Speakers

Dr Guy Maissis is a Clinical Psychologist with a specialist interest in the psychological impact of chronic and life-altering physical health conditions, and the provision of psychological support as part of hospital-based multidisciplinary teams. He began working in the field of health psychology immediately after qualifying, first providing psychological support to oncology patients, before moving into bleeding disorders. 

He currently leads the psychology service of the Katharine Dormandy Haemophilia Centre and Thrombosis Unit at the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, providing psychological care to patients and those close to them, navigating the evolving landscape of haemophilia treatment, including gene therapy. He has also been leading the regional establishment of the Infected Blood Psychological Service (IBPS), a new national service set up following the recommendations of the Infected Blood Inquiry, to support those affected by the scandal. 

His clinical approach is integrative, drawing on psychodynamic and third-wave CBT models, with a particular emphasis on restoring patients' and organisations' adaptive capacity to foster resilience, growth, and positive change. 

His research interests are in understanding the factors affecting patients' psychological wellbeing in the context of bleeding disorders, using an ecological systems approach, exploring patients' individual factors and their interaction with medical treatments, wider systems, and culture. Specifically, he is interested in conducting research to promote patients' voices and stories, in particular of marginalised groups, whether due to the rarity of their conditions or their social characteristics, with the aim of translating these into service development and clinical guidance.