Sheila Levi is a BPS-accredited Chartered Clinical Psychologist, ACP-accredited Senior Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist, and IPA-accredited Adult Psychoanalyst with nearly 30 years of experience. She specializes in psychoanalytically oriented clinical work with children, adolescents, and adults. With a strong theoretical foundation and a commitment to staying updated with developments in psychoanalysis, she has worked extensively in diverse cultural settings. Sheila has contributed significantly to the field through clinical practice, academic research, and leadership roles in professional organizations. She has played a vital role in shaping post-pandemic mental health provisions and service-building within the NHS. Additionally, she has participated in various study groups on race, gender, and sexuality in psychoanalysis. Her expertise extends to mother-child education programs and migrant family support services. Sheila’s professional journey reflects a balance between research, clinical work, and training future psychologists. She has also served as an editor and contributed to academic discourse in psychoanalysis. Her ability to integrate research into practice has strengthened psychoanalytic therapy and contributed to evidence-based mental health services. Sheila Levi’s dedication to psychoanalytic research and her commitment to improving mental health care make her a distinguished professional in her field.
Professional Profile
Education
Sheila Levi has a robust academic background in psychology and psychoanalysis. She completed Advanced Adult Psychoanalytic Training at the British Psychoanalytic Association (BPA) in 2017. In 2010, she received a Statement of Equivalence in Clinical Psychology from the British Psychological Society (BPS) and was entered into the Register of Chartered Psychologists. She also completed Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy Training at the British Association of Psychotherapists (BAP) in 2008. Sheila conducted PhD research at Exeter University, where she examined the empirical validity of Freudian castration anxiety, culminating in her MPhil dissertation on the psychological effects of circumcision on Turkish-Muslim boys in 2003. Prior to that, she earned an MSc in Psychoanalytic Developmental Psychology from University College London in 2001. Her foundational education in psychology began with an MA in Clinical Psychology from Boğaziçi University in 1991, where she studied kinetic family drawings for her thesis. She obtained her BA in Psychology from the same university in 1988. Sheila’s education reflects her deep commitment to psychoanalytic research, clinical psychology, and psychotherapy. Her extensive training and academic achievements have provided a strong theoretical and practical foundation for her distinguished career in psychoanalysis and mental health.
Professional Experience
Sheila Levi has had a distinguished career in psychoanalytic practice and clinical psychology. Since 2023, she has been practicing full-time at PSY London Ltd. She previously worked in private psychoanalytic practice from 2017 to 2023 and at Harvist Road Practice, where she provided psychoanalysis, psychotherapy, and psychodiagnostic assessments. She has held significant roles, including editor of the BPA Bulletin and membership in various study groups on racism, sexuality, and gender in psychoanalysis. Earlier in her career, she worked extensively in the NHS, notably at Barnet, Enfield, and Haringey Mental Health NHS Trust, where she provided specialized psychological services to children, adolescents, and families. She played a key role in developing psycho-social support programs for migrant children and families. Sheila has also worked as a clinical psychologist in hospitals, including Chase Farm Hospital, where she focused on PTSD and impulse management problems. Additionally, she has contributed to community-based mental health initiatives, including implementing mother-child education programs. Throughout her career, she has chaired multidisciplinary teams, supervised MSc students, and worked on service-building strategies. Her broad professional experience demonstrates her commitment to both clinical excellence and research-driven mental health interventions.
Research Interests
Sheila Levi’s research interests span multiple areas of psychoanalysis, clinical psychology, and mental health interventions. Her primary research focus has been on psychoanalytic theory, particularly Freudian concepts, as seen in her PhD research on castration anxiety and circumcision. She is also deeply interested in child development, mother-child relationships, and early intervention strategies, as evidenced by her involvement in mother-child education programs. Sheila has contributed to research on trauma, PTSD, and the impact of psychoanalytic therapy on refugees and asylum seekers. She has also explored the psychological effects of cultural displacement, particularly in migrant families, and has developed programs addressing their mental health needs. Another key area of her research includes gender and sexuality in psychoanalysis, having participated in study groups on these topics. Additionally, she has worked on post-pandemic mental health strategies, emphasizing psychoanalytic approaches to community and NHS service development. Her research integrates empirical studies with clinical applications, aiming to bridge theoretical psychoanalysis with real-world mental health solutions. Sheila’s diverse research interests reflect her commitment to advancing psychoanalytic knowledge and improving psychological interventions for individuals across different cultural and social backgrounds.
