I am a clinical academic psychologist specialising in child and adolescent mental health and specifically in 1) the integration of physical and mental health care and 2) increasing access to psychological treatments through ‘low intensity’ interventions, including peer support. I led the day to day management of a recently completed NIHR Programme Grant on which I am Co-I, and an associated Epilepsy Research UK Grant on which I am PI (lifetime total grant income: PI£142,668.00; Co-I £3.5m). My current research and clinical work focuses on a range of topics associated with integrated and low intensity mental health interventions, including work on modular interventions, in eating disorders, persistent physical symptoms including functional neurological disorder, and in long term physical health conditions in children and young people. 

I am involved in several large collaborations related to my work, including my role as mental health representative for the RCPCH Epilepsy12 national audits of epilepsy services and member of the International League Against Epilepsy Integrated Mental Health Care Pathways Committee. I am lead editor of a textbook, ‘the Oxford Guide to Brief and Low Intensity Interventions for Children and Young People’, including chapters from the leading international researchers in the field, published by Oxford University Press in July 2022 (https://global.oup.com/academic/product/oxford-guide-to-brief-and-low-intensity-interventions-for-children-and-young-people-9780198867791?cc=gb&lang=en&q=Aulus%20Gellius:%20Attic%20Nights).

I am the research lead for an active Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) Research Advisory Group (20 members), who have advised on the development of research procedures, intervention and dissemination for our studies investigating the interface between physical and mental health. The PPI work in our research has been highlighted by the NIHR as an example of good practice. I regularly provide external training on the delivery of evidence-based psychological therapies for children with neurological conditions to medical and mental health professionals and to families and patient groups e.g. HOPE for Paediatric Epilepsy, London. I am current trustee and previous Vice Chair of this charity and have provided mental health expertise at monthly groups in addition to facilitating remote peer support groups.