The focus of my work is to develop more effective and easily accessible interventions for people experiencing distressing delusions and hallucinations. This involves identifying and testing the mechanisms underpinning psychotic experiences. Then using this theoretical understanding to develop effective treatments to enable people to feel safer, to feel happier and to reengage with the world. Finally, harnessing innovations in technology, for example virtual reality, to increase access to effective psychological interventions to patients throughout the NHS.
Three exciting projects I am currently involved in are the SleepWell trial, the gameChange project, and the Feeling Safe Study. In the SleepWell trial we hope to find out if treating sleep problems can prevent the onset of serious mental health problems in young people aged 14-25 years. The gameChange project aims to transform services for patients with psychosis by providing psychological therapies using immersive virtual reality. This NIHR invention4innovation funded project involves collaborations with the Royal College of Arts, the McPin Foundation, NIHR MindTech, OxfordVR, and multiple NHS trusts and universities across the UK. The Feeling Safe Study is a randomised controlled trial of a novel tranlsational psychological treatment for persecutory delusions.
Previously I worked on the Better Sleep Trial and SleepWell case series. Both projects tested psychological interventions targeting sleep: a key factor contributing to distressing psychotic experiences.
I am an HCPC registered Clinical Psychologist and completed my clinical doctorate at the University of Oxford. Prior to clinical training I worked on studies evaluating CBT for people at ultra-high risk of psychosis and developing approaches to promote recovery in early psychosis.