People

Dr Hugo Carriera Gomes Senra

Honorary Lecturer
School of Health and Social Care
Dr Hugo Carriera Gomes Senra

Profile

Biography

I am a clinical psychologist and researcher with a background in adult mental health, psychotherapy, and long-term medical conditions. I obtained my Doctorate in Clinical Psychology in Portugal where I worked as clinical psychologist, psychotherapist and researcher. Since then, most of my postdoctoral work has focussed on common mental health problems (depression and anxiety) in adults and elderly with chronic medical conditions, particularly irreversible vision loss. I have done multidisciplinary clinical research in the context of NHS services, previously at Central Manchester University Hospitals. Other research interests include: depression and anxiety in adulthood; psychotherapeutic outcomes; and eating disorders.

Qualifications

  • BSc. Applied Psychology (5-year) ISPA-IU,

  • MSc. Developmental Psychology University of Santiago de Compostela,

  • Doctorate in Clinical Psychology ISPA-IU,

Research and professional activities

Conferences and presentations

Psychological implications of vision loss in adult patients - implications for clinical practice in ophthalmology settings

Invited presentation, Symposium on Imaging and Vision Disorders, Symposium on Imaging and Vision Disorders, London, United Kingdom, 24/6/2019

Psychological Interventions for Patients with Chronic Medical Conditions

Invited presentation, EURETINA (European Retina, Macula and Vitreous Society), EURETINA (European Retina, Macula and Vitreous Society), Vienna, Austria, 19/9/2018

Teaching and supervision

Previous supervision

Michael Fitzpatrick
Michael Fitzpatrick
Thesis title: Exploring the Potential Psychological Benefits of a Death Reflection-Manipulation Based Intervention
Degree subject: Clinical Psychology (D Clin Psych)
Degree type: Professional Doctorate
Awarded date: 8/11/2024
Chloe Savage
Chloe Savage
Thesis title: “When You Finish Work, You Go Home Worrying About Those Children” – the Experience of Primary School Teaching Staff of Supporting Children with Their Mental Health: A Thematic Analysis
Degree subject: Clinical Psychology (D Clin Psych)
Degree type: Professional Doctorate
Awarded date: 24/3/2023
Lilla Venusz Asztalos
Lilla Venusz Asztalos
Thesis title: An Exploration of the Relationship Between Ineffective Modes of Mentalisation and Difficulties Related to Borderline Personality Disorder: A Network Approach
Degree subject: Clinical Psychology (D Clin Psych)
Degree type: Professional Doctorate
Awarded date: 16/3/2023
Leah Marysia Francis
Leah Marysia Francis
Thesis title: The Psychological Wellbeing of Children in the Families Affected By the Welfare Reform Universal Credit
Degree subject: Clinical Psychology (D Clin Psych)
Degree type: Professional Doctorate
Awarded date: 16/11/2022
Ilaria Tercelli
Ilaria Tercelli
Thesis title: Experiences of Working-Age Adults with Depression of Psychodynamic Couple Therapy: A Thematic Analysis Using a Phenomenological Approach
Degree subject: Clinical Psychology (D Clin Psych)
Degree type: Professional Doctorate
Awarded date: 4/11/2021

Publications

Journal articles (30)

Senra, H., Gaglianone, C., McPherson, S. and Unterrainer, H-F., (2024). Prevalence of Personality Disorders in Adults with Binge-Eating Disorder – a Systematic Review and Bayesian Meta-analysis. Obesity Reviews. 25 (3), e13669-

Tercelli, I., McPherson, S. and Senra, H., (2024). Experiences of working-age adults with depression of psychodynamic couple therapy: a thematic analysis using a phenomenological approach. British Journal of Psychotherapy. 40 (2), 175-194

Senra, H., Ali, Z., Aslam, T. and Patton, N., (2024). Personality traits and symptoms of anxiety and depression in patients with primary vitreous floaters. Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology. 262 (10), 3153-3160

Fuchshuber, J., Schöber, H., Wohlmuth, M., Senra, H., Rominger, C., Schwerdtfeger, A. and Unterrainer, HF., (2024). The effectiveness of a standardized tobacco cessation program on psychophysiological parameters in patients with addiction undergoing long-term rehabilitation: a quasi-experimental pilot study. BMC Medicine. 22 (1), 184-

Monteiro, B., Galhardo, A., Senra, H., Pinto‐Gouveia, J. and Cunha, M., (2024). Beyond fight or flight: The protective role of pre‐pandemic meditation practice against anxiety and perceived stress. Stress and Health. 40 (5), e3440-

Fuchshuber, J., Senra, H., Löffler-Stastka, H., Alexopolos, J., Roithmeier, L., Prandstätter, T. and Unterrainer, H-F., (2024). Investigating the network ties between affect, attachment, and psychopathology. Journal of Affective Disorders. 367, 263-273

Hernández-Moreno, L., Senra, H., Marques, AP., Perdomo, NM. and Macedo, AF., (2023). The Basic VRS-Effect Study: Clinical Trial Outcomes and Cost-Effectiveness of Low Vision Rehabilitation in Portugal. Ophthalmology and Therapy. 12 (1), 307-323

Colla, A., Baudinet, J., Cavenagh, P., Senra, H. and Goddard, E., (2023). Change processes during intensive day programme treatment for adolescent anorexia nervosa: a dyadic interview analysis of adolescent and parent views. Frontiers in Psychology. 14, 1226605-

