One on One with Counselling Psychologist and Lecturer Dr Liza Morton

Can you tell me a bit about your background and what made you pursue counselling psychology as a career path?

After completing my undergraduate degree at Stirling University, I undertook a PhD by research at the University of Glasgow under the supervision of Professor Philippe Schyns.  While I enjoyed this experience, I wanted to work clinically which led me to complete the MSc in Psychological Therapies in Primary Care at Dundee University.  After qualifying as a Clinical Associate of Applied Psychology (CAAP) I worked in this role, in an adult mental health team in NHS Fife, for 11 years.  During this time, I also completed the British Psychological Society's independent route in Counselling Psychology qualifying in 2015. The independent route is an alternative way of qualifying as a counselling psychologist without doing a specific course, though it can be just as challenging.

What does your role as a Counselling Psychologist consist of, and what does a typical day at work look like for you?

I set up an independent practice six years ago.  At the moment, however, I have cut down my clinical work since starting my role at Glasgow Caledonian University. I keep a small caseload providing one to one therapy online, as well as offering clinical supervision.  Over the last couple of years, I have also been developing and delivering CPD webinars with Dr Nicola Cogan, Consultant Clinical Psychologist and Senior Lecturer, at the University of Strathclyde.  We have delivered over forty bespoke webinars on Introductory Trauma Awareness Training; Working from home during Covid-19; Preventing Burnout; and Psychologically Informed Medicine for various organisations, which have included: ALSEF, UNISON, Scottish Union Learning, The Scottish Government, The Fire Brigade and NHS Fife.

You're also a lecturer at Glasgow Caledonian University, can you tell me a bit about that?

I joined the team at Glasgow Caledonian University in February, so I am still relatively new to the post. In this role, I contribute to teaching across all three stages of the doctoral programs in Counselling Psychology, Sport and Exercise Psychology, and Health Psychology.  I will also be supervising doctoral research dissertations.  I am really enjoying this post, working with the team and students.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

It is always a privilege to work with people, often during their most vulnerable moments, and to be trusted with their story.  I am very passionate about using psychological knowledge to empower people, make sense of their lived experiences and move forward. I am consistently humbled by the resilience of my clients.  In addition to my therapeutic work, I very much enjoy teaching students and working with them and collaborators on research projects. 

What do you find most challenging about your job?

Throughout my career the biggest and most consistent challenge has been trying to manage my congenital heart condition.  Both in terms of the big choices, but also in the day-to-day management of my work.  I work part time and I find being able to manage my workload flexibly, for example, by setting up in independent practice works best. 

You're quite actively involved with research; can you tell me a bit about your research interests? 

I have been involved in psychology research for over 20 years now, publishing widely.  During my time in the NHS, I led evaluations of service developments. This included a self-esteem group for women and a Cultural Prescribing Initiative, which I went onto publish the findings for. In addition to my post at Glasgow Caledonian University, I hold an honorary Research Affiliate post at the University of Glasgow, Institute of Neuroscience and Psychology, and I am also an Honorary Senior Research Fellow at the University of Suffolk.  My current research interests include the psychological impact of living with a congenital heart condition, the impact of hospital gowns on patient well-being and developing a measure of Psychological Safety.

Tell me about your keynote at this year's Division of Counselling Psychology Annual Conference?

I am honoured to have been invited to present the opening keynote at the forthcoming Counselling Psychology Annual conference.  I will be presenting on what I've termed 'Psychologically Informed Medicine'.  This approach is grounded in lifelong personal experience and it permeates my teaching, research and advocacy work.

What are some of your career highlights?

I try my best to promote 'Psychologically Informed Medicine' widely to improve wellbeing and social inclusion for those of us who depend on lifelong medical care. I was born with a heart condition and improving psychological support, promoting positive adaptation and mitigating medical trauma is something that I am very passionate about.  As such, I present to a variety of audiences including health professionals, academics, patient groups and the third sector engaging key stakeholders and the media.

Since submitting a petition to the Scottish Government back in 2012 asking for healthcare standards for those of us living with congenital heart conditions, I have been sitting voluntarily on numerous health committees advocating for this population and the Somerville Heart Foundation's management board.  National healthcare standards were designated by the NHS in Scotland in 2018, and the national service has developed significantly including most recently a Specialist Psychologist.

My career highlight has been co-authoring a book with Tracy Livecchi, LCSW, 'Healing Hearts and Minds: A Holistic Approach to living well with congenital heart disease' which will be published by Oxford University Press, New York and available from January 2023.  This is the book Tracy and I needed but we could never find and we hope it will address a significant gap in providing emotional and psychological support for the growing number of adults living with a lifelong heart condition.

Can you share a piece of work or research that has really changed or shaped your practice?

That's a hard one – there are so many! Most recently, though, I have been influenced by Stephen Porges' Polyvagal Theory because I am attracted to a holistic understanding of human experience.  The Polyvagal theory is grounded in a neurobiological and evolutionary understanding of the mind and body that incorporates physiological, relational and psychological factors.

I have been fortunate to work with Steve on a couple of projects contributing a chapter 'Born With a Heart Condition: The Clinical Implications of Polyvagal Theory' to his and Deb Dana's book Clinical Applications of the Polyvagal Theory The Emergence of Polyvagal-Informed Therapies. I have also been working with Steve and Dr Jacek Kolacz, at Indiana University and Dr Nicola Cogan at Strathclyde University and our students and NHS collaborators on developing a standardised measure of psychological safety. This work was recently accepted for publication in Psychological Trauma; Theory, Research, Practice and Policy.

Outside of psychology, what are your interests?

Spending time with my family, friends and dog Lass – the Scottie.

Fauzia Khan is an Assistant Psychologist currently working within the NHS, whilst completing her Doctorate in Counselling Psychology.