Dr Sarah
@sarahpsyc.bsky.social
Consultant Clinical Psychologist. Tweets are not the views of my employers! Interested in attachment, trauma, staff wellbeing, compassionate leadership.
Pinned
Dr Sarah
@sarahpsyc.bsky.social
· Apr 28
a picture of a penguin with the word hello on it
ALT: a picture of a penguin with the word hello on it
media.tenor.com
First post on Bluesky 🦋 might take me a while to get into the swing of things, but…
Reposted by Dr Sarah
Mental Elf Monthly for August 2025 is now LIVE
Catch August’s most-read blogs, from trauma to CBT harms, and book your free spot at our difficult-to-treat depression webinar.
national-elf-service.kit.com/posts/mental...
Catch August’s most-read blogs, from trauma to CBT harms, and book your free spot at our difficult-to-treat depression webinar.
national-elf-service.kit.com/posts/mental...
What practitioners read most in August; plus a free depression webinar
The Mental Elf Monthly - Your monthly dose of mental health research, evidence, and impact.
national-elf-service.kit.com
September 3, 2025 at 7:34 PM
Mental Elf Monthly for August 2025 is now LIVE
Catch August’s most-read blogs, from trauma to CBT harms, and book your free spot at our difficult-to-treat depression webinar.
national-elf-service.kit.com/posts/mental...
Catch August’s most-read blogs, from trauma to CBT harms, and book your free spot at our difficult-to-treat depression webinar.
national-elf-service.kit.com/posts/mental...
Reposted by Dr Sarah
In psychotherapy, there are principles and there are preferences.
People tend to mistake their personal preferences for principles.
We have 400+ therapeutic modalities because of preferences, not principles.
People tend to mistake their personal preferences for principles.
We have 400+ therapeutic modalities because of preferences, not principles.
June 30, 2025 at 7:17 PM
In psychotherapy, there are principles and there are preferences.
People tend to mistake their personal preferences for principles.
We have 400+ therapeutic modalities because of preferences, not principles.
People tend to mistake their personal preferences for principles.
We have 400+ therapeutic modalities because of preferences, not principles.
Reposted by Dr Sarah
What if unknown male members of staff watching female survivors of sexual violence sleep wasn’t as therapeutic or reassuring as it sounds?
June 20, 2025 at 12:20 PM
What if unknown male members of staff watching female survivors of sexual violence sleep wasn’t as therapeutic or reassuring as it sounds?
Reposted by Dr Sarah
I’ve been asked to do some training on our wards to support psychological skills & compassionate care.
But is this really about training?
The wards are so stretched. Maybe to start with we need wards where care-givers feel meaningfully cared-for? Then compassionate care may flow more naturally?
But is this really about training?
The wards are so stretched. Maybe to start with we need wards where care-givers feel meaningfully cared-for? Then compassionate care may flow more naturally?
June 17, 2025 at 8:13 PM
I’ve been asked to do some training on our wards to support psychological skills & compassionate care.
But is this really about training?
The wards are so stretched. Maybe to start with we need wards where care-givers feel meaningfully cared-for? Then compassionate care may flow more naturally?
But is this really about training?
The wards are so stretched. Maybe to start with we need wards where care-givers feel meaningfully cared-for? Then compassionate care may flow more naturally?
Reposted by Dr Sarah
As psychologists we can say things like "we're curious", "we try to understand what's going on" etc. It's not "just listening", there's a depth & skill- it's hard to articulate. But it's wise to resist getting drawn in to jargon or psychobabble. At its heart our work is about being real with people.
June 15, 2025 at 7:28 PM
As psychologists we can say things like "we're curious", "we try to understand what's going on" etc. It's not "just listening", there's a depth & skill- it's hard to articulate. But it's wise to resist getting drawn in to jargon or psychobabble. At its heart our work is about being real with people.
