Our Team

Meet our team

Dr Melissa Clapp, Clinical Psychologist

Melissa has received her Clinical Psychology doctorate at the 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).

Dr Freya Corfield, Clinical Psychologist

Dr Corfield received her doctorate training at the Royal Holloway, University of London, and has over 5 years of experience in a range of settings, including Clinical Psychologist roles at Royal Hospital for Neurodisability, community and charity settings, supporting clients with both common mental health difficulties and more complex neuropsychological presentations.

Freya is an integrative therapist, combining evidence-based interventions including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), systemic and neuropsychological approaches to provide therapy which is specific to the needs of the client. Freya empowers clients to draw on their strengths so that progress is maintained once therapy has been completed.

As well as working at Fernwood Clinic, Freya holds a Clinical Psychologist role at the Roodlane Medical Primary Care.

Freya is registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and is a Chartered Member of the British Psychological Society (BPS). She also holds a PhD in Psychological Medicine from King’s College London and is an author of over 10 published academic papers on a range of psychology topics.

Dr Louise Hood, Counselling Psychologist

Dr Hood received her doctorate training at the University of East London and has a range of experience providing tailored interventions in NHS and community settings to adult clients with common emotional concerns.

Louise works flexibly, incorporating cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), Psychodynamic approaches, Compassion Focussed Therapy (CFT) and Mindfulness into her treatment plans. Louise places emphasis on working collaboratively with clients, understanding that successful therapy occurs within a safe relational space.

As well as working privately at Fernwood Clinic, Louise also works as a Counselling Psychologist at NELFT NHS Foundation Trust, supporting clients with complex needs and presentations.

Louise is registered with the Health and Care Professions 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 and young people aged 4-25 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.

Bettina Pataki, Counselling Psychologist
Bettina received her Counselling Psychology qualification over 5 years ago and has a range of postdoctoral training, including “CBT for Complex Presentations” from the University of Oxford. Bettina’s extensive experience includes roles in CAMHS and Neurodevelopmental assessment teams within South West London and St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust.
Bettina works with children aged 12+ and adults. She employs a varied range of evidence-based talking therapies, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and mindfulness-based approaches. She considers herself a person-centered therapist, who believes in working together with her client as a team, in order to create a safe space where they feel supported and empowered.

As well as working privately at Fernwood Clinic, Bettina holds a Clinical Lead role at Croydon CAMHS, supporting children and their families in school
settings. Bettina is registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and is a Chartered Member of the British Psychological Society (BPS).

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, in particular within services that support the complex interplay of physical and mental health conditions.

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, their relationships within it, and existing ways of being that may be causing concern. From this position of increased awareness, clients are supported 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.

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 Natalie O’Hana, Counselling Psychologist

Natalie has received her Counselling Psychology doctorate at the London Metropolitan University and has experience providing both primary and secondary psychological services within a variety of NHS settings, including GP practices, complex care teams and CAMHS.

Natalie works with children aged 12+ and adults. She employs Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) in her clinical work, supplemented with interventions taken from systemic therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), mindfulness and psychodynamic therapy. Natalie believes that psychological approaches should be adjusted to meet individuals’ idiosyncratic needs, to empower people to achieve their therapeutic goal.

As well as working privately at Fernwood Clinic, Natalie holds a Senior Counselling Psychologist at Haringey Community Mental Health Team, where she provides staff supervision and specialist assessments and treatments. Natalie is registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as a Counselling Psychologist.

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).

Mischa Vernon-Wyatt, Practice Administrator

Mischa is the Practice Administrator at Fernwood Clinic. In 2018 she received a 1st class degree in Psychology at Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon. Since then she has held several roles in healthcare, most recently as a Friendship Line Counsellor on a national support and crisis line for a non-profit based in San Francisco. Mischa is passionate about helping others and is working toward applying for her doctorate in Clinical Psychology.

Mischa is the first point of contact for clients entering into the clinic. She helps clients through their journey at Fernwood Clinic by setting up appointments, communicating with insurance companies, and answering any questions clients may have about their therapy. Mischa also helps to manage each psychologist’s schedule, and serves as a liaison between client and psychologist.

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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