Left to right: Monika D'Agate, (visiting participant) Chair, Dr. Howard Robson, Ildiko Scurr, Joanne Callahan, Sec/Treasurer, Phyll Robson.

In her recent London trip, Joanne Callahan joined with the other ATFT Foundation UK board members for an important meeting and the launching of a new service for ATFT members.  She worked with other board members and a visiting guest to construct a plan for the UK ATFT Foundation to offer professional mentoring and support to UK and EU TFT practitioners.

The foundation and it’s board members have begun supporting the incorporation of TFT in health care organizations such as the National Health Service. Where possible, they are also encouraging research to provide further evidence of TFT’s efficacy in various health care environments.  This effort will provide much needed leadership, support and supervision for our TFT practitioners throughout the UK and EU.

The Board is in a position to provide support free of charge to practitioners who would like to receive help to increase their understanding and skills, particularly where this would contribute to the achievement of foundation objectives, but also to develop the skills of practitioners to improve the availability of TFT generally. We have already provided some mentoring for practitioners following training, especially within the National Health Service.

The current Foundation Chairperson is Dr Howard Robson, a retired Consultant Physician and Cardiologist, with extensive experience in teaching, training, educational supervision and mentoring. He continues to examine for the Royal Colleges of Physicians. Phyll Robson is Treasurer and is a nurse, qualified Tutor, teacher and has worked as a Freelance Consultant in change management. Both Howard and Phyll are Optimal Health TFT practitioners and have a long association with the National Health Service.

Together, they provide the ATFT Foundation UK board with an in-depth skill set and knowledge of working within the NHS and academic settings, and humanitarian deployments.  This is an invaluable service and resource for our TFT trainees, both newly trained and existing practitioners wishing to make an inroad in the national health care systems.

Initially just these two board members will be involved in providing this service. The service will begin after July 1, 2011 and you can contact them by email:  r.robson2@btinternet.com.