About us
GET TO KNOW US.

About.

Talk for Health is a social enterprise improving mental health. It was started in 2008 by Nicky Forsythe, an Accredited Psychotherapist, to teach people an evidence-based method for therapeutic talking. It is as effective as therapy.

We are funded by the NHS in Islington, Camden Giving in Camden, and other funders. That means we are able to offer most of what we do to participants at no cost.

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commissioned.

T4H is commissioned by the NHS in Islington and grant funders in Camden. We can replicate this in new Boroughs. If you are a Funder or Commissioner and want to know more, click here

Why talk for health?

The stress & anxiety of modern life means that 1 in 4 of us suffer mental health problems. Over 75% of us receive no help and less than 1 in 10 are able to get effective NHS talking therapy.

Talk for Health is a transformative solution, which is..

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Sustainable

Sustainable

In psychological terms, it is the equivalent of teaching people how to fish rather than giving them fish to eat.

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Effective

Effective

People with the skills taught in Talk for Health can be as effective in supporting themselves and others as trained therapists.

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Good for wellbeing

Good for wellbeing

It promotes wellbeing by virtue of the fact that people give as well as receiving support.

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Good for community

Good for community

It promotes social bonds and a sense of shared humanity – the relief of knowing that ‘I’m not the only one’.

Meet the team.

PATRON.

Grayson Perry, RA, CBE

Director

Grayson Petty Ra, CBE is one of Britains best-known contemporary artists as well as an advocate for effective talking therapies.

Trainers and Facilitators.

Our current team includes 15 Associate Trainers and 60+ volunteers, all of whom have been personally trained and are supervised by Psychotherapists. You can see our wonderful crew below.

Operations team.

Libby Swinfield

Libby has joined the team as a Programme Manager, working as part of the Ops Team responsible for our T4H programmes and events, helping us to make sure they run smoothly.

Libby has previously worked in the charity sector, and is currently studying part-time towards her Psychotherapist qualification. Having grown up in Southeast Asia, Libby loves to go travelling, hiking and being outdoors.

Mike Lawrence

Mike Lawrence

Mike, previously a T4H Programme Graduate, is now working with us on a volunteer internship as a programme manager and will be helping with the operations team over the next 3 months.

In his spare time he likes to go road/mountain biking and is currently working his way through the Ottolenghi cookbook (Flavour).

Oliver Raizon

Oliver, previously a T4H graduate and a volunteer for the Islington Town Hall Chair & Share group, has joined us as a Programme Manager.

He’ll be working to make sure things run smoothly behind the scenes. Passionate about mental health and wellbeing, Oliver also likes long city walks and is an avid fan of the Eurovision Song Contest, having flown out to Lisbon to attend the contest in 2018!

Judit Kovacs

Judit joined Talk for Health as a Data Management Intern and is currently completing her Psychology placement year with us. She keeps track of participants’ records, follows up with them and assists the team with putting together reports. She also helps with other admin.  If she could travel anywhere in the world, she would go to New Zealand to see the migration of Humpback whales.

 

Nicky Forsythe – Founder and CEO.

Nicky Forsythe MBACP (accred.) FRSA
is an accredited Psychotherapist, researcher and innovator in mental health. She developed the Talk for Health programme in 2008. She is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and Woman of the Year Alumna.

Directors.

Roy Langmaid

Director

Roy Langmaid is a Psychologist, Physiotherapist and Author.

Lionel-Team

Lionell joyce

Director OBE CBE

Lionel Joyce OBE, CBE is a former NHS Chief Executive, and pioneer of the Service User Empowerment movement.

Grace Foot

Director

Data Analyst.

Dr Diego Vitali

Data Analyst

Dr Diego Vitali is a clinical Psychologist and researcher, currently undertaking a PHD programme at Roehampton University.

Advisory board.

Phillipa-Team

Philippa Perry

UKCP

Phillippa Perry UKCP is a Psychotherapist, Author and Broadcaster commited to demystifying psychotherapy.

Imtaz Khaliq

MBE

Imitz Khaliq is a design expert and equal rights campaigner

Harriet-Team

Harriet Spicer

Expert in governance and strategy.

Harriet Spicer is an expert in governance and strategy. She was a Founding Director of Virago Press, the feminist publishing company.

Adrian Hosford

Adiran Hosford is a campaigner for better interpersonal communication and a sustainability (CRS) expert.

David Smail

David Small was founder of Bakehouse LTS,Tesco’s largest in-store bakery and now supports charities and local enterprises. He tutors at school for Social Entrepreneurs.

Tumu Johnson

Tumu is a Psychologist working in an NHS service and has previously worked for T4H as an Associate Trainer. She is Co-Director at Disabled Feminist Collective, Sisters of Frida

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