I am a Registered Forensic Psychologist, with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). I have experience working within the prison service, locked rehabilitation and secure forensic hospitals, assessing and treating individuals with mental health diagnoses, personality disorders and offending histories. I also have extensive experience working with children and adolescents, often in residential care, who present with emotional and behavioural difficulties, trauma and attachment difficulties, offending behaviours and other complex issues. I am trained in a range of group and individual interventions, such as EMDR and DBT. I also have extensive clinical experience of using a range of psychological assessment tools within residential, mental health and forensic settings, including autism, risk, cognitive and personality assessments. I hold a B.Sc. in Psychology, an M.Sc. in Forensic Psychology and a Post Graduate Diploma in Practitioner Forensic Psychology.
If you could pick one fictional character from a book, movie, or TV show to analyse and provide therapy for, who would it be and why?
Because of my love for Friends, I’d have to go with Chandler Bing. I believe that providing therapy for Chandler would be a fascinating and challenging opportunity, with lots of laughs along the way.
Chandler is known for his sarcastic humour, commitment issues, and struggles with intimacy and emotional expression. Throughout the series, we see him grappling with fears of commitment, unresolved childhood trauma, and an underlying sense of insecurity and low self-esteem.
In therapy, I would explore Chandler’s defence mechanisms, such as humour and sarcasm, as coping strategies to avoid vulnerability and emotional intimacy. I would delve into his relationships with his parents, particularly his estranged father, to understand the impact of his upbringing on his current behaviour and beliefs about relationships. I would also work with Chandler to help him develop healthier communication skills, improve his self-esteem, and confront his fears of intimacy and commitment.
Imagine you’re stranded on a deserted island with a group of strangers. How would you use your knowledge of psychology to help keep everyone calm, motivated, and cohesive until rescue arrives?
First, I would use my knowledge of group dynamics to foster a sense of unity and cooperation among the strangers. I would encourage open communication, active listening, and empathy to build trust and understanding among the group members.
I would also utilise my understanding of stress and coping mechanisms to help everyone manage their anxiety and fear. I would teach relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing and mindfulness, to help calm the group members and keep them focused on the task at hand.
Additionally, I would draw on my knowledge of leadership and motivation to inspire the group to work together towards a common goal. I would emphasize the importance of teamwork and encourage everyone to contribute their unique skills and strengths to the group effort.
Overall, my goal would be to create a supportive and positive environment on the deserted island, where everyone feels valued and motivated to work together towards rescue. By applying principles of psychology, I would strive to keep the group calm, motivated, and cohesive until help arrives.