Our People

Rachel began her psychology career in research, gaining a PhD at the University of Manchester in 2003, before completing her clinical training at the University of Liverpool in 2009. Her clinical doctorate project investigated communication regarding mental health in medical settings.

Following 10 years within child and adolescent mental health services at MFT – specialising in eating disorders and the psychological impact of physical health – Rachel joined the Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia psychology team in 2019.

As a BABCP-accredited CBT practitioner, Rachel works with patients across the lifespan (paediatrics through to older adults). While her recent work has focused on adult patient groups to meet service demand, she remains committed to:

• Reducing stigma around receiving psychological support.
• Promoting wellbeing and improving quality of life for a diverse patient group.
• Strengthening the MDT approach by improving the understanding of the interplay between physical and mental health.

Rachel has presented the team’s work at both national and regional conferences. She is particularly interested in the positive contribution psychology can make to the success of new treatment options for patients with sickle cell and thalassaemia at all stages of the process.