People

Professor Susan McPherson

Deputy Director of IPHW and Professor (R)
School of Health and Social Care
Professor Susan McPherson
  • Email

  • Location

    CH.G.9, Colchester Campus

  • Academic support hours

    By appointment only

Profile

Biography

Susan McPherson is Professor of Psychology and Sociology in the School of Health and Social Care at the University of Essex. From 1998-2007, she worked at the Tavistock & Portman NHS Foundation Trust in psychotherapy evaluation, routine outcome monitoring and as a research psychologist in the Psychotherapy Evaluation Research Unit co-ordinating the Tavistock Adult Depression Study (a randomised controlled trial of psychodynamic psychotherapy for treatment resistant depression). She has also previously worked as a researcher at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and at Kings College London. From 2006-2024, she led research training for the Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at the University of Essex and is currently Deputy Director of the Institute for Public Health and Wellbeing. Her research spans medical sociology, psychology and disciplines concerned with mental health and social welfare including critical approaches to diagnosis and evidence-based practice.

Qualifications

  • BSc Social Psychology, London School of Economics

  • MSc Health Psychology, University College London

  • PhD Medical Sociology: "Constructing Treatment Resistant Depression in Primary Care" Kings College London, (2007)

Research and professional activities

Research interests

Therapy outcomes and effectiveness

Social care, fostering and adoption

Chronic depression: long term psychotherapy, management in primary care, informal caring

Includes Tavistock Adult Depression Study: the first Randomised Controlled Trial in the NHS to establish if long term psychoanalytic psychotherapy provides relief for patients suffering from long-term depression not helped by other treatments. See lay summary: http://www.essex.ac.uk/hhs/documents/staff/tads-leaflet.pdf

