Who we are

Founder

Dr Valeria Giannuzzi

Hello, and welcome!

I am Dr. Valeria Giannuzzi, the Founder of The Magic Stork.

I am a Chartered Psychologist and Associate Fellow at the British Psychological Society, and I hold a Ph.D. in Social Sciences with Specialisation in Migration Studies.

I was born in Rome, Italy. I am based in the U.K., and I also lived and worked in Spain, the Netherlands and Mexico. I have over 15 years of experience working with migrants in different contexts, from refugee camps and research, to community engagement and specialised mental health support. I have worked with migrants of all sorts, including unaccompanied minors, international students, expats, asylum seekers, women and spouses reuniting with their families. 

As a mental health professional, parent and immigrant, I created this space to help you with all the challenges that come with holding different roles, cultures and identities together.

Prefer chatting in Spanish or Italian? No problem, just drop me a message!

Child, Community and Educational Psychologist

Dr Jason Apaloo-Shonibare

Hi, I am Jason. As social justice advocate and psychologist, I am committed to applying community-focused and intersectional psychological approaches to advancing anti-oppressive practice and creating meaningful change. My work combines psychological practice, critical reflection and community engagement within a variety of contexts that includes staff teams, schools and at a systemic level. I bring a critical perspective to all areas of my work that includes public speaking, guest lecturing and thought leadership within Community Interest Companies. Examples of these include my roles in co-founding and previously held leadership roles in the independent Trainee Educational Psychologists’ Initiative for Cultural Change (TEPICC) and The Black in Psychology and Psychiatry (BiPP) Network. Whilst there I targeted my efforts and skills in culturally-responsive practice to promote equity and inclusive practice at  systemic Levels. As well as these roles I have co-founded and held trustee roles in charities, and I am also experienced in delivering CPD, family-focused programmes, children and parent workshops, clinical supervision and other reflective spaces that support children, young people and their care networks to identify and explore complex issues, developing awareness and facilitating personal and relational growth.

Child, Community, and Educational Psychologist

Dr Hannah Morgan

I work as a Child, Community, and Educational Psychologist in London. With training as both a Primary Teacher and a Psychologist, I have over 15 years of experience in schools and within the NHS. I recently completed further training in Parent-Child Therapy, which has deepened my interest in parent-child relationships and promoting emotional wellbeing within families and communities. For example, I have led the development and delivery of community services such as postnatal courses for parents and Early Years drop-in clinics.

In my work and research, I have always been intrigued by the linguistic and cultural factors that influence our psychological experiences. As a Trainee Educational Psychologist, I jointly founded and chaired TEPICC, a national network of Trainee Psychologists dedicated to promoting anti-racist and culturally responsive practices.

On a personal note, I grew up in a different country and have learned and traveled using various languages. I’m also raising my child in a multicultural and multilingual family, which enriches my perspective both personally and professionally.

Clinical Psychologist

Dr Jennifer Nicholas

Hi! I’m a Clinical Psychologist who is deeply passionate about bringing mental health ideas out of formal clinic rooms and straight into the heart of our local communities. Growing up with a mixed Filipino, Malaysian and Sri Lankan heritage taught me early on how much our culture, stories, and family traditions shape the way we raise our children. I believe every parent - from every background and walk of life - deserves a welcoming, supportive space where they can access reliable tools for navigating the everyday complexities of raising a child, and where we can talk openly and comfortably about real family life together. This belief has been grounded in my work over the years; from supporting families in specialist settings like Great Ormond Street Hospital, to teaching doctoral trainees on topics like cultural context and intersectionality, and working to open doors for underrepresented groups in the profession.

Along with my clinical background, being a mum is by far my greatest teacher. It brings all the daily joys, messy moments, and steep learning curves of child development right into my own living room! At The Magic Stork, we know that secure, loving attachments and healthy emotional development are at the root of a child’s wellbeing. I see our workshops as friendly, shared spaces where we get to learn with and from one another. I love blending practical, science-backed tools with the real-life wisdom and cultural strengths you already carry as parents. Above all, our workshops are about giving you a kind, welcoming space where you can build confidence in your own parenting journey. 

Political Psychologist

Desirée Noriega

Hi, I’m Desirée. I have a background in Psychology and Political Psychology, and my work has taken me across research, community support, programme development and mental health settings. Throughout these different roles, I have been particularly interested in how our experiences, relationships, cultures and environments shape our wellbeing, and in finding ways to turn psychological knowledge and research into support that feels practical, accessible and meaningful in everyday life.

Migration is also a very personal part of my story. I was born in Venezuela, but I've lived in 5 different countries. Growing up and building a life across different countries and cultures has shaped my interest in identity, belonging and cultural adaptation, as well as the different ways we understand and talk about mental health. I know that migration can bring opportunity and connection, but also change, uncertainty and the sometimes complicated experience of trying to understand where (and how) we belong.

At The Magic Stork, I support the development of projects, resources and community activities for migrant families. I’m especially passionate about creating spaces where people feel listened to and where conversations about mental health are approachable, culturally sensitive and grounded in people’s real experiences.

I speak both Spanish and English and am always happy to connect in either language.