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Clinical Training Staff

Andrew Balfour

Chief Executive Officer, Psychoanalytic Programme Lead and Head of Trainings
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Meet Andrew Balfour

Andrew Balfour
Chief Executive Officer, Psychoanalytic Programme Lead and Head of Trainings

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Biography

Dr Andrew Balfour is Chief Executive of Tavistock Relationships, where he has worked since 2001. He originally trained as a clinical psychologist at University College London and then as an adult psychoanalytic psychotherapist at the Tavistock & Portman NHS Trust, whilst in a staff post there. After qualifying, he worked in the Trust, developing training for people working with older adults. He is also currently Head of Training at Tavistock Relationships, where he set up and runs the Advanced Standing Psychoanalytic and Psychodynamic trainings (accredited by the BPC). He was the Clinical Director at TR for more than 10 years. He also holds a PhD from the Psychoanalysis Unit at UCL. He has undertaken research in several areas, including a study of couple psychotherapy outcomes, and dementia care, developing a relationship intervention for people living with dementia. This work received the British Psychoanalytic Council award for Innovative Excellence in 2019. He has published many journal articles and book chapters and has co-edited two books: How Couple Relationships Shape our World (Routledge, 2012) and Engaging Couples - New Directions in Therapeutic Work with Families (Routledge, 2019). His latest book is Life and Death: Our Relationship with Ageing, Dementia and Other Fates of Time (Routledge 2025).

Judith Jamieson

Joint Head of Clinical Services, supervisor, clinical lecturer and psychodynamic and psychosexual couple psychotherapist
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Meet Judith Jamieson

Judith Jamieson
Joint Head of Clinical Services, supervisor, clinical lecturer and psychodynamic and psychosexual couple psychotherapist

Biography

Judith is a psychodynamic and psychosexual couple psychotherapist. She is a member of BACP and COSRT. After qualifying and working with individuals, couples and families as a therapist outside the UK for a number of years, Judith joined Tavistock Relationships in 2010 to undertake further training in couple therapy and psychosexual therapy and has worked as a psychosexual therapist in the NHS.

Lorna Robinson

Supervisor, clinical lecturer and couple psychoanalytic psychotherapist
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Meet Lorna Robinson

Lorna Robinson
Supervisor, clinical lecturer and couple psychoanalytic psychotherapist

Training

Supervisor, Theory Seminar Leader and Academic Tutor, Psychodynamic and Psychoanalytic trainings

Biography

Lorna Robinson is a couple psychoanalytic psychotherapist and an individual psychodynamic psychotherapist. She trained at TR and has been on the faculty staff since 2018. Formerly the Head of CPDs and conferences, she is now Head of the couple psychoanalytic training, and Head of the Foundation programme, for which she runs the selection process. She works in the clinical service as a therapist and supervisor, and as a supervisor, tutor and seminar leader on the psychodynamic training and a tutor on the psychoanalytic training. She is one of the editors-in-chief of the journal Couple and Family Psychoanalysis, and its book reviews editor.

Golshad Ghiaci

Supervisor and Co-therapist, Psychoanalytic Training
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Meet Golshad Ghiaci

Golshad Ghiaci
Supervisor and Co-therapist, Psychoanalytic Training

Biography

Golshad Ghiaci is a Visiting Clinician and Clinical Lecturer at Tavistock Relationships where she is a supervisor and co-therapist on the Couple Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy Training. She is a Couple and Individual Psychoanalytic Psychotherapist and is a Senior Member of the British Psychotherapy Foundation. She is registered with the British Psychoanalytic Council and has a private practice of couple and individual psychotherapy and supervision in East Finchley, North London.

Krisztina Glausius

Supervisor on Psychodynamic and PsychoanalyticTraining
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Meet Krisztina Glausius

Krisztina Glausius
Supervisor on Psychodynamic and PsychoanalyticTraining

Biography

Krisztina Glausius is a couple psychoanalytic psychotherapist and a former Head of Clinical Services, who currently works as a visiting supervisor and lecturer at Tavistock Relationships. Krisztina has developed several innovative approaches ranging from brief time limited couple therapy through to services providing therapeutic support to adopting parents or conflicted separating couples. She has co-authored papers resulting from these and other projects. She has published guides to support parents who separate as well as for professionals who are looking for ways to understand and work with couples.

