Dr Christos Kouimtsidis

Consultant Psychiatrist

Dr Christos Kouimtsidis is a Consultant Psychiatrist in Adult Mental Health and Addictions, working in the NHS and privately. After qualifying in Medicine in Greece in 1990, Dr Kouimtsidis earned his MSc in Mental Health studies at the University of London with a specialism in CBT for substance misuse. He completed his basic psychiatric training at Guy’s and St Thomas, continuing his specialist training in Adult Mental Health at South London and St George’s Mental Health Trust and in Addiction Psychiatry as a Clinical Lecturer at the Section of Addictive Behaviour, St George’s University of London. He also completed a PhD at the Institute of Psychiatry, King’s College, London. Further to working in addictions in the NHS, he serves as a clinical lecturer with Imperial College London and St Andrew’s University, Scotland, with previous similar lecturing posts held with King’s College London and St George’s University London.

Over his career, Dr Kouimtsidis has gained extensive experience helping individuals with general mental health disorders but particularly the treatment of alcohol dependence; opioid, stimulants and other drug misuse and dependence. He is also very experienced in treating complex cases of co-morbidity of mental health and addiction problems, where addiction coincides with anxiety, panic disorder, depression and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). In his clinical practice, he combines the expert skills of a Consultant Psychiatrist in mental health with the special skills of an Addiction Psychiatrist.

He has received several awards for his clinical and academic work such as the 2023 Long Service Award from the NHS, the 1st Research Prize (2018) and the Gold CARE Leader Award (2016) from his NHS employer, the UK 2015 HSJ Award for Clinical Research Impact and several awards for excellent service provision and innovation from 2004 to 2011. The awards Dr Kouimtsidis has received in recognition of his effective working relationships with service users are a testament to his firm commitment to opening patients up to their own strengths and empowering people to overcome their problems and thrive once more.

  

If you or a loved one is in crisis and needs immediate help, please visit our Crisis Information page.

Marina Hilleary

December 9, 2024 No Comments

Dr Marina Hilleary is a Clinical Psychologist working in the NHS and private practice. She completed her BSc in Psychology at the University of Exeter, graduating with first-class honours and was subsequently awarded an MSc in Mental Health Studies and a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London.

Dr Hilleary has 9 years of clinical experience in various NHS mental health settings, her current position being on a Specialist Adolescent Team at a Community Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS). She has a specialist interest in working with children, young people and their families and has worked with young people presenting with a wide range of difficulties including depression, low self-esteem, anxiety (specific phobias, GAD, social anxiety, separation anxiety, panic and OCD), PTSD, behaviours that challenge and additional neurodevelopmental needs.

Dr Hilleary is experienced in carrying out comprehensive psychological assessments (including cognitive assessments) and recognises the importance of working towards a shared understanding of the presenting difficulties to enable a positive therapeutic outcome. She draws on a range of evidence-based psychological therapies and models, including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Mindfulness-Based approaches. In addition, Dr Hilleary utilises systemic family approaches when working with young people and their families.

Dr Hilleary adopts an integrative, compassionate and person-centred approach to engage young people, building their motivation to participate in decisions around their care plan and achieve their therapeutic goals. She works creatively with her clients and, where appropriate, alongside any of their important support systems.