Our Team

The Maya Centre is nurtured by a team of qualified, dedicated and professional women with a passion for women’s mental health and wellbeing.

All of our core team are from global majority communities and have intersectional experience of VAWG, trauma, migration, asylum, displacement and racism.

Our team have the collective experience and skills to meet the needs of women from a wide range of cultural and language backgrounds.

Hover over or tap on our team to learn more.

Gona Saed

Chief Executive Officer

Throughout my career, I have worked extensively on developing projects that empower women, advocate for equality, and influence positive policy change. At the Maya Centre, I value working with a dedicated team that empowers women to find their voice, heal, and rebuild their lives. I find deep meaning in contributing to an organisation that stands for equality, emotional wellbeing, and social justice. When I’m not working, I enjoy reading and writing, engaging with social movements for justice and equality, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.

Melanie Atherley

Clinical Director

I’m a qualified person-centred and bereavement therapist, with a strong background in the third sector and many years of experience managing counselling services. Together, we guide women through deeply personal and often painful healing journeys. My role is to ensure that each woman receives the care, respect, and continuity she deserves, from the moment of referral to the completion of therapy. While the work can be challenging, it’s deeply rewarding. It’s an honour to be part of a compassionate team, working in a peaceful space that supports the wellbeing of both our clients and our staff.

Mauva Adams

Finance Manager

I am an experienced Finance Manager with extensive experience in budgeting, overseeing the financial management by monitoring and allocating financial resources, preparing internal and external reports and assisting the CEO with the strategic planning. I enjoy how we - the women at the Maya Centre - come together, work together and enjoy food together! When I’m not working I love binge watching series, going to the theatre, having short breaks in spa hotels and always thinking of ‘doing something different’ each year!

Mary Heffeman

Clinical / Irish Women’s Service Lead

I was born and raised in Dublin and have lived in north London for the last thirty years. I’m a trauma specialist who has twenty years’ experience, working in both the charitable and private sector. I have been at the Maya Centre for ten years and I’m now the Clinical Lead for the Irish Women’s Service. As well as my therapeutic work, I’m also a doctoral research student working on the history of psychoanalysis in Ireland. In my spare time, I love all kinds of music and walking my dog.

Zekiye Kartal

Senior Therapist

I'm a qualified counsellor and have been seeing clients for the past 8 years. I'm trained and certified as an Integrative and Intercultural therapist. While English is the main language I use in sessions, I also work with clients from diverse backgrounds and speak German and Kurdish (Kurmanji dialect). At The Maya Centre, I’ve been working with women from all walks of life and have been freelancing for the past 4 years. In recent years, I qualified as a group therapist and was fortunate to receive the opportunity from TMC to run a psychotherapy group.

Monique Burrows-Fearon

Office & Systems Manager

My role is to support and develop the running of the office, systems and clinical services, ensuring that our centre supports staff, therapists and clients simultaneously. I appreciate The Maya Centre’s focus on supporting and empowering women of all cultures through their therapeutic and healing journey, in a safe space. This is something I can make a valuable contribution to. Outside of work, I like to paint, dance and take part in activities that bring out my inner child.

Fahriye Alili

Clinical Liaison & Admin Officer

I support the centre to run as smoothly and efficiently as possible. What I love most about working at The Maya Centre is being part of a dedicated organisation that supports women and having the opportunity to work alongside such a wonderful and committed team. I was inspired to join the centre by the meaningful support it provides and the opportunity to help guide women and contribute to positive change during challenging periods. In my spare time, I love travelling, experimenting in the kitchen, relaxing with a movie, and escaping into a good book 🖤

Lori Skerritt

Communications & Digital Engagement Officer

My main role is to make sure that - who we are, and what we do, is communicated in a clear way internally and externally. And what I love about my role - is the ability to share the amazing work we do as a charity and hopefully inspire others to do the same. I love being part of a charity that has helped so many women access free therapy, who may not have had the opportunity to do so otherwise. Outside of work I’m a proud mum of an energetic toddler and I enjoy winding down with a little quiz or home renovation show.

Beth Tewelde

Women Engagement & Support Worker

My role is to engage with the women who use our services as well as women from the community - to access the support they need and deserve for their mental wellbeing. I was inspired to work at The Maya Centre because I enjoy working with women in an organisation that is a led by and for women from the global majority. I love going to the theatre and catching up with friends and family outside of work and going to new places and creating new experiences.

Katie Jones

Fundraising Consultant

I joined The Maya Centre in June 2025 as a Fundraising Consultant, working with our CEO to secure funding for our services and ensure our organisational sustainability. I was inspired to support the incredible work of The Maya Centre having my own experience of mental health issues and the powerful benefits of women supporting women. Outside of work, I can usually be found in a muddy field with my daughter and three dogs, or round the dining table with good friends and good food.

