Staff Profiles

I work as an Academic Tutor on the Low Intensity Psychological Therapies Programme, which helps to train Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners (PWP) to work in NHS Talking Therapy for Anxiety and Depression Services as well as other similar third-sector services. 

Before graduating from this programme myself in 2018, I obtained my Undergraduate Degree in Psychology (Applied) from Durham University. Since obtaining my Post-Graduate Certificate, I have worked in a number of different Primary Care services across the country as a PWP, and as a Senior PWP, and have attended additional training in Approaches to Long Term Conditions for PWPs and PWP supervision. When I am not working at Newcastle University, I work part-time in a NHS Talking Therapies Service as a BABCP-Registered Senior PWP, supporting clients presenting with a range of mild-moderate Common Mental Health difficulties, such as Anxiety and Depression. This role involves supervising both Trainee and Qualified PWPs, supporting them to deliver high quality therapeutic work, whilst also undertaking my own clinical work.

I have a particular interest in working with Neurodivergent clients and those with Learning Disabilities, and I have also facilitated several local and regional CPD events around working with Specific Phobias, Self-Compassion, and OCD at Step 2. I have a keen interest in working with clients presenting with different Anxiety Disorders, particularly Specific Phobias and how to use Virtual Reality technology to augment and facilitate Graded Exposure interventions.

I joined the team at Newcastle University in August 2021, supporting trainees to become competent and compassionate PWPs. Throughout my time, I have also been the Module 3 Lead; this Module aims to explore Values, Diversity and Context and looks to encourage and facilitate therapists to adapt their practice to better support clients from minoritized groups, something I am passionate about. We explore how to promote recovery, and recognise and respect the diversity of clients from a variety of different backgrounds, including (but not limited to) clients from Racially Minoritised Backgrounds, those who may benefit from the use of Interpreter Services, those with Long-Term Health Conditions, Older Adults, Perinatal clients, clients in Forensic settings, Neurodivergent clients, those with a Learning Disability, and those from the LGBTQ+ community.

My focus is on empowering PWPs working in mental health services to deliver high quality care to support their clients, whilst maintaining their own wellbeing. Having worked as a PWP for a number of years in multiple organisations, across third sector, private, and NHS services, I recognise the joys and the challenges of the role, and I want to use this experience to support PWPs to be the best therapists they can be.