At the Parkinson's Centre for Integrated Therapy, we have a fantastic team of therapists and administrators, who will take care of your every need.
Get to know a little bit about our therapists and other team members at the Parkinson's Centre.
Director
Professor David Wilkinson is a professor of psychology who worked at the University of Oxford and Harvard Medical School before moving to Kent in 2005.
PCIT Clinical Lead
Mark retired from a 30-year career as a firefighter in the London Fire Brigade in 2012. Prior to this, he completed a psychology and physiotherapy degree.
Research Lead
Dr Laura Smith is a Lecturer based as the University of Kent.
Administrative Coordinator
Clare Walker is the Administrative Co-ordinator, she lives in Faversham, Kent with her husband and fox-red Labrador.
Dance Instructor
Melanie has taught dance since 1999. She loves sharing her passion of the cognitive, physical and social benefits of dance and has experience working with people of all ages, war veterans, people with disabilities and many more.
Physiotherapist
Helen is a Chartered Physiotherapist (BSc Hons, MCSP HCPC), specialising in Neurological Rehabilitation.
Clinical Consultant
Dr Bodani has over 30 years’ experience in Medicine and over 25 years in psychiatry, the last 18 of which have been as a Consultant Neuropsychiatrist in both NHS and independent private practice.
Sarah is a Personal Trainer and Fitness Instructor.
Paul is a Classical Acupuncturist, Meridian Therapist and a Tai Chi Chuan, QiGong and Meditation Teacher
Speech and Language Therapist and Horticultural Therapist
Laura qualified as a Speech & Language Therapist in 1998 and has always worked with adults with Parkinson's and other neurological conditions.
Clinical Research Associate
Alexandra is a student finalising her PhD in Neurosciences, whose research is focused on an integrated patient care intradialysis programme through a virtual health platform
Clinical Research Associate
Wesley is currently finalising his PhD, which focuses on non-drug methods of cognitive enhancement.
Reflexologist
Kathryn practices Reflexology and Indian Head Massage for Parkinsons UK for the past 3 years.
Massage Therapist
Jo is a member of the Federation of Holistic Therapists and provides 45 minute therapeutic massage for PCIT members, focussed on back and shoulders and tailored to individual needs.
Our current team of administrative volunteers are Ann, Jackie and Paul. Chosen for their specific skills and training, they provide invaluable support with PCIT Reception and front desk duties.
Faversham Counselling Service Limited, now FCS Talking Therapies, was launched in 1992. They are a mental health charity based in Faversham, Kent and provide services across the whole of the Kent area. Their work includes free NHS Talking Therapies services, private counselling, corporate counselling, innovative virtual reality therapies, and developing and training student therapists.
FCS is an accredited member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). FCS will provide 1:1 counselling sessions at the Parkinson's Centre, for PCIT members, partners and family members.
Professor David Wilkinson's research seeks to develop more effective therapies for people with neurological conditions, focusing on non-invasive brain stimulation. This technique, which will be available at the Centre, has led to improved quality of life and functional independence in people with Parkinson’s disease.
As Director, Professor Wilkinson will ensure that the Centre’s clinical, research and education strands come together to produce the best environment in which to understand and care for people with Parkinson’s disease. When not at work, Professor Wilkinson tries to play as much football as he can!
Prior to his 30 year career as a firefighter, Mark completed a psychology and physiotherapy degree. Most recently, he ran a successful private physiotherapy clinic for 13 years, specialising in musculoskeletal and neurological conditions.
Mark has a passion for providing holistic person-centred care and is very excited about leading the team of dedicated, professional clinicians at the brand new Parkinson's Centre. Outside of work, Marks enjoy cycling, walking, cooking and socialising with family and friends.
Dr Laura'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 will manage the clinical database at the Centre along with other key research projects wrapped around our service provision. When not at work, Laura enjoys spending time outdoors and with family.
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 and is excited to now have the opportunity to provide similar support for the Parkinson's Centre.
Clare’s favourite things to do involve books, pebble painting, quality family time, holidays in the sun and walking her dog in the countryside.
Dr Bodani is accredited as a specialist in General Adult Psychiatry, the Psychiatry of Old Age and Liaison Psychiatry. He manages all conditions relevant to general adult psychiatry including depression, anxiety, generalised anxiety disorder (GAD), bipolar affective disorder, psychosis, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), somatoform disorders, the problems associated with addictions and drug withdrawal.
Dr Bodani has worked extensively with people living with Parkinson’s disease and other neurodegenerative disorders. He is expert in the assessment of mental capacity in relation to medicolegal matters and has been an Accredited Expert endorsed by the Academy of Experts since 2009.
Dr Bodani has extensive experience in psychopharmacology, and neuromodulation technologies such as galvanic vestibular stimulation and vagus nerve stimulation in which he is actively pursuing research as a means of helping the problems associated with Parkinson’s disease. He has a holistic approach to diagnosis and management, and is eminent in his field.