Rohina Ilyas

Clinical Lecturer and Visiting Clinician
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Meet Rohina Ilyas

Rohina Ilyas
Clinical Lecturer and Visiting Clinician

Training

Co Module Leader, Psychoanalytic Thought, Psychodynamic Programme, Seminar Leader on Foundation Certificate Course and Pre-Clinical Course

Biography

Rohina is a couple and individual psychodynamic counsellor and psychotherapist and faculty member at Tavistock Relationships. In addition to the psychodynamic training, Rohina also teaches the Pre Clinical Course. She is an experienced organisational consultant providing consultation to organisations, reflective practice and training to teams and also role consultation and coaching to individuals. Rohina has worked within the business, public and third sectors. Her consultancy practice is informed by a psychodynamic model. Rohina has a MA in Psychoanalytic Approaches to Consultation from the Tavistock and Portman.

Sara Leon

Academic Tutor on Psychodynamic Training, Co-therapist and Seminar Leader of Infant Observation Module, Psychoanalaytic Training
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Meet Sara Leon

Sara Leon
Academic Tutor on Psychodynamic Training, Co-therapist and Seminar Leader of Infant Observation Module, Psychoanalaytic Training

Biography

Sara is a psychoanalytic child and couple psychotherapist and she is also a qualified psychoanalytic parent infant psychotherapist. She worked for many years in the NHS as a child and adolescent psychotherapist, and as a training supervisor. She has much experience as a young child and infant observation seminar leader. She now works at the Tavistock Relationships as a visiting couple psychotherapist in the general service and in the parenting service.

Mary Morgan

Supervisor, Psychoanalytic Training
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Meet Mary Morgan

Mary Morgan
Supervisor, Psychoanalytic Training

Biography

Mary Morgan is a Psychoanalyst, Consultant Couple Psychoanalytic Psychotherapist, Fellow of the British Psychoanalytical Society and Honorary Member of the Polish Society for Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy. She is a consultant to the IPA Committee in Couple and Family Psychoanalysis. Until recently Mary was the Reader in Couple Psychoanalysis and Head of the MA in Couple Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy at Tavistock Relationships. She has written extensively in the field of couple psychoanalysis and teaches and supervises internationally. Her book: ‘A Couple State of Mind: Psychoanalysis of Couples – the Tavistock Relationships Model’ was published recently by Routledge and has been translated into Polish, Russian, Italian and Chinese.

Viveka Nyberg

Supervisor and Clinical Seminar Leader, Psychoanalytic Training
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Meet Viveka Nyberg

Viveka Nyberg
Supervisor and Clinical Seminar Leader, Psychoanalytic Training

Biography

Viveka Nyberg is a Couple Psychoanalytic Psychotherapist. She is a lecturer and visiting clinician at Tavistock Relationships and Tavistock Clinic in London. Graduate Member of the Tavistock Institute of Medical Psychology. She trained with the British Association of Psychotherapists, (now British Psychotherapy Foundation). Writings include Couple Attachments: Theoretical and Clinical Studies, Karnac, (2007), with Molly Ludlam and Developing a Mentalization-Based Treatment (MBT) for Therapeutic Intervention With Couples (MBT-CT) with Leezah Hertzmann in Couple and Family Psychoanalysis, 2(4) 2014.

Patsy Ryz

Supervisor, Psychodynamic Training
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Meet Patsy Ryz

Patsy Ryz
Supervisor, Psychodynamic Training

Biography

Patsy Ryz is a Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist and a Psychoanalytic Couple Psychotherapist. She has worked for a number of years in a wide variety of NHS settings and also in the Voluntary Sector where she headed up a Child and Family Consultation Service. Patsy is a Visiting Clinician at Tavistock Relationships where she undertakes assessments and supervision. She has previously been involved in long-term work with couples and in the Parenting Together and Parents in Dispute Services. Patsy also works in Private Practice in North London where in addition to seeing parents and couples, she offers consultation to schools and supervision to other professionals.

Sarah Vicary

Academic Tutor and Clinical Seminar Leader, Psychodynamic Training
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Meet Sarah Vicary

Sarah Vicary
Academic Tutor and Clinical Seminar Leader, Psychodynamic Training

Biography

Sarah Vicary is a psychodynamic couple and individual relationship and psychosexual therapist. Over many years at Tavistock Relationships, she has worked in a number of the clinical services including mentalization‐based couple therapy, divorce and separation and the Adopting Together project.

