Dr Georgina Charlesworth

Associate Professor

Clinical, Edu & Hlth Psychology

Div of Psychology & Lang Sciences

Joined UCL: 1st May 2001

Research summary

My main research activity has been in the field of psychological support for people with dementia and family carers of people with dementia, most particularly looking into befriending, peer support and CBT as interventions to reduce depression and enhance wellbeing for family carers. I have received funding from the Alzheimer's Society, ESRC and HTA to support this work, working with teams at the University of East Anglia and North East London NHS Foundation Trust as well as UCL's Department of Psychiatry. Recent projects have included: the Carer Supporter Programme within Prof Martin Orrell's NIHR-funded programme entitled "Support at Home: Interventions to Enhance Life in Dementia", and Aimee Spector's RfPB-funded feasibility trial for cognitive therapy for anxiety in people with dementia. All projects have involved collaboration with organisations from the voluntary / charitable sector.

Current research includes the ESRC-NIHR funded Dementia initiative programme 'Promoting Independence in Dementia' (PRIDE). http://www.ucl.ac.uk/psychiatry/pride

Teaching summary

Clinical Psychology Doctoral Programme

MSc Health Psychology

Education

University of London: Doctorate, Doctor of Philosophy | 2009
University of East Anglia: Doctorate, Doctorate in Clinical Psychology | 1995
University of Cambridge: Other higher degree, Master of Philosophy | 1993
University of Cambridge: First Degree, Bachelor of Arts (Honours) | 1991

Biography

After graduating in Psychology (Natural Sciences) from the University of Cambridge I worked as a Research Assistant with Barbara Sahakian / Trevor Robbin's team before starting Clinical Psychology Training. I completed the Doctoral Programme in Clinical Psychology at the University of East Anglia in 1995 and have worked in the field of mental health in later life ever since, initially with North East Essex Mental Health NHS Trust, and then from 2001 in North East London NHS Foundation Trust.

In 1997 I started working part-time as a Lecturer at the University of East Anglia before becoming an Alzheimer's Society Research Fellow (1998-2001) supervised by Shirley Reynolds. I moved to a Lecturer post at UCL in 2001 and completed my PhD (University of London) in 2009, supervised by Stanton Newman and Martin Orrell.

I completed the Oxford Post Qualification Diploma in Cognitive Therapy (with a Clinical Distinction) in 1997 and achieved additional Chartership as a Health Psychologist in c.2005.