Research Skills
Sheila Levi possesses a wide range of research skills that have contributed to her academic and professional success. She has expertise in psychoanalytic research methodologies, including qualitative and case study approaches. Her ability to conduct in-depth psychoanalytic assessments is evident from her research on Freudian theory and child development. She has also designed and managed randomized controlled trials (RCTs), as demonstrated by her study on the effectiveness of the mother-child education program (MOCEP) in primary schools. Sheila is skilled in psychodiagnostic assessments, data interpretation, and report writing, which are crucial for both research and clinical practice. She has experience in interdisciplinary research, collaborating with professionals in psychology, psychiatry, and social work. Additionally, her role as an editor for the BPA Bulletin highlights her ability to critically review and refine research publications. Sheila has also supervised MSc students, helping them develop research skills and clinical competencies. Her extensive experience in applied research, combined with her knowledge of psychoanalytic theories, enables her to contribute valuable insights to the field. Her research skills make her a strong candidate for awards recognizing excellence in psychoanalytic and clinical research.
Awards and Honors
Sheila Levi has received multiple recognitions for her contributions to psychoanalysis and clinical psychology. In 2010, she was granted a Statement of Equivalence in Clinical Psychology by the British Psychological Society (BPS), allowing her to be registered as a Chartered Psychologist. Her PhD research at Exeter University was recognized for its contribution to psychoanalytic theory, leading to the award of an MPhil degree. She has been invited to join esteemed scientific committees, including the ACP Scientific Development Committee and the ACP Complexity Group, for her expertise in mental health service development. Additionally, her editorial role at the BPA Bulletin is a testament to her contributions to academic discourse in psychoanalysis. Sheila has been a key figure in NHS mental health initiatives, leading migrant family support programs, which have received institutional recognition. Her work with mother-child education programs has also been acknowledged by research organizations. Furthermore, her extensive contributions to psychoanalytic study groups on racism, gender, and sexuality have positioned her as a thought leader in the field. Sheila’s awards and honors reflect her dedication to advancing psychoanalytic research and clinical practice on an international level.
Conclusion
Sheila Levi is a highly accomplished clinical psychologist, psychoanalyst, and researcher whose work has made a significant impact in psychoanalysis and mental health. With nearly three decades of experience, she has successfully integrated research, clinical practice, and education to advance psychoanalytic knowledge. Her research on Freudian theory, trauma, child development, and migrant mental health interventions highlights her commitment to addressing complex psychological issues. Sheila’s ability to bridge theoretical psychoanalysis with practical mental health solutions sets her apart as a leader in her field. While her contributions to research are extensive, further publications in high-impact journals would enhance her profile as a top researcher. Nevertheless, her work in psychoanalytic study groups, NHS service development, and mother-child education programs demonstrates her dedication to improving mental health services. Sheila’s expertise, research skills, and leadership roles make her a strong candidate for research awards. Her career exemplifies a lifelong commitment to psychoanalytic research and clinical excellence, making her a valuable asset to the field of mental health.
Publications Top Notes
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Title: The cut: Psychoanalysis with a third‐generation holocaust survivor
Author: Sheila Levi
Year: 2025
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Title: ‘I caught you!’ Part 1: maturing separateness within the area of mutuality
Author: Sheila Levi
Year: 2022
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Title: ‘I caught you!’ Part 2: enriching the external reality
Author: Sheila Levi
Year: 2022
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Title: Dark times: psychoanalytic perspectives on politics, history, and mourning
Author: Sheila Levi
Year: 2021
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Title: “I feel like a wrong production; I should not have been born”
Author: Sheila Levi
Year: 2019
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Title: Working Psychoanalytically with Female to Male Transsexual Adult
Author: Sheila Levi
Year: 2019
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Title: Measuring Change in Psychotherapeutic Work with a Traumatised Child on the Autistic Spectrum
Author: Sheila Levi
Year: 2017
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Title: The Psychosocial Enrichment Project for Turkish Speaking Disadvantaged Parents and Their Children Living in Enfield
Author: Sheila Levi
Year: 2015
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Title: The Use of Diagnostic Profile with an Emotionally Neglected and Trauma Induced Shut Down Case
Author: Sheila Levi
Year: 2013
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Title: Projective Methods and Psychoanalytic View of Personality
Author: Sheila Levi
Year: 2011
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Title: Silent Scream
Author: Sheila Levi
Year: 2011
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Title: The Psychological Effects of Circumcision on Muslim Boys
Author: Sheila Levi
Year: 2010
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Title: The Role of Psychological Testing in Demonstrating the Value of Psychotherapy with Traumatised Children on the Autistic Spectrum
Author: Sheila Levi
Year: 2009
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Title: Intensive Psychotherapy with an Adolescent Who Had a Disorganised Attachment Pattern
Author: Sheila Levi
Year: 2008