Brighter Horizons Brighton is made up of highly experienced, trained DBT therapists, all of whom also hold core mental health qualifications in Nursing, Social Work, or Clinical Psychology. There are three Accredited DBT Therapists, and two additional therapists who are fully trained in DBT alongside other therapy models. Three practitioners are also trained in trauma-focused therapies, including EMDR, DBT-PE, and PTSD-DBT. For more information about each therapist, please see below. All therapists work online and some have in-person availability in Brighton and Sussex.
Therapists
Dr Louise McCusker, Co-Founder & Co-Director of Brighter Horizons Brighton
Accredited Dialectical Behaviour Therapist, Accredited EMDR Practitioner, Bsc (Hons), Clinical Psychologist, Clin.Psychol
I am a Chartered Clinical Psychologist registered with the Health Care Professions Council (HCPC) and one of only 208* Accredited DBT Therapists across the UK and Ireland. I am also an EMDR Accredited Practitioner (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing; a specialist trauma therapy). I am the only Clinical Psychologist in the UK Accredited in both DBT and EMDR. I regularly use both as part of my therapy work and supervise other therapists using these models.
I have over 20 years experience of working with adults and adolescents with mental health problems. I have particular expertise in working with individuals who struggle to understand and manage intense emotions and those with traumatic experiences. I am able to draw on my knowledge and training to help individuals make sense of problems and develop targeted strategies to reduce the impact of the difficulties within the lives of the individuals I work with.
My approach is compassionate, respectful and change-focused. I have a received specialist training in a number of 'third wave' cognitive behavioural therapies including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT). I have worked in the NHS in crisis and urgent care services alongside adult mental health roles. I am available for individual and group sessions as part of the Brighter Horizons Brighton DBT service as well as DBT-informed individual and group work. I am registered with Bupa, Axa, Aviva and WPA. For more information on the types of sessions available, please click here.
*Figures from July 2025
Accredited Dialectical Behaviour Therapist, Accredited EMDR Practitioner, Bsc (Hons), Clinical Psychologist, Clin.Psychol
I am a Chartered Clinical Psychologist registered with the Health Care Professions Council (HCPC) and one of only 208* Accredited DBT Therapists across the UK and Ireland. I am also an EMDR Accredited Practitioner (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing; a specialist trauma therapy). I am the only Clinical Psychologist in the UK Accredited in both DBT and EMDR. I regularly use both as part of my therapy work and supervise other therapists using these models.
I have over 20 years experience of working with adults and adolescents with mental health problems. I have particular expertise in working with individuals who struggle to understand and manage intense emotions and those with traumatic experiences. I am able to draw on my knowledge and training to help individuals make sense of problems and develop targeted strategies to reduce the impact of the difficulties within the lives of the individuals I work with.
My approach is compassionate, respectful and change-focused. I have a received specialist training in a number of 'third wave' cognitive behavioural therapies including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT). I have worked in the NHS in crisis and urgent care services alongside adult mental health roles. I am available for individual and group sessions as part of the Brighter Horizons Brighton DBT service as well as DBT-informed individual and group work. I am registered with Bupa, Axa, Aviva and WPA. For more information on the types of sessions available, please click here.
*Figures from July 2025
Anne Francis, Co-Founder & Co-Director of Brighter Horizons Brighton
Accredited Dialectical Behaviour Therapist; BSc (hons); Mental Health Nurse, PGDip in DBT
I am a Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) therapist who has worked therapeutically with individuals and in groups in NHS and local authority settings for over 33 years. I completed the intensive DBT training with British Isles DBT in 2007 and following this was involved in establishing and delivering DBT to female prisoners at HMP Holloway. I have further completed DBT-PTSD training (developed by Martin Bohus) which is an evidence based treatment for PTSD.
I have extensive experience of providing interventions to patients with a complex presentation and risk history, impulsive behaviour and comorbid diagnoses across many differing settings. I have a particular interest in working with those with a history of trauma or abuse, and those who form part of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer and Intersex community.
I am an open and transparent practitioner invested in developing a collaborative working alliance with clients, supporting them to build and enjoy the best life possible, using dialectical strategies of balancing acceptance and change to reduce harm. I currently work in the NHS with children and young people in addition to my private work. I am available for individual DBT informed therapy sessions, provision of individual and group skills coaching together with the full DBT programme provided by Brighter Horizons Brighton. Individual Skype therapy sessions are also available. Face to face sessions can be either in Brighton or Eastbourne Locations. I have full indemnity insurance. For more information on the types of sessions available, please click here.
Accredited Dialectical Behaviour Therapist; BSc (hons); Mental Health Nurse, PGDip in DBT
I am a Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) therapist who has worked therapeutically with individuals and in groups in NHS and local authority settings for over 33 years. I completed the intensive DBT training with British Isles DBT in 2007 and following this was involved in establishing and delivering DBT to female prisoners at HMP Holloway. I have further completed DBT-PTSD training (developed by Martin Bohus) which is an evidence based treatment for PTSD.
I have extensive experience of providing interventions to patients with a complex presentation and risk history, impulsive behaviour and comorbid diagnoses across many differing settings. I have a particular interest in working with those with a history of trauma or abuse, and those who form part of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer and Intersex community.
