Meet Our Staff

Dennis Yandoli, Family Therapy Service Manager
Dennis has worked with local NHS drug and alcohol services for the past 24 years. In the mid-1980s Dennis conducted research into couples with drug addiction and tested the family therapy approach. This pioneering research led him to set up The Meanwhile Family Therapy Service.

Alison Smith, Assistant Manager
Alison initially trained in the arts and worked with young people and theatre. She entered the field of family therapy via a course in Personal Construct Psychotherapy and subsequently practised as a solution-focused brief therapist. Alison has worked in the substance misuse field for over 15 years and has also completed training in Neuro-Linguistic Programming, Ericksonian Hypnosis and EMDR treatment for trauma.

Ruby Osorio, Specialist Psychiatrist
Ruby has worked as a psychiatrist since 1986 in various areas including: general psychiatry; child psychiatry; eating disorders; family therapy; and substance misuse. In addition to her work with The Meanwhile Family Therapy Service, Ruby also works with the CNWL Substance Misuse Maternal Health Team.

Debbie Galluzzo, Site Administrator
Debbie is our extremely patient and efficient site administrator. Debbie has over 20 years experience of working in the NHS and has worked in mental health and substance settings for over ten years.

Family Therapists and Psychotherapists

Elena Churikova
Elena gained her Masters in Psychology in Moscow before moving to the UK and completing further training in dialogical group therapy at Middlesex University and a postgraduate diploma in Psychoanalytic Study of Couple Relationships at the Tavistock. Elena has over 7 years experience of providing individual, couple and group therapy in the UK mental health and substance misuse services.

Jenny Cousins

Jenny joined the Meanwhile Family Therapy in July 2007 with 10 years experience of working with young people and their families. She has worked within various substance misuse settings for over 4 years. Jenny trained in Humanistic Integrative Therapy at CPPD Counselling School. 

Becky Harris
Becky joined the psychotherapy field in 1996 after 11 years of working in the film industry. She completed training in existential counselling before studying for her MSc in Family Therapy. Becky’s previous experience includes working with children and adolescents in the mental health field. She has worked at The Meanwhile Family Therapy Service for over two years.

Brenda Finlay-Musonda

Brenda completed her Masters in Systemic Psychotherapy at the Tavistock Clinic. She is also a qualified nurse with extensive experience of working in forensic psychiatry, adult mental health and CAMHS. Prior to joining our team in July 2007, Brenda was working within a CAMHS service with young people and families affected by substance misuse.

Galit Haviv-Thomas
Galit is a family therapist and specialist young people’s worker for Westminster. Galit joined the Family Therapy Team from Israel where she originally trained in social work. After moving to the UK she gained her MSc in Family Therapy from the Institute of Psychiatry. Galit has extensive experience in working with people with mental health and substance use difficulties.

Ines Rato
Ines is our Portuguese family therapist. After leaving Portugal Ines attained a Masters of Education in Human Services and Counselling in Chicago and worked with families of South American background. She then moved to London where she gained a Masters in Family Therapy from the Institute of Psychiatry. Ines has been working in substance misuse for over four years and is currently completing a course in systemic supervision.

Ruth Sequeira
Ruth came to The Meanwhile Family Therapy Service after seven years experience of working in the voluntary sector. Ruth trained in Gestalt therapy at the Gestalt Centre. Her previous work involved running a young people’s counselling service and she has worked with individuals and families affected by substance misuse for over five years.

Francesca Trombaccia