Psychiatric labelling

Social history and history of health and care

Mental health inequalities

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
Emily Hall
Emily Hall
Thesis title: The Association Between Income, Relationships and Psychological Distress.
Degree subject: Clinical Psychology (D Clin Psych)
Degree type: Professional Doctorate
Awarded date: 4/11/2024
Danielle Loren Arnold
Danielle Loren Arnold
Thesis title: Working with the Cards We’Re Dealt: A Longitudinal Study Exploring the Impact of Intersectional and Systemic Factors on Family Mental Health. Evidence From Understanding Society: Ukhls
Degree subject: Clinical Psychology (D Clin Psych)
Degree type: Professional Doctorate
Awarded date: 4/11/2024
Melanie Jayne Watts
Melanie Jayne Watts
Thesis title: The Mediating Role of Adult Attachment and Social Connectedness in the Relationship Between Perceived Parenting Behaviours During Childhood and Compassion.
Degree subject: Health Studies
Degree type: Doctor of Philosophy
Awarded date: 17/5/2024
Afarin Abolghasem Shirazi
Afarin Abolghasem Shirazi
Thesis title: Healthcare Workers’ Perspectives on Working During the Covid-19 Pandemic: Moral Injury, Mental Health Difficulties, and Organisational Influence
Degree subject: Clinical Psychology (D Clin Psych)
Degree type: Professional Doctorate
Awarded date: 20/3/2024
Lois Sofocleous Khoo
Lois Sofocleous Khoo
Thesis title: Political, Horrific and Beatific Heroism: Compliance and the Nhs During Covid-19, a Post-Structuralist Discourse Analysis
Degree subject: Clinical Psychology (D Clin Psych)
Degree type: Professional Doctorate
Awarded date: 13/2/2024
Remy Patrick Hayes
Remy Patrick Hayes
Thesis title: Resilience and Happiness Among Adults Who Attended Boarding School: A Qualitative Study
Degree subject: Clinical Psychology (D Clin Psych)
Degree type: Professional Doctorate
Awarded date: 1/11/2023
Jennifer Mary Ann Wardman-Browne
Jennifer Mary Ann Wardman-Browne
Thesis title: Cognitive Behavioural Therapists’ Experiences of Working Remotely with Language Interpreters.
Degree subject: Clinical Psychology (D Clin Psych)
Degree type: Professional Doctorate
Awarded date: 1/11/2023
Suzanna Clare Greally
Suzanna Clare Greally
Thesis title: Chaos, Conflict and Distance: A Narrative Analysis of the Experiences of Parents of Children in Inpatient Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services
Degree subject: Clinical Psychology (D Clin Psych)
Degree type: Professional Doctorate
Awarded date: 1/11/2023
Susanna Alyce
Susanna Alyce
Thesis title: Trust, Trusting and Trustworthiness in the Words of Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse.
Degree subject: Applied Psychology
Degree type: Doctor of Philosophy
Awarded date: 30/8/2023
Alexandra Rose Priestner
Alexandra Rose Priestner
Thesis title: Exploring Eating Behaviour in Boarding School Graduates: A Qualitative Exploration of the Development of Disordered Eating Behaviour
Degree subject: Clinical Psychology (D Clin Psych)
Degree type: Professional Doctorate
Awarded date: 9/11/2022
Caroline Floyd
Caroline Floyd
Thesis title: Experiences of Loneliness Among Adults Who Attended Boarding School
Degree subject: Clinical Psychology (D Clin Psych)
Degree type: Professional Doctorate
Awarded date: 9/11/2022
Kathryn Ann Chard
Kathryn Ann Chard
Thesis title: Exploring Social Inclusion and Participation: Assessing the Impact of the Care Act (2014) on the Social Experience of Being a Carer.
Degree subject: Health and Organisational Research
Degree type: Doctor of Philosophy
Awarded date: 17/10/2022
Krisztina Nemeth
Krisztina Nemeth
Thesis title: A Qualitative Study of the Transition From Unemployment and Benefits to Working Whilst Carrying the Label of Depression in England.
Degree subject: Clinical Psychology (D Clin Psych)
Degree type: Professional Doctorate
Awarded date: 5/7/2022
Angeliki Kaloudi
Angeliki Kaloudi
Thesis title: Targeted Parents’ Perspective on the Development of Parental Alienation: A Grounded Theory Study
Degree subject: Clinical Psychology (D Clin Psych)
Degree type: Professional Doctorate
Awarded date: 1/6/2022
Emma Hopkins
Emma Hopkins
Thesis title: Exploring the Impact of Boarding School on Adult Mental Health, Well-Being and Relationships
Degree subject: Clinical Psychology (D Clin Psych)
Degree type: Professional Doctorate
Awarded date: 19/1/2022
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
Mairi Anne Emerson-Smith
Mairi Anne Emerson-Smith
Thesis title: Patients' Experiences of Psychotherapy for Psychological Distress Attributed to Attendance At Boarding School
Degree subject: Clinical Psychology (D Clin Psych)
Degree type: Professional Doctorate
Awarded date: 1/11/2021
Ayse Akan
Ayse Akan
Thesis title: Understandings and Experiences of Common Mental Health Difficulties of Turkish-Speaking People in the UK
Degree subject: Clinical Psychology (D Clin Psych)
Degree type: Professional Doctorate
Awarded date: 29/4/2021
Nathan Michael Parnell
Nathan Michael Parnell
Thesis title: Barriers and Facilitators to Screening, Assessment and Mental Health Care of Looked After Children
Degree subject: Clinical Psychology (D Clin Psych)
Degree type: Professional Doctorate
Awarded date: 9/11/2020
Jay Solanki
Jay Solanki
Thesis title: Experiences of Adults From a Black Minority Ethnic (Bme) Background Who Have Been Detained as Inpatients Under the Mental Health Act
Degree subject: Clinical Psychology (D Clin Psych)
Degree type: Professional Doctorate
Awarded date: 30/10/2020
Lucy Rebecca Richardson
Lucy Rebecca Richardson
Thesis title: 'A Trans Man Is Just a Lesbian with Bells On': The Intersection of Gender Identity and Sexuality From the Perspective of People Who Have Explored Both
Degree subject: Clinical Psychology (D Clin Psych)
Degree type: Professional Doctorate
Awarded date: 1/11/2019
Alexandra Murray Thornton
Alexandra Murray Thornton
Thesis title: Women's Experiences of the Process of Recovery From Birth Trauma: A Grounded Theory
Degree subject: Clinical Psychology (D Clin Psych)
Degree type: Professional Doctorate
Awarded date: 1/11/2019
Anisha Meera Vyas
Anisha Meera Vyas
Thesis title: Flipping Between Cultural Worlds: A Qualitative Exploration of Stigma Experiences of British Asian People Using an Early Intervention in Psychosis Service
Degree subject: Clinical Psychology (D Clin Psych)
Degree type: Professional Doctorate
Awarded date: 1/11/2019
Iva Roberts
Iva Roberts
Thesis title: A Qualitative Study Exploring the Experiences of Parents of Pre-Pubertal Children Who Identify in Gender Diverse Ways
Degree subject: Clinical Psychology (D Clin Psych)
Degree type: Professional Doctorate
Awarded date: 27/3/2019
Seamus O'Byrne
Seamus O'Byrne
Thesis title: 'Watch and Wait' - Examining the Potential Impact of Uncertainty in Illness on the Mental Health of Individuals with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia and Low Grade Lymphomas.
Degree subject: Clinical Psychology (D Clin Psych)
Degree type: Professional Doctorate
Awarded date: 24/10/2018
Ana Jovicic
Ana Jovicic
Thesis title: General Practitioners' Views and Experiences of Lonliness in Their Older Adult Patients
Degree subject: Clinical Psychology (D Clin Psych)
Degree type: Professional Doctorate
Awarded date: 24/10/2018
