About Us
Sally R Munt
BA (Hons First Class) MA MSc DPhil PGDip FRSA
(Chair and Clinical Director, Brighton Exiled/Refugee Trauma Service [BERTS])
Sally Munt is an experienced cognitive behavioural psychotherapist accredited with the BABCP. She has an MSc in Cognitive Psychotherapy (CBT) from the University of Brighton, which included 4 years of training (2006-10). In addition Sally has a Postgraduate Diploma in Psychiatry (Merit) from the Brighton and Sussex Medical School (2012-14). Sally has a wide range of clinical expertise and has been working with clients first at the University of Brighton Student Counselling Service, and then in private practice since 2006.
In addition, Sally is a leading academic in the study of identity, culture and emotion. In her capacity as Professor of Cultural Studies, she has published widely on understanding how cultural factors can shape our wellbeing. She has particular expertise in shame and identity, gender/sexuality, race/ethnicity, social class, and spirituality. Her latest book (with Sharon Smith and Andrew Kam-Tuck Yip) Cosmopolitan Dharma (Brill, 2016) is concerned with examining how Buddhism is being embraced by minority groups in the UK, in order to support their emotional wellbeing and sense of community.
Colin Blowers
M.A., R.M.N., Dip Behav.Psych. (Maudsley)
(BERTS Trustee and Cognitive Behavioural Therapist)
Colin is a fully accredited member of the BABCP. His career in the NHS began in 1972 and following several years working as a nurse he qualified as a Cognitive Behaviour Therapist in 1981. He then gained a Masters Degree in Developmental Psychology at The University of Sussex. Since leaving the NHS in 1988 he has worked on a freelance basis in the private sector at The Priory Hospital, Roehampton (1988 to 2018). Colin joined the Board of the BABCP in 2016 and is the co-chair of their Scientific Committee.
He now has an office in Brighton and works online, treating people throughout the world. He has presented workshops in The United Kingdom, Czech Republic, Estonia, and Guyana. He has also appeared on several television and radio shows.
Lizzy West
(BERTS Trustee)
Lizzy is originally from London and moved down to Brighton with her son in 2006. She has worked in the NHS Primary Care for over 9 years in various supporting roles. Since 2019 Lizzy has been a NHS Social Prescriber in Brighton and Hove. She says: "It is meaningful work and involves working directly with people to understand their needs. There have been a lot of challenges for so many over the last few years, more so than ever before. I have always been interested and driven to find ways to support and develop communities and individuals. Together we are stronger and every person has something unique they can express and share with others. It is not easy to always feel this if you are struggling, but hopefully with the right setting, support or some creativity it becomes more possible to do so."
Lizzy has qualifications in Aromatherapy and Reflexology and an interest in many complementary therapies as a way of supporting peoples recovery from trauma and mental health management. She adds: "It is important for me to actively engage in community outreach initiatives, collaborating with local organizations and stakeholders to develop programs that enhance community cohesion and social support networks. By fostering partnerships and advocating for the needs of marginalized populations, I would like to contribute to creating an inclusive and thriving community for all."
Alison Lesley
MA in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy and Social Studies 1999, Advanced Diploma in Counselling and Health Care 1994, Certificate in Therapy with Couples 1990
(Psychotherapist: BERTS)
Alison has worked as a psychotherapist for the NHS and in private practice for more than thirty years. Her aim is to help people - individuals, couples and families - live more comfortably with themselves and others, providing a safe place for a person to tell their story and feel listened and responded to. Alison also offers some practical steps to facilitate this process to bring about change.
Steve Morris
Postgraduate Certificate in Family and Organisational Systems 2017, Doctorate in Clinical Psychology 2000, BSc (Hons) Psychology 1993
(Therapist: BERTS)
Steve is a clinical psychologist qualified for over twenty years and has worked in the National Health Service, working a lot of that time in London with children and families. He now works part-time at Brighton Therapy Centre with some adults, children and families for brief or longer-term work. The therapies he provides are flexible and overlap and are broadly behavioural, cognitive-behavioural, systemic therapy, brief solution-focussed therapy and narrative therapy.
Shona Cooke
BA( Hons) International Relations. MSc Politics of Rights from Institute of Education. Postgraduate Certificate in Planning and Delivering Training and Post Graduate Diploma in Psychological Therapies.
(Therapist: BERTS)
Shona trained as a CBT therapist in 2018 and worked as a Mental Health Social Worker in London for 16 years prior to this, developing an interest in therapy after studying for a Post graduate Certificate in Working with People with a Personality Disorder. Shona currently works as a Mental Health Practitioner and CBT Therapist on a part time basis within the NHS and practices privately on a part time basis.
Victoria Lidbetter
(Therapist: BERTS)
Vicki is an experienced psychotherapist, accredited by the BABCP, BACP and EMDR Association. She also continues to maintain her NMC registration having worked in mental health for more than twenty years. She works in the NHS, private practice and voluntary sectors providing psychotherapy and clinical supervision.
Her interests include Compassion Focused Therapy, Mindfulness, and classic formulation driven CBT. Her main passion in recent years is EMDR and its effectiveness in alleviating the consequences of trauma. She is passionate about supporting clients to find their own unique journey in to freedom from distress, and facilitating therapists to maximize their effectiveness so that both clinicians and clients can flourish.
