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Professor Susan Ayers

Professor of Maternal and Child Health

School of Health & Psychological Sciences Department of Midwifery and Radiography

Contact details

Address

Professor Susan Ayers M105 , Myddelton Street Building [M]
City, University of London
Northampton Square
London EC1V 0HB
United Kingdom

Personal links

About

Overview

Susan is a psychologist specialising in perinatal mental health. She joined City University in 2012 and is based in the Centre for Maternal and Child Health Research. Susan is a chartered health psychologist and cognitive behaviour therapist. Her research examines women's mental health during pregnancy and after birth, with a particular focus on anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder. Since obtaining her PhD from the University of London, Susan has worked at St. George's Hospital Medical School (London) and Brighton and Sussex Medical School (Sussex). Susan is author of Psychology for Medicine (2011, 2018) and editor of the Cambridge Handbook of Psychology, Health and Medicine (2007, 2019). She has given numerous invited lectures and workshops and was awarded the Annual Lecturer Prize by the Society of Reproductive and Infant Psychology in 2012.

Qualifications

  • MSc Cognitive Psychotherapy, University of Brighton, United Kingdom, 2006 – 2008
  • PhD, St George's, University of London, United Kingdom, 1995 – 1999
  • BSc Psychology (hons), Royal Holloway, University of London, United Kingdom, 1992 – 1995

Memberships of professional organisations

  • Associate Fellow, British Psychological Society, 2011 – present
  • Registered Psychologist, Healthcare Professions Council, 2009 – present
  • Chartered Psychologist, British Psychological Society, 2000 – present

Awards

  • Society for Reproductive and Infant Psychology (2012) Annual Lecturer Award
  • University of London (1995) Dorothy Farrar dissertation prize

Teaching

Convenor

- Psychology for Health and Social Care (MSc Advanced Practice in Health and Social Care)

Contribute to

- Health and Society (BSc Midwifery)
- Health and Society (PGDip Midwifery)
- Application of Research in Clinical Settings (MSc Advanced Practice in Health and Social Care)
- Dissertations (BSc Nursing)
- Dissertations (BSc Midwifery)
- Research projects (MSc Advanced Practice in Health and Social Care)

Research

Research overview

Susan's research focusses on women's mental health during pregnancy and after birth, particularly anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder. Her research examines the prevalence, causes, screening and treatment of anxiety in pregnant and postnatal women, as well as the impact of mental health on the mother-baby and family relationships. She is also interested in high-risk groups, such as parents of preterm and stillborn infants. Susan leads the Maternal and Child Mental Health research group, which includes 15 members of faculty, research staff and doctoral students. Current research projects include a national study of care during the birth of very preterm infants, and the evaluation of self-help interventions to improve postnatal wellbeing.

Research areas

- Maternal Health
- Child Health

Current grants

- Ayers S, Crawley R, Smith H, Bradley R, Young D, Lee S & Field A. Health After Birth Trial (HABiT): Using expressive writing to promote health in women after birth. National Institute for Health Research, £225,188.

- Duley L, Abbott J, Ayers S, Field D, Gyte G, McGuire W, Megone C, Oddie S, Oliver S, Simes J, Thornton J, Weeks A, Yang M, Yoxall W. Improving quality of care and outcome at very preterm birth. National Institute for Health Research. National Institute for Health Research, £1,885,541.

Recently completed grants

- Ayers S, Jessop D & Pike A. Journey to parenthood study. British Academy, £79,728.

- Rabe H, Amess P, McFerran C, Ayers S, Horst J, Rowe E. Neurodevelopmental outcome of preterm infants at 2 years of age who received placento-fetal transfusion at
delivery. National Institute for Health Research, £49,849.

Research centre and network grants

- McKenzie-McHarg K, Ayers S & Slade P. Perinatal PTSD Research Network. Society for Reproductive & Infant Psychology seminar grant, £2,500.

- McKenzie-McHarg K, Ayers S, Slade P. Perinatal PTSD Research Network. ESRC, £15,000.

- Ayers S, McKenzie-McHarg K, Slade P. Perinatal PTSD Research Network. British Psychological Society research seminars grant, £3,000.

