Understanding adversity in childhood — and how systems respond.

I am a registered Forensic and Clinical Psychologist and Academic dedicated to reducing violence against children.

Before my doctorate I worked as a child protection practitioner, and I have since practised across youth and adult forensic mental health settings. That work showed me how child maltreatment and other adverse childhood experiences can shape a person's life, often for decades and across generations. It is why my research focuses on understanding those impacts across the lifespan, improving how we assess risk of harm within families, and evaluating what interventions work. Most of this work is done with others: practitioners, services, and the children and families affected by violence.

I also practice as a psychologist, providing specialist risk and psychological assessments in cases of child abuse and neglect, family violence, and youth offending.

I am a passionate clinical psychologist and academic whose work centres on understanding and supporting those who have experienced interpersonal trauma.

My research examines how child maltreatment, complex trauma, and other adverse childhood experiences affect individuals, as well as how these experiences are recognised and responded to within the service sector. I draw on a range of quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods approaches to do this work – this enables me to explore these issues from multiple angles, from broad patterns across populations to privileging the voices and lived experiences of individuals. Working simultaneously as both a researcher and psychologist means that I am especially interested in undertaking research that intersects with industry to create practical and meaningful outcomes which support evidence-based practice.

I am also a practising clinical psychologist with experience across public, private, and statutory settings. This has included previously working as a child protection practitioner, as well as supporting highly vulnerable individuals presenting with complex needs. Currently, I support adults who are, or have been, affected by interpersonal trauma and violence.