The Minster Centre
Professional Standards
Our courses meet high academic and professional standards and are validated by the main professional bodies: the UKCP and BACP. We are a collaborative partner of Middlesex University, quality assured by the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) and registered with the Office for Students. We abide by the ethics of these organisations and those of the Charity Commission.
United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP)
We have been an organisational member of the UKCP since its formation in 1988. UKCP accredits our MA Integrative Psychotherapy programme and reviews the Minster Centre every five years. Our last review was in May 2017. We are also one of the accrediting organisations of the HIP (Humanistic and Integrative Psychotherapy) section of UKCP.
British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP)
We have provided programmes accredited by the BACP since 1993. Our current Diploma in Integrative Counselling is BACP accredited and is reviewed by BACP every five years. Our last successful reaccreditation was in February 2018.
Middlesex University
Our MA in Integrative Psychotherapy and Counselling has been validated by Middlesex University since 1996. All of our MA courses were last revalidated in 2020. In addition, The Centre is subject to Institutional re-approval by the University every six years and was last reviewed in 2020.
The Quality Assurance Agency (QAA)
The Minster Centre successfully underwent a Higher Education Review by the QAA in 2017 which recognised the quality of The Minster Centre’s programmes and its organisational strengths. The Centre is committed to ongoing engagement with quality assurance processes. You can read our most recent QAA report here.
Our History
Originally situated on Minster Road in Cricklewood, The Minster Centre was founded in 1978 by Helen Davies as the first integrative training programme in the UK. The Centre moved site to where it sits now on Lonsdale Road over 10 years ago.
The Centre’s initial purpose was to address the divergence between the humanistic and psychoanalytic schools of psychotherapy. The founders’ concern was to evolve a training philosophy that could integrate these different schools but avoid producing a training that was either eclectic, in the sense of including anything and everything, or that presented itself as a new, rigidly defined alternative. Our training therefore begins with the belief that many approaches have valuable contributions to make to the broad field of psychotherapy and counselling.
Our founders were influential in the establishing of the UKCP and formed part of the working party that set up UKCP training standards for the qualification of psychotherapists. Long experience gives us a deep understanding of theory, practice and learning methods which enables us to be creative and innovative in course design, while maintaining the highest training standards. We are particularly committed to offering experiential learning – we immerse students in an experience and then support and encourage reflection to develop new understanding, skills and attitudes.
Our Philosophy
We believe that good therapy can support people to explore their whole selves. Integrative psychotherapy supports people to explore their conscious and unconscious, their thoughts, feelings, desires and beliefs alongside their personal and cultural histories, relationships and present environment.
Different theoretical approaches give powerful insights into what it means to be human, the factors that shape us, how psychological suffering arises and what can be done to alleviate it. We believe that many approaches have valuable contributions to make and that no single theory offers a complete account. As a result, we see integrative therapy as a process rather than the production of a fixed solution. We aim to train therapists who understand:
- The importance of both our early years’ experience and the unconscious alongside here-and-now experiences and relationships.
- The place of the body in emotion, experience, growth and change, including what neuroscience and attachment studies teach us.
- The potential of symbolism, spirituality and creativity to transform our experiences.
- The impact of the social and political environment on our relationships, and wellbeing, and our sense of self and identity.
Vision
Integrative psychotherapy makes a valuable contribution to the wellbeing of individuals and society.
Mission
To contribute to the vigour of the profession and the practice of psychotherapy, improving individuals’ wellbeing by:
- Taking a distinctive and experiential approach to training generations of practitioners who will enrich the profession
- Continuing to pioneer an integrative approach to therapy that is relational (pays attention to what happens in the therapeutic relationship) and embodied (understands the importance of our bodily experience in our psychological wellbeing rather than seeing them as separate).
- Putting our skills and experience to work by developing and providing accessible therapeutic services.
Values
We will strive to ensure that our actions are true to our beliefs by:
- Recognising and valuing difference and diversity.
- Taking steps to make our training and services relevant and accessible to as many people as possible.
- Being curious and receptive to new experiences.
- Being willing to challenge, take risks and lead by example to achieve our aspirations.
- Caring for the whole person and recognising their individual circumstances
- Having the courage of our convictions.
- Acting fairly and honestly, being accountable and open, being thorough in our approach to ethical standards.
Our Team
Senior Management
Lissie Wright
Director
Lissie Wright (BA (Oxon), MA and Adv.Dip Integrative Psychotherapy, PG Cert CBT) Having trained at The Minster Centre she returned to teach in 2007, becoming Director of Training in 2010 and Director in 2014. She previously worked in a series of management, communications and research roles in the public sector. Lissie also runs her own private practice as a counsellor and psychotherapist near Cambridge. She has particular skills in working with survivors of domestic violence and with anxiety.