Research team

Postdoctoral Researchers

- Dr Susan Thompson (HABiT project)
- Dr Alexandra Sawyer (Preterm birth project)
- Dr Ellinor Olander (Health behaviours in pregnancy and after birth)

Doctoral students

- Donna Moore: Perinatal mental health and the internet.
- Suzanne Lee: Perceptions of risk in high-risk pregnancies and decisions about place of birth.
- Miriam Thiel: E-therapy and self-help for perinatal anxiety.
- Rebecca Webb: Maternal mental health and sensitivity to infant emotions.
- Pelin Dikmen: Perinatal mental health in women in Turkey.
- Jackie Baxter:  Midwife-led debriefing for birth-related distress.
- Rose Coates: Screening for postnatal mental health problems.
- Sarah Woodhouse: Social factors and responses to traumatic events.

Administrator

- Alex Thornton

Research students

1st supervisor

Jenny McLeish

Attendance: Oct 2016 – Sep 2022

Thesis title: Evaluation of the Parents in Mind perinatal peer support programme

Role: 1st Supervisor

Amy Delicate

Attendance: Oct 2015 – Sep 2021

Thesis title: Support for couples following birth trauma: Implications for practice

Role: 1st Supervisor

Rebecca Webb

Thesis title: Maternal mental health and sensitivity to infant emotions.

Further information: http://www.city.ac.uk/health/staff-directory/rebecca-webb

Pelin Dikmen

Thesis title: Perinatal mental health in women in Turkey.

Further information: http://www.city.ac.uk/health/staff-directory/pelin-dikmen2

Jackie Baxter

Thesis title: Midwife-led debriefing for birth-related distress.

Role: 2nd Supervisor

Rose Coates

Thesis title: Screening for postnatal mental health problems.

Role: External Supervisor

Further information: http://www.sussex.ac.uk/profiles/147025

Sarah Woodhouse

Thesis title: Social factors and responses to traumatic events.

Further information: http://www.sussex.ac.uk/profiles/240793

Livia Caetano da Silva Leao

Thesis title: Preterm birth in Brazil

Role: External Supervisor

Further information: Visiting doctoral student from Brazil

Donna Moore

Thesis title: Perinatal mental health and the internet.

Further information: http://www.city.ac.uk/health/staff-directory/donna-moore

Suzanne Lee

Thesis title: Perceptions of risk in high-risk pregnancies and decisions about place of birth.

Further information: http://www.city.ac.uk/health/staff-directory/suzanne-lee2

Miriam Ashford (née Thiel)

Thesis title: E-therapy and self-help for perinatal anxiety.

Further information: http://www.city.ac.uk/health/staff-directory/miriam-ashford

Publications

Publications by category

Books (8)

  • Llewellyn, C.D., Ayers, S., McManus, C., Newman, S., Petrie, K.J., Revenson, T.A. … Weinman, J. (2019). Preface. ISBN 978-0-511-54357-9.
  • Llewellyn, C.D., Ayers, S., McManus, C., Newman, S., Petrie, K.J., Revenson, T.A. … Weinman, J. (2019). Cambridge handbook of psychology, health and medicine: Third edition. ISBN 978-0-511-54357-9.
  • Ayers, S. and Visser, R.D. (2017). Psychology for Medicine and Healthcare. SAGE. ISBN 978-1-5264-1673-5.
  • Ayers, S., Baum, A., McManus, C., Newman, S., Wallston, K., Weinman, J. … West, R. (2014). Cambridge handbook of psychology, health and medicine, second edition. ISBN 978-0-511-54357-9.
  • Ayers, S. and de Visser, R. (2011). Psychology for Medicine. Sage Publications Limited. ISBN 978-1-4129-4691-9.
  • Ayers, S., Baum, A., McManus, C., Newman, S., Wallston, K., Weinman, J. … West, R. (Eds.), (2007). Cambridge Handbook of Psychology, Health and Medicine. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0-521-60510-6.
  • Ayers, S., Baum, A., McManus, C., Newman, S., Wallston, K., Weinman, J. … West, R. (2001). Preface. Cambridge University Press.
  • Baum, A., Newman, S.P., Weinman, J., West, R. and McManus, C. (Eds.), (1997). Cambridge Handbook of Psychology, Health and Medicine. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0-521-43686-1.

