Therapists

Sarah Sirilli

BPhysT – Neuro-physiotherapist
Sarah graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Physiotherapy (BPhysT) from the University of Pretoria in South Africa in 2006. She worked in a rural and a large teaching hospital in South Africa before emigrating to England in 2009. She has worked in various Physiotherapy roles in and around London and has always had a special interest in Neurological Rehabilitation. She has been a Physiotherapist at Ascot Rehab since November 2013.

Urvisha Lunagariya

MSc Advanced physiotherapist, MCSP
Urvisha is a qualified specialist physiotherapist. She is a reliable and honest physiotherapist, who believes in punctuality, patient-centred and evidence-based practice. Urvisha completed her post graduate studies in Advanced Physiotherapy practices dealing with various neuromusculoskeletal conditions from Manchester Metropolitan University in 2019. In addition, she currently works with paediatrics and adults treating various neuromusculoskeletal conditions. Furthermore, Urvisha works upon developing and reviewing treatment programmes, assisting patients with joint and spinal problems. Helping patient’s rehabilitation following accidents, injury, and strokes. Liaising with other healthcare personnel to supply and receive relevant information about the background and progress of patients as well as referring patients, who require other specific medical attention. Being legally responsible and accountable. Managing clinical risk. She has excellent facing skill, proficiency in patient assessment, time management and treatment execution. This enables her to work on her own initiatives or as part of a team. Urvisha is at her best whenever given a challenging task and she has adopted the necessary skills to communicate at all levels of the multi-disciplinary team.

Giulio Palma

Bsc Physiotherapy, MCSP, Paediatric and Neurological Physiotherapist
Giulio graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Physiotherapy in Italy and after a short spell working in the stroke unit in the national public health system, he moved to France. Here he worked at CMCR in Lyon as specialised paediatric physiotherapist in the neuro and spinal surgery department following babies and children with complex MSK and neuro disorders.
In the past two years, Giulio has worked in various private, educational and NHS settings around the UK and London which have provided him with a range of experience and knowledge in the paediatric field, including cerebral palsy, acquired brain injuries, neuromuscular conditions and various syndromes. He firmly believes that any child, no matter what their developmental challenges are, can make better use of their potential – physically, mentally and emotionally.
By adopting a personalized and up to date holistic approach, Giulio has helped adult and young patients with both neurological and orthopaedic conditions. He emphasises the connection between mind and body control to facilitate the patients to become active and fully aware during their recovery. He is currently undertaking his MSc in Neurorehabilitation and Neuroscience at Brunel University and he is part of the therapy team at Wimpole Street centre in London.

Zareena Begum

MPT(Ortho), MCSP – Physiotherapist
Zareena is HCPC and CSP registered physiotherapist with s special interest in orthopaedics and in Neuro physiotherapy. She has completed her masters in physiotherapy focused on Orthopaedics.

Zareena has experience working in a rotational role for a decade abroad and in MSK, cancer rehab, neuro physiotherapy in the UK.

Dr Genevieve Gallyer

MSc, MA HCPC – Clinical Psychologist
Genevieve is a Principle Clinical Psychologist providing specialist assessment and rehabilitation for adults with acquired brain injury, along with education and support for families and carers. She completed her undergraduate degree in Psychology (MA) at The University of Edinburgh, and a Master’s degree (MSc) in Clinical Neuroscience at King’s College London. Genevieve undertook her clinical doctoral training at The University of Southampton, before going on to complete a post-graduate diploma in Clinical Neuropsychology with The University of Bristol. Genevieve has worked with individuals across the lifespan in inpatient and community neurorehabilitation, neurobehavioral, and neuropsychology services. Her main therapeutic approaches are Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, and Positive Behaviour Support. Genevieve is registered as a Clinical Psychologist with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

Carina Howard

CMT Therapist
Carina trained at Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance where she graduated with a first class (Hons) degree. Following this, she completed a master’s at Northern School of Contemporary Dance with Distinction. Carina dances professionally with Mark Bruce Company and Rosie Kay Dance Company, touring in performances across the country.

Having trained as a dancer since she was two, Carina has a unique and heightened understanding of how we move and control our bodies. She puts high emphasis on the connection between breath and movement to improve patients’ movement quality and range. In addition to this, Carina believes that using music during the session not only helps to improve patients’ movement abilities, but also gives a fun and enjoyable side to therapy. Carina’s therapy focuses on balance, cognitive movement sequencing, coordination, movement quality and confidence.

Deepika Vijayaraj

BA and MA – Neuropsychology Assistant
Deepika completed her bachelor’s degree in Psychology (Hons) at Arden University and then did her master’s degree in Clinical Neuroscience at University College London (UCL). As a continuation of her master’s project, Deepika is currently working alongside her supervisors at UCL to develop and publish an enhanced neuroimaging biomarker to assess neurodevelopmental outcomes in neonates who have undergone hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE). Deepika has previously worked with the Queen Elizabeth Foundation, neurorehabilitation centre. She is a very confident, hardworking individual who is passionate about working with individuals with cognitive difficulties, their families, and carers. She currently uses CBT informed approaches when working with service users and has undergone training in motivational interviewing to help support individuals with brain injury, work towards their goals.

