Staff profile

Michelle Brooks-Ucheaga


Senior Lecturer- Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapies & Mental Health and Wellbeing Practitioner course

Michelle Brooks

College

College of Health, Psychology and Social Care

Department

School of Psychology

ORCiD ID

0000-0002-4240-472X

Email

m.brooks3@derby.ac.uk

About

I am a Senior Lecturer on the MSc in Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy (Adult) at the University of Derby. 

I am a Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist, EMDR Therapist (Trauma), and trained clinical supervisor for both MSc trainee and qualified CBT Psychotherapists. I am qualified and trained to treat a number of mild to moderate clinical presentations such as Depression, OCD, Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Panic Disorder, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) amongst other Mental Health disorders.

I am also a guest lecturer at several universities on the MSc Cognitive Behavioural Therapy course and Clinical Psychology course for year two and three Doctorate students.

I have worked in the field of Health and Social Care and Mental Health for over 20 years, and I am passionate about equipping both Undergraduate and Post-Graduate practitioners and students in their chosen fields within Health and Social Care to improve their practice and develop academically.

In May 2021 I was nominated for the 'Inspirational Teaching' award and the 'Personality of the Year' award at the Union of Students Education Awards.

Teaching responsibilities

My current role as a Senior Lecturer on the MSc in Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy (Adult) at the University of Derby. My responsibilities include being a Module lead and lecturer on a number of Modules across the MSc.

In my previous role as a Lecturer in Health and Social Care at the University of Derby, involved being the Programme Lead for Professional Development in Health and Social Care. In addition to being the Module lead and lecturer on Modules within the MSc and BSc (Hons) in Integrative Health and Social Care, BSc (Hons) Nursing Studies, Leadership and Management in Health and Social Care PG Cert and BSc (Hons) Cognitive Behavioural Therapeutic Approaches (TOP-UP) degree.

As an academic, my role involved sitting on the UDOL Ethics and Research Committee (2019-2021).

Professional interests

Research interests

My current research has involved working with Eco-Anxiety/Climate Anxiety and Sustainability. My current research also involves understanding intersectionality explicitly around culture, race, and ethnicity within the therapeutic context.

My previous research and clinical practice area of expertise involves working in Mental Health Primary Care treating with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in the general population and especially with Refugees, Asylum Seekers, and Survivors of Torture.

I have also been involved in the development and implementation of National training in collaboration with Freedom from Torture (a National Human Rights organisation). The training is designed to assist Primary Care IAPT practitioners to work effectively in treating PTSD in Refugee populations.

I am also passionate about ensuring mental health services deliver accessible psychological treatment to Black, Asian and Minority groups as they have disproportionately poorer outcomes than the rest of the population.

I am also one of four co-authors of the National NHS England (2019) Positive Practice Guidance for working with Black and Minority Ethnic patients within Primary Care.

Membership of professional bodies

Qualifications

Professionally I am also trained in:

Recent conferences

Recent publications

Courses