Thu Pham

Finance Assistant

I enjoy being part of a supportive team, connecting with women, and contributing to the smooth running of the finance department. Outside of work, I love spending time with my children, cooking, and discovering new activities.

Our Counsellors and Therapists

Our Counsellors are all BACP registered and are well supported via clinical supervision, regular staff meetings and bespoke CPD training on women’s mental health.

Our Complementary Therapists are qualified practitioners with specialisms in Reflexology, Reiki & Meditation and Holistic Massage respectively.

Our counsellors and therapists speak 13 different languages between them and most of them are from global majority communities. They provide culturally appropriate and accessible support and have intersectional experience of migration, racism, trauma, gendered violence, and neurodiversity (ADHD and Dyslexia).

Yoona Sorn

Psychotherapist

I'm a psychodynamic psychotherapist and an Accredited member of BACP, offering therapy in both English and Korean. I've been practicing as a psychotherapist since 2020 across several London organisations, and have met clients from diverse cultural backgrounds since then. I was drawn to the Maya Centre because it offers culturally sensitive, accessible therapy for women, which is something I care deeply about both personally and professionally. Outside of my clinical work, I'm currently undertaking a PhD in Psychoanalytic Studies at the University of Essex, researching intergenerational trauma in families affected by historical state violence.

Jennifer Oh

Counsellor

I am a Psychodynamic Counsellor working 1-2-1 with women who have experienced VAWG. I have been qualified since 2018; and worked with The Maya Centre since 2021. I was inspired to work at The Maya Centre because I wanted to support women. Being a part of a team that is run by women, for women inspires me every day. Outside of The Maya Centre I am slowly learning Korean (my father’s language). I enjoy taking walks in the local park, visiting museum exhibitions, reading fiction novels and spending time with my kitty. I proactively seek out opportunities to support women in the community from taking part in organised action to seeking out women creatives and their stories.

Brigitte Boldy

Psychotherapist and Counsellor

Hi, I have the privilege of working for The Maya Centre as their Art Psychotherapist and Counsellor. I am a Trauma Informed/Integrative practitioner. Alongside one to one sessions, I also run Art Therapy Groups at the centre often in groups of six where clients have an opportunity to explore and share their experiences using the arts. Art therapy is not about being good at art but a safe means of expression to navigate difficult feelings and experiences, which we often find difficult to verbalise.

Şirvan Tepe

Psychotherapist

My therapeutic approaches are Psychodynamic and Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT), I also incorporate different therapeutic tools and approaches to suit everyone’s needs in their therapeutic journey. My specialty is offering individual and group therapy both in English and Turkish; issues include depression, anxiety, bereavement and cultural diversity. The Maya Centre inspires me as a female therapist. It’s a safe place to be and it works with women from diverse backgrounds, providing clarity to their lives. I also work with Barnardo's and in private practice. My hobbies are going to musicals and theatre, walking around in nature and exploring different foods.

Dee Lewis

Counsellor

I am a Relational Person-Centred Counsellor, focusing on attunement to clients’ emotional experience. I am BACP registered with specialist training in supporting women and girls who have experienced sexual abuse and trauma. With nine years’ counselling experience across diverse settings, I aim to offer a trauma-informed, safe, and respectful space for clients to explore their experiences. I was drawn to the Maya Centre for its commitment to supporting women facing trauma, inequality, and adversity, values that strongly align with my own. I also work as a complementary therapist in holistic massage and reflexology, reflecting my belief in the connection between mind and body and in holistic approaches to healing.

Koya Conteh

Psychotherapist

I am an African-centred therapist, creative arts psychotherapist, and community wellbeing practitioner, rooted in creativity, culture, and collective healing. With over 10 years’ experience, I offer one-to-one and group support for women navigating trauma, grief, identity, relational wounds, and racialised and gendered harm. I was drawn to the Maya Centre for its commitment to women affected by VAWG, particularly its Black Women’s Project. Outside the Maya Centre, I co-lead community healing spaces, develop African-centred approaches, and facilitate Black-led support groups. I enjoy family time, tending plants, being in nature, travelling, and making space for rest and creative reflection.

Nazmin Haque

Counsellor

I am a BACP Accredited Person‑Centered Counsellor and CFD Practitioner with experience since 2009 across NHS, charity, community, and voluntary services. I’m committed to creating a safe, empathetic, and culturally sensitive space where people feel genuinely heard. While grounded in person‑centred therapy, I work integratively - drawing on CBT, CFD, and brief or longer‑term approaches. I specialise in trauma, depression, anxiety, stress, loss, low self‑esteem, and cultural or adjustment issues. I also work with couples and speak Bengali and Hindi. Supporting women and South Asian communities is especially meaningful to me, and I feel privileged to be part of The Maya Centre team.

Join our team

Check our vacancies page to check if we have new opportunities, or showcase your interest in becoming a volunteer.