Chapters (22)

  • Young, C. and Ayers, S. (2021). Risk and Resilience in Pregnancy and Birth. Multisystemic Resilience (p. 57). Oxford University PressNew York. ISBN 0-19-009588-1.
  • Ayers, S. and Sawyer, A. (2019). The Impact of Birth on Women’s Health and Wellbeing. Pathways and Barriers to Parenthood (pp. 199–218). Springer International Publishing. ISBN 978-3-030-24863-5.
  • Coates, R. and Ayers, S. (2019). Screening: Antenatal. Cambridge Handbook of Psychology, Health and Medicine: Third Edition (pp. 407–409). ISBN 978-0-511-54357-9.
  • Ayers, S. (2019). Pregnancy and childbirth. Cambridge Handbook of Psychology, Health and Medicine: Third Edition (pp. 571–573). ISBN 978-0-511-54357-9.
  • Ayers, S. (2019). Perinatal mental health. Cambridge Handbook of Psychology, Health and Medicine: Third Edition (pp. 569–570). ISBN 978-0-511-54357-9.
  • Sawyer, A. and Ayers, S. (2019). Birth complications. Cambridge Handbook of Psychology, Health and Medicine: Third Edition (pp. 435–436). ISBN 978-0-511-54357-9.
  • In Llewellyn, C., Ayers, S., McManus, C., Newman, S., Petrie, K.J., Revenson, T.A. … Weinman, J. (Eds.), (2019). Cambridge Handbook of Psychology, Health and Medicine. In Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-1-108-47499-3.
  • Hutcherson, A. and Ayers, S. (2017). Maternal Expectations and Satisfaction with Caesarean Section. Anesthesia for Cesarean Section (pp. 211–224). Springer International Publishing. ISBN 978-3-319-42051-6.
  • Thomson, G., Beck, C. and Ayers, S. (2017). THE RIPPLE EFFECTS OF A TRAUMATIC BIRTH Risk, impact and implications for practice. PSYCHOSOCIAL RESILIENCE AND RISK IN THE PERINATAL PERIOD: IMPLICATIONS AND GUIDANCE FOR PROFESSIONALS (pp. 154–169). ISBN 978-1-138-10158-6.
  • Ayers, S. and Ford, E. (2016). Post-traumatic stress during pregnancy and the postpartum period. In Wenzel, and Stuart, (Eds.), Oxford Handbook of Perinatal Psychology (pp. 182–200). Oxford, England: Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-977807-2.
  • Horsch, A. and Ayers, S. (2016). Childbirth and Stress. Stress: Concepts, Cognition, Emotion, and Behavior (pp. 325–330). Elsevier.
  • Ayers, S., Coates, R. and Matthey, S. (2015). Identifying Perinatal Anxiety. (pp. 93–107). Wiley. ISBN 978-1-118-50965-4.
  • Ayers, S. and Ford, E. (2012). PTSD following childbirth. In Martin, C.R. (Ed.), Perinatal Mental Health (pp. 155–164). M&k Update. ISBN 978-1-905539-49-9.
  • Ayers, S., Ford, E. and Alder, B. (2009). Reproductive issues. In Alder, B., Abraham, C. and Van Teijlingen, E. (Eds.), Psychology and Sociology Applied to Medicine Elsevier Health Sciences. ISBN 978-0-443-06787-7.
  • Banerjee, R. and Ayers, S. (2009). Psychology and Sociology Applied to Medicine. In Alder, B., Abraham, C. and Teijlingen, E.V. (Eds.), Psychology and Sociology Applied to Medicine Elsevier Health Sciences. ISBN 978-0-443-06787-7.
  • Ayers, S. and Ford, E. (2007). Stress & health. In Fink, G. (Ed.), Encyclopedia of stress Oxford, UK: Elsevier. ISBN 978-0-12-088504-6.
  • Ayers, S., Baum, A., McManus, C., Newman, S., Wallston, K., Weinman, J. … West, R. (2007). Stress & health. In Ayers, S., Baum, A., McManus, C., Newman, S., Wallston, K., Weinman, J. … West, R. (Eds.), Cambridge Handbook of Psychology, Health and Medicine Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0-521-60510-6.
  • Ayers, S. (2007). Post-traumatic stress disorder. In Cockburn, J. and Pawson, M.E. (Eds.), Psychological Challenges in Obstetrics and Gynecology London: Springer. ISBN 978-1-84628-807-4.
  • Ayers, S. (2007). Hysterectomy. In Ayers, S., Baum, A., McManus, C., Newman, S., Wallston, K., Weinman, J. … West, R. (Eds.), Cambridge Handbook of Psychology, Health and Medicine Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0-521-60510-6.
  • Ayers, S. and Ford, E. (2007). Childbirth and Stress. Encyclopedia of Stress (pp. 467–471). Elsevier. ISBN 978-0-12-373947-6.
  • Steptoe, A. and Ayers, S. (2004). Stress, health, and illness. In Johnston, M., Sutton, S. and Baum, A. (Eds.), The SAGE Handbook of Health Psychology Sage Publications Limited. ISBN 978-0-7619-6849-8.
  • Ayers, S. and Ford, E. Psychosocial Context of Illness and Well-Being in Women’s Health. Biopsychosocial Factors in Obstetrics and Gynaecology (pp. 8–14). Cambridge University Press.

