The NWCED Team

Karen Buckley - Senior Psychological Therapist

Dip. (Social Work, University of Manchester), Dip. (Counselling, Manchester College). Karen has undergone training and work with Oakwood House since 2009. With a background in social work, Karen now provides counselling and psychotherapy services for teens and adults with eating disorders. She also works for the NHS providing primary care assessment and brief Cognitive Behavioural Therapy to people suffering from a range of common mental health difficulties. She is a member the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy.

Charlotte Horton - Group Counsellor

P.G.Dip (Counselling Studies, University of Manchester) has worked with Oakwood House since 2005. She is a member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy.

Ros Rheinberg - Senior Psychological Therapist

Certificate in CBT (Salford Cognitive Therapy Training Centre, Prestwich Hospital), P.G. Dip (Counselling Studies, Manchester University), P.G. Dip (Psychology, Sheffield Hallam University). After working in nursing for several years, Ros qualified as a counsellor in 2008 at Manchester University. She has worked with the bereaved and in student counselling; and is also an online counsellor. Ros has worked at Oakwood House since 2009. Her special interest is working with people with obesity and eating disorders, both individually and in groups. She is currently embarking on her MA dissertation (Manchester University) on group work for women who binge eat.

Julie Keir - Psychological Therapist

MA (Integrative Counselling, London Metropolitan University), Cert. (Counselling Studies,  London Metropolitan University) Dip. (Theology, Mattersey Hall). Julie joined Oakwood House as a psychological therapist in 2011. Having researched experiences of recovery from binge eating behaviours for her MA studies,  her desire to work with individuals with eating problems developed. In addition to her work with us she provides Integrative Therapy  in two NHS Wellbeing Centres in North Manchester.  She  is a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy.

Joanne Blezard - Dramatherapist

MA (Dramatherapy, University of Derby). Joanne joined Oakwood house in 2009. She facilitates a number of creative therapies groups for developing positive identity and body image. She co-facilitates self-help groups for overcoming binge eating, and provides individual Dramatherapy sessions for personal development and trauma resolution. Her professional interests include eating disorders, adolescent mental health and creative arts therapies.

Alexandra Jackaman - Counsellor & Bibliotherapist

BA Hons (English & Gender Studies, Hull University); Dip. (Counselling, Salford University). Alex has been a qualified Counsellor since 2002 and an accredited Bibliotherapist since 2008. With over 12 years experience working with diverse mental health needs in the voluntary and statutory sector, Alex has specialised in working with adult survivors of childhood abuse and in facilitating community groups. She works for NHS Stockport managing Arts on Prescription. As part of this role she delivered the Read Yourself Well scheme. Alex joined Oakwood House in 2011 as a Bibliotherapist and she runs the Feeling Inspired therapeutic reading group programme.

Marie Mellor - Psychological Therapist

Dip. (Counselling), Dip. (Weight Management Consultancy). Marie joined Oakwood House in 2012 as part of the Specialised Weight Management Team for Choose to Change, a programme delivering CBT, nutrition counselling and physical activity to facilitate healthy weight loss and weight maintenance. Marie also provides counselling and training services for occupational and mental health services. She is a member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy. Marie is currently studying towards her MSc in Transactional Analysis Psychotherapy at The Berne Institute in collaboration with Middlesex University.

Helen Unsworth - Psychological Therapist

MA (Counselling Studies, Manchester University). Helen joined Oakwood House in 2012 as part of the Specialised Weight Management Team for Choose to Change, a comprehensive programme of CBT, nutrition counselling and physical activity to facilitate healthy weight loss and weight maintenance.  She also works as a short term counsellor for the NHS and facilitates a psycho-educational bereavement and loss group.  Helen is a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy.

Chris Oxborrow - Psychological Therapist

MA (Counselling Studies, University of Manchester). Chris joined Oakwood House in 2012 as part of the Specialised Weight Management Team for Choose to Change, a comprehensive programme of CBT, nutrition counselling and physical activity to facilitate healthy weight loss and weight maintenance. Since qualifying as a counsellor in 2007 she has worked with adults and adolescents in the NHS, for Relate, Children’s Services and privately. She also supervises a team of bereavement counsellors in Leigh. Chris is a member of the British Psychological Society.

Alison Whale - Psychological Therapist

MA (Counselling Studies, University of Manchester). Alison has worked at Oakwood House since 2010. She is a member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy. Alison's professional interests include eating disorders, disability and chronic illness, and singleness.

Zsuzsanna Hutchinson 

Counselling Psychologist in Training

P.G. Dip. (Counselling and Psychotherapy, Liverpool John Moores University), Master Practitioner Diploma in Eating Disorders, Nutritional Interventions, and Weight Management (National Centre for Eating Disorders, London). Zsuzsi joined Oakwood House in 2010. She is working towards her Qualification in Counselling Psychology as a graduate member of the British Psychological Society. Her current research is focused on quality of life and psychopathology in children and adolescents. Her other research interests include healthy lifestyle and well-being. Zsuzsi is fluent in Hungarian, German and English.

Lu Daynes  

Counselling Psychologist in Training

M.Sc (Counselling Psychology, Keele University). Lu is currently a final year  doctoral student in Counselling Psychology at Wolverhampton University. She has worked at Oakwood House since 2011. Her research interests include self harm, and the use of the internet in psychological therapies. Lu has experience working with children and adolescents and is also working in adult psychological services in the NHS.  She is a member of the British Psychological Society and The Royal Society of Medicine.

Nicola Pledger –  Psychological Therapist

M.Sc (Counselling and Psychology, Keele University, Staffordshire); MA (Social Work, Keele University); Certificate in Counselling (Salford University, Manchester); BA (Hons) Sociology (Sheffield University). Nicola commenced work with Oakwood House in 2010. She has worked with children and families as a social worker since 2006.

Moya deWet- Dietitian

Moya de Wet is a specialist dietitian registered with the Health Professions Council who, for the past 20 years, has worked with people with eating disorders.

Fran Staton - Massage Therapist

Fran has 25 years experience at the Natural Health Clinic in Gatley where she is proprietor. Fran is B-TEC and IIST qualified in sports injuries, sport massage, remedial massage, and foot and head massage. Fran has worked with the physiotherapists at Altrincham Football Club and also spent 5 years working and travelling with Sale Harriers. After working with many athletes she is successful in treating back pain, muscular problems, stress and insomnia.

Leanne Marshall 

Helpline and Drop-In Advisor

BSc Hons (Forensic Psychology, University of Central Lancashire). Leanne is currently studying towards her Certificate in Counselling at the Institute of Counselling, University of the West of Scotland. She has a professional interest in eating disorders and has been working at Oakwood House since 2010.

Charlie MacDermid – Support Worker

BSc Hons (Psychology, Northumbria University). Charlie's thesis examined the role diabetes can play in the onset of eating disorders. Charlie joined Oakwood House in 2010 as office assistant, mealtime support worker and helpline advisor. She is currently studying for her M.Sc in Nutrition and Health at Manchester Metropolitan University.

Lucy Smith- Support Worker

BA Hons (History & Philosophy, University of Sheffield); Counselling Concepts (Compass-Counselling). Lucy has worked at Oakwood House since 2010 as administrative assistant and mealtime support worker. She previously worked as a receptionist for Compass-Counselling in Liverpool. She is currently studying towards her MA in Counselling Studies at Manchester University.

Rachel Cassells - Office Manager