Our Trustees

Sue Maxwell - Chair

Sue worked in NHS for 30 years in psychotherapy, acute mental health, out of control drug use, latterly HIV and AIDS patients, their partners and their families and their mental health as a community mental health nurse manager. She then had various roles in Relationships Scotland finally retiring as Joint head of Network Services 2013.

Stephanie Palin - Vice Chair

Stephanie has worked as an integrative psychotherapist, supervisor and trainer for 35 years, including roles with Relate, the NHS and in private practice. Stephanie is the Founder and Principal Director of Cedars Therapy Institute, where she leads course development and teaches on specialist counselling and psychotherapy programmes.

Anna Palin-Swift

Anna is an integrative therapist with a specialism in Working with Sexual addiction / Compulsivity and with relationships. Anna is the Co-director of Cedars Therapy Institute offering numerous training options.

Paula Bell

Paula has over 25 years' experience as an integrative counsellor, psychosexual therapist, couple therapist and clinical supervisor. Paula hopes to contribute both her clinical expertise and organisational experience to the Board, helping ATSAC continue to develop as an inclusive, collaborative organisation that supports therapists while promoting the highest standards of care for clients, partners and families.

Eoli Halatsa-Kalian

Eoli is a Psychosexual, Relationship, Family, Addiction and Trauma Psychotherapist and founder of New Leaf Therapies Ltd where she offers therapy and supervision. She also works for Relate and provides training to The Counselling Directory community.

Rob

Rob is a client in recovery and became an ATSAC trustee in 2023. During his journey of recovery he approached ATSAC because he felt strongly that it could be beneficial to ATSAC if the board included someone who could represent clients undergoing therapy. The board agreed and welcomed him as a trustee.

Laura Joanknecht

Laura is an accredited psychotherapist, psychosexual and relationship therapist, clinical supervisor, lecturer, and researcher with over 30 years' experience. She is Research Director for SPARC (Sexology & Psychotherapy Applied Research Centre) and Lead Tutor for the Institute of Psychosexual Psychotherapy's Level 7 Psychosexual Therapy Diploma. Laura is delighted to serve as an ATSAC Trustee and is committed to supporting the organisation's mission to promote excellence in the assessment and treatment of problematic sexual behaviours through evidence-informed practice, education, and collaboration.

Erica Paraiso

Erica became a relationship therapist following a career of more than 20 years in education. Erica is a passionate advocate for neurodivergent people and for ensuring that services are accessible and responsive to different needs. Erica also brings extensive governance experience as a non-executive director and trustee. As an ATSAC trustee, Erica hopes to support the organisation in welcoming therapists from a diverse range of therapeutic approaches.