Dr Kirsty Hughes

Profile

I started as Clinical Tutor on the University of Leeds Clinical Psychology training programme in May 2023. As a Clinical Tutor, my main responsibilities are related to the co-ordination of clinical placement arrangements for Clinical Psychologists in training. This involves supporting the monitoring and appraisal of the trainee clinical experience and their development of clinical competencies, the organisation of placement visits and liaising with local clinical psychology supervisors. Within my role I also have responsibility for some of the teaching on the programme, particularly related to the development of core clinical skills, working with children and families, and working within a trauma informed framework.

My Clinical background is in Child and Adolescent Services (CAMHS) and within the third sector (Social Enterprise), specialising in working with cared for children, adoption and the networks that support them and focussing on raising awareness of the impact of childhood trauma at both an individual level and a larger social level. I am currently working independently as a Clinical Psychologist offering training and consultation within my specialism.

My special interests include the role of Attachment Theory and developmental trauma within different mental health presentations, supporting organisation to embed trauma informed approaches and Systemic Practice. Prior to completing my Doctorate in Clinical Psychology I worked in Eritrea, Northeast Africa for 2 years with Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) as a teacher. This was a formative experience that sparked my interest in how communities can be enriching for all when the focus is on what assets exist within them.

My work as a Clinical Psychologist is informed by a range of psychological therapy models, the ones I draw upon most frequently are:-

• Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP) and other attachment focussed models
• Compassion Focussed Therapy (CFT)
• Therapeutic Life Story Work
• Narrative Therapy
• Systemic Therapy
• Mindfulness and Emotional Regulation
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

Responsibilities

• Co-ordination of clinical placement arrangements for Clinical Psychologists in training
• Supporting monitoring & appraisal of trainee clinical experience & development of competencies
• organisation of placement visits and liaising with local Clinical Psychology supervisors

Research interests

I am particularly interested in Qualitative Methodology, Community-based projects, Children and Families and Service User and Carer Involvement.

Qualifications

• Doctorate in Clinical Psychology – University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne
• BSc Joint Honours in Psychology and Mathematics – University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne

Professional memberships

• Health Care Professions Council (Registration No: PYL15694)
• British Psychological Society

Student education