Sarah Ann Sheryl Madders
Sarah Ann Sheryl Madders
Thesis title: A Discourse Analysis of Recovery Stories
Degree subject: Clinical Psychology (D Clin Psych)
Degree type: Professional Doctorate
Awarded date: 6/7/2018
Ruth Jennings-Hobbs
Ruth Jennings-Hobbs
Thesis title: Couple Dynamics and Maternal Smoking Cessation During Pregnancy: A Qualitative Examination of Nulliparous Women and Their Partners.
Degree subject: Clinical Psychology (D Clin Psych)
Degree type: Professional Doctorate
Awarded date: 16/5/2018
Ryan Thomas Wczasek
Ryan Thomas Wczasek
Thesis title: Food Insecurity in the Uk: A Critical Narrative Analysis
Degree subject: Clinical Psychology (D Clin Psych)
Degree type: Professional Doctorate
Awarded date: 16/3/2018
Xin Yi Lee
Xin Yi Lee
Thesis title: A Qualitative Study Exploring Transgender Youths' Experiences of Using Social Media
Degree subject: Clinical Psychology (D Clin Psych)
Degree type: Professional Doctorate
Awarded date: 5/2/2018
Aneliya Merolla
Aneliya Merolla
Thesis title: A Study of the Relationship Between Borderline-Dysregulated Personality and Treatment-Resistant Depression in the Course of the Tads Randomised Control Trial
Degree subject: Clinical Psychology (D Clin Psych)
Degree type: Professional Doctorate
Awarded date: 23/3/2017
Sian Rachel Granville
Sian Rachel Granville
Thesis title: A Qualitative Inquiry of Clinicians' Relational Experiences Within a Perinatal Infant Mental Health Service Contextualised with Quantitative Analysis of Outcome Measures
Degree subject: Clinical Psychology (D Clin Psych)
Degree type: Professional Doctorate
Awarded date: 22/12/2016
Adam Churchill Flintoff
Adam Churchill Flintoff
Degree subject: Clinical Psychology (D Clin Psych)
Degree type: Professional Doctorate
Awarded date: 20/10/2016
Katie Victoria Budge
Katie Victoria Budge
Thesis title: Violence, Aggression and Therapeutic Relationships: Understanding the Lived Experiences of Females Within Low and Medium Secure Forensic Mental Health Units.
Degree subject: Clinical Psychology (D Clin Psych)
Degree type: Professional Doctorate
Awarded date: 19/10/2016
Zara Karim Rahemtulla
Zara Karim Rahemtulla
Thesis title: A Narrative Study of Adults Who Were Bullied By a Sibling in Childhood
Degree subject: Clinical Psychology (D Clin Psych)
Degree type: Professional Doctorate
Awarded date: 19/10/2016
Natalia Solovieva
Natalia Solovieva
Thesis title: A Mixed Method Delphi Study to Determine Professional Consensus on the Key Elements of Outpatient Psychodynamic Group Psychotherapy for Psychosis
Degree subject: Counselling Psychology (D Couns Psych)
Degree type: Professional Doctorate
Awarded date: 1/7/2016
Jemma Fay Priestley
Jemma Fay Priestley
Thesis title: Experiences of Living with a Partner with Depression: A Thematic Analysis
Degree subject: Clinical Psychology (D Clin Psych)
Degree type: Professional Doctorate
Awarded date: 7/6/2016
Natasha Louise Bennett
Natasha Louise Bennett
Thesis title: The Impact of Video-Communication on Older Adults' Psychological Well-Being: A Mixed Methods Study
Degree subject: Clinical Psychology (D Clin Psych)
Degree type: Professional Doctorate
Awarded date: 6/6/2016
Cheontell Barnes
Cheontell Barnes
Thesis title: Aggression and the Therapeutic Relationship in Women's Medium Secure Services
Degree subject: Clinical Psychology (D Clin Psych)
Degree type: Professional Doctorate
Awarded date: 6/6/2016
Marta Sosnowska
Marta Sosnowska
Thesis title: Challenges Encountered By Frontline Healthcare Professionals in Care for Adolescents Who Engage in Self-Harm. a Qualitative Study Conducted on an Inpatient Unit Implementing Adolescent Mentalization-Based Integrative Therapy (Ambit)
Degree subject: Clinical Psychology (D Clin Psych)
Degree type: Professional Doctorate
Awarded date: 10/5/2016
Stacy Earl
Stacy Earl
Thesis title: An Exploration of How Mental Health Service Users' Construct Meaning From the Work Capability Assessment Process - Using Foucauldian Discourse Analysis
Degree subject: Clinical Psychology (D Clin Psych)
Degree type: Professional Doctorate
Awarded date: 31/3/2016
Emily Doncaster
Emily Doncaster
Thesis title: 'I'M Still Fighting for the Two of Us': How Partners of UK Veterans Construct Their Experience of Living with Combat-Related Trauma
Degree subject: Clinical Psychology (D Clin Psych)
Degree type: Professional Doctorate
Awarded date: 22/10/2015
Jocelyne Eve Boston
Jocelyne Eve Boston
Thesis title: On Learning How to Mother: Marginalised Mothers' Narratives of Professional Parenting Advice and Programmes
Degree subject: Clinical Psychology (D Clin Psych)
Degree type: Professional Doctorate
Awarded date: 20/5/2015
Toni Dora Beryl Miles
Toni Dora Beryl Miles
Thesis title: The Meaning of Acceptance for Individuals with Chronic Pain: A Qualitative Study
Degree subject: Clinical Psychology (D Clin Psych)
Degree type: Professional Doctorate
Awarded date: 31/3/2015
Hilary Anne Sporton
Hilary Anne Sporton
Thesis title: Rocking the Boat: A Qualitative Study of the Experiences of Adopted Adults Making Contact with Their Birth Relatives
Degree subject: Clinical Psychology (D Clin Psych)
Degree type: Professional Doctorate
Awarded date: 20/6/2014
Zoe Alderson
Zoe Alderson
Thesis title: Caring for Older Adults with Dementia: Managing Work Pressures
Degree subject: Clinical Psychology (D Clin Psych)
Degree type: Professional Doctorate
Awarded date: 25/3/2014
Sarah Natasha Wraighte
Sarah Natasha Wraighte
Thesis title: A Qualitative Exploration Into the 'Journey of Survival' in Gender Non-Conforming Young Adults Subjected to Childhood Bullying
Degree subject: Clinical Psychology (D Clin Psych)
Degree type: Professional Doctorate
Awarded date: 22/1/2014
Eva Mary Frances Doherty
Eva Mary Frances Doherty
Thesis title: The Relationship Between Ability Emotional Intelligence, Catastrophising and Chronic Pain
Degree subject: Clinical Psychology
Degree type: Professional Doctorate
Awarded date: 22/4/2013
Jessica Cinzia Floris
Jessica Cinzia Floris
Thesis title: Experiences of Living with a Controversial Diagnosis: A Qualitative Study of Dissociative Identity Disorder
Degree subject: Clinical Psychology (D Clin Psych)
Degree type: Professional Doctorate
Awarded date: 22/1/2013
Paul Cundy
Paul Cundy
Thesis title: The Relationship Between Anxiety and Performance on Tests of Working Memory and Divided Attention in Older Adults
Degree subject: Clinical Psychology (D Clin Psych)
Degree type: Professional Doctorate
Awarded date: 13/12/2012
Victoria Elizabeth Wallis
Victoria Elizabeth Wallis
Thesis title: A Mixed Method Evaluation of a Wilderness Therapy Programme for 'Youth At Risk'
Degree subject: Clinical Psychology (D Clin Psych)
Degree type: Professional Doctorate
Awarded date: 6/11/2012
Abdullah Ebrahim Mia
Abdullah Ebrahim Mia
Thesis title: A Grounded Theory Approach to Indian and Pakistani Men's Conceptualisations of Emotional Distress and Support Seeking
Degree subject: Clinical Psychology (D Clin Psych)
Degree type: Professional Doctorate
Awarded date: 22/11/2011
Hayley Thompson
Hayley Thompson
Thesis title: An Exploration Into Foster Carers' Experiences of Relationships with Their Birth Children
Degree subject: Clinical Psychology (D Clin Psych)
Degree type: Professional Doctorate
Awarded date: 17/11/2011

