Psychology Matters: “Any help I can give makes me feel I am doing something important, and that psychology is important.”

Why do you think Psychology Matters?  

I think psychology matters because it offers a unique insight into the human condition through our cognitions and behaviours. Psychology can be used in so many areas of life to help people and to improve things, if used right.  

Since I've been working as a trauma psychologist with the police, I've seen peer-support networks and national wellbeing services for police forces introduced where I work. I've led the introduction of the demobilisation of officers after each shift and post-incident psychological debriefs after serious incidents. 

The fact that I can help officers who are suffering from terrible psychological distress, and that I can help make things better in most cases, makes me proud to be a psychologist

We have also introduced further psychological support for officers who have experienced trauma during their work. These interventions are aimed at reducing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and the police officers who receive the support tell me how positive an experience it is to have psychological support. 

Tell us about the impact of your own work in psychology 

As a trauma psychologist with the police, I work mainly with traumatic stress, PTSD and complex grief. I think it is the little things that matter to me, when an officer starts to see improvement themselves, and starts to feel better or come back to work.  

There are so many incredibly horrific things my colleagues go through, so any help I can give makes me feel I am doing something important, and that psychology is important. 

When I was studying for my Master's in Forensic Psychology, I looked at the effects of stress and exposure to trauma on uniformed and non-uniformed police officers and found that, scarily, 95 per cent of officers I surveyed had unprocessed trauma. 

I realised that something had to be done to reduce the effects of exposure to trauma that police officers are experiencing, so as part of my doctorate, I worked with a police force to develop a meaningful framework for change.  

What makes you proud about working in psychology?  

Most police officers have a very strong need to help and give something back to society. The fact that I can help officers who are suffering from terrible psychological distress, and that I can help make things better in most cases, makes me proud to be a psychologist. As part of my role, I support officers who are experiencing PTSD, and by working with them I can help support their wellbeing and their return to work.  

I have found my time with the police very meaningful. It has shown me that psychology really matters and can have an impact on people and help those who struggle with trauma back to work and give them new coping skills to keep meeting the demands of their often very though job. 

As my doctorate is nearing its hand in date, I hope I will be able to continue working with the police once I have finished it. 

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