During completing her her physiotherapy degree Clare developed a passion for neurological rehabilitation and a special interest in Parkinsons. Having worked in the NHS for seven years, she is now self-employed and is delighted to be able to provide 1:1 physiotherapy alongside group exercise at the Parkinson’s Centre in Canterbury.
Clare lives in East Sussex with her husband, young son and 5 guinea pigs. Clare enjoys jogging, reading, playing with her son and finding excuses to hire inflatable bouncy castles and obstacles courses!
Helen is a Chartered Physiotherapist (BSc Hons, MCSP HCPC), specialising in Neurological Rehabilitation.
She joined PCIT in November 2023 and provides assessment and treatment for people with Parkinson's Disease with the goal of enabling them learn to manage their conditions through the use of movement and exercises, which is strongly evidenced in the rehabilitation literature.
Helen strongly feels that exercise is as important as medicine in the management of the symptoms of Parkinson’s and contributes to wellness and better health outcomes. Helen also works alongside Clare Proctor in the delivery of PCIT’s physio-led exercise group as well as seeing members for physio assessments and follow-ups. Helen feels very proud to be part of PCIT as it evolves and finds a new home at the University of Kent, utilising the wide range of facilities there.
Outside of her working life, Helen enjoys strength training, walking (sometimes running), cooking and spending time with her daughter, husband and two cats.
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 very much looking forward to the opportunity to working in the first Integrated Therapies Centre for People living with Parkinson's. She hopes to be able to inspire people to keep moving whilst having fun in a safe and welcoming environment.
Paul so enjoyed improving the health and well-being of students through teaching Tai Chi and Qigong that he left accountancy and retrained as a classical acupuncturist. He is excited to be applying his experience and the versatility of his East Asian Medical approaches at the Parkinson's Centre.
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. A Canterbury resident with his own acupunture clinic, Paul lives with his wife in the City centre. He has two adult daughters who are pursuing careers in the health sector and a dog who constantly reminds him of the simple joys of life.
Paul's qualifications
Laura qualified as a Speech & Language Therapist in 1998 and has always worked with adults with Parkinson's and other neurological conditions. In her free time she can usually be found in the garden or on the allotments that she has cultivated for the last 20 years. She has combined her background as a clinician with her love of gardening and nature to gain additional training in Social and Therapeutic Horticulture. She is joining the PCIT Therapy Team as it relocates to the University of Kent and will providing Speech and Language Therapy and also Horticultural Therapy for PCIT members.
Alexandra is a student finalising her PhD in Neurosciences, whose research is focused on an integrated patient care intradialysis programme through a virtual health platform. She has gained valuable experience as a psychologist and researcher, working with people in a wide variety of settings, including lecturing at the University, developing wellbeing projects for companies, carrying out research in European projects, and working with people in prisons or with disabilities.
Alexandra is also a specialist in couples’ therapy. She manages all conditions relevant to general adult relationships, including intimacy, psychoeducation, sexual dysfunctions, sexual-related addictions, infidelity, grief counseling, and the problems associated with communication and conflict resolution.
Alexandra is a considerate and empathetic professional, known for her determination and focused approach. She prides herself on her work, especially in supporting pivotal non-invasive brain stimulation research for Parkinson’s disease. Outside of work, Alexandra’s passions include traveling, reading, and unleashing her creativity.
Wesley is currently finalising his PhD, which focuses on non-drug methods of cognitive enhancement. His research examines how non-invasive brain stimulation, physical exercise and cognitive task training can improve learning and memory. As well as this, Wesley is experienced in the psychological aspects of vestibular disorders, where he investigates how mental health and cognition interact with physical symptoms.
Wesley hopes to integrate his research skills into the centre to aid in cognitive rehabilitation and improve mental health amongst people with neurological conditions and those that support them. He will also be responsible for measuring the impact of the centre and carrying out initial clinical assessments.
Outside of work, Wesley enjoys hiking, camping, cycling and most things outdoors.
Kathryn worked for the NHS as a nurse and then a Health Visitor for almost 40 years. She is now retired and has been practicing Reflexology and Indian Head Massage for Parkinsons UK for the past 3 years.
She is married to David and has two children and two grandchildren. She is excited to be joining the PCIT team and it re-launches at the University of Kent.
Lucy's career has focussed on support during the transition to parenthood and regularly sings at the weekly mother and baby yoga sessions which she runs.
Lucy is a great believer in the power of group singing and the benefits it can bring.
Alongside her career as Director of Music at Simon Langton Grammar School for Boy's and Director of Canterbury Cantata, Emily has recently become Artistic Director for Canterbury Cantata Trust.
She leads various community singing groups, focusing on ways in which music can improve both physical and mental health.
