Sally R Munt

BA (Hons First Class) MA MSc DPhil PGDip FRSA

Chair and Clinical Director, Brighton Exiled/Refugee Trauma Service (BERTS) and Cognitive Behavioural Therapist

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. She has trained in several therapeutic modalities including EMDR, Narrative Exposure Therapy, CBT for Complex Trauma, refugee trauma, and is a specialist in mental health diagnosis, psychopharmacology, and complex trauma.

In addition, Sally is a leading academic in the research field of identity, culture and emotion. In her capacity as Professor of Cultural Politics, she published widely on understanding how cultural factors can shape our wellbeing and sense of self. She has particular expertise in shame, identity and social belonging. Her last book (with Sharon Smith and Andrew Kam-Tuck Yip) Cosmopolitan Dharma (Brill, 2016) examines how Buddhism is 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

colinblowers.com

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."

Reem Abushawareb

MA International Journalism

BERTS Trustee and Social Media Officer

A broadcast journalist with experience in media consultancy, training and PR, Reem has served as a trustee of BERTS since 2021.

Tessa Axelrod

BERTS Trustee and Researcher

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.

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."

Emma Laulik-Walters

BA, MA

Child and Adolescent Safeguarding Advisor ❘ BERTS

Emma is a registered Child Protection Social Worker with over 12 years of experience. She has a particular interest in harm created outside of the family setting, and has specialised in supporting adolescents experiencing sexual and criminal exploitation for the past 10 years. Emma is currently registered as an Independent Social Worker, working as an expert witness preparing assessments that make recommendations and advise decision-making within the Family Court, in care proceedings cases. She works alongside practitioners at BERTS offering safeguarding advice and support.

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.

Percy Pearl

BA, MSc, PGCE, PGDip

Counsellor ❘ BERTS

Percy completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Humanistic Counselling and Psychotherapy at University of Brighton and is now undertaking an MSc in Psychotherapy there. Percy has done additional in-depth study in: trans-affirmative practice, anti-racist/ justice-oriented practice, grief/ mourning and ecopsychology.

Sue-Kim Steele Green

Bachelor of Design with Hons, Lancashire University

Trainee Counsellor ❘ BERTS

After several years working as a Teacher of English to foreign students. Sue-Kim is currently studying a Professional Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling with a Bachelor of Science with Hons in Psychology with Counselling at The Open University. Sue-Kim is interested in neuro-diversity and how being creative can help manage trauma. Sue-Kim has also completed the following training:

Professional Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling, Hypnotherapy and Introduction to Counselling, Understanding Autism Diploma, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy Certification and a Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) Diploma.

Natalia Brozewicz

MSc, MA, PgDip

Trainee CBT Therapist ❘ BERTS

With a background in occupational therapy, Natalia is now completing her training to deliver cognitive behavioural therapy for clients with depression and anxiety disorders.

Rawshan Chowdhury

MSc in Mental Health: Psychological Therapies

Trainee Counsellor/Psychotherapist ❘ BERTS

Rawshan has a Master’s degree in Mental Health: Psychological Therapies from Queen Mary’s, University of London, and is currently training as a psychotherapeutic counsellor taking a Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling. She is in the final year of the course. Rawshan has worked for the NHS in Primary Care for 8 years. She is also serving the BAME community in Brighton & Hove as a linguist and interpreter.

Tanya Akpinar

Trainee Assistant Psychologist ❘ BERTS

Tanya grew up in Istanbul, where she completed her psychology degree before moving to Brighton to pursue a Master's in Foundations of Clinical Psychology and Mental Health at the University of Sussex. She has always been passionate about understanding human psychology and supporting people, especially those going through difficult times. She enjoys connecting with individuals from diverse backgrounds and strives to create a space where they feel safe and understood.

Alyshia Gouldsbrough

MA Conflict, Security and Development

Projects Manager ❘ BERTS

Alyshia has a Master's degree in Conflict, Security and Development from Sussex University and has experience working in international non-governmental organisations. She is currently employed in a global development charity which aims to work towards global health equity, and has visited projects in Kenya as part of that job. Alyshia is passionate about building a fairer world for everyone. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, listening to music, and trying new foods.

Sasha Mercer

BA (Hons) International Development with Italian (completing)

Office Manager ❘ BERTS

Sasha was born in Brighton, and has since lived in many countries including South Africa, Spain and the UAE. She is currently completing a degree in International Development with Italian, exploring global inequalities, social change and humanitarian work. Outside of her studies Sasha is passionate about fitness and always wants to learn more about new cultures, languages and bettering herself through physical and mental health.

Itziar Aldecoa Tamayo

Support Worker Manager ❘ BERTS

Itzi grew up in Spain and is currently completing her PhD in black hole physics at the University of Sussex. Alongside her research, she serves as an associate lecturer specialised on diversity in the classroom. Beyond academia, she has been deeply committed to social justice and advocating for refugee rights and well-being over the past decade. She is very passionate about fostering a sense of belonging and community for minorities and vulnerable groups, as well as promoting intercultural exchange.

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.

Arwen Lewis-Anthony

Support Worker ❘ BERTS

Arwen grew up in England for most of her life before moving to America for 2 years and then returning back to England. She then completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Sussex studying American Studies and History. Arwen has always been passionate about helping others, particularly those who feel as though they don't belong because she strongly believes that everyone is welcome in the UK and wants to help people find their own sense of home and belonging.

Irem Icin Akbas

Support Worker ❘ BERTS

Irem grew up in Turkey and completed her political science and public administration degree in her home country. She currently holds her postgraduate degree in Migration and Global Development at the University of Sussex. Irem is passionate about studying migration and gender and connecting with people to help them feel they belong and are safe.

Shuvopriyo Roy

Support Worker ❘ BERTS

Shuvopriyo comes from India and has a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Statistics, with a Diploma in Development Leadership. He recently moved to Brighton to pursue an M.A. in Governance, Development, and Public Policy at the Institute of Development Studies, University of Sussex. Shuvopriyo is passionate about development and human rights work, areas in which he has been volunteering since 2015. In his spare time, he loves to read, cook, and watch Manchester United play football!

David Guest

IT Technical Support ❘ BERTS

With experience in IT and the service industry, Dave looks after the BERTS website and systems and provides general technical support.