Therapists

Denne McHugh

BOccThy, RCOT, HCPC, AHPRA – Head of Rehabilitation

Denne is the Head of Rehabilitation Services at Ascot Rehabilitation. He is also a trained Occupational Therapist, graduating from the University of Queensland in 2014, & has worked in the private & public sectors in the United Kingdom & Australia. He has extensive experience working in Accident & Emergency, Neuro-Oncology, Palliative care, & Neurological Rehabilitation.

Denne was a key leader helping to set up the “Discharge to Assess (D2A)” pathway in Hammersmith & Fulham. He is known for his strong commitment to clinical governance, & transformative health.

Denne is responsible for clinical leadership, governance, & management of Ascot Rehabilitation’s multi-disciplinary therapy service.

Denne has a keen interest in strategic healthcare provision & optimisation and is planning to further his career in this sector.

Dr. Letizia De Mori

BS – MScPsych
Psychologist, Neuropsychologist
Researcher
Graphical Cognitive Profiles
Technical Expert Consultant
BPS Member – CPsychol – AFBPsS
OPPV Member
BNA Member
FENS Member
Neuropsychologist Lead

Professional Background:
2021 – Today’s Master’s Degree: “Applied Neuroscience”. King’s College London – Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience (UK).

2017- Today’s Research Grant “Neuropsychological and Functional profiles in children and adolescents with Silver Russell Syndrome (SRS), Turner Syndrome (TS) and Congenital Hypothyroidism (IC). Correlations with fMRI – 3T”. The University of Genoa – Giannina Gaslini Pediatric Hospital (Italy).

2015 – 2016 Masters “Learning Disability and School Difficulties”. Centro Studi Erickson Trento (Italy)

2009 – 2011 Master’s Degree: “Clinical Psychology”. Padova University – Psychology Department (Italy).

2006 – 2009 Bachelor’s degree: “Education and Developmental Psychological Science”. Padova University – Psychology Department (Italy).

Work Experience:
Since 2023 NeuroPsychologist Lead at Ascot Rehab (UK).

Since 2014 Private Practice. CEO and Director in Italy. The services provided were for psychodiagnosis, cognitive rehabilitation (Learning Disability, ADHD, intellectual Disability, and post-brain damage), method of study, psychological support, parent training, and bereavement management.

Since 2020 Private Practice in the UK (London). Services: psychodiagnosis (IQ, ASD, ADHD, Personality and Emotions Disorders, Learning Difficulties, Dementia), cognitive rehabilitation (Learning Disability, ADHD, intellectual Disability, and post-brain damage), psychological support, parent training, bereavement management, Medical-Legal Expert, Rare Genetic Syndromes Expert.

Expertise and Skills:
Researchers

2009 “Role of imitation in the Cognitive, Linguistic and Social Developmental in Twins”. Thesis Bachelor’s Degree in Development and Education Sciences (Padua – Italy).

2011 “Working Memory in Williams Syndrome and typically developing children”. Thesis master’s degree in clinical psychology (Padua – Italy).

2012 Research with more control on Williams Syndrome and typically developing children.

2016 Research on Silver–Russell Syndrome.

2017 Silver – Russell Syndrome and Musical – Training: a possible rehabilitation. Thesis Master in “Learning Disability and School Difficulties”. Erikson Centre (Trento – Italy).

October 2017-Today The University of Genoa (Italy) – Istituto Giannina Gaslini (Pediatric Hospital): “Neuropsychological and Functional profiles in children and adolescents with Silver Russell Syndrome (SRS), Turner’s Syndrome (TS) and Congenital Hypothyroidism (IC). Correlations with fMRI – 3T.

Passions and Interests:
My hobby is collecting Panini stickers from Football Teams.
I like Romantic and Thriller movies.
I like to play and share moments with my children.

Achievements and Recognition: One of the articles I published with my Team won the prize as 1 of the 10 most cited articles in the world in 2022.

