treatments such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and solution-focussed therapy (SFT) and is skilled in tailoring her interventions to address the specific needs of the client. She also has training in CBT for couples. She enjoys working collaboratively to mobilise clients’ strengths and resources to achieve meaningful change in their lives.

Dr Weekes combines her private practice at Fernwood Clinic with an NHS principal role within a mental health trust, where she specialises in working with psychological distress in the context of physical health conditions.

Dr Weekes is registered with the Health and Care Professional Council (HCPC) and is a Chartered Member of the British Psychological Society (BPS).

Elizabeth Francis-Edwards, Administrator (part time)

Lizzie is responsible for the clinic administration, scheduling appointments and looking after other aspects of the client experience. She received her Masters in Psychology from Kingston University in 2017 and a BA degree in Philosophy from Leeds University in 2011.

Alongside her Fernwood Clinic role, Lizzie also holds two positions relating to mental health, including a role of Healthcare Assistant for South West London and St George’s NHS Trust, and a Support Worker for adults with brain injuries and neurodevelopmental disorders. Lizzie is also a Befriender for Mind mental health charity, and a Relationship Advisor for The Mix, an advice website for young people. She is interested in pursuing a Clinical Psychology doctorate in the long term.

Hannah Spencer, Administrator

Hannah is responsible for the day-to-day clinic administration, scheduling appointments and looking after other aspects of the client experience. She will be pursuing her Masters in Psychology from September 2019.

Alongside working at Fernwood Clinic, Hannah is a trained Crisis Counsellor for Crisis Text Line UK, as well as a Recovery Volunteer for Mind in Camden's Wellbeing & Recovery Service. In addition, she is also a Befriender for vulnerable adults in Westminster. She aims to become a Psychologist in the long-term.

Dr Maria Loades, Clinical Consultant

Dr Loades is an external advisor to Fernwood Clinic. She provides key input into clinical decision making. Currently Dr Loades is a Clinical Tutor for the Doctorate in Clinical Psychology programme at the University of Bath and a practicing Senior Clinical Psychologist at the Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases in Bath.

Dr Loades qualified as a Clinical Psychologist from the University of East Anglia in 2008. Since qualification Dr Loades worked as a Clinical Psychologist in a variety of mental health settings, including adult mental health and community services. She is an accredited Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist with the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapists (BABCP). In addition, she holds a postgraduate certificate in the supervision of applied psychological practice from the university of Oxford and a Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy from UCL.

Dr Loades is registered with the Health and Care Professionals Council (HCPC) and is a Chartered Member of the British Psychological Society (BPS).

Anastasia Hood, Founder

Anastasia is the founder of Fernwood Clinic. She received her degree in Psychology from Cambridge University in 2004, and has worked in financial services and renewable energy investments for over 10 years. Anastasia is responsible for the day to day management of the clinic, including therapist recruitment and all aspects of client experience.

Since 2013, Anastasia has been researching the different models of providing independent psychological services in the community. After over two years of preparation, Fernwood Clinic was launched in January 2016, to offer high quality, affordable psychological care within an easily accessible, dedicated high street setting.

As a former City worker and a local mother, Anastasia understands the pressures of modern life and the importance of having easy access to qualified help. She is passionate about building an expert service which helps clients achieve long-term emotional well-being in a way that is meaningful to them.

Meet our team

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