Publications

Publications (1)

McPherson, S. and Freedman, DEP., (2023). Psychological outcomes of 12-15-year-olds with gender dysphoria receiving pubertal suppression in the UK: assessing reliable and clinically significant change

Journal articles (69)

Oute, J. and McPherson, S., (2024). Conflict and antagonism within global Psychiatry: A discourse analysis of organizational responses to the UN reports on rights-based approaches in mental health. Sociology of Health and Illness: a journal of medical sociology. 46 (3), 473-494

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

McPherson, S. and Freedman, DEP., (2024). Psychological outcomes of 12-15-year-olds with gender dysphoria receiving pubertal suppression in the UK: assessing reliable and clinically significant change. Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy. 50 (3), 315-325

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-

Baxter, V., Kennedy, M., Speed, E. and McPherson, S., (2024). Meeting the needs of patients with dementia to reduce hospital stays: a qualitative exploration of patient pathways and services. Mental Health Practice. 27 (5)

Wicks, C., Booker, C., Kumari, M., Trotta, A. and McPherson, S., (2024). Are protected characteristics associated with mental health care inequalities in the adult UK general population? a cross-sectional study.. PLoS One. 19 (8), e0308279-e0308279

Buus, N., Petersen, A., McPherson, S., Meadows, G., Brand, G. and Ong, B., (2024). The relatives of people with depression: A systematic review and methodological critique of qualitative studies. Family Process. 63 (3), 1469-1483

Baxter, V., McPherson, S. and Cox, P., (2024). Effective components of services for recurrent care experienced parents: a literature review of what works. Children and Youth Services Review. 167, 107965-107965

Greally, S., Oute, J. and McPherson, S., (2024). Experiences of Parents of Children with Mental Illnesses: A Systematic Review and Meta-Ethnographic Synthesis. Family Process

Gurley-Green, S., Cosgrove, L., Kostic, M., Koa, L. and McPherson, S., (2024). The Iatrogenic Consequences of Medicalising Grief: Resetting the Research Agenda. Sociology of Health and Illness

McPherson, S., Oute, J. and Speed, E., (2023). Quality-of-life measurement in depression trials: A consumerist relic. Health: An Interdisciplinary Journal for the Social Study of Health, Illness and Medicine. 27 (5), 647-663

Solanki, J., Wood, L. and McPherson, S., (2023). Experiences of adults from a Black ethnic background detained as inpatients under the Mental Health Act (1983). Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal. 46 (1), 14-20

Baxter, V., Boydell, V. and McPherson, S., (2023). Multi-disciplinary support for families with complex needs and children on the edge of care in the UK: a mixed methods evaluation. Journal of Social Welfare and Family Law. 45 (4), 307-325

Arnold, DL. and McPherson, S., (2023). A systematic review on the mental health of parents of individuals with learning disabilities. Human Systems: Therapy, Culture and Attachments. 4 (2), 59-75

McPherson, SJ. and Speed, E., (2022). NICE rapid guidelines: exploring political influence on guidelines. BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine. 27 (3), 137-140

McPherson, S. and Armstrong, D., (2022). Psychometric origins of depression. History of the Human Sciences. 35 (3-4), 127-143

McCormack, C., McPherson, S. and Blumenfeld, F., (2022). Diversity in clinical psychology training at the University of Essex. Clinical Psychology Forum. 352 (April 2022), 29-38

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

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

Vyas, A., Wood, L. and McPherson, S., (2021). A qualitative exploration of stigma experiences of second-generation British South-Asian people using an early intervention in psychosis service. Psychosis: Psychological, Social and Integrative Approaches. 13 (4), 302-314

Cox, P., McPherson, S. and Blumenfeld, F., (2021). Protecting Children, Empowering Birth Parents: New Approaches in Family Justice. Societies. 11 (2), 32-32

McPherson, S., (2021). War of conscience: antivaccination and the battle for medical freedom during World War I. Medical Humanities. 47 (3), e7-e7

