TMS clinicians team
Experts in transcranial magnetic stimulation.Our clinicians work hard to ensure the best patient care possible.
Our clinicians
Our team of clinicians is led by Medical Director Dr Leigh Neal.
They are trained to assess your suitability for TMS treatment and will prescribe your treatment following a video consultation.
Dr Leigh A Neal
MB BCh MRCGP DRCOG FRCPsych MD
Consultant in Psychiatry and Neuromodulation, Former Honorary Senior Lecturer at Kings College London Medical Director Smart TMS, MAC Member
Dr Neal is the Medical Director at Smart TMS. He is registered as a specialist by the GMC, a member of the International Neuro-modulation Society, and has a licence to practice. Dr Neal is also a member of the advisory committee (MAC) to the Royal College Psychiatrists for TMS.
He was first appointed as a consultant psychiatrist in 1994. He was formerly an RAF psychiatrist, armed forces tutor for the Royal College of Psychiatrists and latterly hospital commander of the Armed Forces Psychiatric Hospital. He has a Research Doctorate (MD) in psychiatry and was appointed as an honorary senior lecturer in psychiatry at Leeds University and at Kings College University, London.
Dr Neal trained in TMS at Maastricht University as well as various clinics in Southern California, and has been certified in the safe use of repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) by Maastricht University. He has particular expertise in the treatment of chronic depression, addictions and PTSD.
Dr Neal is responsible for the day-to-day running of Smart TMS’s network of clinics, with help from our practitioners.
He is secretary and a founder member of the Medical Advisory Committee (MAC) of experts in psychiatric neuromodulation, which was established in 2018.
Professor Alex O’Neill-Kerr
MBCHB, FCPSYCH (SA), FRCPSYCH
Medical Director – Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, MAC Member
Professor O’Neill Kerr is a consultant psychiatrist with clinical interests in depression and bipolar disorder.
In 2017, he was made a professor in neuromodulation by the University of Northampton.
He is the Medical Director of Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, which delivers mental and other health services from hospitals and in the community.
Professor O’Neill Kerr is the clinical lead for the Northamptonshire Neurostimulation Centre based in Northampton, and a recognised expert in the field of rTMS.
He was responsible for starting the rTMS unit at Berrywood Hospital in 2014, and has successfully treated many patients with resistant depression and other conditions. He has also presented at the Royal College of Psychiatry on rTMS.
He is chairman and a founder member of the Medical Advisory Committee (MAC) of experts in psychiatric neuromodulation, which formed in 2018.
Dr Edward Clark
BSc MBChB MRCPsych
Psychiatrist and Deputy Medical Director Smart TMS
Edward read Economics at the University of Nottingham before undertaking his medical studies at the University of Warwick where he developed an early interest in psychiatry and was president of the University Psychiatry Society.
He completed his psychiatry core training at NHS Central London teaching hospitals where he worked in both inpatient and community settings, covering a full range of ages from children to older adults. He has taught and examined medical students at both Imperial College London and University College London, and is keen to encourage and support the next generation of psychiatrists.
In addition to his work with Smart TMS, Ed continues to work within the NHS and private practice, where he has a special interest in treatment resistant depression, anxiety, bipolar affective disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder. He is a Member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, and approved under section 12(2) of the Mental Health Act.
After work you will find him at his local tennis club, and at the weekend he unwinds by playing golf, hiking and spending time with family and friends.
Aleks George Srbinoski
MSc
Aleks completed his clinical psychology training at the University of Wollongong in Australia in 2006, and worked as a practitioner in a variety of private and institutional settings across Australia, providing therapy for a vast array of psychological and emotional concerns.
He is an experienced TMS clinician who has been working at Smart TMS since 2016.
Aleks employs a range of evidence-based methods in his practice, particularly acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), mindfulness-based therapies, psychodynamic therapy, dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) and evidence-based hypnosis. In addition, Aleks has experience of neuropsychological assessments and cognitive testing.
As well as working privately for Smart TMS, Aleks is continuing his work in the field of positive psychology as an author, technology entrepreneur, speaker and trainer. He has published three best-selling books on entrepreneurial decision making, happiness and improving mental health, and his expert psychological commentary is regularly featured in the media.
Aleks is registered with the Health and Care Professional Council (HCPC) and is a chartered member of the British Psychological Society (BPS).
Justin Stephenson
BA, MA, DClinPrac
Consultant Clinical Psychologist
Justin is an HCPC-registered chartered clinical psychologist with experience in both the NHS and the private sector.
Born in South Africa, he completed his clinical training at the University of Witwatersrand before moving to the UK, developing a keen interest in clinical health psychology and older adult mental health.
His approach towards TMS consultations is sensitive and respectful, aiming to create a supportive relationship before and during TMS treatment.
Justin is registered with the British Psychological Society as a chartered psychologist and associate fellow.
Dr Anastasia Tsakiri
MBChB CCT CAMHS ASRCPsych MD
Dr Tsakiri is a consultant in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and responsible Clinician at an Acute Psychiatric Unit for adolescents in Cambridgeshire. She is an approved Clinician and Section 12 approved. She completed training in Adult Psychiatry and Child Neurology, as well as Child & Adolescent Psychiatry during her medical specialisation.
She trained in TMS and has been certified in the safe use of repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (r-TMS) by Maastricht University.
Dr Tsakiri also trained in Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation: Clinical Applications for Psychiatric Practice Member as San Francisco CA during the annual meeting of the Americal Psychiatric Association (APA). She is a member of the International Clinical TMS Society.
Dr Tsakiri is the Child and Adolescent psychiatrist is leading the 16/17-year-olds treatment of Depression at SmartTMS.
Dr Tsakiri is a member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, British Association of Psychopharmacology, American Psychiatric Association and Hellenic American Psychiatric Association. She has completed the QNIC Accreditation Training- Feb 2016 Royal College of Psychiatrists Centre for Quality Improvement and she is part of the QNIC Reviewer group participating at QNIC reviews in the UK, Scotland, Ireland & Norway.
She has provided assessments and treatment of child mental health problems as part of generic multi-disciplinary teams. Furthermore, she has provided medical monitoring and treatment of a caseload of children with several mental problems and undertake emergency psychiatric assessments in different European Countries.
Dr Chloe Ward
DCounsPsych, HCPC - Couns. Psych.
Counselling Psychologist
Chloe is an HCPC registered counselling psychologist who previously worked with Smart TMS as a technician prior to starting her PhD. Chloe is currently working within the NHS and the private sector.
Chloe has gained experience within various areas of the NHS working with different client groups and presentations. She pursued her master’s degree at Keele and her PhD at Wolverhampton, specialising in counselling psychology with a strong research focus on anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Chloe aims to provide a supportive space from the initial assessment and throughout the TMS journey.