Sharné Botes

MA – Senior Occupational Therapist
Sharné Botes qualified as an Occupational therapist from the University of Stellenbosch (South Africa) in 2005 and completed her Master’s degree in Early Childhood Intervention from the University of Pretoria (South Africa) in 2013. She gained experience in various fields in occupational therapy whilst working in primary healthcare and community settings with both adult and paediatric populations. She gained international experience during her time worked in the United Arab Emirates (2018-2022) before joining Ascot Rehabilitation in April 2022.

Lucia Ikweem

Senior Rehab Assistant
Lucia is Senior Rehab Assistant at Ascot Rehabilitation and has been with the company for 3 years.

Dr Anita Rose

Consultant Clinical Neuropsychologist
Dr Anita Rose is a Consultant Clinical Neuropsychologist who is well regarded in the field of Brain Injury and Chronic Neurological Conditions having gained extensive experience working in the field of Neuropsychology since the late 90s. As well as her involvement in the clinical field and in research, she has been published widely in peer-reviewed journals and several books. She is also known as a Champion for Multiple Sclerosis and provides significant input into the field of multiple sclerosis via her clinical work, research, publications, booklets and consultancy worldwide.

Anita is a Patron, Trustee and Clinical Advisor to many neurological organisations across the world and is passionately committed to the development of services of excellence for those affected by brain injury and other neurological conditions. This has led to her being a regular global speaker with her message being one of empowerment to both people who have neurological conditions and to health professionals who work in the field of neurology.

Vanya Stancheva

BSc (Hons) – Senior Therapist
As a core part of our clinical therapy team, Vanya is a Senior Physiotherapist. She graduated from the University of Ruse in 2004 with a BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy and chartered status. Vanya has a wealth of expertise in elderly and Falls prevention, following this she moved onto neurological rehabilitation specialism. Vanya has a varied skill set within Amputee, Taping, advanced technology such as, Mind Motion Go and Lokomat including, Adaptive Tai Chi instructor. Vanya has further competence in Hydrotherapy, group exercises with a variety of complex neuro patients and armeo devices. She has sound knowledge in the management of spasticity and rehabilitation post botulinum toxin injections as well as within functional electronic stimulation (FES). Her aim is to empower and motivate individuals to improve their function, quality of life and achieve their goals.

Charles Townsend

Tai Chi Instructor
Charles Townsend has been studying Tai Chi for over 30 years and since 2002 he has been teaching classes in different settings and for various groups. For several years he has taught young adults with special needs, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s group, community based sessions for the older adult, and now predominantly at local care homes to encourage the residents to a regular, achievable exercise routine for their general health and fitness. He has also been working with several groups for rehabilitation.

The sessions are gauged for each group with the younger and more mobile members practicing traditional Tai Chi; and for the older adult and wheelchair users or individuals with impaired mobility the class is modified to be practiced as a seated routine.

Alongside Tai Chi Charles studies Alexander Technique with a colleague for his personal development and exploration of posture and body movement. His aim is to help improve quality of life and independence for everyone by providing a routine that can be developed according to the individual.

Haleema Sultan

Bsc (Hons), HCPC, RCSLT – Speech and Language Therapist
Haleema is a HCPC and RCSLT certified speech and language therapist. Haleema completed her studies in BSc (Hons) Speech and language therapy, graduating from University of London with a first-class honour. Since working at Ascot rehab, Haleema has developed a strong interest in Neurorehabilitation, and supporting people with speech, language, and swallowing difficulties. Haleema strives to place person centred care at the forefront of her work, and advocates strongly for all her patients to ensure their voices are heard.

Noel Caspe

MCSP – Neurological Physiotherapist Specialist
A Chartered Physiotherapist with 15+ years of clinical experience in the United Kingdom and overseas in the field of Neurological, Musculo-skeletal, Learning Disabilities, Mental Health Conditions, and Elderly Care. Noel has 5+ years’ experience of working as a Lead Physiotherapist at private companies and years of clinical experience in NHS (Intermediate Setting/ Discharge Planning/ Reablement and Home Phase of Rehabilitation Intervention.

Noel has a wealth of experience working as a Disability Analyst/ Clinical Support Lead undertaking a combination of file-work and face to face assessment of claimants in relation to variety of benefits and provides comprehensive report to enable decision makers at DWP to make informed decision regarding benefits claims.

Shereen Matar

BA, PhD – Lead Speech and Language Therapist
Coming soon…

Faika Khan

BA – Speech and Language Therapist
Coming soon…