Alyson Jaffe
Deputy Director
Alyson Jaffe (M.Soc.Sc. Clinical Social Work, Dip. Integrative Psychotherapy, PgCert in Learning and Teaching, Fellow Higher Education Academy) has over 40 years’ experience working in the fields of mental health, disability, psychotherapy and counselling. She works as a supervisor with Finalists and tutors on the Diploma in Supervision and the MA/PG Dip Professional Practice (Advanced Clinical Practice and Supervision) courses at The Minster Centre. Alyson runs a private practice working with individuals as well as providing supervision for therapists and trainees.
Philip Reilly
Deputy Director
Philip Reilly (MA and Adv.Dip Integrative Psychotherapy) has more than 30 years’ experience working in hospitals, social services, community and residential settings and has held a number of senior management positions within the mental health sector. Philip teaches on the MA/Advanced Diploma in Integrative Psychotherapy and the MA/PG Dip Professional Practice courses at The Minster Centre. He is also Counselling Supervisor at MIND in Barnet and runs a private practice as a counsellor and psychotherapist.
Training Committees
Pre-qualification Training Committee
Vaughn Goldschagg
Head of Foundation Year
Vaughn Goldschagg (MA Integrative Psychotherapy) has taught at The Minster Centre since 2015. He has over 10 years' experience of working with survivors of domestic violence and abuse, addiction, facilitating groups and short term work place counselling. He is particularly interested in unconscious processes, attachment theory, neuroscience, integration and the importance of the therapeutic relationship. Vaughn runs his own private practice as a psychotherapist and supervisor in South West London.
Emma Jack
Head of Foundation Year
Emma Jack (MA & Adv. Diploma Integrative Psychotherapy) has taught at The Minster Centre since 2015. Since qualification she has worked in the areas of personality disorder, trauma and dissociative disorders. She is a specialist in working with survivors of extreme ritualised abuse and mind control in particular with dissociative identity disorder. She is particularly interested in attachment theory, neuroscience, unconscious processes and a relational approach. Emma is the Deputy CEO and Clinical Lead at The Clinic for Dissociative Studies. She is also a qualified supervisor and works as a supervisor on the Minster Centre MA.
Mark Gullidge
Head of Fast Track Foundation
Mark Gullidge (MSc in Integrative Psychotherapy, PG Dip in CBT, PG Cert in Supervision, PG Cert in Groupwork) has worked at The Minster Centre since 2011, as a tutor, supervisor and group facilitator and presently as Head of the Fast Track Foundation course. Mark is particularly interested in integration, group work and supporting and developing personal process and practice. He also runs his own private practice as a psychotherapist and supervisor in West London.
Nancy Browner
Head of Year 1 Professional Training and Head of Finalists (MA)
Nancy Browner (MA, PG Dip Integrative Psychotherapy) has been teaching at The Minster Centre for over 10 years, becoming Head of First Year in 2008 and Head of Finalists in 2018. She runs a private psychotherapy and supervisory practice in Oxford and has a particular interest in working with trainees and recently qualified psychotherapists and counsellors.
Jenny Clark
Head of Year 1, Professional Training
Jenny Clark (MA Integrative Psychotherapy, Dip Integrative Supervision, Introduction to Group Analysis) has taught for 13 years at both the University of Hertfordshire and The Minster Centre. She is currently joint Head of First Year, teaching both Object Relations and Skills; is an ETG facilitator for the Fast Track Foundation and also a Live Assessor for Finalists. Jenny has a private practice in Hitchin for individual psychotherapy and supervision and is also a supervisor for two local counselling services.
Anne Marie Keary
Head of Year 2 Professional Training
Anne Marie Keary is a Relational Body Psychotherapist (Chiron Centre for Body Psychotherapy). She has worked at The Minster Centre since 2010. She is currently the tutor for the Body in Psychotherapy module, Finalist supervisor and Head of the Second Year of training. Anne Marie has a special interest in working with issues around disability and childhood sexual abuse and facilitates workshops in these areas. She comes from a teaching background and works in private practice in Old Street.
Reena Shah
Deputy Head of Year 2 Professional Training Head of Course Diploma and MA/PG Dip in Supervision
Reena Shah is a Relational Integrative Psychotherapist. She trained at the Minster Centre and has been a tutor across different year groups at CONEL College (North London) and at the Minster Centre since 2015. She is currently the tutor for the Diversity module in the Second year, tutor on Foundation year weekends and Deputy Head of the Second Year. Reena is also Head of Course for the Diploma and MA/PG Dip in Supervision alongside Roshmi Lovatt (see below) as well as being part of the Research teaching team, and has a particular interest in autoethnography.
