Our Team

Meet our team

Dr Simone Farrelly, Clinical Psychologist

Dr Farrelly received her doctorate training at King’s College London Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience and has over 4 years of experience in a range of settings, including NHS’s IAPT service (Improved Access to Psychological Services), CAMHS service, and charitable sector.

Dr Farrelly specialises in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) but personalises the therapy to meet the needs and preferences of the client, drawing on the principles and techniques of a range of evidence-based therapies such as Compassion Focused Therapy, Interpersonal Therapy (IPT), and Schema Therapy. Dr Farrelly focuses on building a trusting and collaborative relationship with clients, highlighting areas of existing strength and helping clients gain an in-depth understanding of areas of difficulty and working on strategies to ensure their long-lasting wellbeing.

As well as working privately at Fernwood Clinic, Dr Farrelly holds a position as a Clinical Psychologist at NHS North East London Foundation Trust, offering assessment and psychological intervention for individuals in the early stages of psychosis and their families.

In addition to clinical practice, Dr Farrelly is an experienced academic researcher, with a PhD from King’s College London. She has over 25 published scientific articles on a range of emotional health topics. Simone is registered with the Health and Care Professions 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).

Tanya Lecchi, Clinical Psychologist

Tanya received her doctorate-level training in Italy and has 8 years of experience of providing psychological assessment and treatment to adults, families, children and young people in different care settings, including hospital environment and private practice.

Tanya has significant training and experience in Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT) with a focus on 3rd wave, Cognitive-Constructivist Psychotherapy, Systemic Family Therapy, Mindfulness-based Interventions and person-centred counselling. In addition, Tanya is a certified trainer of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT). She adopts a constructivist approach, helping clients explore their own way of being in the world, their meaning making and personal narratives, thus creating space for other possibilities.

As well as working privately at Fernwood Clinic, Tanya is a Senior Lecturer in Psychology and Counselling at the University of Northampton, where she leads the MSc in Counselling Children and Young People, and provides psychotherapeutic services to adoptive and foster families in Northampton as part of Broad Horizons organisation.

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

Dr Peggy Papada, Clinical Psychologist

Dr Papada received her doctorate training at Canterbury Christ Church University and has over a decade of experience in mental health services for adults, children and young people.

Dr Papada is skilled at providing assessments and therapy, using evidence-based interventions including psychodynamic therapy, systemic (family) therapy and integrative approaches. She uses Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy for trauma work and Mentalisation Based Therapy (MBT) for difficulties with emotional regulation. Peggy is passionate about collaborative, in-depth work with clients to achieve a lasting change.

As well as working privately at Fernwood Clinic, Peggy holds a position at Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust (secondary care), offering assessment and psychological intervention for adults and families with complex concerns. She is also a visiting lecturer at Canterbury Christ Church University.

Dr Papada is registered with the Health and Care Professional 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 College in 2006 and has 10 years post-qualification experience working in NHS and third-sector organisations. Alongside her private practice at Fernwood Clinic, Karen continues her public sector roles as an Applied Psychologist providing psychoeducation and support to clients facing emotional distress in the context of physical illness.

Karen’s clinical work is underpinned by an Existential orientation and supported by experience of additional evidence-based models including Interpersonal, Cognitive Behavioural and third wave mindfulness-based approaches. Affect Regulation and Systemic ideas also inform her practice. Through working collaboratively and attending to the therapeutic relationship, Karen aims to stand alongside each client to foster understanding of their individual experience and way of being in the world in order to help facilitate 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), Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) 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).

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).

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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