McPherson, S. and Oute, J., (2021). A proverbial double-edged sword: A qualitative metasynthesis of family involvement in depression from the perspective of people with depression. Tidsskrift for Forskning i Sygdom og Samfund. 18 (34)

McPherson, SJ., Rost, F., Sidhu, S. and Dennis, M., (2020). Non-strategic ignorance: Considering the potential for a paradigm shift in evidence-based mental health. Health. 24 (1), 3-20

McPherson, S. and Sunkin, M., (2020). The Dobson–Rawlins pact and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence: impact of political independence on scientific and legal accountability. The British Journal of Psychiatry. 216 (4), 231-234

McPherson, S., (2020). A NICE game of Minecraft: philosophical flaws underpinning UK depression guideline nosology. Medical Humanities. 46 (3), 162-165

Jovicic, A. and McPherson, S., (2020). To support and not to cure: general practitioner management of loneliness. Health and Social Care in the Community. 28 (2), 376-384

McPherson, S. and Oute, J., (2020). Responsibilisation of caregivers in depression: the limitations of policy-based evidence. Social Theory and Health. 19 (4), 347-361

McPherson, S., (2020). NICE depression guidelines update: Cautious optimism?. Clinical Psychology Forum. 1 (327), 2-6

McPherson, S., Wicks, C. and Tercelli, I., (2020). Patient experiences of psychological therapy for depression: a qualitative metasynthesis. BMC Psychiatry. 20 (1), 313-

Cox, P., McPherson, S., Mason, C., Ryan, M. and Baxter, V., (2020). Reducing Recurrent Care Proceedings: Building a Local Evidence Base in England. Societies. 10 (4), 88-88

Flintoff, A., Speed, E. and McPherson, SJ., (2019). Risk assessment practice within primary mental health care: A logics perspective. Health. 23 (6), 656-674

Doncaster, E., Hiskey, S., McPherson, S. and Andrews, L., (2019). “I'm Still Fighting for the Two of Us”: How Partners of UK Veterans Construct Their Experience of Living with Combat‐Related Trauma. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy. 45 (3), 464-479

McPherson, S. and Beresford, P., (2019). Semantics of patient choice: how the UK national guideline for depression silences patients. Disability and Society. 34 (3), 1-7

McPherson, S. and Hengartner, MP., (2019). Long-term outcomes of trials in the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence depression guideline. BJPsych Open. 5 (5), e81-

Priestley, J., McPherson, SJ. and Davies, F., (2018). Couples Disease: The Experience of Living with a Partner with Chronic Depression. Journal of Couple and Relationship Therapy. 17 (2), 128-145

Mcpherson, SJ., (2018). Old wine in new bottles? On the new NICE guidelines for depression. Clinical Psychology Forum. 303 (March 2018), 9-12

McPherson, SJ., Rost, F., Town, J. and Abbass, A., (2018). Epistemological flaws in NICE review methodology and its impact on recommendations for psychodynamic psychotherapies for complex and persistent depression. Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy. 32 (2), 102-121

McPherson, S., Andrews, L., Taggart, D., Cox, P., Pratt, R., Smith, V. and Thandi, J., (2018). Evaluating integrative services in edge-of-care work. Journal of Social Welfare and Family Law. 40 (3), 299-320

Rost, F. and McPherson, S., (2018). Guidelines for Depression. New Associations. 27, 14-14

McPherson, S. and Rost, F., (2018). Guest Editorial. Clinical Psychology Forum. 1 (308), 1-2

Rost, F. and McPherson, S., (2018). Stakeholder position statement on the NICE guideline for depression in adults. Clinical Psychology Forum (308), 3-10

Doherty, E., Walsh, R., Andrews, L. and McPherson, SJ., (2017). Measuring Emotional Intelligence Enhances the Psychological Evaluation of Chronic Pain. Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings. 24 (3-4), 365-375

Thompson, H., McPherson, S. and Marsland, L., (2016). 'Am I damaging my own family?': Relational changes between foster carers and their birth children.. Clinical child psychology and psychiatry. 21 (1), 48-65

McPherson, S., Hiskey, S. and Alderson, Z., (2016). Distress in working on dementia wards - a threat to compassionate care: a grounded theory study. International Journal of Nursing Studies. 53, 95-104

Priestley, J. and McPherson, S., (2016). Experiences of adults providing care to a partner or relative with depression: A meta-ethnographic synthesis. Journal of Affective Disorders. 192, 41-49

Floris, J. and McPherson, S., (2015). Fighting the Whole System: Dissociative Identity Disorder, Labelling Theory and Iatrogenic Doubting. Journal of Trauma and Dissociation. 16 (4), 476-493

Fonagy, P., Rost, F., Carlyle, J., McPherson, S., Thomas, R., Pasco Fearon, RM., Goldberg, D. and Taylor, D., (2015). Pragmatic randomized controlled trial of long-term psychoanalytic psychotherapy for treatment-resistant depression: the Tavistock Adult Depression Study (TADS). World Psychiatry. 14 (3), 312-321

McPherson, S., Byng, R. and Oxley, D., (2014). Treatment resistant depression in primary care: Co-constructing difficult encounters. Health: An Interdisciplinary Journal for the Social Study of Health, Illness and Medicine. 18 (3), 261-278

McPherson, S., Clayton, S., Wood, H., Hiskey, S. and Andrews, L., (2013). The Role of Childhood Experiences in the Development of Sexual Compulsivity. Sexual Addiction & Compulsivity. 20 (4), 259-278

