Meet Melanie – Cofounder and Clinician
Melanie practiced as Consultant Anaesthetist in the NHS for 36 years until retirement in September 2024. Over the last 12 years she has divided her time between her medical and Neurofeedback clinics. Melanie is now fully committed to a second career and her passion of Neurofeedback.
Melanie discovered the merits of Neurotherapy after frustrations with main-stream medicine’s sole dependence on drug therapy for her son who was struggling with developmental difficulties and epilepsy. Neurofeedback has had a major impact on improving all aspects of his health and wellbeing.
Originally trained in the Othmer ILF method with Sue and Siegfried Othmer and Roxana Sasu at EEG Info in Los Angeles, California in 2017 and is Othmer Certified with Bee Medic Europe, Melanie is highly experienced in QEEG administration and training, amongst a host of other Neurofeedback and Neuromodulation techniques.
Melanie is committed to staying at the forefront of this rapidly evolving and developing field and embarked on her teaching journey with Bee Medic Europe in 2025. She is determined to raise the understanding and acceptance of the results-driven Neurofeedback in the UK and to contribute to ensuring robust training of practitioners to deliver safe and effective care.
Meet Maria – Cofounder and Clinician
Maria Walters is the visionary CEO and co-founder of our pioneering work in neurotherapy and neurotechnology.
With a robust background in science, research, and technical industries, Maria has leveraged her expertise in consulting and organisational design to establish one of the most innovative and compassionate clinics in the field.
Over the past 15 years, Maria has dedicated herself to advancing neurotechnology, consistently training with industry leaders to maintain a cutting-edge understanding of the field. Her strategic acumen and business insight have been instrumental in developing The Brain Collective into a leader in neurotherapy, offering state-of-the-art techniques to a diverse clientele, including those recovering from catastrophic injuries.
Maria's passion for neurotechnology is deeply personal, inspired by her son's near-catastrophic head injury during a cycling competition. This experience fuels her commitment to expanding access to advanced neurotherapeutic techniques, both through private referrals and case management.
In addition to her professional achievements, Maria has made significant contributions to her community, including funding the relocation of a school for children with social and emotional challenges. As a mother of two grown children, a grandmother, and an avid traveler, Maria is dedicated to her own continuous learning and development.
Maria is driven by a mission to ensure that individuals and organisations have access to the best neurotechnology available, helping people lead happier and more fulfilling lives. When asked about her proudest achievements, Maria cites her remarkable family, both at home and within her professional team, as her greatest source of pride.
Meet Kay
Kay is the welcoming face of The Brain Collective, serving as its dedicated administrator. With an eclectic academic and professional background embracing hotel management, education and administration. Kay brings a unique blend of organisational skill, customer service and attention to detail. She plays a key role in ensuring that every client’s experience at The Brain Collective is smooth, friendly and professional.
Kay has two grown up children and in her spare time loves going to the gym and has completed several half marathons.
Meet Laura - Clinician
Laura holds a degree in Biological Sciences from the University of Manchester and a Postgraduate Certificate in Education, which laid the foundation for her deep understanding of human development and learning. Laura’s work as a Neurotherapist and SSP provider at The Brain Collective is driven by a strong belief in the power of relationships – building meaningful, supportive connections with clients to help them feel safe, heard and empowered. She finds great fulfilment in seeing the positive outcomes that emerge from this therapy, and is committed to walking alongside each client on their unique journey towards well-being.
Outside of work, she is the proud mother of three wonderful children and is also an active netball player and coaches’ juniors in the Harrogate leagues, where she enjoys the teamwork, energy and community that sport brings.
Meet Paula - Clinician
A Leeds Met Alumni, Paula’s versatility as a Primary School teacher and subject-leader across key-stages makes her popular with our junior clients. Having worked closely with Special Educational Needs Departments in schools and disabled children at Barnado’s, Paula has a keen insight into how we can team-up with schools to engender the provision of an inclusive education for our clients. Couple that with a brief foray in healthcare, working at the CT department at St. James Hospital in Leeds, and a natural talent for management and business; Paula is a strong team asset. Passionate about mental health, Paula spends her time away from work taking on challenging charity fundraisers having already trekked the Sahara to raise money for WellSprings, set up a charity ball for Bobath (a Cerebral palsy initiative) and finished the Great North Run for GetsKidsGoing!
Meet Chris – Clinician
BSc Sports and Exercise Science | Othmer Certified Neurotherapist| Level 2 Human Givens Psychotherapy
I am a Neurotherapist specializing in infra-low frequency neurofeedback, with a focus on head injury rehabilitation. Over the past five years, I’ve accumulated over 3,000 hours of clinical experience working with adults recovering from post-concussion symptoms and those facing challenges reintegrating into daily life and society following a brain injury.
My journey into neurotherapy began with my own. A head injury brought an early end to my competitive cycling career — an experience that not only reshaped my path but also deepened my commitment to brain health and recovery. Since joining The Brain Collective in 2020, I’ve seen firsthand how neurotherapy can dramatically improve cognitive, emotional, and physical function after injury.
I combine evidence-based neurofeedback with the Human Givens approach to provide structured, compassionate care tailored to each individual’s recovery goals. My aim is to help clients restore clarity, stability, and a renewed sense of purpose in their lives.
