about me

 

                                                                                        

I am a Chartered Counselling Psychologist, a chartered scientist and an associate fellow of the british psychological society, which means that I have undertaken the necessary professional training to be a counselling psychology practitioner,  and deemed suitably qualified by the british psychological society (bps) and the health professions council. i have over 10-years experience of working in the field of applied psychology. During my training and past employment, I have gained considerable knowledge and ability in using the practical application of psychological theory to my work. I have worked within the NHS and the private sector and as a trainer on a BPS-accredited counselling psychology professional training programme. I currently hold the position of Senior Lecturer at the University of Worcester, where i am course director for 3 master of science (msc) courses in psychological therapies. i am also a registered practitioner and fellow of the higher education academy.

Within this broad range of work, I have experience of working psycho-therapeutically with a wide variety of client difficulties and diagnoses. I have also received my own personal psychological therapy over a period of years and this is still available to me should a personal problem or crisis occur. i am committed to awareness raising and to the de-stigmatisation of mental health difficulties, along with having a passion for increasing access to psychological therapies and bringing psychology into the public domain. i am engaged with research and have published several papers as well as being involved with reviewing book proposals for psychology journals and eminent publishing houses, such as Sage Publications.  additionally, i sit on the BPS’ Training Committee for Counselling Psychology. 

i am involved with media work and am represented by Jaine j brent personal management and casting ltd. i have conducted psychological assessments for the BBC, been a talking head on moonwalking: the true story of michael jackson, katie price & peter andre uncensored, five news live, Radio WM, and also corporate DVD's. i have also featured in a 'careers in counselling psychology' film for the higher education academy and have recently completed a 'wellbeing at work' series for teachers tv, which features panel advice on ''coping with excessive workload', 'dealing with malicious allegations', 'coping with bullying managers' and 'dealing with difficult behaviour'. this series is due to be aired at various times throughout the day from 8am onwards on 22nd february 2010 to 25th february 2010. 

 Qualifications 

• DPsych [Practitioner Doctorate in Counselling Psychology]
• Post-MSc Diploma in Counselling Psychology
• Postgraduate Certificate in the Foundations of Psychological Counselling
• Basic Counselling Skills
• BSc(hons) Psychology
• Postgraduate Certificate of Learning and Teaching in Higher Education 

Membership of Professional Bodies

 chartered scientist (the science council)

health professions council (practitioner psychologist)

Chartered Psychologist (Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society (BPS))

 Divisional Membership of the BPS:

• Division of Counselling Psychology
• Special Group in Coaching Psychology
• Qualitative Methods Section

 Registered Practitioner and Fellow of the Higher Education Academy

 

Work for National Agencies or Bodies

 British Psychological Society’s Training Committee for Counselling Psychology

A Word of Caution on Psychologists, Counsellors, and Psychotherapists

It is currently legal for anyone in the UK to claim to be a Psychologist, Counsellor or Psychotherapist after only a basic course of training, although change is iminent. For this reason, there are professional bodies that validate, register and monitor professionally trained practitioners. It is therefore highly recommended that when you are searching for a Psychologist, Counsellor or Psychotherapist that you ensure that the practitioner is registered to practice by one of these professional bodies. 

The professional body that Chartered Psychologists are registered with is the British Psychological Society of which I am a full professional member; a Counsellor should be registered with the British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP), and a psychotherapist with either the BACP or the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP).  in the near future, the health professions council will hold a register of practitioners deemed suitably qualified to offer therapeutic services.