Hiskey, S. and McPherson, S., (2013). That's just life: older adult constructs of trauma. Aging & Mental Health. 17 (6), 689-696

Hiskey, S. and McPherson, S., (2013). That's just life: older adult constructs of trauma. Faculty for the Psychology of Older People Newsletter. 124, 17-23

McPherson, S. and Armstrong, D., (2012). General Practitioner Management of Depression: A Systematic Review. Qualitative Health Research. 22 (8), 1150-1159

Taylor, D., Carlyle, J., McPherson, S., Rost, F., Thomas, R. and Fonagy, P., (2012). Tavistock Adult Depression Study (TADS): a randomised controlled trial of psychoanalytic psychotherapy for treatment-resistant/treatment-refractory forms of depression. BMC Psychiatry. 12 (1), 60-

Mcpherson, SJ. and McPherson, A., (2012). The private and political journey of Norah Dacre Fox, a suffragette turned fascist. Historica: women's history magazine. 69 (Summer 2012)

Sinclair, M., McPherson, S., Bor, R. and Orban, L., (2011). Another dragon in the kitchen: Psychological experiences of hepatitis C treatment among HIV-hepatitis C co-infected gay men. Counselling and Psychotherapy Research. 11 (3), 228-236

Thompson, H. and McPherson, S., (2011). The experience of living with a foster sibling, as described by the birth children of foster carers A thematic analysis of the literature. Adoption & Fostering Journal. 35 (2), 49-60

Pauley, G. and McPherson, S., (2010). The experience and meaning of compassion and self-compassion for individuals with depression or anxiety. Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice. 83 (2), 129-143

McPherson, A. and Mcpherson, SJ., (2010). Norah Elam: a Feminist Fascist from Stillorgan. Journal of the Kilmacud-Stillorgan Local History Society (5)

McPherson, S., Evans, C. and Richardson, P., (2009). The NICE Depression Guidelines and the recovery model: Is there an evidence base for IAPT?. Journal of Mental Health. 18 (5), 405-414

McPherson, S. and Armstrong, D., (2009). Negotiating ?depression? in primary care: A qualitative study. Social Science & Medicine. 69 (8), 1137-1143

McPherson, S., Walker, C. and Carlyle, J-A., (2006). Primary care counsellors’ experiences of working with treatment resistant depression: A qualitative pilot study. Counselling and Psychotherapy Research. 6 (4), 250-257

McPherson, S. and Armstrong, D., (2006). Social determinants of diagnostic labels in depression. Social Science & Medicine. 62 (1), 50-58

McPherson, S. and Armstrong, D., (2006). Erratum to: “Social determinants of diagnostic labels in depression”. Social Science & Medicine. 62 (11), 2915-2915

McPherson, S., Cairns, P., Carlyle, J., Shapiro, DA., Richardson, P. and Taylor, D., (2005). The effectiveness of psychological treatments for treatment‐resistant depression: a systematic review. Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica. 111 (5), 331-340

McPherson, S., (2003). Stress and coping in accident and emergency senior house officers. Emergency Medicine Journal. 20 (3), 230-231

Di Ceglie, D., Freedman, D., McPherson, S. and Richardson, P., (2002). Children and Adolescents Referred to a Specialist Gender Identity Development Service: Clinical Features and Demographic Characteristics. International Journal of Transgenderism. 6 (1)

McPherson, S. and Wilkinson, M., (2001). Health informatics and the cultural divide: a UK perspective. Health Informatics Journal. 7 (2), 62-65

Wilkinson, M. and Mcpherson, SJ., (2001). NHS Direct Online and the Information Divide. Health Information on the Internet (22), 8-10

Books (3)

Cavenagh, P., McPherson, S. and Ogden, J., (2023). The Psychological Impact of Boarding School The Trunk in the Hall. Routledge. 9781032248738

(2018). Clinical Effectiveness in Psychotherapy and Mental Health. Routledge. 1855759020. 9781855759022

McPherson, S. and McPherson, A., (2010). Mosley's Old Suffragette: A Biography of Norah Dacre Fox. lulu.com. 9781446699676

Book chapters (29)

Priestner, A., Ogden, J., Cavenagh, P. and McPherson, S., (2023). The impact of boarding school on adult eating behaviour. In: The Psychological Impact of Boarding School. Routledge. 69- 84

McPherson, S., Emerson-Smith, M. and Cavenagh, P., (2023). British boarding schools on trial. In: The Psychological Impact of Boarding School. Routledge. 1- 20

Floyd, C., McPherson, S. and Cavenagh, P., (2023). How does boarding school influence feelings of loneliness?. In: The Psychological Impact of Boarding School. Routledge. 85- 100

Lee, J., Wardman-Browne, J., Hopkins, E., McPherson, S. and Cavenagh, P., (2023). It's not all down to boarding. In: The Psychological Impact of Boarding School. Routledge. 53- 68

Cavenagh, P. and McPherson, S., (2023). British boarding schools on trial. In: The Psychological Impact of Boarding School. Routledge. 154- 172

Hopkins, E., McPherson, S. and Cavenagh, P., (2023). British boarding schools, mental health and resilience. In: The Psychological Impact of Boarding School. Routledge. 21- 35

Hayes, R., Blumenfeld, F., McPherson, S., Cavenagh, P. and Phillips, C., (2023). Escape, autonomy, friendship and resilience. In: The Psychological Impact of Boarding School. Routledge. 130- 153

Emerson-Smith, M., McPherson, S. and Cavenagh, P., (2023). Having psychotherapy to help with boarding school experiences. In: The Psychological Impact of Boarding School. Routledge. 118- 129

