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Summary

I am a Senior Teaching Fellow in Health Psychology at the ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú, where I contribute to undergraduate and postgraduate teaching, curriculum development, and research supervision.

As a Chartered Psychologist and Lifestyle Medicine Practitioner, I bring cross‑sector experience spanning academia, healthcare, medical settings, business, and consultancy. My work integrates psychological science with lifestyle and behavioural medicine to support evidence‑based professional training and practice.

My core professional focus is advancing the integration of research-informed education and integrative healthcare. I am committed to enhancing teaching excellence, developing practitioner capability, and contributing to person‑centred, trauma‑informed models of care.

• _{Chartered Member, British Psychological Society (BPS)}
• _{Registered Practitioner, Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)}
• _{Member, British Society of Lifestyle Medicine (BSLM)}
• _{Fellow, Royal Society of Public Health (FRSPH)}
• _{Senior Fellow, Higher Education Academy (SFHEA)}

Biography

I am an HCPC-registered Health Psychologist with a multidisciplinary background spanning biological, social, and psychological sciences. I completed my honours degree in psychology in South Africa before pursuing further qualifications in the UK, including a PGCE (University of Greenwich), an MSc in Health Psychology (University of Derby), and a Professional Doctorate in Health Psychology (University of the West of England). I also hold professional training in naturopathic practices, therapeutic physical therapy, herbalism, and nutrition.

EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP AND TEACHING

I have extensive experience across higher and further education. I developed and led programmes in Health and Social Care since 2004, and previously served as Assistant Head of Undergraduate Provision at the Institute for Optimum Nutrition, where I played a key role in embedding behaviour change within the curriculum and training healthcare professionals. I joined the ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú in 2023 as a Senior Teaching Fellow in Health Psychology and contribute to undergraduate and postgraduate teaching, research supervision, and digital health consultancy.

I am also an Applied Psychology Practice Supervisor with the BPS and support students wishing to complete their BPS Stage 2 Qualification in Health Psychology (QHP). 

THERAPEUTIC AND CLINICAL PRACTICE

Alongside my academic work, I have a long-standing clinical career beginning in community and hospital pharmacy in South Africa and the UK. I have practised Lifestyle Medicine since 1997 and work with an integrative, personalised, and trauma‑informed approach, combining behaviour change techniques, counselling, coaching, and lifestyle interventions. I am the Clinical Director for Psychological Therapies and Bariatric Care at The Health Matters Group, and I also provide consultancy services to the NHS.

Research interests

My research interests/specialities in Health Psychology include but are not limited to psychobiological medicine (e.g., PNIE), the impact of stress, alternative approaches to managing menopause, addiction, healthy ageing, obesity and diabetes management,  supporting people living with chronic illness, health behaviours and behaviour change.

I am also interested in developing or collaborating on developing high-reach individual behavioural interventions (e.g., to help people living with obesity or addiction), policy-level interventions, advocacy, policy-making, and public engagement in research.

Teaching responsibilities

Media availability

Media trained television and radio presenter.

Available for media work.