Reposted by Dr Sarah
My #BIGSPD25 poster contribution, challenging the “BPD” diagnosis & current practice of using OOA placement. If you fancy a chuckle at my poor presentation skills give the central QR code a scan & I’ll talk at you for about 15 minutes 😉
June 12, 2025 at 7:33 PM
My #BIGSPD25 poster contribution, challenging the “BPD” diagnosis & current practice of using OOA placement. If you fancy a chuckle at my poor presentation skills give the central QR code a scan & I’ll talk at you for about 15 minutes 😉
Goodbye to another year #BIGSPD25
Hope everyone has a safe trip home 🥰 I’m on the train back & ready to do a few hours work when I get in (the downside of living so close to the venue 😂). However, I’m then off for the weekend as it’s my birthday tomorrow.
Hope everyone has a safe trip home 🥰 I’m on the train back & ready to do a few hours work when I get in (the downside of living so close to the venue 😂). However, I’m then off for the weekend as it’s my birthday tomorrow.
two women are standing next to each other in a room and one of them is wearing an orange fur coat .
ALT: two women are standing next to each other in a room and one of them is wearing an orange fur coat .
media.tenor.com
June 12, 2025 at 1:02 PM
Goodbye to another year #BIGSPD25
Hope everyone has a safe trip home 🥰 I’m on the train back & ready to do a few hours work when I get in (the downside of living so close to the venue 😂). However, I’m then off for the weekend as it’s my birthday tomorrow.
Hope everyone has a safe trip home 🥰 I’m on the train back & ready to do a few hours work when I get in (the downside of living so close to the venue 😂). However, I’m then off for the weekend as it’s my birthday tomorrow.
Reposted by Dr Sarah
Date for your diary #BIGSPD25! The 2026 @bigspd.bsky.social conference will be in Blackpool #BIGSPD26 16-18 June 2026
Sign up later in the year on the BIGSPD website so you don't miss the announcements when they come later this year: bigspd.org.uk/conferences-...
Sign up later in the year on the BIGSPD website so you don't miss the announcements when they come later this year: bigspd.org.uk/conferences-...
Conferences and Events
bigspd.org.uk
June 12, 2025 at 11:34 AM
Date for your diary #BIGSPD25! The 2026 @bigspd.bsky.social conference will be in Blackpool #BIGSPD26 16-18 June 2026
Sign up later in the year on the BIGSPD website so you don't miss the announcements when they come later this year: bigspd.org.uk/conferences-...
Sign up later in the year on the BIGSPD website so you don't miss the announcements when they come later this year: bigspd.org.uk/conferences-...
Well deserved 🥳 congratulations @hoppypelican.bsky.social #BIGSPD25
Congratulations to Hollie Berrigan @hoppypelican.bsky.social The @bigspd.bsky.social Communications Officer, Consultant Lived Experience Practitioner, and just thoroughly amazing human being, who wins the social media award here at #BIGSPD25 in Liverpool 🥳
June 12, 2025 at 12:56 PM
Well deserved 🥳 congratulations @hoppypelican.bsky.social #BIGSPD25
#BIGSPD25 workshop parallel next with a showcase of a creative writing project by Nuala Cassidy, Marie Coyle, Susan Cull & Roisin Donnelly from Beyond Personality Differences Northern Ireland.
June 12, 2025 at 9:49 AM
#BIGSPD25 workshop parallel next with a showcase of a creative writing project by Nuala Cassidy, Marie Coyle, Susan Cull & Roisin Donnelly from Beyond Personality Differences Northern Ireland.
Day 3 #BIGSPD25 started with Professor Brin Grenyer speaking to us all the way from Australia 🐨🦘🇦🇺 (sorry 🤦🏻♀️) via the power of the internet. His talk was on the stepped care approach that has been introduced across New South Wales.
June 12, 2025 at 9:46 AM
Day 3 #BIGSPD25 started with Professor Brin Grenyer speaking to us all the way from Australia 🐨🦘🇦🇺 (sorry 🤦🏻♀️) via the power of the internet. His talk was on the stepped care approach that has been introduced across New South Wales.
#BIGSPD25 day 2 done! 😴
Lots more catching up today with peers old & new, near & far 🥰 that’s some of the best parts of this conference for me.