Reena has a specialism in working with trauma and childhood sexual abuse (currently working as a supervisor at One in Four), and has a particular interest in issues of difference and diversity, offering training elsewhere in this area. She works in private practice in North London.
Philip Wood
Head of Year 3 Professional Training
Philip Wood (MA. BSc. Dip Psych. Dip CBT) has taught at The Minster Centre for nearly 15 years. He is also the Head of Supervision and the Head of the Diploma in Counselling. He has worked in the field of mental health for over 25 years; in both the NHS and in Private Practice in North London.
Julia Denington
Head of Finalists (MA)
Julia Denington obtained her MA/Dip in Integrative Psychotherapy from The Minster Centre in 2000. She has been teaching and supervising here for a number of years and was previously Head of the First Year. Alongside her current role as Head of Finalists she is a Tutor and Clinical Supervisor. Julia has specialist experience in working with young people and adults presenting with eating disorders and self-harming behaviours. She is a qualified supervisor and runs her own private practice as a counsellor and psychotherapist in Kew, Surrey.
Dr. Angela Cotter
Head of Research
Angela Cotter (PhD, Dip Health Ed, BSc(SocSci), Dip Analy Psych (GAP), Cert Supervision (SAP)) is Head of Research at The Minster Centre and a Visiting Lecturer at Regent's University, London. She has recently co-edited a book Dementia: An attachment approach (2018). Her research interests include the wounded healer, narrative and experience near research methods and action research. Angela also runs a private practice as a Jungian analyst in South East London, incorporating aspects of energy psychotherapy and shamanism into her clinical work.
Post-qualification Training Committee
Andrew Sutton
Head of Course MA/PG Dip Advanced Clinical Practice in Psychotherapy and Counselling
Andrew Sutton (MA and Adv. Dip. Integrative Psychotherapy) is Head of Course on the MA/PG Dip in Advanced Clinical Practice in Psychotherapy and Counsellling and is also a lecturer and academic tutor on the MA/Advanced Diploma in Integrative Psychotherapy and Counselling, teaching the Third year ‘Contemporary Theories’ module. As well as teaching, he has provided clinical supervision and facilitated groups for several other training courses across a range of modalities and approaches. Andrew maintains a private psychotherapy practice in London and provides clinical supervision for therapists and trainees.
Roshmi Lovatt
Head of Course Diploma and MA/PG Dip in Supervision
Roshmi Lovatt is an Integrative Arts Psychotherapist and Clinical Supervisor. She is currently a Live Assessor and Tutor at the Minster Centre and Head of Course on the Diploma and MA/PG Dip in Supervision alongside Reena Shah (see above). Roshmi’s two passions are to work in creative and embodied ways and to address issues of difference and power in psychotherapy. She has worked within the NHS with refugees, in independent foster care with foster families and looked after children, alongside work in corporate companies and private practice. She currently runs a private group practice in Milton Keynes, and offers trainings and workshops for organisations nationally and internationally.
Teaching Staff and Visiting Lecturers
Phil Anderson
Tutor: Personal and Clinical Integration, Year 3
Dr Claire Asherson Bartram
Clinical Supervisor; Dissertation Supervisor
Poppy Bannerjee
Tutor: Working with Domestic Violence, Finalists
Gloria Boadi
Experiential Training Group Leader, Year 1 and 2
Anja Boelkow
Clinical Supervisor
Patricia Bonnici
Tutor: Research Proposals; Dissertation Supervisor
Stephen Callus
Clinical Supervisor
Clare Cohen
Clinical Supervisor; ETG Facilitator, Year 2
Clare Colley
Course Leader: Introduction to Counselling Skills; Tutor: Skills for Working with Trauma, Year 2
Farah Cottier
Tutor: Personal and Clinical Integration, Year 3
Rajwinder daCosta
Experiential Training Group Leader, Year 1
Morica Daley
Associate, Year 1 and 2
Alex Dixon
Experiential Training Group Leader, Year 1