Andrew Davidson

Head Programme Lead for MSc in Psychosexual Therapy
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Meet Andrew Davidson

Andrew Davidson
Head Programme Lead for MSc in Psychosexual Therapy

Training

Joint Lead for the Psychosexual Diploma

Biography

Andrew is a psychosexual and relationship psychotherapist and has worked with couples for over 20 years. He is registered with the College of Sexual and Relationship Therapists (COSRT) and the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). Andrew is jointly responsible for the Diploma in Psychosexual Therapy and teaches on the Psychosexual Certificate in Psychosexual Studies. Andrew originally completed his clinical training at Relate. He also worked for Relate National for several years, where he managed and coordinated the clinical training. In 2013, he completed an MA in Relationship Therapy at the Relate Institute. He then furthered his skill set by completing an MSc in Psychosexual and Relationship Therapy in 2018 at Tavistock Relationships. He also worked at an NHS Psychosexual Service in Bedford and has continued his clinical work as a visiting clinician at TR. Andrew has also worked in the corporate world designing psychological and educational training programmes for various blue chips organisations. Some of these companies include British Airways, Heathrow Airport, Zurich Insurance, Network Rail, BT, and BP, to name but a few. Andrew has been in private practice since moving to a small town near Milton Keynes in 2013. He has a particular interest in the effects of male low sexual desire on couple relationships.

Albertina Fisher

Certificate in Psychosexual Studies Course Leader
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Meet Albertina Fisher

Albertina Fisher
Certificate in Psychosexual Studies Course Leader

Biography

Albertina Fisher (Psychodynamic and Psychosexual Couples Therapist, COSRT, MBACP) is a couple and individual psychodynamic and psychosexual therapist, trainer and supervisor. She leads Tavistock Relationship’s Psychosexual Studies Certificate, and also teaches on the Psychosexual Diploma. Following a career in business, she retrained at Tavistock Relationships, completing their diploma in Couple and Individual Psychodynamic Psychotherapy before training as a Psychosexual Therapist. She has a special interest in sexual desire in individuals and couples across the lifespan, among other sexual and relationship issues. Albertina believes that it is important that all therapists, not just sex therapists, can feel confident and comfortable talking about sexual issues with their clients.

Soulmaz Bashirinia:

Psychodynamic Couple and Individual Therapist and Clinical Training Lead
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Meet Soulmaz Bashirinia:

Soulmaz Bashirinia:
Psychodynamic Couple and Individual Therapist and Clinical Training Lead

Biography

Are you tired of repeating old patterns? Do you find that relationships are hard work? Are you sick of feeling stuck and unhappy? Does change feel frightening? Whether you are taking this step alone or together with your partner, Soulmaz is here to help. She is Tavistock’s trilingual therapist, working in English, Farsi (Persian) and Swedish. She provides space for you to mention your concerns, and to think together about your situation, being that third person who helps to untangle things. In therapy you will consider your background(s), including family and relationship histories, and work together to make the changes you need. Some areas where Soulmaz has worked include loneliness, anxiety, PTSD and nightmares, low mood, stress, sex and desire, open relations and dealing with feelings of jealousy. She helps couples to rediscover each other and navigate the challenges of everyday life. Whatever the situation, Soulmaz will create an environment of trust and safety informed by her own experiences of feeling out of place. Registrations and qualifications: Postgraduate Diploma and a Masters in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy from Tavistock Relationships; Diploma in systemic therapy (intermediate level); Bachelor of science in social work. Studying psychoanalytic psychotherapy at Tavistock and Portman (NHS); Registered member of the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (MBACP).

Elle Sidel

Psychodynamic Programme Lead, Head of Alumni, supervisor and clinical lecturer
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Meet Elle Sidel

Elle Sidel
Psychodynamic Programme Lead, Head of Alumni, supervisor and clinical lecturer

Training

Supervisor, Couple Theory Seminar Leader, Tutor

Biography

Elle Sidel is a couple psychoanalytic psychotherapist, couple and individual psychodynamic therapist, and faculty staff member at Tavistock Relationships. She has responsibility for programming the Couple and Individual Psychodynamic Counselling and Psychotherapy (MA/PG Dip) training. Formerly the chair of Tavistock Relationships Association of Psychotherapists and Counsellors (TRAPC) and editor of its online membership publication, The Newsletter, Elle will continue to support the Association in her new role as Head of Alumni. She holds a PhD from Cornell University and has previously worked as an academic at UK universities. In addition to her work as a Senior Therapist in TR’s clinical services, Elle is an experienced training supervisor and has been teaching on WPF Therapy psychotherapy courses.