Lee, J., Wardman-Browne, J., Hopkins, E., McPherson, S. and Cavenagh, P., (2023). It’s not all down to boarding: Early family and peer relationships among boarders. In: The Psychological Impact of Boarding School: The Trunk in the Hall. 53- 68

Hayes, R., Blumenfeld, F., McPherson, S., Cavenagh, P. and Phillips, C., (2023). Escape, autonomy, friendship and resilience: Positive experiences of British boarding school. In: The Psychological Impact of Boarding School: The Trunk in the Hall. 130- 153

McPherson, S., Emerson-Smith, M. and Cavenagh, P., (2023). British boarding schools on trial: Making the case for new evidence. In: The Psychological Impact of Boarding School: The Trunk in the Hall. 1- 20

Emerson-Smith, M., McPherson, S. and Cavenagh, P., (2023). Having psychotherapy to help with boarding school experiences: The role of denial, shame and privilege. In: The Psychological Impact of Boarding School: The Trunk in the Hall. 118- 129

Cavenagh, P. and McPherson, S., (2023). British boarding schools on trial: Making the case for ‘boarding family syndrome’. In: The Psychological Impact of Boarding School: The Trunk in the Hall. 154- 172

Hopkins, E., McPherson, S. and Cavenagh, P., (2023). British boarding schools, mental health and resilience: Survey research. In: The Psychological Impact of Boarding School: The Trunk in the Hall. 21- 35

Hayes, R., Blumenfeld, F., McPherson, S. and Cavenagh, P., (2023). Escape, autonomy, friendship, and resilience: Positive experiences of British boarding school. In: The Psychological Impact of Boarding School The Trunk in the Hall. Editors: Cavenagh, P., McPherson, S. and Ogden, J., . Routledge. 1003280498. 9781003280491

McPherson, S., Rost, F., Town, J. and Abbass, A., (2020). Epistemological flaws in NICE review methodology and its impact on recommendations for psychodynamic psychotherapies for complex and persistent depression. In: The Social and Interpersonal Origins of Depression Today. Editors: Clarke, J., Cundy, P. and Yakeley, J., . Routledge. 0367458985. 9780367458980

Speed, E., McPherson, S. and Beresford, P., (2020). Questioning the Patient Participation Imperative. In: Health and Wellbeing: The University of Essex Reader. Editors: Boncori, I. and Loughran, T., . Editoriale Scientifica. 169- 186. 9788893916639

McPherson, S., (2018). Quality in psychological treatment services: Reflections and developments. In: Clinical Effectiveness in Psychotherapy and Mental Health: Strategies and Resources for the Effective Clinical Governance. 21- 26

McPherson, S. and Leroux, P., (2018). Case study of a mental health trust. In: Clinical Effectiveness in Psychotherapy and Mental Health: Strategies and Resources for the Effective Clinical Governance. 17- 20

Leroux, P., McPherson, S. and Richardson, P., (2018). Clinical guidelines. In: Clinical Effectiveness in Psychotherapy and Mental Health: Strategies and Resources for the Effective Clinical Governance. 121- 124

McPherson, S. and Richardson, P., (2018). Involving health service users. In: Clinical Effectiveness in Psychotherapy and Mental Health: Strategies and Resources for the Effective Clinical Governance. 125- 126

McPherson, S. and Richardson, P., (2018). Choosing outcome measures: Considerations. In: Clinical Effectiveness in Psychotherapy and Mental Health: Strategies and Resources for the Effective Clinical Governance. 105- 108

McPherson, S. and Richardson, P., (2018). The early years. In: Clinical Effectiveness in Psychotherapy and Mental Health: Strategies and Resources for the Effective Clinical Governance. 3- 8

McPherson, S. and Richardson, P., (2018). Categories of information. In: Clinical Effectiveness in Psychotherapy and Mental Health: Strategies and Resources for the Effective Clinical Governance. 97- 104

McPherson, S. and Leroux, P., (2018). Resources for EBP. In: Clinical Effectiveness in Psychotherapy and Mental Health: Strategies and Resources for the Effective Clinical Governance. 111- 119

McPherson, S., Richardson, P. and Leroux, P., (2018). Political milestones. In: Clinical Effectiveness in Psychotherapy and Mental Health: Strategies and Resources for the Effective Clinical Governance. 9- 15

McPherson, S., Richardson, P. and Leroux, P., (2018). Foreword. In: Clinical Effectiveness in Psychotherapy and Mental Health: Strategies and Resources for the Effective Clinical Governance. xi- xii

McPherson, S. and Richardson, P., (2018). Audit cycle. In: Clinical Effectiveness in Psychotherapy and Mental Health: Strategies and Resources for the Effective Clinical Governance. 71- 84

Taylor, D., Carlyle, J., Mcpherson, SJ. and Rost, F., (2013). Die Tavistock Adult Depression Study (TADS): Eine randomisiert kontrollierte Studie zur analytischen Psychotherapie therapieresistenter/therapierefraktarer Depressionen. In: Chronische Depression Verstehen – Behandeln – Erforschen. Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht. 268- 307. 3525451687. 9783525451687

Other (22)

Wicks, C. and McPherson, S., (2024).“Mental health culture” has not gone far enough – long term failures in mental health policy,Cost of Living blog

McPherson, S., (2023).Purity and danger in pandemic public health,Cost of Living blog

McPherson, S. and Oute, J., (2023).Global Psychiatry’s Attempt to Excommunicate the Former UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Health. Mad in America

