Meet the New Associations Team

Noreen Giffney is a psychoanalytic psychotherapist. She is the author of the book, The Culture-Breast in Psychoanalysis: Cultural Experiences and the Clinic (Routledge 2021), and the author and/or editor of additional articles, chapters, and six other books on psychoanalysis and/or psychosocial studies. She is interested in the emotional and unconscious use we make of cultural objects (film, art, literature, music, immersive media); Wilfred Bion’s writings; and the clinical impact of psychosocial factors on the transference-countertransference dynamic. She is the director of the international, interdisciplinary ‘Psychoanalysis +’ initiative, and is a lecturer and a researcher at Ulster University, Belfast. Noreen has worked as an editor for twenty-five years.

Emmanuelle Smith is a psychodynamic psychotherapist in private practice, with experience working in NHS secondary mental health care as part of South London and Maudsley Trust. Emmanuelle has a previous career as a journalist, including six years at the Financial Times. She has also worked in cinemas, both front of house and as a 35mm cinema projectionist. Emmanuelle holds a BA Philosophy from the University of Southampton; an MA Journalism from Goldsmiths, University of London; Qualified Teacher Status (Canterbury Christ Church University) and a PGDip in Psychodynamic Theory and Practice from WPF, accredited by the University of Roehampton and leading to BPC and UKCP (CPJA) registration.

Niamh Downes manages the BPC’s communications, website, and social media. As Managing Editor for New Associations, Niamh co-ordinates the logistical side of the publication. This involves working with the proofreader, designer, printer, and mailing house to ensure each issue is compiled with care and attention.

Lydia Prior is a psychodynamic psychotherapist in private practice in Bethnal Green, east London. She has also worked in an NHS specialist psychotherapy team at the Tavistock treating adults with complex needs. Aside from her clinical work, Lydia is a writer and has written for stage, film and television. Her interests include theatre and performance, literature, art and feminism. She has an MA from the University of Oxford, where she studied Classics at Magdalen College. She also holds an MFA from UCLA’s School of Theatre, Film and Television. She trained as a therapist at WPF where she was awarded a PGDip accredited by the University of Roehampton.

Marita Vyrgioti is a lecturer in the Department of Psychosocial and Psychoanalytic Studies at the University of Essex, where she also serves as the Course Director for the BA in Psychosocial and Psychoanalytic Studies. She co-edited the Palgrave Handbook of Psychosocial Studies (2024). Marita is currently completing her adult psychotherapy training at the Tavistock and Portman NHS Trust.

Deborah L.S. Wright is a BPC registrant, a psychotherapist in private practice, an artist and an academic, senior lecturer, and Programme Director of the Clinical Professional Doctorate Programmes in the Department of Psychosocial and Psychoanalytic Studies at the University of Essex. Her book, The Physical and Virtual Space of the Consulting Room: Room-object Spaces (Routledge 2022) and other work, as well as art work, concern psychoanalytic spaces, places, and home spaces and the use of these.

Candida Yates is Professor Emerita at Bournemouth University and a Visiting Professor at the University of the West of England. She is an interdisciplinary scholar and applies a psychosocial approach to culture, politics and society and has published extensively in that field. She sits on the Executive Boards of the Association for Psychosocial Studies, is a Founding Scholar of the British Psychoanalytic Council and an Academic Research Associate at the Freud Museum. She is Joint-Editor of the Routledge book series, Psychoanalysis and Popular Culture, and a Contributing Editor on the journals, Psychoanalysis, Culture and Society, and The Journal of Psychosocial Studies.

Usman Zafar is a psychodynamic psychotherapist in training at the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust in London. Holding two Masters degrees in Psychosocial Clinical Studies and Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, he loves cooking and enjoys good memes. Usman works as an honorary psychotherapist at the Maresfield Unit of the Tavistock Clinic and at the Camden Psychotherapy Unit. He also works in a community crisis service in West London, providing support to individuals experiencing acute distress.

Allen Fatimaharan is an illustrator and animator. Since starting out as a freelancer in 2017, he has illustrated over twenty children’s books, provided illustrations for book & record covers, magazines, academic journals, libraries and universities. He has created short animations for museums and advertising agencies. As well as presenting talks and leading workshops at literary festivals, schools and libraries. He loves the challenge and problem solving involved in visually communicating an idea, narrative or theme through the medium of illustration and animation.

Matthew Lumley is an editor and proofreader in the field of psychoanalytic psychotherapy and has been working with New Associations for 4 years. His background is in education and psychotherapy. He has studied a Postgraduate Diploma at the Tavistock & Portman and worked for many years with autistic children and as an Assistant Psychotherapist in schools.

Susan Rentoul has been practising graphic design for over 40 years. She has her own business based at her home in South London. Susan has worked with the British Psychoanalytic Council on New Associations since 2018. Her clients include the Royal College of Nursing, UCLH, National Care Association and many charities and local organisations. https://www.susanrentouldesign.co.uk/