Ellen Burridge

Joint Psychodynamic Programmes Leader and introductory programmes clinical lecturer
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Meet Ellen Burridge

Ellen Burridge
Joint Psychodynamic Programmes Leader and introductory programmes clinical lecturer

Biography

Ellen Burridge is a couple psychoanalytic psychotherapist and an individual psychodynamic counselling psychotherapist. She trained at Tavistock Relationships and works there as a visiting clinician and tutor to current students. She runs a private practice in South Oxfordshire and also consults for a charity which offers therapy to couples facing the impact of rare genetic (and often life-limiting) conditions within the family. Formerly in the aviation industry, her interest in psychology arose from the observation of teams in high pressure situations. She has a continuing interest in the balance between the rational mind and the more complex emotional being, particularly in couple relationships and by extension, within families themselves.

Sonia Dalal

Individual and Couple Psychodynamic Psychotherapist, Clinical Lead for Intake and Allocations and Head of Introduction and Foundation Courses
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Meet Sonia Dalal

Sonia Dalal
Individual and Couple Psychodynamic Psychotherapist, Clinical Lead for Intake and Allocations and Head of Introduction and Foundation Courses

Training

Seminar Leader on Foundation Certificate Course

Biography

Sonia Dalal is an Individual and Couple Psychodynamic Counsellor and Psychotherapist. She completed her training in Individual and Couple Psychodynamic Psychotherapy at Tavistock Relationships and has also undertaken specialist training in Divorce and Separation. Sonia is a Clinical Lead for Intake and Allocations within Clinical Services at Tavistock Relationships. She runs  assessment supervision groups, and has previously led the low-fee service and clinical placements within the organisation. She has a particular interest in intersectionality and has developed and delivered CPD sessions on thinking about racial dynamics in couple work, an area of particular interest to her.

Shannon Ashton

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Meet Shannon Ashton

Shannon Ashton

Biography

Shannon Ashton is an Individual and Couple Psychodynamic Counsellor and Psychotherapist. She trained here at Tavistock Relationships where she now works as a visiting clinician, assessor, and co-trainer on the Introductory Course. With a background in international commercial aviation, her curiosity in behavioural psychology and emotional functioning developed from the observation and analysis of operational teams involved in safety critical situations. She has a particular interest in understanding the influence our emotional experiences have upon the quality of our closest relationships, and the impact this can have on both our mental health and overall wellbeing.

Sophie Bellamacina

Psychodynamic Psychotherapist and Clinical Training Lead
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Meet Sophie Bellamacina

Sophie Bellamacina
Psychodynamic Psychotherapist and Clinical Training Lead

Biography

Sophie is a psychodynamic psychotherapist who works with empathy and sensitivity, helping couple and individual clients to foster a deeper understanding of themselves and their relationships. Having worked with clients from many different backgrounds and with a wide variety of challenges, Sophie believes that therapy is a is a collaborative process where she and her clients make sense of things together. Rather than simply offering advice or reassurance, Sophie carefully listens and helps her clients to think about themselves and their relationships differently. Sophie completed her postgraduate training at Tavistock Relationships (TR). In addition to working in TR’s clinical service as a visiting clinician, Sophie works in private practice in Camden, London, as well as online. Sophie holds a registration with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP) and is a member of Tavistock Relationships Association of Psychotherapists and Counsellors. In addition to her professional qualifications, Sophie holds a bachelor and a master's degree in Political Science. She has previously worked in the City and is familiar with the challenges that can come up in corporate settings. Sophie is fluent in German, Spanish and Portuguese.

Mala Rudki

Deputy Head of MSc in Psychosexual Therapy
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Meet Mala Rudki

Mala Rudki
Deputy Head of MSc in Psychosexual Therapy

Biography

Mala Rudki (Psychodynamic and Psychosexual Couples Therapist, Registered COSRT, MBACP) is a couple and individual psychodynamic and psychosexual therapist and faculty staff member at Tavistock Relationships. She has responsibility for programming the centre’s Psychosexual Diploma alongside running her private practice. Having previously worked in the Arts, she retrained at Tavistock Relationships, completing their diploma in Couple and Individual Psychodynamic Psychotherapy before training as a Psychosexual Therapist. She has a particular interest in diverse cultural experiences and upbringings, as well as their impact on intimate relationships.

