Teaching and Training

WHAT I OFFER

Exploring the emerging science of the microbiome through psychological and biological perspectives.

The human microbiome is a rapidly developing field of research, opening up fascinating questions about the complex relationships between our psychological experiences, physical health and the microbial communities that inhabit our bodies. Yet with the excitement of emerging science comes a need to interpret findings carefully, distinguishing established knowledge from what remains uncertain.

Drawing on my extensive experience as a Clinical Psychologist and postgraduate study in microbiome science at King's College London, I offer workshops for psychologists, therapists and other health professionals. My teaching provides a foundation in microbiome science and the gut–brain axis, helping people develop an understanding of how our emotional wellbeing can influence the microbiome, and how the microbiome may, in turn, contribute to our mental and emotional health. Through topics such as stress, trauma, early development and nutrition, we explore the reciprocal relationships between microbial communities and the human body.

The workshops also consider how emerging research might translate into clinical practice, helping professionals to develop a more grounded understanding of the ways emotional experiences and physical processes influence one another, while remaining thoughtful and critical about what the current evidence is able to tell us.

Psychology

· Microbiome

· Gut-Brain Axis

· Psychology · Microbiome · Gut-Brain Axis ·

Teaching and Training Workshops

The Microbiome, Mind and Body

Understanding the gut microbiome and its implications for health and clinical practice

An introduction to the fascinating and rapidly developing science of the human microbiome, exploring the complex microbial ecosystems that inhabit our bodies and their roles in health and disease.

The workshop examines the biological pathways through which the gut, brain and body communicate, alongside emerging research into the microbiome's relationship with psychological and physical health. Particular attention is given to understanding and critically evaluating the evidence, distinguishing established findings from emerging hypotheses, and considering what this developing field might mean for clinical practice.

The Microbiome in the Early Years

Microbial development from birth through infancy and early childhood

An exploration of how the microbiome develops during the earliest stages of life, and the ways this process is shaped by biological, environmental and developmental influences. Drawing on emerging research, this workshop considers the relationship between early microbial development, the immune system and the developing brain, alongside the questions this raises for professionals working with infants, children and families.

Stress and the Microbiome

Exploring the relationship between psychological stress, the gut microbiome and the body's stress response

This workshop explores the complex and bidirectional relationship between psychological stress and the gut microbiome. Drawing on research into the body's stress-response systems, including the HPA axis, immune signalling and gut–brain communication, it examines how stress may influence microbial communities and how the microbiome may, in turn, interact with stress physiology.

Particular attention is given to the emerging evidence, its limitations, and the implications for our understanding of stress, mental health and clinical practice.

Arrange a Workshop

Workshops are currently offered online for psychologists, therapists and other health professionals, as well as professional groups, teams and organisations.

If you're interested in arranging a workshop, please do get in touch. I'd be happy to discuss your audience, workshop options and practical arrangements, and provide a quotation.

Contact me.

If you're interested in arranging a workshop or would like to discuss the options available, I'd be very happy to hear from you.

Please use the form below to tell me a little about your professional background, the workshop you're interested in and the audience you have in mind. If you have a particular date in mind, you're welcome to include those details too. I'll get back to you as soon as I can.