Healey, A., Verhey, R., Mosweu, I., Boadu, J., Chibanda, D., Chitiyo, C., Wagenaar, B., Senra, H., Chiriseri, E., Mboweni, S. and Araya, R., (2022). Economic threshold analysis of delivering a task-sharing treatment for common mental disorders at scale: the Friendship Bench, Zimbabwe. Evidence Based Mental Health. 25 (2), 47-53

Senra, H., Ali, Z., Aslam, T. and Patton, N., (2022). Psychological implications of vitreous opacities – A systematic review. Journal of Psychosomatic Research. 154, 110729-110729

Senra, H., Hernandez-Moreno, L., Moreno, N. and Macedo, AF., (2022). Anxiety levels moderate the association between visual acuity and health-related quality of life in chronic eye disease patients. Scientific Reports. 12 (1), 2313-

McPherson, S. and Senra, H., (2022). Psychological treatments for persistent depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis of quality of life and functioning outcomes.. Psychotherapy. 59 (3), 447-459

Hernández-Moreno, L., Senra, H., Moreno, N. and Macedo, AF., (2021). Is perceived social support more important than visual acuity for clinical depression and anxiety in patients with age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy?. Clinical Rehabilitation. 35 (9), 1341-1347

Senra, H., (2021). Bidirectional associations and common inflammatory biomarkers in COVID-19 and mental health disorders: A window of opportunity for future research?. Brain, Behavior, & Immunity - Health. 13, 100237-100237

Senra, H. and McPherson, S., (2021). Depression in disabling medical conditions – current perspectives. International Review of Psychiatry. 33 (3), 312-325

Senra, H., (2021). Hypotheses on the neuroimmune cross-talk between COVID-19 and neuropsychiatric disorders. Psychoneuroendocrinology. 131, 105359-105359

Hernandez Moreno, L., Senra, H., Lewis, P., Moreno, N., Linhares, J., Santana, R., Lima Ramos, P., Patricia Marques, A. and Macedo, AF., (2020). Cost-effectiveness of basic vision rehabilitation (The basic VRS-effect study): study protocol for a randomised controlled trial. Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics. 40 (3), 350-364

Senra, H., Macedo, AF., Nunes, N., Balaskas, K., Aslam, T. and Costa, E., (2019). Psychological and Psychosocial Interventions for Depression and Anxiety in Patients With Age-Related Macular Degeneration: A Systematic Review.. American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry. 27 (8), 755-773

Knowles, S., Hays, R., Senra, H., Bower, P., Locock, L., Protheroe, J., Sanders, C. and Daker-White, G., (2018). Empowering people to help speak up about safety in primary care: Using codesign to involve patients and professionals in developing new interventions for patients with multimorbidity.. Health Expectations. 21 (2), 539-548

Senra, H., Balaskas, K., Mahmoodi, N. and Aslam, T., (2017). Experience of Anti-VEGF Treatment and Clinical Levels of Depression and Anxiety in Patients With Wet Age-Related Macular Degeneration. American Journal of Ophthalmology. 177, 213-224

Senra, H., Rogers, H., Leibach, G., Altamar, MLP., Plaza, SLO., Perrin, P. and Durán, MAS., (2017). Health‐related quality of life and depression in a sample of Latin American adults with rheumatoid arthritis. International Journal of Rheumatic Diseases. 20 (11), 1684-1693

Senra, H., Ali, Z., Balaskas, K. and Aslam, T., (2016). Psychological impact of anti-VEGF treatments for wet macular degeneration-a review.. Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology. 254 (10), 1873-1880

Senra, H., Joseph, S., Balaskas, K., Horani, M. and Aslam, T., (2016). Patient perceptions and experiences of stereotactic radiotherapy for wet age-related macular degeneration.. European Journal of Ophthalmology. 26 (4), e80-e82

Senra, H., Barbosa, F., Ferreira, P., Vieira, CR., Perrin, PB., Rogers, H., Rivera, D. and Leal, I., (2015). Psychologic Adjustment to Irreversible Vision Loss in Adults. Ophthalmology. 122 (4), 851-861

Baptista, L., Senra, H. and Aragao Oliveira, R., (2014). The therapeutic relationship in psychoanalytic psychotherapy. The experience lived by former patients. Brazilian Journal of Psychotherapy. 16 (3), 1-15

Senra, H., Vieira, CR., Nicholls, EG. and Leal, I., (2013). Depression and experience of vision loss in group of adults in rehabilitation setting: Mixed-methods pilot study. Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development. 50 (9), 1301-1314

Senra, H., (2013). How depressive levels are related to the adults’ experiences of lower-limb amputation. International Journal of Rehabilitation Research. 36 (1), 13-20

Vicente, CS., Oliveira, RA., Silva, F., Ferrajão, P., Augusto, S., Oliveira, S., Senra, H., Oliveira, R. and Krieger, D., (2012). Cross-cultural adaptation of the Operationalized Psychodynamic Diagnosis (OPD-2) in Portugal. Trends in Psychiatry and Psychotherapy. 34 (3), 129-138

Senra, H., Oliveira, RA., Leal, I. and Vieira, C., (2012). Beyond the body image: a qualitative study on how adults experience lower limb amputation. Clinical Rehabilitation. 26 (2), 180-191

Senra, H., Oliveira, RA. and Leal, I., (2011). From self-awareness to self-identification with visual impairment: a qualitative study with working age adults at a rehabilitation setting. Clinical Rehabilitation. 25 (12), 1140-1151

Contact

h.senra@essex.ac.uk

Location:

Colchester Campus