Prof Dr Lina Gatsou

Child & Adolescent Psychiatry

Prof Dr Lina Gatsou

Consultant Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist & Psychodynamic Psychotherapist

The philosophy

Behind every diagnosis is a person, behind every child is a family, and behind every crisis is a story waiting to be understood.

For three decades — including more than twenty-one years as an NHS Consultant Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist — Prof Dr Lina Gatsou has worked with children, young people and families facing the most complex emotional, developmental and mental health difficulties. Her conviction is simple: lasting change begins when we move beyond symptoms to understand the whole person, within the context of their relationships, development, experiences and strengths.

The work

One philosophy, three pillars

Everything comes together around three connected bodies of work — clinical care, a whole-family framework and a movement of thought. Together they explain not only what she does, but the thinking that connects it all.

Understanding people

Clinical Practice

Assessment, psychotherapy and specialist consultation for children, young people, adults and families — combining contemporary psychiatry with psychodynamic depth.

Supporting families

Think Family – Whole Family

An evidence-informed framework that brings together psychiatry, psychotherapy, attachment, safeguarding and systems thinking to improve outcomes for children, parents and whole families.

Rehumanising psychiatry

Rehumanising Psychiatry

A conviction that science and humanity should never be separated — practising psychiatry more thoughtfully, compassionately and collaboratively, so every person feels understood before they are treated.

Science and humanity should never be separated. Every assessment is the beginning of a relationship, and every diagnosis is only one part of a person’s story.

— Prof Dr Lina Gatsou

Appointments & affiliations

A career across clinical practice, teaching and research

For professionals & organisations

Professional Consultancy, Teaching & Supervision

Alongside her clinical work, Prof Dr Lina Gatsou supports professionals, schools and organisations through consultancy, teaching, training and supervision — helping services become more psychologically informed, compassionate and connected.

Writing & publications

A growing archive of her writing

Titles below are placeholders illustrating the section’s structure — replaced with her real articles, papers and talks before build.

On rehumanising psychiatry: a personal position

An essay on what has been lost in modern psychiatric practice — and what it would mean to bring it back.

Why families, not just individuals

A short piece on why systemic thinking belongs at the centre of child and adolescent mental health.

Recognising the signs: a guide for parents

Practical, reassuring guidance on when and how to seek an assessment for a child or young person.

Stay connected

Writing on people, families and rehumanising psychiatry

New essays, research, talks and reflections — occasionally, and only when there is something worth sharing.