Trust lecturer publishes contributions to practitioner research

Congratulations are in order for Dr Philip Archard who has recently had two academic journal articles published, both of which are concerned with the relationship between therapeutic practice in mental health and research. 

The first article published in Qualitative Research Journal looks at how free association, as a fundamental concept in psychoanalytic therapy, might be applied in research interviews, adding to debates in social science about how research methods can be based on the practice of psychotherapy. 

Also published was a contribution to Practice: Social Work in Action. This article addresses the delivery of care in child and adolescent mental health and, specifically, specialist consultations for adoptive parents and adoption professionals. Reporting on an analysis of anonymised consultation reports, the article examines why support is sought by these parents and professionals. Reporting on the types of difficulties discussed in consultations, the article provides further evidence of the mental health needs of adopted children. It also demonstrates how routinely gathered clinical data can be used for research purposes, supporting improvements in care delivery and professional development. 

Philip currently serves as the Interim Deputy Director for our M4 course, the qualifying programme in Child, community and educational psychology (M4) and as an Associate Lecturer for our D55 course in Advanced practice and research: social work and social care.

Commenting on the two publications, Philip said ‘It was great to collaborate on this work with colleagues from Leicester and Naples and now see it published. The two papers are, in different ways, concerned with practitioner research, and this is at the heart of the way research is conducted on the M4 and D55 courses. I’m looking forward to doing further work in this area with colleagues from other institutions and members of these course communities.’

Dr Sewanu Awhangansi, the lead author of the first paper and a Senior Registrar in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust, commented ‘It was a great experience working with Philip and other colleagues on this work as a project that developed from concerns based on experience in clinical practice. Philip has always been enthusiastic about the mining and use of clinical data to improve the quality of clinical care provision, and this has largely contributed to improving overall experience and outcomes for our young people and their carers.’