Conference papers and proceedings (20)

  • Gopalakrishnan, V.B. (2022). 41st SRIP Annual Virtual Conference 8th – 10th September 2021. doi:10.1080/02646838.2022.2037828
  • Uddin, N., Ayers, S. and Khine, R. (2022). Severity of exposure to obstetric TraUMa experienced by maternity health Professionals and PTSD symptoms: the STUMP study.
  • Ayers, S., Wright, D., Thornton, A. and Smith, A.-.M. (2019). Assessing Postpartum PTSD in Women and their Partners: The City Birth Trauma Scale.
  • Rados, S.N., Matijas, M., Kuhar, L., Andelinovic, M. and Ayers, S. (2019). Psychometric properties of the Croatian version of the City Birth Trauma Scale.
  • Moore, D., Drey, N. and Ayers, S. (2019). A meta-synthesis of women's experiences of online forums for perinatal mental illness and stigma.
  • Harrison, S., Ayers, S., Quigley, M.A. and Alderdice, F. (2019). OP85 Prevalence of PTSD and comorbidity with anxiety and depression in a population-based survey of women following childbirth. Society for Social Medicine and Population Health and International Epidemiology Association European Congress Annual Scientific Meeting 2019, Hosted by the Society for Social Medicine & Population Health and International Epidemiology Association (IEA), School of Public Health, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland, 4–6 September 2019. doi:10.1136/jech-2019-ssmabstracts.88
  • Eberhard-Gran, M., Garthus-Niege, S., Ayers, S., Martini, J. and von Soest, T. (2018). The impact of postpartum PTSD on child development.
  • Thornton, , Wright, D.B. and Ayers, S. (2016). Conceptualising and measuring PTSD after birth. International Marce Society Biennial Scientific Meeting 26-28 September, Melbourne, Australia.
  • Crawley, R., Ayers, S., Button, S., Thornton, A., Field, A., Lee, S. … Smith, H. (2016). Evaluating expressive writing to improve postpartum health. 18th Congress of the International Society for Psychosomatic Obstetrics & Gynaecology 12-14 May, Malaga.
  • Thornton, , Lang, B., Adams, C., McGinley, J., Fyle, J., McKenzie-McHarg, K. … Ayers, S. (2016). Evaluating a Wellbeing Plan for Women During Pregnancy. 18th Congress of the International Society for Psychosomatic Obstetrics & Gynaecology 12-14 May, Malaga.
  • Ayers, S., Thornton, and Wright, D.B. (2016). The City Birth Trauma Scale (City BiTS) measure of postpartum PTSD. 18th Congress of the International Society for Psychosomatic Obstetrics & Gynaecology 12-14 May, Malaga.
  • Ayers, S., Sawyer, A., Chhoa, C. and Duley, L. (2016). Clinicians' and women's experiences of two consent pathways in a trial of timing of clamping at very preterm birth: A qualitative study.
  • Thompson, S., Ayers, S., Crawley, R., Thornton, A., Eagle, A., Bradley, R. … Smith, H. (2015). Using expressive writing as an intervention to improve postnatal wellbeing. 2015 Society for Reproductive and Infant Psychology (SRIP) Conference 14-15 September, East Midlands Conference Centre, University of Nottingham.
  • Lee, S., Holden, D. and Ayers, S. (2015). Risk perception and decision making in women with high risk pregnancies. 2015 Society for Reproductive and Infant Psychology (SRIP) Conference 14-15 September, East Midlands Conference Centre, University of Nottingham.
  • Ayers, S., Thiel, M. and Olander, E.K. (2015). A systematic review of computer- and internet-based psychotherapy interventions for perinatal mental health.
  • Sawyer, A., Rabe, H., Abbott, J., Gyte, G., Duley, L. and Ayers, S. (2014). PLD13 A Questionnaire to Measure Parents’ Experiences and Satisfaction with Care During Very Preterm Birth: A Validation Study. doi:10.1136/archdischild-2014-306576.314
  • Carrick-Sen, D., Ayers, S. and Charlton, D. (2013). Previous trauma history and PTSD in men and women following high risk childbirth.
  • Sawyer, A., Duley, L., Abbott, J., Gyte, G., Rabe, H. and Ayers, S. (2013). Parents' experiences and satisfaction with care at the birth of their very preterm baby.
  • Thakar, R., Srivastava, R., Ayers, S. and Manyonda, I. (2008). Removing the cervix at hysterectomy - An unnecessary intervention? 38th Annual Meeting of the International-Continence-Society 20-24 October, Cairo, EGYPT.
  • Ayers, S. (2004). PTSD related to childbirth: Problems and prevalence. 14th International Conference of Psychosomatic Obstetrics and Gynaecology 16-19 May, Edinburgh, SCOTLAND.

