Meet The Team
Hi, I’m Ilan! I’m a Chartered Clinical Psychologist and Director of The Oak Tree Practice.
Can you tell me a bit about your background?
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I feel very privileged to be able to say I love what I do and always have, ever since I started working for ChildLine in 2007. Following this, I’ve had experience working with a wide variety of clients including children, young people, adults, older adults, military personnel, individuals with learning disabilities, neurodevelopmental disorders and neurological conditions. I have also furthered my studies through the completion of undergraduate, masters and doctoral degrees.
Dr Ilan Ben-Zion
Hi! I’m Amy. I’m a Chartered Clinical Psychologist.
I trained at the University of Hertfordshire and I work part time in the NHS.
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How did I become a Clinical Psychologist?
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I was very lucky to really enjoy going to university to study psychology. I quickly knew it was the area I wanted to work in and so began my journey in training to be one! I spent a lovely three years up in Lancaster, then I moved to Leicester to complete my masters degree.
Over the years I have worked with lots of different people, which includes children and young people, older adults and people with intellectual disabilities, neurodevelopmental and neurological conditions. I have worked with people when they are in hospital and also when they are in their own home. Other services and difficulties I have worked with include both child and adult eating disorders, OCD, psychosis, stroke rehabilitation and people who have offended who are staying in hospital (we call this forensic services).
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Dr Amy Lyons
Dr Elizabeth Malpass
Can you tell me a bit about your background?
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I started my career in psychology after completing training in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT). I then worked at the National Academy for Parenting Practitioners, where I developed a passion for working with parents and children together. I later completed doctoral training in Clinical Psychology. I have experience and enjoy working with both adults and children and young people. Over the course of the last eighteen months I have worked at The Tavistock and Portman Clinic, as well as well as within a parental mental health service providing psychological therapy for parents, families and children under five.
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Dr Stephanie Minchin
Hi, my name is Stephanie and I am a Clinical Psychologist and a Yoga Teacher.
I would like to tell you about my values and ways of working as a Psychologist, and how my training as a Yoga Teacher supports my therapeutic work.
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My values as a Clinical Psychologist
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My approach to therapy is humanistic and holistic, which means putting the individual at the core of understanding their experience whilst acknowledging the social and cultural context and multiple influencing factors in their life. I believe in using a strengths-focused approach, that does not blame the individual for the difficulties experienced and aims to re-write positive alternative stories. I seek to understand an individual's experience from an open and non-judging position, with empathy, sensitivity and kindness.
Dr Clare Watson
Hello! I’m Clare, I am a (Clinical Psychologist) and I work part-time with teenagers in London based charity.
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Can you tell me a bit about you?
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I studied clinical psychology at the University of Hertfordshire where I worked with children, young people and adults of all ages and from different backgrounds. After working in the NHS for many years before training I now work mostly with teenagers, findings creative ways to help them with their difficulties. During my work I have come to appreciate how important it is to understand a person within their culture, community and upbringing.
Dr Jos Twist
Can you tell me a bit about your background?
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I have worked in the field of mental health for over 15 years. I started working as an auxiliary nurse/support working during my university studies supporting people in a variety of settings, difficulties and ages. I then had Assistant Psychologist roles and worked as a Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner before graduating with a doctorate in Clinical Psychologist from Hertfordshire University. Whilst a large part of my role as a Clinical Psychologist involves supporting individuals and families I also teach, conduct research as well as writing and editing articles and publications on the topics of gender and sexuality.
Dr Bina Sharma
Can you tell me a bit about your background?
I have worked in mental health for over ten years and have worked with adults across the lifespan, children and families who have experienced a range of difficulties, in both community and inpatient settings.
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I completed my doctorate in clinical psychology at the University of Hertfordshire and currently work in a specialist NHS service for people with learning disabilities. I also have a special interest in working with people with psychosis and unusual experiences and much of my pre-training experience was in this area.
