I am a Health Psychologist regulated by the Health and Care Professions Council with expertise in health, wellbeing and performance. I have experience of implementing behaviour change and self-management programmes in the National Health Service (NHS) in Chronic Pain Management, Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) to a range of patients including adults, young people carers and families. Feedback from patients has been positive, which has encouraged me to develop other behaviour change programmes in long term conditions using combined therapeutic techniques such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and mindfulness.
The fascination with understanding motivation, human interactions and how people behave in different environments led to my current work with Mark Wood Antarctic explorer from Coventry, UK. In 2011-2012 Mark completed a solo expedition to the North and South Pole, unaided. Together we worked on understanding the psychology behind the preparation for the expedition and techniques to overcome the mental challenges faced in this extreme environment and enhancing performance. Achievement and performance is also key in any sports and as a psychologist I have effectively applied psychological techniques to improve performance in Archery including individual and teams and the London 2012 games.
So what informs my application of psychology? Research and evidence based techniques! As a part time academic I also continue to do research within the applied psychology and health field, which includes national and international collaborations and securing research income from national health authorities and charities. Managing and designing research trials, publishing results, writing reports and presenting at national and international conferences, including charring an international research committee in communication in healthcare. I was also invited as a Scholar to the British Journal of Health Psychology, International Advisory Board Panel. As part of my academic role, I also lecture topics within Psychology to undergraduate, postgraduate and medical students including successful supervision of MSc and PhD students and provide pastoral support to students. Other training I deliver include specific tailored sessions to health care professionals including, motivational interviewing and communication skills.
After completing my undergraduate, postgraduate and doctorate level training in psychology, I gained chartered status with the British Psychological Society and am now an Associate Fellow member. Over the years of training I have drawn from experiences of the application of psychology in neurology (Degenerative Diseases), learning disabilities, and coaching and mentoring as well as using forms of art therapy to enhance wellbeing.
Outside of work I love to dance, in particular Latin dance (Salsa), playing netball for my team as Wing Attack and Wing Defence and competing in competitions. One of my fitness goals was to compete in the 10k of road, WOLF Run, which I accomplished in April 2014, with a great sense of achievement. When relaxing I enjoy a variety of music and also practice yoga.