Internet publication

Journal articles (218)

Report

Professional activities

Events/conferences (29)

  • Society for Reproductive and Infant Psychology (SRIP). East Midlands Conference Centre, Nottingham (2015).
  • Women's mental health. Madrid, Spain (2014).
    Description: Symposium: XVI World Congress of Psychiatry.
  • The family life course - a potential for personal growth. Paris, France (2014).
    Description: Symposium: International Congress of Applied Psychology.
  • Traumatic birth. Hull, UK (2013).
    Description: Symposium chair and contributor: Society for Reproductive and Infant Psychology.
  • Childbirth and post-traumatic stress: What predicts a) childbirth as traumatic and b) the experience of subsequent post-traumatic stress symptoms? Berlin, Germany (2013).
    Description: Symposium contributor: International Society for Psychosomatic Obstetrics & Gynaecology.
  • PTSD after childbirth: Conceptual and theoretical issues. Venice, Italy (2011).
    Description: Talk for speical symposium
  • The psychology of birth trauma. University of Sussex (2011).
    Description: British Psychological Society (Wessex Division) special lecture
  • The psychology of birth trauma. Cardiff and Ascot (2010).
    Description: Lecture for 1-day workshops organised by the Learning Curve
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder following childbirth. Venice, Italy (2010).
    Description: Symposium contributor: International Society for Psychosomatic Obstetrics & Gynaecology.
  • Psychological trauma following difficult labour and delivery. Woking (2009).
    Description: Lecture in 1-day workshop on 'Guarding the Perineum' by the Learning Curve
  • The psychology of birth trauma. London (2009).
    Description: Birth Trauma Association 1-day event
  • Birth trauma. Torquay (2009).
    Description: Lecture for 1-day conference by Mothers and Midwives Alliance
  • PTSD following childbirth: What do women (and men) tell us? Stockholm, Sweden (2009).
    Description: Swedish Society of Psychosocial Obstetrics and Gynaecology 1-day event.
  • Birth trauma: Widening our understanding of postnatal mental health. Kingston University (2009).
    Description: Kingston university seminar series
  • Birth Trauma. Ayr, Scotland (2009).
    Description: Lecture in 1-day conference by the Mothers and Midwives Alliance.
  • Conceptual and theoretical issues. Oxford, UK (2008).
    Description: Conference on Post-traumatic stress disorder following childbirth.
  • Ayers S. & Ford E. Research in perinatal health. Post-traumatic Stress Disorder following childbirth: Research updates and implications for clinical practice. Oxford (2008).
    Description: Workshop: University of Oxford
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder after birth. Kyoto, Japan (2007).
    Description: Symposium contributor: International Society for Psychosomatic Obstetrics & Gynaecology.
  • Birth trauma and postnatal anxiety. University of Sunderland (2007).
    Description: Invited talk at a departmental colloquia
  • Conceptual and diagnostic issues. Sussex (2006).
    Description: Symposium chair and discussant: Postnatal PTSD Research Seminar, University of Sussex.
  • Prevalence and comorbidity. Sussex (2006).
    Description: Symposium chair and discussant: Postnatal PTSD Research Seminar, University of Sussex.
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder after childbirth. Institute of Psychiatry, London (2006).
    Description: Invited departmental colloquia
  • Training healthcare professionals in communication skills. St Mary's Hospital, London (2005).
    Description: Departmental seminar
  • Chadwick P. & Ayers S. Clinical skills & the health psychologist. Coventry (2005).
    Description: BREATHE Workshop, British Psychological Society, Division of Health Psychology Conference.
  • Abraham C., Michie S. & Ayers S. Designing & evaluating theory-based interventions. Galway (2005).
    Description: CREATE Workshop: European Health Psychology Society Conference.
  • Postnatal PTSD: Causes and controversies. Priory Ticehurst House, Kent (2005).
    Description: Invited lecture
  • Birth trauma: Background and research. Salisbury, UK (2004).
    Description: Invited talk at the press launch for the Birth Trauma Association
  • Do women get post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of childbirth? Imperial College, London (2003).
    Description: Invited talk
  • PTSD after childbirth. Berlin (2003).
    Description: Symposium contributor: European Society Study of Traumatic Stress.

