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Meet the Team

Dr Elizabeth Newton – Consultant Clinical Psychologist and Team Lead

Hi, I’m Lizzie and I’m a Consultant Clinical Psychologist and the manager of the Bipolar Service. In addition to leading the clinical service, my wider role focusses on helping to increase access to, and the quality of psychological interventions for those with bipolar disorder, psychosis, personality disorder and eating disorders across Birmingham and Solihull. I have clinical expertise in interventions for those with a diagnosis if bipolar disorder and those with psychosis having worked in this area since qualifying as a Clinical Psychologist in 2002. I sit on an Expert Advisory Group for Psychological Interventions Training for Health Education England, on which my role is to advise on interventions for bipolar disorder. I particularly enjoy teaching and conducting research and have published many academic papers looking at the effectiveness and experience of mental health treatments and psychological interventions. To improve the quality of teaching and research I work collaboratively with experts by experience.

I have worked in the Bipolar Service since 2015, firstly as a Clinical Psychologist and since 2018, as manager. My favourite part of the role is running Mood on Track groups, each group is very different but equally enjoyable. It’s good to be able to provide a safe space in which people can share experiences and learn from each other as well as the course material and people always say that meeting others is the best part of Mood on Track. My top priority is to lead a service which provides good quality, compassionate care – the kind that you would want your family members to receive. In practice this means that the staff treat each other and service users with the respect and care with which they would like to be treated themselves and it makes for a happy team, place to work and we hope provides a positive experience for the people accessing our service. We ask for feedback and strive to improve the service by listening and acting on what people tell us.

Dr Elizabeth Newton – Consultant Clinical Psychologist and Team Lead

Elizabeth I’anson – Specialist Nurse

Hello, I’m Liz, I’ve been working with the Bipolar Service as a Specialist Nurse since December 2017. I have worked in the trust for 20 years, mostly in CMHT but also in Psychiatric Liaison at City Hospital and with the Criminal Justice Liaison and Diversion team. I am also undertaking training in CBT for people living with severe mental health problems. Outside of work I love getting outside; either on my bike, swimming, or walking.

Elizabeth I'anson – Specialist Nurse

Katie Edwards – Assistant Psychologist

Hello, my name is Katie. I work as an Assistant Psychologist in the Bipolar Service. I have previously worked across neurodevelopmental services supporting individuals with Autism and ADHD. I have also spent time working in community and secure forensic services. In my spare time, I love spending time with my family and friends. I enjoy cooking and baking. I also like listening to music and singing (much to my family’s delight!!).

Katie Edwards – Assistant Psychologist

Arielle Kaufman – Assistant Psychologist

Hi, my name is Arielle, and I am one of the Assistant Psychologists at the Bipolar Service. I started this post full time in September following the completion of my master’s degree at the University of Birmingham. I really enjoy working in the Bipolar Service and getting to interact with such a wide and diverse client group. In my free time I enjoy discovering new local cafes in Birmingham, spending time with friends, and watching my favourite programs on Netflix. I look forward to hopefully continuing to learn and develop within this role as I progress.

Arielle Kaufman – Assistant Psychologist

Dr Alison Hayes – Clinical Psychologist

Hi, I’m Alison. I have been working in the Bipolar Service for the past 10yrs. I have worked in the NHS for over 30 years and have been qualified as a Clinical Psychologist for over 20 years. Since qualifying, I have worked with adults who experience mental health difficulties in a community and in-patient setting. My approach is integrative. I draw on a Psychodynamic model to supplement a Cognitive Behavioural approach and I am particularly interested in the impact that early life attachment has on adult psychological development.

Dr Alison Hayes – Clinical Psychologist

Gareth O’Keeffe – Specialist Nurse

Hi folks, I’m Gareth (Gaz). I’m a specialist nurse in the team and a recent joiner (May 2021) I have had the privilege to be involved a several of the mood on track (MOT) groups at the time of writing this, including being lead facilitator for the one of the current intakes.

I am currently looking at nigh on 20 years since I qualified (time flies and all that😉) and I have worked in several areas to gain broad experience working with lots of people with varying needs. My last role was working as an advanced nurse within secure mental health services where I had worked for the last 6 or so years. I found more and more I was managing people, and steadily being drawn away from clinical work so…. I changed course and gained a position in this lovely team.

I really enjoy working with others to help them unlock answers to the challenges that they face in their lives (and often find they have the answers, they just need help putting the puzzle together) and really enjoy the group format. It’s honestly a great role, and I am really happy I made the move.

I love nature, I find that helps me feel refreshed and enjoy the Lickey Hills especially. Exercise and meditation are key aspects for me, and I have a love (hate) relationship with Birmingham city football club. The rest you will have to find out when you meet me!

Gareth O'Keeffe – Specialist Nurse

Angela Devenney – Team Administrator

Hello, my name is Angela, I am the Team Administrator for the Bipolar Service. I have worked in various roles in the trust for nearly twenty years and have been with the Bipolar Service since August 2019. In my free time I enjoy gardening, swimming and spending time with my family.

Angela Devenney – Team Administrator

Erika Malone – Team Administrator

My name is Erika Malone. I work as a part- time Administrator for the Bipolar Service. I previously worked as a Secretary/PA for the University of Birmingham for almost 30 years. I am delighted to be given the opportunity to use my previous experience and gain new skills and knowledge through working within the Trust. During my time off I enjoy spending time with my family including my two lovely grandchildren. I am a member of the National Trust and love spending time visiting the beautiful houses and gardens. I’ve recently used my DIY skills to build some garden decking and I am proud to say I have become a dab hand with a circular saw!

Erika Malone – Team Administrator

Joanne Gill – Occupational Therapist

Hi I'm Jo (Joanne), I joined the team in March 2022 as a Specialist Occupational Therapist. I have worked in a range of mental health services, from adult inpatients mental health to early help with children and young adults. I am interested in supporting people holistically and working with them to engage in meaningful activities. I feel fortunate to be part of this service, which has been developed jointly by professionals and service.

I am not originally from Birmingham but moved here from Yorkshire about 9 years ago (you may notice a bit of an accent). I enjoy gardening, walking my dog, spending time with family and friends and like many of us in the last couple of years, I enjoy a good Netflix series.