The Team
To find out more about how TMS therapy can help you,
call us today on +44(0)1604 621068 or fill out the contact form below.
Professor Alex O’Neill Kerr
MBChB, FCPsych, FRCPsych
Medical Director of Transforming Mind Solutions, previously visiting Professor in Neuromodulation at the University of Northampton, Director for The Centre for Neuromodulation, Consultant Psychiatrist; Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. [email protected]
Alex is the Medical Director and clinical lead for Transforming Mind Solutions. Alex has published widely in the international literature on rTMS and has provided expertise to the Royal College of psychiatrists and the General Medical Council on rTMS. He continues to provide new research into providing new treatment methods for depression.
Alex was the Medical Director for an NHS mental health trust from 2003 until his retirement from the NHS in 2020. As an executive member of the Board he helped the Trust achieve a rating of outstanding overall by the CQC in 2018 and rerated outstanding 2019 and 2020. The trust was awarded trust of the year in 2018 by HSJ.
Alex has 30 years’ experience as a general adult consultant psychiatrist. He is a Fellow of the Royal College of Psychiatrists and a Fellow of the College of Psychiatry of South Africa. He was a visiting Professor in Neuromodulation at the University of Northampton.
These treatments are primarily used in the treatment of depression and other mental health disorders. The Northampton Centre was the first in the NHS to provide clinical rTMS to NHS patients and opened in 2015. It is the only NHS Trust providing all these treatment modalities in a single clinical area.
Alex has co-authored a paper on rTMS published in the November 2016 BJPsych Advances. He lectures both nationally and internationally on rTMS at the Royal College of Psychiatry International Meeting and at the Royal College of Psychiatry ECT training days. He has also written chapters on TMS for the Fourth Edition of the Royal College of Psychiatrists ECT and related treatments Handbook 2019.
Professor O’Neill-Kerr was the Principal Investigator for a National Institute for Health Research grant, a £2 million multicenter trial of rTMS versus neuronavigated Theta Burst evaluation which commenced recruiting in 2019.
Alex was the Clinical Lead for the Northamptonshire Centre for Neuromodulation based in Northampton at Berrywood Hospital. The Centre provided:
ECT and nurse administered ECT
repetitive Transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS)
Theta burst stimulation (TBS)
Quantitative EEG mapping
Vagus nerve stimulation
Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS)
Ketamine infusion
Richard Williams
Managing Director
Richard, our Managing Director, oversees the day-to-day operations of the company and serves as our lead for ensuring exceptional standards of care in compliance with the Care Quality Commission (CQC). His expertise extends to the study of neurons and networks, TES (Transcranial Electrical Stimulation), self-harm and suicide awareness and prevention, rTMS (Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation), safeguarding, and he is also a qualified first aider proficient in CPR and AED procedures. Additionally, Richard volunteers for Shout, a service where kindness, patience and attentive listening are paramount qualities, all of which Richard embodies effortlessly with his warmth and empathy, making him an exemplary volunteer.
His background has been in the hospitality industry but after a breakdown in 2015 decided to retrain and give back to mental health services. Having a clear understanding of depression and anxiety Richards compassion and empathy is of the highest standard required to be in this role.
He is studying with the Institute of Counsellors, to give him a more holistic approach to treating patients alongside TMS, and when asked why he does what he does, his reply is simply “TO MAKE PEOPLE BETTER” TMS changed his life and gave him back the confidence to retrain and pursue a career in Mental Health.He trained and worked with Smart TMS and has worked nationwide in improving peoples Mental Health. Richard works closely with the Professor to ensure that Transforming Mind Solutions is always at the cutting edge of treatment Protocols and research projects. Richard believes that TMS changed his life and loves having the opportunity to change everyone who suffers with Mental Health.
Eve Poyner
Practice Manager
After a 20 year background in the NHS, initially working in Trauma and Orthopaedics at Northampton General Hospital and then moving in to General Practice within Northampton to run a successful and efficient team. I felt the need for a change and welcomed the chance to work in Mental Health and gladly accepted the role of Practice Manager working alongside Alex and Richard at Transforming Mind Solutions.
I am currently working on an Open University course on Interior Design, which has always been a passion. I have spent the last year renovating, building and designing our new home, which has been exhausting and challenging, but seeing the end results is so rewarding.
My other passion is my family whom I love spending time with. I am blessed with 5 beautiful grandchildren who are the centre of my world. Family time is precious and so is prosecco when they leave!
Aga Fila
TMS Practitioner
I am passionate for fostering a positive growth and well-being, I have gained a diverse range of experiences in education and mental health care. With a commitment to making a meaningful impact on the lives of others, my journey began in preschool education, where I dedicated seven years to shaping the early years of many children.
Transitioning seamlessly into the field of mental health care, I have spent the last three years working tirelessly to supporting individuals ranging from children to adults. Through my roles, I have developed a deep understanding of challenges and opportunities presented at different stages of personal development.
I prioritise empathy, compassion, and mental health awareness in my approach. I value positive relationships and their ability to positively influence people's mental well-being. Whether in preschool or mental health care, I aim to foster environments that support growth, resilience, and a feeling of belonging.
As I progress in my career, my commitment remains strong to enhancing people's lives and creating supportive environments where they can thrive and fulfill their maximum potential.
Tracey Howes
Patient Care CoOrdinator
With over 30 years of experience in the NHS, primarily in General Practice, I bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to our team. I am honored to have accepted this role and am thrilled to work alongside a group of professionals who are passionate about mental health.
I am deeply aligned with the strong values of our organisation and believe that our work can make a profound difference in the lives of our clients.
Beyond my professional life, my family is my greatest joy. I cherish every moment spent with them and draw strength and inspiration from our time together. I always strive to look on the brighter side of life, maintaining a positive outlook, and I hope to inspire others to do the same.
I look forward to contributing to the transformative work we do at Transforming Mind Solutions and supporting our clients on their journey to better mental health.