I currently work at the AccEPT Clinic (Access to Evidence-based Psychological Therapy Clinic, University of Exeter) and independently as a Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) psychological therapist, MBCT programme developer, researcher, and Associate Lecturer.
Since 2011 I have participated in the research and development of a Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy programme for young people and their parents/carers with depression and anxiety (NHS). The research project has received funding from the National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) and the work so far has been published in peer-reviewed journals.
Since 2016 I have been developing and trialing an MBCT programme for high-performance and high-demand environments. Two small pilot studies of the programme trialed at leading UK Universities have demonstrated feasibility and acceptability. Since 2017 the programme has been delivered in high-performance university sports, professional golf, pro cycling, a Paralympic squad, public sector organizations, and within the creative industries.
In 2015 I was invited to be an expert witness for the All-Party Parliamentary Mindful Nation Report UK, and I have presented at national and international conferences.
I practiced in the NHS following my qualification in 1986. I worked in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) for 30 years. I have also worked in Acute Adult Mental Health Services (inpatient and community-based services), a cancer recovery service, a neuroscience department for a specific population (hospital and community based), and a bereavement service for children and young people.
Qualifications
· MBCT-Life (MBCT-L), Oxford Mindfulness Centre, 2017.
· PGDip Psychological Therapist, Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy, MBCT, University of Exeter, 2012.
· Registered Nurse Mental Health (RNMH), Exeter & Torbay Health Authority, NHS 1991.
· Certificate in Psychotherapy, University of Exeter, 1991.
· Certificate in Counselling, University of Exeter, 1989.
Teaching-Training Specialisms
· MBCT-D (Depression) in clinical and research settings particularly for young people, parents/carers, and adults with a history of depression.
· MBCT for high-performance and high-demand environments (sport, health, social care, emergency services, and education).
· MBCT-L for the workplace and creative industries.
· MBCT-based bespoke programmes for 1-1 sessions, specific populations, and communities.
Supervision Experience
I have provided supervision for:
· MBCT-D clinical therapists for young people and parents/carers
· MBCT-D clinical therapists for adults
· MBCT-L therapists and trainers
· MBCT trainers for high-performance and high-demand environments
· Mindfulness-based Approaches (MBA), Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT), NHS Team
· PGDip students on the MBCT-Depression training at the University of Exeter.
· MBCT IAPT trainees
Supervision Specialisms
· MBCT-D clinical settings for young people, parents/carers, and families with depression/anxiety
· MBCT-D clinical for adult depression/anxiety
· MBCT for high-performance and high-demand environments (sport, public sector, corporate and creative industries)
· Supervising students on training programmes (MBCT-D and MBCT-L)
· MBA bespoke programme design and development for specific populations, settings, and format (1-1, group, team, and systemic approaches)
Supervision Rates
1-hour individual session – £50
½ hour individual session – £25
Please see our Supervision FAQs for more details on the cost of supervision.
Personal Practice
I have had a personal mindfulness practice since 2010, though I have been curious about how contemplative practices and philosophies may influence psychological therapies and training since 1991. My mindfulness-based practice and activity training includes the core practices taught in MBCT as well as developing other practices through attending extended courses with the Bodhi College. My ongoing learning and practice are supported by regular supervision with the Mindfulness Network and mentoring sessions with a teacher from the insight meditation tradition.
Research Activities and Interests
· MBCT-Young People and their Carers with depression/Mindfulness for Adolescent and Carers (MAC): MAC is a Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) intervention adapted for use with young people attending CAMHS who have recovered from depression but have residual symptoms, alongside a parallel intervention for their parents.
The MAC programme was successful at Stage 2 NIHR Programme Grant for Applied Research funding and will commence in October 2023 for 4-5 years.
The programme is a collaboration between the Universities of Exeter, Cambridge, Oxford, and Kings College London.
· MBCT for high-performance and high-demand environments: The programme has demonstrated the following small pilot studies’ acceptability and feasibility. Research and development are ongoing and to date, the programme has been delivered in elite, professional, and Olympic settings.
· MBA bespoke programmes: Assessment and evaluation of the feasibility and acceptability of potential designs and development for specific populations, settings, and format (1-1, group, team, and systemic approaches).
Publications
Ford, T., Richardson, J., Wilkonson, K., Smith, P., Berry, V., Barnhofer, T., Fox, J. & Kuyken W., Could mindfulness-based cognitive therapy prevent a lifelong recurrent course of depression or anxiety by addressing key mechanisms of vulnerability in high-risk adolescents? 1 Apr 2020, In British Journal of Psychiatry. 216, 4, p. 175-177 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1192/bjp.2019.183
Racey D.N., Fox J., Berry V.L., Blockley KV, Longridge R.A., Simmons J.L., Janssens A., Kuyken W., Ford T.J. Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Young People and Their Carers: a Mixed-Method Feasibility Study. Mindfulness (N Y). 2018;9(4):1063-1075. DOI: 10.1007/s12671-017-0842-7
