Dr Elizabeth Cotton
Dr Elizabeth Cotton (She/Her) is a researcher and educator in the fields of employment relations and mental health at work based at Cardiff School of Management. She is the founder of www.survivingwork.org and www.thefutureoftherapy.org and is a Trustee of the British Sociological Association (BSA). Elizabeth is currently writing her book UberTherapy: The New Business of Mental Health to be published by Bristol University Press in 2023.
Dr Dwight Turner
Dr. Dwight Turner is Course Leader on the Humanistic Counselling and Psychotherapy Course at the University of Brighton, a PhD Supervisor at their Doctoral College, a psychotherapist and supervisor in private practice. His latest book Intersections of Privilege and Otherness in Counselling and Psychotherapy was released in February 2021 and is published by Routledge.
An activist, writer and public speaker on issues of race, difference and intersectionality in counselling and psychotherapy.
Rahil Virik
Rahil (They/Them) is a Trans Non- Binary Counsellor, having begun their transition in 2015 as part of their journey to live as their authentic self. They recognise the struggle of existing in between a multitude of identities. Thus bringing this passion into developing support for and within the LGBT+ and POC communities. As well as working for GI, they are Head of Therapeutic Service at Galop supporting LGBT+ survivors of abuse and violence. Along with holding a small private practice.
Mamood Ahmad
Mamood Ahmad (He/Him) is a therapist, author, trainer, and founder of The Anti-Discrimination focus (TADF). He has extensive experience in client mental health advocacy work, including the book ‘client perspectives of therapy’ and more recently in supporting counselling and psychotherapy training providers to embed difference and diversity as standard. He specialises in diversity studies, trauma, and antidiscrimination practice. He holds a private practice in Binfield, Berkshire since 2014.
Lesley Dougan
Lesley Dougan (She/Her). Hi, I am a Neurodivergent person-centred therapist, supervisor and educator. I began working in mental health in 1996 and am experienced in working with children, young people, and adults across the lifespan. I spent 18 years working within a Learning Disabilities CAMHS Team and am passionate about providing equitable access to disenfranchised clients. I qualified as a counsellor in 2012 and as a supervisor in 2021. Until February 2022, I worked as a specialist counsellor at The Alder Centre, working with anyone impacted by the death of a child. I have been the programme lead MA Counselling & Psychotherapy Practice at LJMU since 2017, and I have a small private practice. I am completing a Professional Doctorate in Counselling and Psychotherapy Studies at Chester University.
Davinder Kaur
Davinder Kaur is Rethink Mental Illness’ Head of Campaigns. She mobilises supporters and members of the public to target decision makers to create change for everyone severely affected by mental illness. She has campaigned at the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND), World Development Movement (now Global Justice Now), ActionAid UK and Jubilee 2000.
Erin Stevens
Erin (She/Her/They) is a counsellor/psychotherapist in private practice, working primarily with people who have been harmed in previous therapy. She is proudly autistic and ADHD, and is a steering group member of the Association of Neurodivergent Therapists (ANDT). Erin is interested in power and harm in therapy; anti-oppressive practice; social justice; and the large overlap between harmful experiences of therapy and neurodivergence.
Mel Ciavucco
Mel Ciavucco is a writer, trainer and group facilitator, and has just qualified as an Integrative Pluralistic counsellor. Mel’s passions and experiences lie in eating disorders, body image and weight stigma, as well as in her group work with perpetrators of domestic abuse. She was published in Therapy Today with an article about fatphobia (June 2021 edition) and she writes about disordered eating, weight stigma, class, and more on her website.
Psychotherapy and Counselling Union (PCU)
Dr Jay Beichman (SE Regional Representative PCU), Anne Lee (EAP Campaign Lead PCU) & Marilyn McGowan (PCU Schools and Education.
The Psychotherapy and Counselling Union (PCU), founded in 2016, is committed to our mission of standing up for therapists and the future of therapy.