Jennifer Green

Visiting Clinician, Tutor & Assessor 
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Meet Jennifer Green

Jennifer Green
Visiting Clinician, Tutor & Assessor 

Biography

Jen Green is a Couple and Individual Psychodynamic Psychotherapist. She is a visiting clinician, tutor and assessor at Tavistock Relationships. Jen offers a containing, warm, and supportive setting for couples and individuals of all sexual and gender orientations, cultural backgrounds, and relationship types to reach deeper understanding and build a more authentic and satisfying future. Jen’s experience working with young people including through charities Childline and The NSPCC has reinforced her passion for delivering better outcomes for children and families. Jen holds a Bachelor of Laws degree and enjoyed an earlier career as a solicitor in a large international firm in London. She went on to specialise in conflict and dispute resolution as an accredited civil and commercial mediator (ADRGg). Jen is a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy MBACP (Accred 978606) and a member of the Tavistock Relationships Association for Psychotherapists and Counsellors (TRAPC).

Bethsheba McGill

Clinical and Training Lead, Seminar Leader and Psychodynamic Psychotherapist
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Meet Bethsheba McGill

Bethsheba McGill
Clinical and Training Lead, Seminar Leader and Psychodynamic Psychotherapist

Biography

Bethsheba McGill is a couple and individual psychodynamic counsellor and psychotherapist. She is also a seminar leader on the Foundation Certificate and a tutor on the Psychodynamic training. Bethsheba has many years of experience working in Higher Education, including supporting students with mental health and autism spectrum conditions. In her clinical work, Bethsheba creates a space where the previously uninvited and disavowed parts of the self can find a voice, which can foster a greater feeling of wholeness, both within the self and in relationships with others. Working collaboratively with her clients, Bethsheba helps couples think about their inner worlds, how these impact on one another, and on the relationship they create together. In addition to her work in TR's clinical service, Bethsheba also sees couples and individuals in her private practice in Oxford. Training: MA in Couple and Individual Psychodynamic Counselling and Psychotherapy from Tavistock Relationships and the University of East London, and BSc (Hons) Psychology. Membership: British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and the Tavistock Relationships Association for Psychotherapists and Counsellors (TRAPC). Bethsheba is an Honorary Fellow at Birkbeck College, University of London. 

Cass Vollmer

Joint Introductory Course Leader and Visiting Clinician
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Meet Cass Vollmer

Cass Vollmer
Joint Introductory Course Leader and Visiting Clinician

Biography

Cass Vollmer is a psychodynamic couple and individual psychotherapist, and a psychosexual therapist. Having spent her earlier career years in the business and education sectors, she retrained with Tavistock Relationships from 2016 to specialise in working with relationships. This was followed by a psychosexual therapy training, and Cass is now a tutor for the current training cohort. She has worked as a visiting clinician at TR and has a private practice based in East Grinstead and online.

Catherine Rashid

Joint Introductory Course Leader and Visiting Clinician
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Meet Catherine Rashid

Catherine Rashid
Joint Introductory Course Leader and Visiting Clinician

Biography

Catherine Rashid is a psychodynamic couple and individual psychotherapist, and she trained at Tavistock Relationships. She is a visiting clinician at TR, and has a private practice online and in-person in Warwickshire. Prior to retaining as a psychotherapist, Catherine had a decade-long career as a diplomat in the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, including leadership roles in conflict-affected settings in the Middle East. She now provides teaching for the FCDO and private sector organisations on relationship resilience. She is also a mindfulness teacher and endurance runner, and co-leads trail running and mindfulness retreats in North Yorkshire.

Jennifer Taylor

Psychodynamic Psychotherapist for Couples and Individuals
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Meet Jennifer Taylor

Jennifer Taylor
Psychodynamic Psychotherapist for Couples and Individuals

Biography

Jennifer completed her postgraduate training at Tavistock Relationships and now practices as a visiting clinician and as Joint Seminar Lead for the Foundation Course. After beginning her career in theatre and the Arts, Jennifer brings warmth and curiosity to her work with couples and individuals who wish to understand more about how they relate to others and seek to find ways to build and sustain healthier and more fulfilling relationships. Jennifer is a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and Tavistock Relationships Association of Psychotherapists and Counsellors (TRAPC).