Neels is a lived experience consultant and practitioner, and international trainer. Her areas of interest lie in developing therapeutic environments, relational care and practice, group facilitation, delivering training and peer and mentor support. She wholly believes in co-creation and working with lived experience in producing creatively themed therapeutic spaces such as greencare, arts, journaling, poetry and music.

Neels enjoys collaborating with mental health practitioners, service recipients, carers, family and friends, is a relationship counsellor and engages especially well with people who have been given a diagnosis of borderline personality disorder or emotionally unstable personality disorder. 

Having lived through her own challenges, Neels is adept at supporting people to grow through the therapeutic process, to develop understanding and awareness for themselves rather than be stuck in the cycle of being over-medicated, seeking a diagnosis, or getting caught up in the revolving door process of unhelpful services. She says: “My mission is to help others using relational practice to accept and come to peace with past trauma, and to support services with the development of compassionate, therapeutic environments where people feel safe.” 

Apart from being our Chair, Neels is also a TC Specialist and CCQI Assessor for RCPsych; a Trustee at The Consortium for Therapeutic Communities; and a Trustee at Community Housing & Therapy.