Dr Leo Russell founded ISTDP Health to promote shared learning, build a community and facilitate connection.

Mission.

Learning.

The healthiest therapists are life-long learners. This results in better outcomes for patients, greater work satisfaction for therapists, and stronger systems of healthcare. ISTDP Health is dedicated to making learning enjoyable, engaging and meaningful.

Community.

Being a therapist can be an isolating experience. ISTDP Health believes in the power of a thriving community to build resilience, confidence and expertise. Here you can share the challenges and successes of your work, and reach out for guidance when you need it.

Connection.

Longing for connection is at the heart of all ISTDP practice. It drives effective therapy. It makes a fulfilling work life. It nurtures individual meaning and purpose. At ISTDP Health we make connecting easy to foster a culture of shared growth and learning.

Dr Leo Russell.

Clinician.

I am a Clinical Psychologist based in the UK National Health Service. I have worked across a variety of settings including adult mental health, child and adolescent mental health, health psychology, and neuropsychology.

I am currently the clinical lead for the functional neurological disorder (FND) psychology service in Exeter, where I also chair the multi-disciplinary FND pathway across mental health and acute physical health NHS Trusts.

Teacher.

I trained in ISTDP with the excellent Dr Robert Neborsky and Dr Josette ten Have-de Labije. I later worked with Dr Neborksy, Alexandra Knowles and Dr Sharon Lewis at ISTDP-UK, to become an IEDTA recognised teacher and supervisor.

I deliver core trainings both with ISTDP Health and other providers in the UK. I have also delivered ISTDP training and teaching to a range of NHS Trusts and Clinical Psychology Doctoral Programmes.

Researcher.

I have published ISTDP research on clinical and cost effectiveness across various settings. This includes clinical reviews and meta-analyses. My special interests include functional symptoms, affective neuroscience and attachment.

I’ve been fortunate to collaborate on various projects with Dr Allan Abbass and Dr Steve Allder. My collaborations with both, exploring the efficacy and and application of ISTDP has hugely influenced my teaching and clinical practice.