Jane Edwards
Clinical Supervisor
Fatuma Farah
Tutor: Introduction to Counselling Skills; Process Group Facilitator, Year 3
Marion Fitzpatrick
Tutor: Time Limited Therapy, Year 2
Anita Gaspar
Foundation Tutor
Harriett Goldenberg
Experiential Training Group Leader, Year 2; Clinical Supervisor; Dissertation Supervisor
Rebecca Greenslade
Clinical Supervisor
Patricia Grey
Course Leader: Introduction to Counselling Skills; Experiential Training Group Leader, Year 1; Tutor: The Body in Psychotherapy, Year 2
Charlotte Holloway
Associate, Year 1
Rachel Jennings
Clinical Supervisor
Meera Kapadia
Tutor: Working with Adolescents Weekend
Helen Kerridge
Tutor: Humanistic and Existential Module, Year 1
Hyunko Khang
Tutor: Contemporary Theories of Psychotherapy, Year 3
Jim Kuykendall
Tutor: Death & Bereavement Weekend
Simone Lee
Fast Track Foundation Tutor
Will Leifer
Clinical Supervisor
Beverley Lester
Tutor: Skills, Year 1; Clinical Supervisor
Catrina Lewis
Tutor: Severe Presentations Weekend
Sophie Livingstone
Clinical Supervisor
Rosemary Lodge
Dissertation Supervisor
Anvita Madan-Bahel
Tutor: Diversity, Year 2
Christina Mason
Dissertation Supervisor
Andrew Miller
Tutor: Humanistic and Existential Module, Year 1
Anna Minogue
Tutor: Family and Belonging, Year 1
Wanderley Moreira
Associate, Year 1
Brigitta Mowat
Experiential Training Group Leader, Year 2; Tutor: Personal and Clinical Integration, Year 3
Anthony Ogoe
Experiential Training Group Leader, Year 2
Dr. Shelia O'Sullivan
Tutor: Research Methods and Ethics
Karin Parkinson
Tutor: Experiential Weekend Foundation; Tutor: Skills, Year 1
Mariana Panayides
Foundation Year Tutor
Ros Pearmain
Tutor: Research Methods and Ethics 1 and 2, Year 2 and 3; Dissertation Supervisor
David Petherbridge
Experiential Training Group Leader; Process Group Facilitator, Year 3
Tamar Posner
Dissertation Supervisor
Sophia Prevezanou
Tutor: Transpersonal Approaches to Psychotherapy
Kimcha Rajkumar
Associate, Year 1
Laura Sandelson
Clinical Supervisor
Adella Shapiro
Tutor: Family and Belonging, Year 1
Gill Smith
Tutor: Skills for Working with Trauma; Year 2
Dr. Felicia Smith-Kleiner
Research Tutor, Dissertation Supervisor
Kelly Stewart
Research Tutor
Justyna Sulowska
Research Tutor
Hycinth Taylor
Clincial Supervisor
Bridget Townsend
Tutor: Working with Refugees
Leticia Valles
Tutor: The Body in Psychotherapy, Year 2; Tutor: Working with Erotic and Sexual Charge; Clinical Supervisor
Nicole Worrica
Clinical Supervisor
Jake Yearsley
Tutor: Gender Diversity and Further Sexualities
Judy Yellin
Tutor: Contemporary Theories of Psychotherapy, Year 3
Neelam Zahid
Course Leader: Introduction to Counselling Skills; Foundation Tutor
MCPS Team
Valerie Latham
MCPCS Coordinator
Michelle Campbell
MCPCS Support Officer
Management Team
Rory Page
Registrar
Miranda Boll
Training Administration Assistant
Polly Mortimer
Librarian
Leon John
Deputy Operations Manager
and Placements Officer
Melissa Brierley
Finance Assistant (Fees)
Naomi Weir
Reception
Betti Urmos
Admissions Officer
Geeta Gajwani
Learning Support Coordinator
Kara Reaney
Quality Manager
Stuart Bell
IT Manager
Gvette Shillingford
Reception
Deanna Hooper
Data and Programme Administrator
Elizabeth Thorrington
Admissions Officer
Justine Walsh
Operations Manager
Steven Zegarac
Finance Manager
Lance Tabraham
Moodle Support Officer
Alice Jackson
Reception and IT Support Officer
Board of Trustees
The Minster Centre’s Board currently comprises 13 Trustees who meet at least five times a year. The Board of Trustees reviews the organisation’s long term strategic aims and short-term objectives.
Our current board members are:
Nick Carley, Chair
Having begun his career in youth work and careers counselling, Nick Carley has over 25 years’ experience running small enterprises and since 2010 has been director of a research agency working with UK universities to better understand and improve all aspects of the student experience. He hopes to combine his commercial knowledge and skills with his interest in education and mental health as the new Chair of The Minster Centre board.