Keynote lectures/speeches (30)

  • The transition to parenthood and mental health. London (2014). Maternity and Newborn Forum, Royal Society of Medicine.
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder after childbirth. Vacouver, Canada (2014). Reproductive Mental Health Academic Rounds, University of British Columbia.
  • PTSD: Who’s at risk and what can you do about it? Calgary, Canada (2014). Keynote lecture, 3rd Annual Conference for Women's Mental Health, University of Calgary.
  • Parent’s experiences and satisfaction with care during the birth of a very preterm baby. Wakefiled (2013). Trouble up North: joint Yorkshire Neonatal Network Conference.
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder after birth. Oslo, Norway (2013). About Mental Health around Birth Conference.
  • Perinatal care and trauma: When "good enough'' isn't good enough. Stockholm, Sweden (2012). Swedish Society of Medicine.
  • Birth trauma and postpartum PTSD. Oxford, UK (2012). Lecture Award, Society for Reproductive and Infant Psychology
  • Birth trauma and postpartum PTSD. Oxford (2012). Annual Award Lecture, Society for Reproductive and Infant Psychology.
  • Perinatal care and trauma: When 'good enough' isn't good enough. Zadar, Croatia (2012). Invited lecture at the 18th Psychology Days, Croatia.
  • Perinatal care and trauma: When "good enough'' isn't good enough. Zadar, Croatia (2012). 18th Psychology Days.
  • The psychology of birth trauma. Sussex (2011). British Psychological Society Wessex Division.
  • Perinatal care and trauma: When "good enough'' isn't good enough. Newcastle (2010). Faculty of Perinatal Psychology, Division of Clinical Psychology, British Psychological Association.
  • PTSD after childbirth: Conceptual and theoretical issues. Venice, Italy (2010). International Society for Psychosomatic Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
  • The psychology of birth trauma. Cardiff (2010). The Learning Curve.
  • The psychology of birth trauma. Ascot (2010). The Learning Curve.
  • Psychological trauma following difficult labour and delivery. Woking (2009). Guarding the Perineum Study Day. The Learning Curve.
  • The psychology of birth trauma. London (2009). Birth Trauma Association Conference.
  • Birth trauma. Torquay (2009). Mothers and Midwives' Alliance Conference.
  • What do women (and men) tell us? Post-traumatic stress disorder following childbirth. Stockholm, Sweden (2009). Swedish Society of Psychosocial Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
  • Birth trauma: Widening our understanding of postnatal mental health. Kingston (2009). Kingston University Seminar Series.
  • Birth trauma. Scotland (2009). Mothers & Midwives' Alliance Conference
  • Conceptual and theoretical issues. Post-traumatic Stress Disorder following childbirth: Research updates and implications for clinical practice. Oxford (2008). University of Oxford.
  • Birth trauma and postnatal anxiety. Sunderland (2007). University of Sunderland.
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder after childbirth. London (2006). Institute of Psychiatry.
  • Training healthcare professionals in communication skills. London (2005). St Mary's Hospital.
  • Postnatal PTSD: Causes and controversies. Ticehurst (2005). Priory Ticehurst House.
  • Birth trauma: Background and research. Salisbury (2004). Press launch of the Birth Trauma Association.
  • Do women get post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of childbirth? London (2003). Maternal Mental Health Conference, Imperial College.
  • Training healthcare professionals in communication skills. London (2003). British Association of Clinical Psychology, South West Thames division.
  • Acute health events and distress: What makes events traumatic? London (1999). Goldsmiths University Residential Seminar Weekend.