Meet our expert, accredited and specialist team of therapists

All of our practitioners have professional membership of the Health and Professions Council (or an allied body).

PROFESSOR DAVID WILKINSON

BSc (Hons), MSc (Hons), PGCHE, PhD
Director

As founder and CEO, Professor Wilkinson ensures that the Centre’s clinical, research and education strands come together to produce an outstanding service that is guided by a core vision and values. 
 
Professor Wilkinson’s own distinguished research career seeks to develop more effective therapies for people with Parkinson’s disease and other neurological conditions. He is a member of the Parkinson’s UK College of Experts and sits on the British Society of Gerontology Special Interest Group for Ageing, Business and Society which mobilises different parts of the community to better meet the needs of older adults. 

MARK COLLEY

Clinical & Operations Manager

With an extensive career in Physiotherapy, both in the UK and the United States, Mark has a passion for providing holistic person-centred care. As our Chief Operations Officer, Mark is responsible for ensuring every aspect of the clinic is focused entirely on providing the best, most personalised care for you.

CLARE WALKER

Administrative Co-ordinator

Clare has three grown up children and a degree in Childhood and Youth Studies which she completed in 2015. She has a long history in providing administrative support in an environment for people with physical and health needs. Clare enjoys the opportunity to provide similar support for the Parkinson’s Centre. 

DR LAURA SMITH

Research Associate

Dr Smith’s research applies psychological theories to better understand, assess, and treat neurological conditions. Laura’s work focuses on the impact that neurological conditions have on mental health and cognition and aims to develop therapies to improve wellbeing.
Laura manages the clinical database at the Centre along with other key research projects wrapped around our service provision.

KATHRYN OVENDEN

Massage therapist

Kathryn is a professional massage therapist qualified in Swedish Massage, Indian Head Massage, Reflexology and Hot Stones Massage with a wealth of experience in treating people with Parkinsons and helping them experience the benefits that these types of massage can offer.

PROFESSOR GURPRIT LALL

Professor of Neuroscience and Sleep & Wellbeing Clinic Director

Professor Gurprit Lall is an expert in sleep and circadian rhythms neurobiology with a specific interest in the neural basis of sleep regulation and the physiological effects of light on sleep wake cycles and hormonal rhythms. His interests focus on the impact of neurological disorders on sleep regulation. He is the Director of the Sleep & Wellbeing Clinic and part of the Schools of Psychology and Medicine with research links to Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust and Kings College London. Professor Lall further supports consultations to help individuals with sleep health and wellbeing.

ANGELA THOMAS

Neuro Physiotherapist

Angela has an undergraduate degree in India and has recently graduated with an advanced physiotherapy masters degree at the University of Salford. Angela is a highly motivated person with a passion for providing holistic person-centred therapy and holistic care and a specific interest in musculoskeletal physiotherapy.

DR WESLEY PYKE

Research Lead

Since joining PCIT, initially as a trainee assessor, Wesley has conducted over 100 initial assessments with our new members. This has given him an in-depth understanding of the challenges faced by people with Parkinson’s disease.
Wesley is a Lecturer in Health Sciences at the Kent and Medway Medical School (KMMS). His research focuses on non-pharmacological interventions for neurological conditions, including non-invasive brain stimulation, physical exercise, digital health tools, and psychological interventions. This expertise not only informs his understanding of current neurological research and treatment developments but also guides our research programme here at the Centre.

DR EMMA TRAVERS-HILL PhD

Clinical Psychologist

Emma completed her BSc in Applied Psychology at the University of Kent and then undertook her PhD at the University of Cambridge in the MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit. Emma then completed a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at the University of East Anglia. Once qualified as a Clinical Psychologist, she worked for the NHS in secondary care adult mental health services in Cambridgeshire and Kent. 

Emma’s research at PCIT focuses on the design and evaluation of Brief Psychological Interventions (BPIs) to help people with Parkinson’s better manage anxiety, depression and low mood.

KATHERINE WINTER

Yoga and Pilates Instructor

Katherine provides Yoga and Pilates classes at Tanglewood which are tailored towards being specifically beneficial for people with Parkinson’s but are suitable for all. She is an experienced yoga teacher and practitioner with over five years of teaching experience in the UK. She qualified in Classical Hatha Yoga in 2019 (200 hours) and completed a further 300 hours of Advanced Training at Ayur-Yoga in India in 2023. Her inclusive and nurturing classes combine postures, breathwork and relaxation, helping students to strengthen and connect with both body and mind while discovering greater calm, balance and wellbeing.