Keep up with the # to find other posts for #beyondtheroom
Back again tomorrow for the final day 😊
Lots more catching up today with peers old & new, near & far 🥰 that’s some of the best parts of this conference for me.
Keep up with the # to find other posts for #beyondtheroom
Back again tomorrow for the final day 😊
June 11, 2025 at 8:34 PM
#BIGSPD25 day 2 done! 😴
Lots more catching up today with peers old & new, near & far 🥰 that’s some of the best parts of this conference for me.
Keep up with the # to find other posts for #beyondtheroom
Back again tomorrow for the final day 😊
Lots more catching up today with peers old & new, near & far 🥰 that’s some of the best parts of this conference for me.
Keep up with the # to find other posts for #beyondtheroom
Back again tomorrow for the final day 😊
Last up for the day is Jenifer Dylan who’s talk is Redefining expertise: exploring the synthesis between ‘patient’ & ‘professional’.
She starts by saying she’s nervous, but nothing like what she experienced when in services & going into a ward round. Good perspective to share #BIGSPD25
She starts by saying she’s nervous, but nothing like what she experienced when in services & going into a ward round. Good perspective to share #BIGSPD25
June 11, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Last up for the day is Jenifer Dylan who’s talk is Redefining expertise: exploring the synthesis between ‘patient’ & ‘professional’.
She starts by saying she’s nervous, but nothing like what she experienced when in services & going into a ward round. Good perspective to share #BIGSPD25
She starts by saying she’s nervous, but nothing like what she experienced when in services & going into a ward round. Good perspective to share #BIGSPD25
I jumped around for the parallels starting with @keirwales.bsky.social & @hoppypelican.bsky.social debating the for & against inpatient placements for ‘EUPD/BPD’.
I thought it would be a clear cut ‘against’ for me….#BIGSPD25
I thought it would be a clear cut ‘against’ for me….#BIGSPD25
June 11, 2025 at 12:12 PM
I jumped around for the parallels starting with @keirwales.bsky.social & @hoppypelican.bsky.social debating the for & against inpatient placements for ‘EUPD/BPD’.
I thought it would be a clear cut ‘against’ for me….#BIGSPD25
I thought it would be a clear cut ‘against’ for me….#BIGSPD25
First talk of the day was by the wonderful Peter Fonagy. He was talking about Epistemic Trust, Mentalizing & Trauma.
This is an area of great interest for me & I was definitely hanging on every word he said (fan girling maybe?? 😂). Will post more on this talk later #BIGSPD25
This is an area of great interest for me & I was definitely hanging on every word he said (fan girling maybe?? 😂). Will post more on this talk later #BIGSPD25
June 11, 2025 at 9:50 AM
First talk of the day was by the wonderful Peter Fonagy. He was talking about Epistemic Trust, Mentalizing & Trauma.
This is an area of great interest for me & I was definitely hanging on every word he said (fan girling maybe?? 😂). Will post more on this talk later #BIGSPD25
This is an area of great interest for me & I was definitely hanging on every word he said (fan girling maybe?? 😂). Will post more on this talk later #BIGSPD25
Reposted by Dr Sarah
Unless professionals are willing to mentalize and understand the perspectives of people with PD and trauma experiences, treatment will not be effective
#BIGSPD25
#BIGSPD25
June 11, 2025 at 9:15 AM
Unless professionals are willing to mentalize and understand the perspectives of people with PD and trauma experiences, treatment will not be effective
#BIGSPD25
#BIGSPD25
Reposted by Dr Sarah
Good morning! We hope you’re all bright eyed and bushy tailed, ready for kicking off Day 2 at 9:30 today! Today is a full and action packed day, keep up to date by following the hashtag #BIGSPD25
a fluffy cat is sitting on a wooden table with the words morning written on it .
ALT: a fluffy cat is sitting on a wooden table with the words morning written on it .
media.tenor.com
June 11, 2025 at 7:23 AM
Good morning! We hope you’re all bright eyed and bushy tailed, ready for kicking off Day 2 at 9:30 today! Today is a full and action packed day, keep up to date by following the hashtag #BIGSPD25
Reposted by Dr Sarah
Tomorrow at #BIGSPD25 we debate:
Private inpatient services have been a life line for those the nhs don’t want to work with
If you want places with an enthusiasm for prescribing against NICE guidelines, you have to go to the private “specialist” units
www.emerald.com/insight/cont...
