Abstract for Dr Anna Zeffertt (nee Anna Doney)

Anna is a Consultant Clinical Psychologist working in Cambridge UK and has run a private practice as Director of Goodchanges Ltd since 2015. Prior to this Anna worked in the National Health Service for 22 years specialising in Child and Adolescent Clinical Psychology, Paediatrics and specialist therapy for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Her career started with an Undergraduate degree in Psychology and Zoology at University of Reading (1981) and a Doctorate in Experimental Psychology at University of York (1986). She held research posts at University of Aston, Birmingham, in Vision Research (1985-86) and at British Telecom, Ipswich, in computer interface design (1986-88).

Anna worked for Quaker Peace and Service, London, for two years (1988-90) based fully as an aid worker in Sri Lanka. During this time she set up the Association for Health and Counselling, known as Shanthiham, in Jaffna (1988-89) and The Family Rehabilitation Centre, in Colombo (1990-91). For this latter project she worked as project researcher and coordinator for The International Centre for Ethnic Studies in Colombo. As a Founder Member of both organisations Anna was extensively involved in training volunteers in Counselling skills, staffing both centres, setting up supporting Board Membership structures and gaining start-up funding through bodies such as Sri Lanka Canada Development Fund, Rehabilitation Centre for Victims of Torture (Denmark) and NORAD. During this time Anna had some extended visits to The Medical Foundation for Care of
Victims of Torture in London to study models of working with ex-detainees and to learn specific therapies for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

On returning to UK from Sri Lanka in 1991 Anna studied Clinical Psychology at the University of Edinburgh, gaining an M.Phil in 1993. Her first clinical post was at The Sick Children’s Hospital, Edinburgh and she moved in 1994 to The Royal Free Hospital and
then to Great Ormond Street Hospital in London (1995-97). While working in London Anna worked in a part time post for two years with children traumatised by domestic violence and death in the Children’s Traumatic Stress Clinic, connected to Camden and Islington NHS Trust. In 1997 she moved to Cambridge to work in an Adolescent Inpatient Unit for teenagers with severe and enduring mental health problems, then in Addenbrooke’s Hospital with children and adolescents with surgical needs relating cleft lip and palate conditions. Her last post with the NHS was in Social Care with children suffering abuse
and neglect within their families. Anna set up her private practice Goodchanges Ltd in Cambridge in 2015 and continues to provide therapy to a full case load of child, adolescent and adult clients with a wide range of psychological difficulties. She predominantly uses CBT, family systems and EMDR approaches in her therapy practice.

Since working in Sri Lanka in 1988 to 1991 Anna has returned frequently using annual leave for visits to AHC-Shanthiham and to FRC. On these occasions she has provided some training and staff support and has followed with great interest the development of both these services with diversified island wide outreach projects. She continues to encourage the two organisations to work supportively with each other to build bridges between ethnic communities and to share training programmes.

Dr Anna Zeffertt (nee Anna Doney)
Cambridge, UK