Patti G., De Mori L., Tortora D., Severino M.S., Calevo M., Russo S., Napoli F., Confalonieri L., Schiavone M., Thiabat H.F., Casalini E., Morana G., Rossi A., Ramenghi L.A., Maghnie M., Di Iorgi N. Cognitive Profiles and Brain Volume are Affected in Patients with Silver Russell Syndrome. The journal of Clinic Endocrinology & Metabolism. https://doi.org/10.1210/clinem/dgz151.

2023 Assessor for Hogrefe UK.

Professional Affiliations:
British Psychological Society – AFBPsS
British Neuroscience Association – BNA Member
Federation of European Neuroscience – FENS
Ordine Psicologhe e Psicologi del Veneto – OPPV (Italy)

Future Goals
Continuing research to improve people’s Quality of Life.

Urvisha Lunagariya

MSc Advanced physiotherapist, MCSP
Urvisha is a qualified specialist physiotherapist. She is a reliable and honest physiotherapist, who believes in punctuality, patient-centred and evidence-based practice. Urvisha completed her post graduate studies in Advanced Physiotherapy practices dealing with various neuromusculoskeletal conditions from Manchester Metropolitan University in 2019. In addition, she currently works with paediatrics and adults treating various neuromusculoskeletal conditions. Furthermore, Urvisha works upon developing and reviewing treatment programmes, assisting patients with joint and spinal problems. Helping patient’s rehabilitation following accidents, injury, and strokes. Liaising with other healthcare personnel to supply and receive relevant information about the background and progress of patients as well as referring patients, who require other specific medical attention. Being legally responsible and accountable. Managing clinical risk. She has excellent facing skill, proficiency in patient assessment, time management and treatment execution. This enables her to work on her own initiatives or as part of a team. Urvisha is at her best whenever given a challenging task and she has adopted the necessary skills to communicate at all levels of the multi-disciplinary team.

Noel Caspe

MCSP – Neurological Physiotherapist Specialist
A Chartered Physiotherapist with 15+ years of clinical experience in the United Kingdom and overseas in the field of Neurological, Musculo-skeletal, Learning Disabilities, Mental Health Conditions, and Elderly Care. Noel has 5+ years’ experience of working as a Lead Physiotherapist at private companies and years of clinical experience in NHS (Intermediate Setting/ Discharge Planning/ Reablement and Home Phase of Rehabilitation Intervention.

Noel has a wealth of experience working as a Disability Analyst/ Clinical Support Lead undertaking a combination of file-work and face to face assessment of claimants in relation to variety of benefits and provides comprehensive report to enable decision makers at DWP to make informed decision regarding benefits claims.

Rishika Balani

MSc Neuro Physiotherapy,
HCPC and CSP registered
Physiotherapist

MSc Neuro Physiotherapy, HCPC and CSP registered. My journey in the field of physiotherapy began with the successful completion of a four and a half-year Bachelor’s programme in Physiotherapy from the city of Mumbai in India. During my undergraduate studies, I developed a keen interest in research, culminating in the publication of my research paper-“Comparison of immediate effect on application of remote self-myofascial release on posterior chain flexibility in asymptomatic young individuals”. This academic pursuit laid the foundation for my career, fostering a commitment to evidence-based practice in neurorehabilitation. I commenced my professional journey at a neurorehabilitation outpatient clinic where I had the privilege of working with a spectrum of patients with conditions including but not limited to Stroke, Cerebellar Ataxia, Guillain-Barré syndrome, Multiple Sclerosis, and Spinal Cord Injury. Furthering my academic pursuits, I commenced and successfully completed a Master’s in Neuro Physiotherapy from University College London (UCL). During this phase, I actively contributed to the Queen Square upper limb programme, collaborating closely with researchers, and aiding in the data collection process for patients coping with chronic stroke.

I have registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and I am proudly affiliated with the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP). My principles include delivering compassionate care, using evidence-based techniques, and continuously striving for the best outcomes for my patients. I am fueled by a genuine passion for neurorehabilitation and a commitment to making a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals on their journey to recovery.

