Hilary Lewis

Profile

I am an occupational therapist and psychotherapist, with a special interest in persistent physical symptoms and multiple long-term conditions. Following qualifiying as an occupational therapist in 1998, I have worked in a range of clincial, managerial and leadership positions, before undergoing further training in psychotherapy. Working within Liaison Psychiatry services in Leeds since 2003, I have clinical experience within inpatient and outpatient settings, most recently at the National Inpatient Centre for Psychological Medicine. I am an accredited cognitive behavioural psychotherapist, and an accredited practitioner in eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR). 

After completing a HEE/NIHR Pre-doctoral Clinical Academic Fellowship in 2020, I am now an NIHR Doctoral Clinical Academic Fellow, within Leeds Institute of Health Sciences, due for completion in 2026.

Research interests

I am interested in multidisciplinary treatment of persistent physical symptoms (PPS), particularly rehabilitation for those people with moderate-severe difficulties who have not been helped by health care services. My current interests are around how underdeveloped parts of treatment (such as occupational therapy and physiotherapy) can be delivered effectively alongside more established approaches such as psychological therapy. My NIHR Doctoral fellowship aims to improve services for people with moderate-to-severe PPS through standardising and refining current specialist rehabilitative approaches that focus upon improving activity and participation. 

Additionally, I am interested in the role of occupational therapy in mental health services and with people with multiple long-term conditions.

Qualifications

• BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy
• PG Dip Cognitive Therapy
• MSc Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy
• PG Cert Advanced Health Research

Professional memberships

• HCPC
• British Association of Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies
• Royal College of Occupational Therapists
• EMDR Europe

Research groups and institutes

• Leeds Institute of Health Sciences