Join us as we sit down with Helena Veses Ferrer to learn more about her innovative new perinatal program. 

Helena is a BABCP accredited cognitive behavioural psychotherapist with over a decade of experience in the NHS. Helena specialises in treating depression, anxiety disorders, PTSD, OCD, and phobias in individuals aged 16 and over. With a trauma-informed approach, she’s particularly passionate about supporting those who have experienced traumatic life events, as well as emotional challenges related to pregnancy and post-birth.

Helena utilises a blend of trauma-informed CBT, somatic therapy, breathwork, and third-wave therapies like Compassion Focused Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. 

You can connect with Helena here and find all the resources we talked about in this episode here: 

Talk Plus 

PANDAS

Tommy's

Fathers Reaching out: Why Dads Matter by Mark Williams 

Dr. Shah Alam is a British Bangladeshi clinical psychologist, BABCP-accredited CBT therapist, and a visiting lecturer from East London. Shah has previously worked in talking therapy services as a low-intensity practitioner and a high-intensity CBT therapist within diverse boroughs around London. Separate from his clinical work, Shah has created an initiative to support South Asian male aspiring trainees and qualified therapists or psychologists. He coordinates the Valued Voices Mentoring Scheme for UCL, which looks to support racially marginalised aspiring clinical psychologists.

This conversation explores the need for culturally sensitive training for therapists and tips for maintaining personal well-being.

You can connect with Shah here and here, and learn more about his work and research here and here. 

Elizabeth Gray, better known as Lizzie, has been a practicing psychological wellbeing practitioner (PWP) for over 10 years and has held supervision and leadership roles including senior PWP, PWP team lead, and service manager, as well as supporting the University of Surrey PWP training course. She is currently an elected trustee for the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies, co-chair of the National PWP Leads Network, and co-chair of the Psychological Professions Network South East Psychological Practitioner Community of Practice. Lizzie speaks regularly on the topics of practitioner wellbeing and development, and her clinical specialist interest is working with clients with long-term conditions using a social model of disability lens.

You can connect with Lizzie here and learn more about her work at the links below: 

https://babcp.com/

In this conversation, Zohra interviews Annabel Rajgor, the Long Term Conditions Clinical Lead for NHS Talking Therapies in Leicester, Leicestershire, and Rutland. They discuss the links between physical health and mental health, the importance of person-centered assessments, and the Living with Breathlessness course. Annabel also shares insights into long-term conditions training for PWPs and the engagement of physical health clinicians. They explore the screening of mental health in diabetes and provide resources for those interested in long-term conditions and clinical leadership.

Mabel Newman is Project and Administration Lead at Living Well Consortium. The team have just launched Grounded, a community focused cafe in Selly Oak and Hall Green, a community focussed wellbeing  hub, offering a comfortable, accessible and inclusive space for wellbeing activities and clinical therapies. Listen in to hear more about how NHS services can work closely in the community, and hear more about the challenges and rewards of a place based mental health strategy.

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