Shila Desai

Family and Systemic Psychotherapist / Supervisor

Senior Clinician & Trainer

Shila was originally trained as a Social Worker and later as a Family and Systemic Psychotherapist and Supervisor, and has over 30 years’ experience. She has worked extensively as a clinician, supervisor and trainer across looked-after services for children and families and in community and inpatient settings across CAMHS and adult mental health. Shila, has a lifelong interest in learning and educating and has contributed as a trainer for many years, both with PartnershipProjects UK and with Birmingham Systemic Training. She is passionate about connections and hope in relationships and has learnt from both her professional and personal life what it means to keep going and to speak out. Shila, is currently also working as a Consultant Family and Systemic Psychotherapist in Perinatal Services in Birmingham, where she leads on family therapy and couple interventions across the city, where she has introduced NVR principles. Shila, has also been involved in bringing NVR ideas into the field of Eating Disorders (ED) with colleagues within the field through her training, supervision and writing.

“One of the things I am interested in is how we hold onto what is dear in our hearts, that helps us thrive and love such as family, arts, nature, our relationships,  and also how we overcome hurt, pain, suffering and that these are dual aspects of life itself. It is in this interface that we can draw on the principles of NVR that act as a guiding light. That is how I see NVR and all its wonderful methods, that we are not alone, that we do not impose, that we sit-with and resist and in the silent presence things emerge and grow, like the offerings from the great oak tree, or the touch of the sun rays”