Paulette Villiers
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Post Graduate Diploma (BABCP) 2017. RMN.
(Therapist: BERTS)
Paulette is an experienced psychotherapist who completed a Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Post Graduate Diploma (BABCP accredited) from the University of Cumbria in 2017. She works collaboratively with people in a culturally sensitive way to address the psychological difficulties they are experiencing.
As a psychotherapist she has provided individual and group therapy for people experiencing a range of mental health conditions, such as depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar, psychosis, trauma and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Therapy sessions have been delivered using different psychological approaches, such as cognitive behavioural therapy, compassionate focused therapy and Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR).
Paulette previously worked in the National Health Service for over 30 years as a Registered Mental Health Nurse, working in Community Mental Health Teams. She moved to Brighton in December 2023 after working in Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Trust for many years.
She says "It has been my privilege to provide psychological and social therapy for people struggling with issues impacting on their mental health to enable them to live their lives."
Giulia Giansiracusa
BSc MSc
(Clinical Psychologist: BERTS)
Giulia holds a Bachelor Degree in Behavioural Sciences and a Masters Degree in Cognitive Applied Psychology. During a work experience in Italy as a support worker and Italian teacher with refugees and asylum seekers, she obtained a postgraduate specialisation in Cross-cultural Psychiatry and Migration Psychology. In Italy she was also the co-founder of the "Narrativi Digitali" project (https://www.narratividigitali.it/), that promotes the use of a narrative approach in psychological counselling. She is very interested in understanding how culture and political events can affect psychological wellbeing.
Abigail Autumn
BSc Psychology, MSc Foundation of Clinical Psychology, PGCert Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner
(Clinical Placement: BERTS)
Abigail is currently training as a clinical psychologist and is in the final year of this course. She has worked for NHS Mental Health service for over 10 years, across a wide range of service and with clients of all ages.
Her interests include Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (TF-CBT), Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Somatic Approaches.
Reem Abushawareb
MA International Journalism
(BERTS Trustee and Social Media Officer)
Tessa Axelrod
(BERTS Trustee and Researcher and Support Worker)
Tessa is a qualified paramedic interested in researching the mental health needs of refugees and asylum seekers in the city as part of her master studies in Global Health at BSMS.
Alyshia Gouldsbrough
(Projects Manager: BERTS)
Currently doing a masters at Sussex University in Conflict, Security and Development, Alyshia is passionate about studying representations and portrayals of development and conflicts. During her spare time, she enjoys reading, listening to music and trying new foods/cuisines.
John Rignell
(Pilates Teacher – BERTS therapists team)
John runs gentle exercise classes for BERTS service users. These classes are kindly hosted and subsidised by the Brighton Quakers Meeting House, Middle Street, Brighton, and are every Wednesday at 3.00. There is no charge and people are welcome to drop in. If you are a refugee and would like to join this group please email sally@brightonandhovecbt.com.
Alara Kinaci
(Support Worker: BERTS)
Born and raised in Istanbul, Alara came to the UK five years ago as an undergraduate student and recently completed a master's in conflict, security and development. Alara is very passionate about human rights and follows political events very closely but also enjoys spending free time reading and having a picnic outside with friends when the weather is nice. Alara also loves photography and won't go anywhere without her camera.
María Cecilia Ayalde Ángel
(Support Worker: BERTS)
María Cecilia is a sound engineer and bolero singer from Bogotá, Colombia. She left South America in 2019, when she had the marvellous opportunity of interning for a classical music studio in Vienna, Austria. Following this experience she obtained a full scholarship (granted by the British Council) to study Cultural and Creative Industries at the University of Sussex. She culminated her degree with a distinction qualification and continues to reside in Brighton and Hove after obtaining a Global Talent Visa (under the official endorsement of the Arts Council).
Adela Johnston
(Support Worker: BERTS)
Adela has been a welfare officer for international students for 18 years. She holds MSc in Experimental Psychology and is currently training to be a psychotherapist.
Azusa Kato
(Support Worker: BERTS)
A Master's student at the University of Sussex, studying human rights, Azusa is interested in children's rights and refugee protection. She was born and raised in Japan and enjoys yoga, travelling around and meeting new people.
Lee, Bo Ran
(Support Worker: BERTS)
Lee, Boran, from South Korea, holds a BA in Social Welfare and is currently studying Human Rights in the UK. Before coming to the UK she had worked for women's and children's rights in different countries and her interest areas are gender and women's right to health. She loves to explore new environments and adopt culture by travelling and used to do yoga for meditation.
Nicola McKirdy
(Support Worker: BERTS)
Nicola is a Clinical Hypnotherapist and Yoga and Meditation Teacher. She is in her final year of training to become a Psychotherapeutic Counsellor. Nicola's extensive experience across various industries in the UK and internationally provides her with a versatile skill set, enhancing her communication abilities and cultural sensitivity. This enables her to connect with individuals from diverse backgrounds, ensuring they feel understood and respected.
Nicola is an advocate for mind-body practices and teaches simple techniques that ground us in the present by strengthening the mind-body connection and balancing the stress response system. She specialises in managing anxiety, stress, and overwhelm, and has undertaken additional training in managing anxiety and understanding children and young people’s mental health.
Meredith Henson and David Guest
(IT technical team: BERTS)
Meredith and David kindly donate their time to support the website and patient data management in order to keep our IT systems running smoothly.