Private inpatient services have been a life line for those the nhs don’t want to work with
If you want places with an enthusiasm for prescribing against NICE guidelines, you have to go to the private “specialist” units
www.emerald.com/insight/cont...
Concerns over the prescription of clozapine for people diagnosed with “borderline personality disorder” in private locked psychiatric units
| Emerald Insight
1
www.emerald.com
June 10, 2025 at 6:11 PM
Tomorrow at #BIGSPD25 we debate:
Private inpatient services have been a life line for those the nhs don’t want to work with
If you want places with an enthusiasm for prescribing against NICE guidelines, you have to go to the private “specialist” units
www.emerald.com/insight/cont...
Private inpatient services have been a life line for those the nhs don’t want to work with
If you want places with an enthusiasm for prescribing against NICE guidelines, you have to go to the private “specialist” units
www.emerald.com/insight/cont...
#BIGSPD25 day 1 done! 😴
Keep up with the # to find other posts for #beyondtheroom
Back again tomorrow for more 😊
Keep up with the # to find other posts for #beyondtheroom
Back again tomorrow for more 😊
June 10, 2025 at 7:37 PM
#BIGSPD25 day 1 done! 😴
Keep up with the # to find other posts for #beyondtheroom
Back again tomorrow for more 😊
Keep up with the # to find other posts for #beyondtheroom
Back again tomorrow for more 😊
Last part of the day I joined the ‘Leadership & Training’ parallel with 3 talks by:
- Peter Cockersell - Leadership in Psychologically Informed Environments & Trauma Informed Care
- Andrew Turner - Harnessing Leadership Skills While Working in Complex Emotional Needs & Trauma Settings
#BIGSPD25
- Peter Cockersell - Leadership in Psychologically Informed Environments & Trauma Informed Care
- Andrew Turner - Harnessing Leadership Skills While Working in Complex Emotional Needs & Trauma Settings
#BIGSPD25
June 10, 2025 at 6:59 PM
Last part of the day I joined the ‘Leadership & Training’ parallel with 3 talks by:
- Peter Cockersell - Leadership in Psychologically Informed Environments & Trauma Informed Care
- Andrew Turner - Harnessing Leadership Skills While Working in Complex Emotional Needs & Trauma Settings
#BIGSPD25
- Peter Cockersell - Leadership in Psychologically Informed Environments & Trauma Informed Care
- Andrew Turner - Harnessing Leadership Skills While Working in Complex Emotional Needs & Trauma Settings
#BIGSPD25
Reposted by Dr Sarah
Sawubona - a Zulu word meaning ‘I see you, you are important to me and you are valued’.
Maxine highlights how that ‘seeing’ or feeling seen is often missing for racialised communities #BIGSPD25
Maxine highlights how that ‘seeing’ or feeling seen is often missing for racialised communities #BIGSPD25
June 10, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Sawubona - a Zulu word meaning ‘I see you, you are important to me and you are valued’.
Maxine highlights how that ‘seeing’ or feeling seen is often missing for racialised communities #BIGSPD25
Maxine highlights how that ‘seeing’ or feeling seen is often missing for racialised communities #BIGSPD25
Reposted by Dr Sarah
The lovely Mick McKeown gave me a shout out earlier at #BIGSPD25, for some activism around mental health nursing. Learn more about it through 2 hours of me ranting. #MHDeservesBetter youtu.be/iBblQygAizs?...
Dan Warrender - Resisting extinction and creating a future: the last stand of mental health nursing?
YouTube video by Dan Warrender
youtu.be
June 10, 2025 at 4:33 PM
The lovely Mick McKeown gave me a shout out earlier at #BIGSPD25, for some activism around mental health nursing. Learn more about it through 2 hours of me ranting. #MHDeservesBetter youtu.be/iBblQygAizs?...
Reposted by Dr Sarah