Natasha Synesiou

Assistant Professor

Professional Biography

Natasha is an existential psychotherapist and supervisor, working in the NHS in psycho-oncology, and in private practice. She is a lecturer at The School of Psychotherapy and Psychology, RUL, where she lectures, supervises and facilitates on the MA programme. Natasha’s background is in the Arts – dance, theatre and Russian Cinema – where she has worked as a performer, translator/interpreter and writer.

Qualifications

  • 2015: Diploma in Individual and Group Supervision, Cascade Associates
  • 2011: Advanced Diploma in Existential Psychotherapy (ADEP), School of Psychotherapy and Counselling Psychology (SPCP), Regents College
  • 2009: MA (Distinction) in Psychotherapy and Counselling, SPCP, Regent’s College
  • 2008: Integrated Training Course in Bereavement Counselling, Kensington and Chelsea Cruse
  • 2007: Foundation Certificate in Psychotherapy and Counselling, SPCP, Regents College
  • 1986: MA (Distinction) in Drama and Theatre Studies, University of London, Royal Holloway and Bedford New College
  • 1983: BA (Distinction) in Dance, The American College of Greece, Deree College Athens

Relevant Past Employment

  • 2012 –2013: Chelsea & Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
  • 2010 –2012: Guys and Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust
  • 2010 – 2011: Student Psychological Services, University College London
  • 2008 – 2011: Cruse Bereavement Care

Publications

Psychotherapy:

  • Boundary and ambiguity: Merleau-Ponty and the space of psychotherapy’. Journal of the Society for Existential Analysis. 23.2:  320-332
  • ‘What is it, then, between us? A response to two responses’, Journal of the Society for Existential Analysis, 23.2: 349-352

Cinema:

  •  ‘Andrei Tarkovsky- self, world, flesh’, Andrej Tarkovskij Klassiker-Классик-Classic-Classico, 2016, Vol 1,  Potsdam: Universitatsverlag Potsdam
  • ‘From Wood to Marble: Tarkovsky’s Journey to Ithaca’, Tarkovsky, Black Dog Press, London, 2008
  •  ‘Ivan’s Childhood’, 24 Frames. The Cinema of Russia and the Former Soviet Union, Wallflower Press, London, 2007
  •  Mirror. The Film Companion, I.B.Tauris, London, 2001
  •  Andrei Tarkovsky. Collected Screenplays, Faber & Faber, London 1999

Research Supervision

  • Supervisor of MA dissertations

Research Interests

  • Merleau-Ponty’s relevance to Existential psychotherapy
  • Embodiment and inter-embodiment in the psychotherapeutic encounter and beyond
  • Discourses on the self and critical psychopathology
  • Illness, end of life, death

Professional Affiliation(s)/Accreditations

  • UKCP reg
  • MBACP reg
  • SEA

Examining

  • Examiner of MA dissertations

Other Outputs

  • 1993-2008: Interpreter for Russian Film Directors at The London Film Festival and other venues including for S4C (Channel 4 Wales) on pre and post production of Russian animated films. Translator of Russian texts, film reviewer, and author of several publications on Russian film director Andrei Tarkovsky.
  • Lectures, conference papers and presentations on Andrei Tarkovsky include:
    • 2014: Potsdam University 
    • 2007: The French Institute 
    • 2005: The National Film Theatre
    • 2002: Byzantine Museum, Athens
    • London Convivium of Archetypal Studies (1997), SSEES, University of London (1994-1999), and Bristol University (1996-1998).

Teaching & Course Development

  • Existential Psychotherapy and Critical psychopathology (ADEP)
  • Training and Academic Supervision (MA, ADEP)
  • PPD facilitation (MA)
  • Ethical and Professional Issues (DPsych)
  • From Existentialism to Postmodernism: Challenges to Therapeutic Practice (DPsych)