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@SamJoeCooley

Putting psychology into practice

Author: Dr Sam Cooley

Things I DO: Clinical practice I’m a trainee Clinical Psychologist at the University of Leicester and NHS Trust, undergoing a 3-year doctorate programme. This intensive training comprises research and teaching components embedded within clinical placements in various mental health services. Research As an Associate Research Fellow at the University of Birmingham, I’m involved in a number of research projects. I regularly publish in academic journals, present at international conferences, and peer review articles for psychological journals. I also teach, give lectures/seminars, and supervise research students. Consultancy I enjoy applying my experience of psychology to the workplace, supporting business leaders to shape a working environment that fosters psychological growth, understanding and well-being. I deliver training in topics such as positive psychology, mindfulness, behaviour change, resilience and self-regulation. Things I’ve DONE: Education and qualifications First Class BSc (with hons) in Sport and Exercise Sciences, with a particular focus on sport and exercise psychology. Awarded by the University of Birmingham in 2011. Ph.D in the social and emotional development obtained through outdoor adventure activities. Awarded by the University of Birmingham in 2015. 3-year postdoc at the University of Birmingham in homeless youth development and psychological skills training (2014-2017). 1-year postdoc at the University of Birmingham working with the NHS on psychologically informed parenting strategies (2017-2018). Chartered Psychologist awarded by the British Psychological Society in 2017 (CPsychol). Doctor of Clinical Psychology (DClinPsy) expected in 2021. Things I’m passionate about: Working with people to promote wellbeing, resilience, goal attainment and life satisfaction. Psychological skills and techniques that we can all benefit from regardless of who we are and what we do. The therapeutic properties of spending time in and around natural environments. The scientist-practitioner model (i.e., the importance of evidence-based practice and practice-based evidence). Incorporating mindfulness into daily living (because it doesn’t usually come naturally to me!). Connecting with broader audiences outside my specific field of psychology (i.e, through popular science writing, blogging, social media, and business engagement). If you would like to read more, please check out my blog, publications, and projects, or get in touch. Thank you for visiting my site!
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A collection of short videos on outdoor talking therapy

Posted on February 24, 2021February 24, 2021 by Dr Sam Cooley

A selection of short videos from around the world, featuring walk and talk therapy, urban street therapy, nature-based therapy and friendship benches.

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Beyond the therapy room: An exploration of outdoor talking therapy (recorded seminar)

Posted on February 4, 2021 by Dr Sam Cooley

Recorded presentations from Sam Cooley and Jonathan Hoban at the University of Leicester’s Clinical Psychology Culture Seminar, Feb 2021

Recontextualising psychological interventions in the outdoors: A call for submissions

Posted on February 3, 2021February 3, 2021 by Dr Sam Cooley

A call for research submissions to Frontiers in Psychology

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Outdoor talking therapy: Issues of privilege and ‘connecting with nature’

Posted on November 10, 2020November 12, 2020 by Dr Sam Cooley

We need to support outdoor talking therapy in being more widely available and inclusive. This includes empowering therapists to explore the outdoors as an alternative context for therapy, rather than ring fencing and commodifying this practice for a select few.

Urban walking can be as beneficial as walking in green spaces

Posted on April 24, 2020April 24, 2020 by Dr Sam Cooley

A study exploring the impact of green vs. urban spaces during a walking group for mental health service users.

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5,4,3,2,1: A quick, effective and versatile grounding technique

Posted on March 24, 2020February 3, 2021 by Dr Sam Cooley

The 5,4,3,2,1 has been the one grounding technique that comes up as a favourite, time and time again.

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BPS and ACP-UK guidelines for outdoor talking therapy

Posted on March 16, 2020July 22, 2020 by Dr Sam Cooley

Join the debate to contribute to new guidelines for outdoor talking therapy

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‘Into the Wild’: Exploring talking therapy in natural outdoor spaces

Posted on January 24, 2020February 4, 2021 by Dr Sam Cooley

Full slides and notes from my presentation on outdoor talking therapy at the 2020 Division of Clinical Psychology Annual Conference

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New open access journal article on Strengths Profiling

Posted on November 6, 2019November 6, 2019 by Dr Sam Cooley

Strengths profiling is a practical and person centred technique used to identify an individual’s character strengths.

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Top 20 mindfulness quotes for everyday life

Posted on March 6, 2019January 24, 2020 by Dr Sam Cooley

My top 20 mindfulness quotes from the popular book, ‘the things you can see only when you slow down’ by Haemin Sunim.

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  • A collection of short videos on outdoor talking therapy
  • Beyond the therapy room: An exploration of outdoor talking therapy (recorded seminar)
  • Recontextualising psychological interventions in the outdoors: A call for submissions
  • Outdoor talking therapy: Issues of privilege and ‘connecting with nature’
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