HARRISON FREW

Personal Trainer

Harrison provides 1-1 Personal Training and also offers a popular Boxing Class and Tanglewood. He has a wealth of experience in helping people with Parkinson’s experience the fitness benefits of these activities.

LOUISE JAMIESON

Speech & Language Therapist 
(Talk Coach)

Louise is passionate about supporting adults with neurological conditions, including stroke and brain injury. Louise delivers person-centred, evidence-based therapy and is committed to ongoing professional development. 

ALEXANDRA-ELENA MARIN, MSc

Lawson Trust Research Associate

Alex has gained valuable experience as a psychologist and researcher while working in Spain in clinical, prison, commercial and university settings.  She has worked with a wide range of neurological and non-neurological populations, and is a specialist in couples’ therapy.  She manages all conditions relevant to general adult relationships, including intimacy, psychoeducation, sexual dysfunctions, sexual-related addictions, infidelity, grief counselling, and the problems associated with communication and conflict resolution.

Alongside her work at PCIT, Alex is completing a PhD in Neuroscience which seeks to understand the cognitive and neurological effects of long-term renal disease. 

SARAH FROW

Fitness Trainer

Sarah is married with 2 boys and lives in Tenterden, Kent. She has been a runner since the age of 11 and running, sport and fitness have always played a big part in her life
Sarah has often described running as her “ religion”, however, in 2019 she noticed changes in her body and in 2021, was diagnosed with Young Onset Parkinson’s Disease. This was a life changing bombshell for Sarah but she has continued to run exercise daily, still managing to keep up with her 10 and 12 years olds!

Sarah has adopted “exercise is my medicine” as her new mantra and is proud to work in the first Integrated Therapies Centre for People living with Parkinson’s. She always hopes to inspire people to keep moving whilst having fun in a safe and welcoming environment. 

PAUL HOLDEN Lic.Ac, MBAcC, BSc (Hons), ACMA, CGMA, PTTLS

Acupuncturist, Meridian Therapist, Tai Chi Chuan, Qigong

Paul treats patients holistically, applying therapies that include acupuncture, Japanese meridian therapy, moxibustion, cupping, Qigong, and auricular acupuncture with compassion and empathy, working with patient to optimise treatments.
Paul’s passions are Eastern philosophy, mind/body cultivation, and science fiction and has his own acupuncture clinic in Canterbury.

MELANIE KEEN

Dance Instructor and Physiotherapy Assistant

Melanie performs the dual roles of Dance Instructor and Physiotherapy Assistant at Tanglewood.   She has a degree in Dance which she completed in 2012 at University of Surrey. Her vast experience includes working with war veterans, multiple amputees and people with disabilities. Melanie is passionate about using her skills and qualifications to enrich the lives of people with Parkinsons by allowing them to  the physical and wellbeing benefits of dance and movement, both seated and standing, as well as assisting our physiotherapists with neuro and musculoskeletal physiotherapy at PCIT.

JOANNA NGASSA

Massage Therapist

Jo is a professional massage therapist qualified in Swedish Massage, Indian Head Massage, Reflexology and Hot Stones Massage with a wealth of experience in treating people with Parkinsons and helping them experience the benefits that these types of massage can offer.

MUHAMMAD SIRAJ

Neuro-Physiotherapist

Muhammad Siraj is an HCPC-registered physiotherapist with clinical experience in musculoskeletal and orthopaedic rehabilitation. He holds both a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) and an MSc in Orthopaedic Rehabilitation Technology. Through his hands-on practice, he has developed strong skills in evidence-based assessment, manual therapy, and creating personalized rehabilitation and exercise programs. Muhammad is passionate about providing compassionate, patient-centered care and is committed to helping patients achieve long-term recovery, improved mobility, and a better quality of life.

Mark Mardell - PCIT Patron
PCIT Patron

Mark Mardell – Writer and broadcaster

“I feel both proud and privileged to be the Patron of this centre. It is a brilliant idea, and like many a brilliant idea it seems simple and obvious –but only in retrospect, once someone has had the thought and pushed it with determination. All kudos to Prof David Wilkinson.“

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