Qualifications

I obtained my postgraduate training (MSc, PhD, CPsychol) from the Division of Medicine at UCL in London, UK. I have over 25 years of experience as an Applied Psychologist and I've been a Licensed Practitioner Health Psychologist since 2005. 'Practitioner Psychologist' is a protected title that is regulated by law and registered by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) in the UK. My HCPC license number is PYL21971. I'm also a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP) and a Certified Advanced Grief Counseling Specialist (CAGCS).

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Work Experience
Before going into private practice, I held positions at several departments within the UCL Medical School: the Centre for Behavioural and Social Sciences in Medicine, Division of Medicine; the Department of Mental Health Sciences/Marie Curie Palliative Care Unit; the Department of Primary Care and Population Health, and; Cancer Research UK's Health Behaviour Research Centre, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health. I also had honorary contracts with the Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust, the University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust.

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​Clinical Work​

My clinical work has generally centred around the area of illness adjustment; the management of long-term conditions, managing ongoing or chronic pain, dealing with medical trauma or trauma in general, and its effect on health related quality of life. For example, many of my clients have been diagnosed with a chronic illness and, for various understandable reasons, have a really hard time with it. Others have not been diagnosed with an illness at all but with physical symptoms of no known cause and feel overwhelmed and at a loss in how to deal with it. I also work with caregivers of people with chronic and degenerative illnesses who are experiencing caregiver burnout and are in a state of physical, emotional and mental exhaustion. In addition, some of my clinical work focuses on the link between childhood adversity and adult chronic illness and the effect of narcissistic/domestic abuse on physical and/or psychological well being.

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Research, Publications and Teaching Experience

I have conducted extensive health care research over the years within the primary, secondary and palliative care sector (including improving doctor-patient communication). I have presented my work at numerous national and international conferences. For a list of my publications and book chapters, please click here. I have lectured post graduate students of both health psychology and psychiatry and provided training to General Practitioners.

 

Why This Work Matters to Me

I also have personal experience with chronic illness. I have been diagnosed with an obstructive lung disease and have had to modify my life accordingly. I also live with a connective tissue disorder and pain is no stranger to me. I know firsthand how hard it can be to juggle life, work and ill health while navigating the health care system; being left frustrated, exhausted and sometimes angry at the lack of support and understanding. I appreciate the impact illness can have on your identity and how isolating it can be. How disappointing it sometimes is that life didn’t end up how you thought it would, how hard it can be to live with uncertainty, and how necessary it is to readjust expectations and find meaning in a new situation to lead a more fulfilling life. It is possible! 

 

More About Me

I write a weekly Blog about the biopsychosocial and spiritual consequences of chronic illness, issues around doctor-patient communication and health care, grief, trauma, and narcissistic abuse. I live with my dog Toby; a rather large former street dog. I have spent the majority of my life in London, United Kingdom. I currently reside in Oklahoma City, USA.