Dr Yvonne Melia

• Secretary of the Academic Subgroup of the Group of Trainers in Clinical Psychology (GTiCP)
• Member of the College of Reviewers, Staffordshire University

• BSc (hons) Applied Psychology, Liverpool John Moores University, 1996
• PgDip Clinical Neuroscience, University of Surrey, 1998
• PgDip Psychological Research Methods, Open University, 2004
• Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, University of Sheffield, 2007
• PgDip Psychoanalytic Observational Studies, University of East London (completed at the Tavistock Centre, London), 2016
• PgCert Higher Professional Education, Staffordshire University, 2017

My main research interests relate to attachment relationships, developmental trauma, applications of clinical psychology in social care contexts and psychological issues pertaining to Looked After Children and adopted children. I am also keen to consider how research can enhance clinical practice in respect to these service users including; improving the screening of mental health difficulties and psychological outcomes, developing relevant measures to assess coping and parenting in carers, issues of inappropriate diagnosis and trauma in sibling relationships. More broadly, I am interested in complex mental health difficulties in young people, including self-harm, Eating Disorders, personality difficulties; psychiatric symptom fabrication; gender identity issues in young people with personality difficulties. Finally, I am interested in how identity issues influence recovery and change in respect to mental health and the role of possible peer identification and group processes on emotional well-being.

Postgraduate

Module Lead for two modules on the Professional Doctorate in Clinical Psychology; Assessment, Formulation, Intervention and Evaluation 1 (AFIE1) and Personal and Professional Values and Skills (PPVS) and for the Introduction to Applied Therapeutic and Clinical Skills module on the MSc Foundations in Clinical Psychology. Lead for Personal and Professional Development on the Professional Doctorate in Clinical Psychology.

I also deliver teaching on undergraduate and postgraduate psychology and social work courses.

Research papers

Melia, Y. (2016). Feminine and masculine personality traits: reflections on opportunities and challenges to a career in clinical psychology, Clinical Psychology Forum, 285, 20-24.

Worthington, A. Matthews, S. Melia, Y. and Oddy, M. (2006) Cost-benefits associated with social outcome from neurobehavioural rehabilitation. Brain Injury. 20(9) 947-57.

Worthington, A. and Melia, Y. (2006) Rehabilitation is compromised by arousal and sleep disorders: Results of a survey of rehabilitation centres. Brain Injury. 20(3), 327-32.

Contributoring author to:
Brain and Spine Foundation (2004). Headstrong. All about brain tumours. London: Brain and Spine Foundation.

Melia, Y. (2001). Research and consultation with children and young people. Considerations for good practice in projects involving children with brain tumours. London: Brain and Spine Foundation.

Conference papers

Panel member, Special Event: Fostering Focus “Team Parenting for Children in Foster Care: A Model for Integrated Therapeutic Care by Jeanette Caw & Judy Sebba” An exploration of this book and the issues raised. Northern LAC Forum, Leeds, 23rd May 2014.