Sharna Fernandez

BSc Occupational Therapy with Honors
HCPC registered
Senior Occupational Therapist
Sharna is a senior occupational therapist who qualified with a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy with Honors at the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa in 2019. Following achieving her degree Sharna completed a 1 year community service internship at Pholosong hospital, a government hospital in South Africa. During her community service year, Sharna was awarded a service excellence award in the category of Allied Personnel of the Year. Following her internship, Sharna then worked for two years at Morehill Clinic, a private rehabilitation hospital where she gained experience treating orthopedic and neuro patients. She moved to the UK in October 2022 and worked at Royal Free Hospital for 18 months in the orthopedic and neuro departments. Sharna is passionate about neurorehabilitation and has done a number of courses to further her skills and experience in this area including the StrokeEd courses. Sharna is passionate about helping people with disabilities to reach their full potential and perform all of their occupations to the best of their ability. Sharna places great importance on ensuring her treatment is tailored specifically for the patient and individualized to take into account their interests and goals. Sharna enjoys art as well as cooking and often brings these activities into her treatments where appropriate. Sharna is a registered occupational therapist with the Health and Care Professions Council in the UK and the council have verified her qualifications. Sharna is passionate about furthering her career and specializing in the field of neurological rehabilitation

Lucia Ikweem

Senior Rehab Assistant
Lucia is Senior Rehab Assistant at Ascot Rehabilitation and has been with the company for 3 years.

Achref Taieb

BSc – Rehabilitation Assistant Coming soon…

Carina Howard

CMT Therapist
Carina trained at Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance where she graduated with a first class (Hons) degree. Following this, she completed a master’s at Northern School of Contemporary Dance with Distinction. Carina dances professionally with Mark Bruce Company and Rosie Kay Dance Company, touring in performances across the country.

Having trained as a dancer since she was two, Carina has a unique and heightened understanding of how we move and control our bodies. She puts high emphasis on the connection between breath and movement to improve patients’ movement quality and range. In addition to this, Carina believes that using music during the session not only helps to improve patients’ movement abilities, but also gives a fun and enjoyable side to therapy. Carina’s therapy focuses on balance, cognitive movement sequencing, coordination, movement quality and confidence.

Dr Georgia Pavlopoulou

PhD in Developmental Psychology and Mental Health
UKCP psychotherapist membership 2011185639
MSc in Special Education- Psychological Perspectives
PG certificate in speech pathology and language development for children with special needs
BSc Early Childhood studies
Georgia is a passionate neurodiversity advocate and a neurodevelopmental specialist and educational consultant with over 20 years of experience in educational and clinical settings. She holds prestigious academic roles and has been awarded for innovation and knowledge exchange research activities. She is also a Trustee/Director of Sibs charity.
She is the lead Editor of the book “Improving Access to Mental Health Therapies for autistic children and young people; Self Agency, Curiosity and Collaboration” (Routledge, out in October 2024). Georgia is an academic researcher in funded research on depression and talking therapies in autism, emotion regulation in autism and adhd.

Key areas of work:
At Ascot, Georgia is supporting neurodivergent people of all ages and their family members to live happier and healthier by creating highly personalised rehabilitation plans and building psychological flexibility. Georgia specialises insupporting clients to understand social factors in the mental, emotional, and physical well-being of people with a diagnosis of autism and/or ADHD, syndromes and other neuro-developmental differences across the lifespan.

Specialisation:
Autism, syndromes, adhd, learning disability, anxiety, depression, parenting skills, emotion regulation, behaviours of concern, sibling relationships, sensory and communication play skills, life/education transitions.

Charles Townsend

Tai Chi Instructor
Charles Townsend has been studying Tai Chi for over 30 years and since 2002 he has been teaching classes in different settings and for various groups. For several years he has taught young adults with special needs, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s group, community based sessions for the older adult, and now predominantly at local care homes to encourage the residents to a regular, achievable exercise routine for their general health and fitness. He has also been working with several groups for rehabilitation.

The sessions are gauged for each group with the younger and more mobile members practicing traditional Tai Chi; and for the older adult and wheelchair users or individuals with impaired mobility the class is modified to be practiced as a seated routine.

Alongside Tai Chi Charles studies Alexander Technique with a colleague for his personal development and exploration of posture and body movement. His aim is to help improve quality of life and independence for everyone by providing a routine that can be developed according to the individual.