Research
I am Professor of Clinical Psychology at the University of Liverpool, studying the psychological and social determinants of mental health. He is a practicing Clinical Psychologist, Clinical Advisor at Public Health England, and former President of the British Psychological Society.
I am author of various journal articles and book chapters, including “A Prescription for Psychiatry” (2014), and ‘A Manifesto for Mental Health’ (2019). My research profile can be found here: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8972-8548http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8972-8548
After qualifying as a clinical psychologist in 1990, I worked in an NHS acute psychiatry setting (including secure residential wards) both full-time and part-time while working in academia.
Psychological processes
My research interests are in the psychological processes underpinning psychotic experiences, psychological formulations and the interface between psychological theory and public policy. My work is collaborative with other disciplines (principally psychiatry) and uses a variety of approaches.
I have been instrumental in developing theoretical models of paranoid thought and mania. These models have clarified the roles of self-regulatory processes, involving the self-concept and causal attributions, in the aetiology and maintenance of psychological problems. These models are widely cited in international research, and form the basis of recognised therapeutic interventions.
I have been a grant holder on several very large multicentre randomised controlled trials of CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) for people experiencing psychosis. I am currently involved in several investigations of novel therapeutic developments.
In the area of psychology and public policy, I have developed an interest in the application of psychological science to public policy. Most of my academic work has a direct practical impact. Teaching to medical professionals influences their behaviour and the care received by patients. Research into psychological processes in mental health influences health service care both at the level of individual clinicians and at the level of service structures.
Research groups
Research grants
Bringing Wellbeing to Community.
ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL RESEARCH COUNCIL, WHAT WORKS WELLBEING (UK)
June 2015 - April 2021
Implementing Schwartz Centre Rounds with pre-qualification professional healthcare students.
HEALTH EDUCATION NORTH WEST (UK)
April 2015 - March 2019
Evaluation of the Mersey Care NHS Trust Clinical Business Unit initiative
MERSEY CARE NHS FOUNDATION TRUST (UK)
September 2007 - August 2008
Debt Counselling for Depression in Primary Care: an Adaptive Randomised Controlled Trial (DeCoDer)
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE (UK)
March 2014 - November 2017
Psychological studies of persecutory delusions.
WELLCOME TRUST (UK)
November 2003 - July 2004
Social cognitive correlates of anti-social and violent personality disturbance.
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE (UK)
March 2002 - February 2005
Development and evaluation of a comprehensive service evaluation tool in health and social care
MERSEY CARE NHS FOUNDATION TRUST (UK)
October 2010 - July 2015
The relationship between underlying psychological processes and symptomatology in patients with bipolar affective disorder.
MERSEY CARE NHS FOUNDATION TRUST (UK)
March 2004 - February 2007
Depressed adults' causal explanations and expectancies for personal approach and avoidance goals.
MERSEY CARE NHS FOUNDATION TRUST (UK)
June 2006 - October 2008
Psychological needs of patients suffering from bipolar disorder.
MERSEY CARE NHS FOUNDATION TRUST (UK)
April 2007 - October 2009
Social Cognition in Personality Disorders : A Pilot Study.
NORTH MERSEY COMMUNITY NHS TRUST (UK)
October 2000 - December 2001
Understanding mental & physical health problems ¿ sharing of health psychology & clinical psychology experience.
BRITISH PSYCHOLOGICAL SOCIETY
May 2005 - December 2006
Embedding a Human Rights Based Approach to Dementia Care.
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE (UK)
May 2014 - October 2016
Chair of the Division of Clinical Psychology, British Psychological Society.
BRITISH PSYCHOLOGICAL SOCIETY
March 2004 - July 2015
Analysis of Sequential Psychological Data (ASP).
EUROPEAN COMMISSION
January 2002 - November 2004
The role of social cognition in antisocial, aggressive or violent behaviour.
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE (UK)
April 2002 - March 2005
Wellcome VIP - Institute of Psychology, Health and Society
WELLCOME TRUST (UK)
July 2011 - August 2011
Evaluating the workload and activity of junior doctors
MERSEY CARE NHS FOUNDATION TRUST (UK)
April 2008 - September 2008
Evaluation of the Acute Care Team in Sefton
MERSEY CARE NHS FOUNDATION TRUST (UK)
March 2008 - December 2014
TP 165 feasilbility study of enhanced relapse prevention by key workers for people diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder.
MEDICAL RESEARCH COUNCIL
January 2005 - January 2007
GP Commissioning
MERSEY CARE NHS FOUNDATION TRUST (UK)
May 2011 - September 2012
Compliance to the NICE Guidelines and Collating Clinical Outcomes
MERSEY CARE NHS FOUNDATION TRUST (UK)
November 2012 - December 2016
Appointment of Christine Healey as an Experimental Officer.
MERSEY CARE NHS FOUNDATION TRUST (UK)
April 2008 - March 2010
Relatives adaptation to recent onset psychosis.
MERSEY CARE NHS FOUNDATION TRUST (UK)
March 2005 - September 2009
Identification of Key Elements of Effective Practice: Offending Behaviour Programmes.
HOME OFFICE (UK)
July 2001 - June 2002
Wellcome VIP Support (Institute of Psychology, Health and Society)
WELLCOME TRUST (UK)
July 2011 - September 2011
Wellcome VIP Support (Institute of Psychology, Health and Society)
WELLCOME TRUST (UK)
May 2011 - June 2011
Training key workers to offer enhanced relapse prevention to people with bipolar disorder and their relatives within an NHS setting.
MERSEY CARE NHS FOUNDATION TRUST (UK)
September 2004 - August 2007