My Qualifications
I completed a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology in 2006 and have achieved Chartered status. This ensures that I am trained to provide high quality, evidence based therapy for people experiencing emotional or mental health difficulties. I also have an undergraduate Honours degree in Psychology and a Masters degree in Applied Psychology.
I am registered with the Health and Care Professionals Council (HCPC). The HCPC is the regulatory body for Practitioner Psychologists which holds a publicly accessible register of all practicing psychologists who meet the professional standards. I am also a member of The British Psychological Society (BPS) where psychologist clinical governance and professional standards are set and where chartership status is awarded.
My Experience
I am trained and experienced in providing ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) and CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy). I have worked in various healthcare roles in the NHS since completing an undergraduate degree in 1996. Overall throughout my career, and since qualifying as a Clinical Psychologist, I have worked with adolescents and adults in general hospitals, community services and in both local and national specialist chronic pain services. Most recently I have worked as a Principal Clinical Psychologist leading a hospital based chronic pain multidisciplinary NHS team.
Publications
I co-wrote a section on mental health in pain assessments, in the British Pain Society and British Geriatrics Society guidelines on Pain Assessment in Older People:
Schofield, P., Docking, R., Cox, F., Cannons, K., Abdulla, A., Bellamy, G., Cottom, S., Davis, J., Knight, A., Martin, D., Moreno, D., Tarrant, L., Malone, J. & Stubbs., B. (2018). The Assessment of Pain in Older People: UK National Guidelines. Age and Ageing, 47, 1-22.
Along with research colleagues, I have published my Doctoral thesis:
Bucks, R. S., Garner, M., Tarrant, L., Bradley, B. P., and Mogg, K. (2008). Interpretation of Emotionally Ambiguous Faces in Older Adults. The Journal of Gerontology: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, 63, 337-343.
My Therapy Style
I support adolescents (16yrs+) and adults who have mental health problems to live more valued lives as defined by them. My doctoral training focussed on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) skills. Since qualifying I have expanded my skills and my main therapeutic approach is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). I have a special interest, and have gained much experience, in working with individuals who are seeking to manage, or struggling to come to terms with, chronic pain. I have undertaken additional training in ACT to gain specialist skills in this type of therapy specifically for chronic pain.