Qualifications
Qualifications and experience
Qualifications
I qualified as a psychiatric nurse in 1996, and completed a masters degree in CBT at Manchester University in 1999. I have worked as a CBT therapist and trainer since then including spells in primary care, acute psychiatry, neuropsychiatryand substance misuse.In addition I have worked as a research therapist in two national randomised control trials. My PhD is in the relationship between traumatic life events and symptom profile in bipolar disorder and has been supervised by Professor Richard Bentall from Bangor University and Professor Steven Jones from Lancaster University. I hope to submit the thesis in spring 2010. I have had a successful private practice since 2004 and have two clinics, one in Stoke on Trent and one in Lancaster
Membership of professional bodies
I am involved with a number of professional bodies and organisations including
1. British Association of Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapists (Accredited)
2. Member of Editorial Board - Nurse Researcher
3. Designated Radical Practitioner - Hearing Voices Network
4. Founder member - CASL (Campaign for The Abolition of The Schizophrenia Label)
5. Editorial board member. Asylum. The Magazine for Democratic Psychiatry and Community Development
6. Co president - British Association of Behavioural and Cognitive Therapists. Bipolar disorder Special Interest Group
7. Member Mental Health Research Network bipolar disorder group
Peer review
I am a peer reviwer of research and clinical papers and also a book reviewer for a number of national and international journals including
1. British Journal of Psychiatry
2. Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica
3. Psychological Medicine
4. Nurse Researcher
5. British Journal of Clinical Psychology
6. Bipolar Disorders
7. Mental Health Practice
8. Philosophy, Ethics and the Humanities in Medicine
8. Grant application reviewer NHS
Previous referals
I have recieved past referals from a number of companies including
BUPA, AXIS, AXA, Premex, ICAS, CIGNA, HCIML, The Psychology Service,
The Focus Clinic, Behavioral Health, Psycho legal experts, Medicals Direct
Trauma Care, First assist, CBT Services, Human Focus, Quantum Managed Care
Standard Life, Healthcare UK, Mediscreen, Argent
Current Insurance cover £1,000,000 (Towergate Insurance of Leeds)