Dr Elise Rivlin 1945-2025

Dr Elise Rivlin was born in Cardiff in 1945, the child of Marjorie and Meir Rivlin. Initially she trained as a teacher at the Institute of Education, University of London, but then began undergraduate studies in Experimental Psychology at University College Cardiff. In 1971 she began her clinical training at the Institute of Psychiatry (Maudsley and Bethlem Royal Hospitals). She qualified as a clinical psychologist in 1973. She completed her PhD in 1983 which concerned the traumatic psychological effects of severe thermal injuries in children. 

After completing her clinical training, she worked for a year at Guys Hospital, London and then moved to the Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Edinburgh. In 1976 she moved to Manchester as a senior clinical psychologist working at Booth Hall Children's Hospital and as a clinical tutor for the University of Manchester MSc in Clinical Psychology. During this time, she pioneered a clinical psychology service for children with severe burns. She also worked in NHS neurology and neurosurgery services as well as services for children with learning disability, physical and sensory handicaps.

In 1983 she was promoted to Head of Child and Adolescent Clinical Psychology Services in the Central Manchester Health Authority. She continued to teach in the departments of psychiatry and child health of the University of Manchester. She taught regularly on the Manchester, Hull and Leicester clinical psychology training courses. Elise was an active co-editor in developing the Journal Developmental Rehabilitation. 

Throughout her time in Manchester, she developed a thriving medico-legal practice as an expert witness for paediatric brain injury cases and was much in demand amongst solicitors and barristers. She was regularly invited as a guest keynote speaker at clinical psychology centres in India (Chennai) and the United States. She was an honorary member of the Israeli Burns Society; she was awarded the Ethicon Trophy for clinical psychology contributions to traumatised children by the Academy of Medical Sciences, India; she was an Honorary Fellow of the Madras Medical College, Institute of Neurology, India.

Elise died peacefully on the 19th January 2025 at the age of 79 following a diagnosis of dementia ten years earlier. 

In her earlier years she was unforgettable, with porcelain skin, jet black bobbed hair, bright red lipstick and a forceful character. She was always very kind and generous to her patients, trainees and colleagues. She had high academic and clinical standards and was meticulous in her approach. In all aspects of clinical, legal and research work, Elise was a joy to work with, even as an adversary in legal cases. Elise and John, her late husband, always showed kindness and hospitality to friends and colleagues.

She could be delightfully eccentric, in part because she had a disconcerting tendency to 'tell it like it is' and not beat about the bush, but it never came out as a critical nature. Indeed, it was the opposite; she would always see and acknowledge the best in people, and the positive side of life. Above all, she was a dear and loyal friend to those she knew. 

She is survived by her daughter, Eloise. She will be sadly missed and never forgotten.