Clinical Psychologist Dr Edel McGlanaghy, who works with Adult Psychological Therapies in Falkirk, has been awarded a NRS Career Researcher Fellowship.
This allows her to spend two sessions a week to lead a research project about engagement with psychological therapy, understanding the barriers to seeking help and ultimately come up with some potential solutions to reduce the incidence of drop out.
Dr McGlanaghy has worked as a researcher for many years and, after completing her doctorate in Clinical Psychology, worked as a post-doctoral researcher in complex trauma at Edinburgh Napier University. That role, along with her other role as Transforming Psychological Trauma Implementation Coordinator for NHS Forth Valley, inspired her to design this research project within the NHS and apply for the fellowship.
This research project is supported by her managers and previous academic colleagues at Edinburgh Napier University and University of Edinburgh and brings together her love of research and her clinical interest in providing accessible psychological interventions. It also dovetails with her new position as Vice-Chair of NHS Forth Valley’s Research and Development Committee.
Dr McGlanaghy plans to scope the current evidence and literature, and then work collaboratively with people who use the service. She explained: “Ultimately I hope that we will better understand the barriers to engagement and co-produce some potential solutions to reduce dropout which I will test using the most relevant research methods.
“Prioritising the voice of people with lived experience in this project’s design is essential to ensure we get the best treatment options to people at the optimum time.”
