Stella Gkika

Profile

My role is primarily to support the development and growth of the DClin Psychology Programme’s regional training initiatives with a focus on:

• Coordinating and supporting training for the local clinical psychology services within West Yorkshire
• Supporting secondary accreditation developments
• Overseeing and developing training initiatives for aspiring clinical psychologists from minoritised communities working in local services

Currently, I am also working as a principal clinical psychologist in a Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit for adult women, providing psychological services to service users and supporting the development and implementation of trauma informed and person-centred multidisciplinary care pathways. My main model is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and I also have an interest in systemic and narrative approaches.

Previously, I have worked in a range of roles, including clinical tutor on a Doctorate Programme in Clinical Psychology, clinical psychologist in acute inpatient mental health care, lecturer at an MSc in CBT, cognitive behavioural therapist in private practice, and external examiner for CBT courses.

Research interests

My reserach interests lie in the role of psychology within urgent inpatient mental health care (care pathways, staff training, least restrictive practice, team formulation). I have also recently developed an interest in the role of clinical psychology in addressing the climate crisis and in supporting environmental sustainability approaches and initiatives

Qualifications

• Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, The University of Manchester, 2017
• PhD in Psychology, The University of Manchester, 2011, under Prof. Adrian Wells
• MSc Cognitive Psychotherapy, under Prof. Alec Grant, The University of Brighton, 2006
• BSc Psychology, The University of Crete, 2001

Professional memberships

• HCPC

Research groups and institutes

• Leeds Institute of Health Sciences