Malcolm Couldridge, Vice Chair
Malcolm Couldridge has worked as a Minster Centre-trained integrative psychotherapist and counsellor in private practice since 2002. Currently his practice is based in Harpenden, Hertfordshire. He is also an experienced social care trainer. Previously he worked for around 30 years in the social care sector (teenagers in care; children and adults with learning disabilities; out-patient and in-patient acute, intensive care and forensic mental health services) as a social worker, service manager and, latterly as an independent mental health advocate and advocacy service manager. During this time, he also facilitated parenting workshops and worked for some years as an NVQ Assessor. He has a degree in writing for TV and film. He writes poetry, lyrics and prose and plays guitar in his spare time.
Christopher Brooks, Treasurer
Chris Brooks is a Chartered Accountant having worked in the profession, distribution and engineering sectors. He then moved into the not-for-profit area as Finance Director and Company Secretary of a large Trade Association gaining 20 years experience. Since retiring he has acted as Trustee and Treasurer for two charities apart from The Minster Centre and he continues as a pension scheme trustee and a volunteer for Tax Help for Older People.
Judith Burnett
Judith Burnett is an executive coach and mentor, working in education, public bodies and charities. She was an academic sociologist for many years and then moved into management and leadership in UK universities. Today, she retains a keen interest in the sociology of generations and is a member of the British Sociological Association. Judith is a school governor and community journalist in Waltham Forest, East London.
Debbie Charles
Debbie Charles, M.A., is an Integrative/Transpersonal psychotherapist, clinical supervisor, trainer and facilitator with 25 years of experience, both in the UK and Canada. As a biracial therapist, Debbie is committed to equality, diversity and intersectionality within the psychotherapy field and to bringing awareness to the barriers that may prevent access to psychotherapy and counselling. She currently works in private practice in London and Wales.
Norma Clayton
Norma Clayton has spent most of her working life as a Human Resources professional, most recently in the not-for-profit sector. She has experience of working in charities supporting vulnerable older people and those suffering from mental health problems. As a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Management, she keeps abreast of legislative and regulatory change and good practice.
David Collins
David Collins trained at The Minster Centre before qualifying in 2013. He works as a psychotherapist in private practice, in Horsham, West Sussex, and in central London. Prior to training to be a therapist, David qualified as a Management Accountant in the 1990’s, working over many years as an accountant in a couple of large national charities, and for a private sector company working in the Arts.
Mark Gullidge
Head of Fast Track Foundation, Staff Representative
Hannah Joll
Minster Centre student, Student Representative.
Elizabeth Mpyisi
Elizabeth Mpyisi is a retired Barrister and a former United Nations human rights/refugee legal advisor. Over 25 years, her legal work brought her into examination of psycho-social effects of trauma, PTSD and torture of vulnerable populations. Currently Elizabeth's interest lies in the teaching and curating of Mindfulness Based Approaches to BAME Communities in the UK. She recently launched a charity providing assistance to minorities affected by the COVID-19 pandemic mindfulbame.network which focuses on the underlying psychological issues around Obesity, Diabetes, Hypertension and Lifestyle choices. Elizabeth is also a Trustee of the Desmond Tutu Foundation UK.
Gavin Sharpe
Gavin is a U.K. qualified psychotherapist, psychosexual therapist and executive coach. Gavin also trained with the International Institute for Trauma and Addiction Professionals and is a Certified Sex Addiction Therapist (CSAT). Previously Gavin worked as a lawyer and entrepreneur in the City of London. Gavin lives and works in Monaco where he runs his own private practice working with individuals, couples and groups.
Sean Titley
Sean Titley is a Chartered Accountant (ACA) and Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) with wide experience of successfully using these financial and IT governance skills in managing and performing not for profit audits, projects and development work in the UK and internationally.
Lissie Wright
Director of The Minster Centre.
Susanna Wright
Susanna Wright is a psychotherapist in private practice in South and West Yorkshire. She trained at the Minster Centre 2007-2013 and has worked for Mind and IAPT services. Previously she worked in business development in the legal sector and and organised events in the music and charity sectors.
Supporting Diversity
The Minster Centre welcomes applications from people of all ethnic communities, abilities and sexual orientations. In furtherance of this aim:
- We work to provide an environment for development through embedding diversity seeking to ensure staff and students experience a consistently inclusive and supportive environment to assist them in reaching their full potential.
- We work to remove barriers, real or perceived, which might deter people from applying to The Minster Centre either as staff or students.
For more information please see our Diversity and Inclusivity Policy.
Vacancies
Dissertation Supervisors
We are looking for experienced dissertation supervisors to work with students to guide and assist them with the research aspects of their MA dissertations. For more details please click here.
Application Deadline: 9am on Friday 12th March.
Interview Dates: Friday 19th and Friday 26th March.