McPherson, S., (2022).How blue are you feeling? The social life of questionnaires in measuring depression,Cost of Living blog

McPherson, S., (2021).Pile the bodies high: a policy led by science or led by donkeys?,Cost of Living blog

McPherson, S., (2021).An unpatriotic agitation? Public health versus the right to health,Cost of Living blog

McPherson, S., (2021).War of Conscience: Anti-Vaccination and the Battle for Medical Freedom During World War One,BMJ Medical Humanities Blog

McPherson, S., (2021).Blinded by the Christmas lights: NICE depression guidelines,Cost of Living blog

McPherson, S., Beresford, P., Speed, E. and Taggart, D., (2021).Beyond the academy - democratising user involvement in health & social care,Cost of Living blog

McPherson, S., (2020).For COVID-19 vaccination programmes to be effective history shows gender equality in science is necessary,LSE Impact Blog

McPherson, S., (2020).Mistakes of the Masters: the problem with Chief Scientific Officers,Cost of Living blog

McPherson, S. and Oute, J., (2020).In lockdown with depression: let’s not pass the buck onto families in the aftermath of COVID-19,Cost of Living blog

McPherson, S., (2020).We need rest not reflection: psychological support for the medical frontline,Cost of Living blog

McPherson, S., (2019).BMJ Rapid Response: What's wrong with the NICE depression guideline?,BMJ

McPherson, S., (2019).Atalanta the Greek Amazon - revisioning gender equality in STEMM,Cost of Living blog

Mcpherson, SJ., (2017).Guidelines for Depression: More Gourmet Nights from NICE. Clinical Psychology Forum. 1(304),http://www.cost-ofliving.net/

Mcpherson, SJ., (2017).Response to NICE Draft Guideline on Depression in Adults,National Institute for Health Care and Excellence (NICE )

Mcpherson, SJ., (2017).Old wine in new bottles: on the new NICE guideline for depression. Clinical Psychology Forum. 1(303),http://www.cost-ofliving.net

Mcpherson, S., Rost, F., Taylor, D. and Fonagy, P., (2017).Leaflet: A lay summary of the Tavistock Adult Depression Study, a Randomised Controlled Trial of long term psychoanalytic psychotherapy for long-term depression.,Tavistock and Portman NHS Trust

Mcpherson, SJ., (2016).Psychodynamic therapy – there’s more to it than lying on a couch talking about your childhood,The Conversation

Mcpherson, SJ. and Hiskey, S., (2016).Is the NHS really suffering a crisis of compassion?,http://www.cost-ofliving.net

Mcpherson, SJ., (2015).Suffragette: On 100 years of votes for women,http://www.cost-ofliving.net/

Grants and funding

2024

NIHR ARC Contract extension

National Institute for Health Research

Working towards inclusivity in mental health care workshop

UOE Participatory Research Fund

Essex CC Consultancy - Di Cesare

Essex County Council

Evaluation Home Start PHAB

Home-Start Essex

NIHR/Thurrock Council post doc

Thurrock Council

2023

NIHR ARC underspend back and forward dated projects

National Institute for Health Research

2021

Evaluation: Tendring District Council's Wellbeing Hubs

Tendring District Council

Building research capacity in collaboration with local NHS and/or ECC

National Institute for Health Research

Evaluation of the Tendring Health & Care Academy Programme

North East Essex Clinical Commissioning Group

2020

NIHR CRN Eastern Social Care Research Readiness Project

National Institute for Health Research

NIHR CRN Eastern Social Care Research Readiness Project

National Institute for Health Research

Proposal to Evaluate the 'Step Together' Service run by Venus Charity, Sefton, Merseyside (Year 3 - Oct 2019 to Sept 2020; Year 4 - Oct 2020 to Sept 2021)

Venus Charity

Developing user-led evidence synthesis for people living with depression

University of Essex (ESRC IAA)

Proposal for Evaluation of Community Music project

Community Music Ltd

NIHR CRN Eastern Social Care Research Readiness Project

National Institute for Health Research

Independent evaluation of Strengthening Families Service, Salford

Strengthening Families Service

PHE Reproductive Health, Sexual Health and HIV Innovation Fund 2019-20

The Dartington Hall Trust

EVALUATION: Qualitative evaluation of the Thurrock health information app for parents TEDDI

Thurrock Council

NIHR CRN Eastern Social Care Research Readiness Project

National Institute for Health Research

PHE Reproductive Health, Sexual Health and HIV Innovation Fund 2019-20

The Dartington Hall Trust

2019

Stockport Comma Evaluation

Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council

Patient Outcomes Project

Alzheimer's Research UK

Edge of Care Service Evaluation

Family Action

2018

Self care programme bid

Eastern Academic Health Science Network

IAA ECC Challenge Lab project - Improving employment rates for disabled people

Catalyst Project (HEFCE Funding)

IAA ECC Challenge Lab project - Improving employment rates for disabled people

University of Essex

Evaluation of Recurrent Court Proceedings

Venus Charity

Research in Practice. Evaluation tool's users guide for local authorities

The Dartington Hall Trust

Research in Practice. Evaluation tool's users guide for local authorities

The Dartington Hall Trust

Evaluation of Recurrent Court Proceedings

Venus Charity

Research in Practice. Evaluation tool's users guide for local authorities

The Dartington Hall Trust

Contact

smcpher@essex.ac.uk

Location:

CH.G.9, Colchester Campus

Academic support hours:

By appointment only