Professor Alessandra Lemma BSc., MA, MPhil (Cantab.), MSt (Oxon.) D. Clin Psych., Dip. Counselling Psychol. I am a Chartered Clinical and Counselling Psychologist, Psychoanalyst and a Fellow of the British Psychoanalytical Society.
I have worked in the NHS and other mental health services sector for over 40 years specialising in the treatment of adults and adolescents with mild to severe mental health problems.
I am now a Consultant at the Anna Freud Centre and work at the Queen Anne Street Practice with both adolescents and adults.
Until 2016 I worked at the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust where I was at various points Head of Psychology, the Director of the Psychological Therapies Development Unit and Professor of Psychological Therapies (jointly with Essex University). I was also a Consultant Adult Psychotherapist at the Portman Clinic where I specialised in helping transgender individuals.
I am a Fellow of the British Psychoanalytical Society and Visiting Professor, Psychoanalysis Unit, University College London. In the past I was a Clinical Tutor on the UCL Doctorate in Clinical Psychology as well as the UCL MSc in Psychoanalytic Studies between 2003-2005.
I am also a Visiting Professor at the Centro Winnicott, Rome, Italy.
My training and experience in a range of therapeutic modalities underpins my approach to assessing suitability for psychological interventions. Besides my training in long-term psychoanalytic psychotherapy and psychoanalysis, I am also an experienced trainer, supervisor and therapist in a range of brief evidence- based psychological interventions such as Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT), one of the NICE approved therapies for the treatment of depression, and Dynamic Interpersonal Therapy (DIT). I am a supervisor and trainer in Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT). Along with Professors Peter Fonagy and Mary Hepworth, I led on the development of a new protocol for a brief psychodynamic intervention for mood disorders called Dynamic Interpersonal Therapy (DIT) which is now offered in the NHS in the UK and in several other countries (http://www.d-i-t.org).
Until 2020 I was the General Editor of the New Library of Psychoanalysis Book Series. Between 2008 and 2011 I was the Editor-in Chief of the Journal Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy: Applications, Theory and Research. Between 2011-2018 I was one of the regional Editors for the International Journal of Psychoanalysis. Currently I am Chair of the International Journal of Psychoanalysis Management Board.
I was a recipient of the 2022 Sigourney Award in recognition of my inventive theoretical and clinical contributions to understanding body modification practices, the impacts of technology on psychic functioning and transgender identities as well as for my efforts to disseminate psychoanalytic thinking and applications worldwide.
I lecture extensively in the UK and internationally and have published many books on psychotherapy and psychoanalysis. My clinical and theoretical interests are focussed on trauma, body image disturbances (particularly body dysmorphia and body modification practices), gender identity, the impact of virtual technology, adolescent development and applied ethics.
I have specialist clinical experience in the treatment of:
Trauma
Mood disorders (depression and anxiety)
Body image disturbances (particularly Body Dysmorphic Disorder)
Eating disorders
Self harm
Addiction to digital media and online pornography
Problems related to gender identity (transgender) and sexual desire
In addition to direct clinical work, I have a background in applied ethics through my studies at the Oxford Uehiro Centre for Practical Ethics at Oxford University. I have an interest in supporting rational ethical reflection and dialogue on bioethical and clinical dilemmas and controversies. I offer consultancy to clinicians and institutions on ethical matters.