Dr Kirsty Collins
Hello, my name is Kirsty and I am a Clinical Psychologist at The Oak Tree Practice.
Can you tell me a bit about your background?
I am a registered member of the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), and the
British Psychological Society. Before joining The Oak Tree Practice, I have gathered
experience from working in a number of NHS teams over the past 5 years. I am currently
employed as a Specialist Clinical Psychologist within the NHS. I have developed both an
academic and skills based knowledge through my undergraduate degree, post graduate
Masters and Clinical Doctorate. I have experience of working with adults, children and
families, specialising in talking therapies for adults aged 18 and over. I offer therapy which
focuses on understanding issues which are affecting an individual now, but with space to
think about how this may also link with past difficulties. There is also space to think about a
person’s strengths and possibilities. I offer an integrated approach and tailor this to what is
agreed would be most important to an individual’s well-being.
Dr Hatice Yildiran
Can you tell me a little bit about your background?
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I have over ten years of experience working in the NHS having started as an assistant psychologist followed by completing my three-year doctoral training at Kings College London. I continue to work in the NHS and private practice. I have been fortunate to work and train in nationally acclaimed institutions including Maudsley and Bethlem Royal Hospitals, National Autism Unit and Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability. I have a special interest in working with adults with learning disabilities and autism; I believe that the adaptation of communication and interventions to suit individual’s needs is transferable to most client populations.
Dr Erin Vignali
Hi, I'm Erin and I am registered Counselling Psychologist. I currently live in the United Kingdom but I was born in New York and raised internationally. I lived in the Netherlands, Singapore, Japan, Philippines, Hong Kong, and India. In 2013, I came to this country to do my MSc in Child Development and eventually, I trained at the University of East London and received my doctoral degree in Counselling Psychology. I currently work in the NHS full time.
Dr Sarah Oliver
Hi! I’m Sarah. I’m a Clinical Psychologist.
How did I become a Clinical Psychologist?
I started my career working in the care industry, supporting adults with learning disabilities and young care leavers to develop the skills to live an independent and valued life. I found that the conversations I shared with these individuals provided me with a new insight and perspective and I found it rewarding to help empower other individuals. This experience attracted me to a career in Clinical Psychology.
Dr Kat Rumball
Hi, I’m Kat, I’m a Clinical Psychologist.
Can you tell me a bit about your experience?
I have over ten years of experience working in mental health. I began working in the NHS in 2010 and have supported people across the lifespan from young children to older adults with a range of difficulties. In my NHS work I am currently based in a Child and Adolescent Mental Health team which supports young people and their families with a variety of mental health needs. As well as therapeutic work I also provide supervision and training for Clinical Psychologists and other colleagues.
Dr Serene Hadj-Hammou
Hello :) I am Serene, I am a Clinical Psychologist and I work part-time for a North London based charity.
Can you tell me a bit about your background?
I became a psychologist because I believe that our stories and how we listen to each other are very important. For seven years I have worked with children, young people, families, and adults of different ages and backgrounds in different countries, including Canada and the UK. After working with the NHS for a number of years, I began my doctoral training at the University Of Hertfordshire to qualify as a Clinical Psychologist. I currently work with children, young people,families and groups at a specialist charity in North London.
Tell me more about Serene
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Dr Wendy O'Neill
Hi, I am Wendy and I am a Clinical Psychologist working in the NHS with young people and their families.
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Can you tell me a bit about your background?
I became interested in a career in psychology growing up in a rural area as I witnessed the impact of social isolation, poverty, and high rates of unemployment on psychological distress and well-being. With over ten years experience working in the mental health field, I have worked in a number of different contexts such as the community, inpatient, and private mental health settings. I have worked with young people, families, adults of all ages, different cultural backgrounds and abilities. I have completed an MSc in Forensic Clinical Psychology and more recently I completed my doctoral training at the University of Hertfordshire. I currently hold two positions within the NHS working with young people and their families and children and families who are in the care system.