I am an open and transparent practitioner invested in developing a collaborative working alliance with clients, supporting them to build and enjoy the best life possible, using dialectical strategies of balancing acceptance and change to reduce harm. I currently work in the NHS with children and young people in addition to my private work. I am available for individual DBT informed therapy sessions, provision of individual and group skills coaching together with the full DBT programme provided by Brighter Horizons Brighton. Individual Skype therapy sessions are also available. Face to face sessions can be either in Brighton or Eastbourne Locations. I have full indemnity insurance. For more information on the types of sessions available, please click here.
Holly Markwick, Highly Specialist Associate Therapist
Accredited Dialectical Behaviour Therapist, BA (Hons) Social Work, PGDip Approved Mental Health Professional, PGDip in DBT
I am a Senior Mental Health Social Worker and an Accredited DBT Therapist. I have over 12 years’ experience working in the NHS in a senior leadership role, treating adults who have complex mental health difficulties and present with many high-risk behaviours. I am fully DBT and EMDR trained and provide both full programme DBT (1-1 and group) and trauma therapy using EMDR (I am additionally trained in EMDR 2.0). I am also trained in DBT-PE (developed by Melanie Harned) which is an evidenced based model to treat trauma. I first became interested in DBT when I could see the positive changes it was making in people's lives, especially for clients who have experienced a number of other treatments.
I have specialist training in DBT and the treatment I provide is complimented by my expertise in Social Work and working in a health-based setting as I can promote a biological, social, and psychological treatment pathway that is able to meet your holistic needs. I am particularly interested in promoting safe relationships and this is something that I have specialised in throughout my career.
As with the DBT model, the client and therapist relationship are very important, and this is something that I prioritise and am committed to. I endeavour to provide a safe and supportive environment where we can be on this journey towards a ‘life worth living’ together. I fully appreciate that change is not easy, and I will support you to work towards the changes you want in your life. I am a very honest, compassionate, and trustworthy person and strive for this in all my relationships.
Accredited Dialectical Behaviour Therapist, BA (Hons) Social Work, PGDip Approved Mental Health Professional, PGDip in DBT
I am a Senior Mental Health Social Worker and an Accredited DBT Therapist. I have over 12 years’ experience working in the NHS in a senior leadership role, treating adults who have complex mental health difficulties and present with many high-risk behaviours. I am fully DBT and EMDR trained and provide both full programme DBT (1-1 and group) and trauma therapy using EMDR (I am additionally trained in EMDR 2.0). I am also trained in DBT-PE (developed by Melanie Harned) which is an evidenced based model to treat trauma. I first became interested in DBT when I could see the positive changes it was making in people's lives, especially for clients who have experienced a number of other treatments.
I have specialist training in DBT and the treatment I provide is complimented by my expertise in Social Work and working in a health-based setting as I can promote a biological, social, and psychological treatment pathway that is able to meet your holistic needs. I am particularly interested in promoting safe relationships and this is something that I have specialised in throughout my career.
As with the DBT model, the client and therapist relationship are very important, and this is something that I prioritise and am committed to. I endeavour to provide a safe and supportive environment where we can be on this journey towards a ‘life worth living’ together. I fully appreciate that change is not easy, and I will support you to work towards the changes you want in your life. I am a very honest, compassionate, and trustworthy person and strive for this in all my relationships.
Rebekah Fisher, Highly Specialist Associate Therapist
Dialectical Behaviour Therapist, RMN
I am a registered Mental Health Nurse with over 20 years experience working in the NHS as an RMN. I have worked in acute and urgent care settings, community based teams, specialist services and leadership roles.
I furthered my therapy skills in 2010 by completing a post graduate Diploma in Cognitive Therapy, focusing on working with people with personality disorder diagnoses.
I used this training to guide my work in facilitating CBT based groups and delivering 1:1 therapy. I later went on to work in specialist personality disorder services and started developing my interest in DBT.
I have chosen to work within in DBT approach as I find this therapy appealing to me in the way that the value base of promoting balance, acceptance, recovery and hope sit alongside my own values. The combination of skills based learning and the validating role of the therapeutic relationship being key parts of this approach that I have seen to be so beneficial to patients. As a therapist I am open, approachable and warm. I am committed to getting to know you, to working with you respectfully and to working alongside you to achieve your goals.
Katy Stafford – Registered Mental Health Nurse and Highly Specialist Associate DBT Therapist
I registered as a mental health nurse in 2011 and completed my DBT training with the British Isles DBT Training team in 2013. I have always worked full time in the NHS across a number of roles and services. In recent years these have been senior leadership roles overseeing various services in acute mental health care. Whilst this has primarily been within the NHS, I have also been fortunate enough to have been invited to Denmark, Taiwan, and Australia to share my skills and knowledge.
Alongside my leadership roles, I have always remained clinically active with DBT both within the NHS and privately, and both with adults and young people. I take great joy from practicing as a therapist and engaging with people. I am passionate about DBT as a therapy and have seen it transform people’s lives. I have seen the challenges people can face in accessing the support they need, as well as the tragic stigma people experience. My view is that people accessing DBT often have incredible skills and intelligence, and with the right support and skills, these can continue to flourish and feel an asset rather than an obstacle.
Please note, Brighter Horizons Brighton is a shared trading name used by independent sole trader therapists listed above. It is not a partnership, company or other legal entity. Each therapist practicing under the Brighter Horizons Brighton name operates as an independent practitioner and is solely responsible for their clinical work, professional conduct, client contracts, records, data protection compliance and professional indemnity insurance. No therapist accepts responsibility or liability for the acts, omissions or services provided by any other therapist using the Brighter Horizons Brighton name.
