Kirstie Thompson BSc MSc C. Psychol AFBPsS CSci
Chartered Clinical Psychologist & Chartered Forensic Psychologist
Registered Expert Witness
Academic Qualifications
Statement of Equivalence in Clinical Psychology: British Psychological Society (2011)
MSc in Applied Forensic Psychology: Leicester University (2003)
BSc Hons Psychology: Middlesex University (1995)
Professional Qualifications & Memberships
Registered Forensic Psychologist: Health and Care Professions Council
Registered Clinical Psychologist: Health and Care Professions Council
Chartered Psychologist, Associate Fellow, Chartered Scientist: British Psychological Society
Register of Expert Witnesses: British Psychological Society
Areas of Expertise:
I am a Clinical and Forensic Psychologist with extensive experience in providing
psychological assessments, reports and interventions with clients with a wide range of
presentations. I have fourteen years’ experience as a psychologist working with adults and
juveniles in secure settings. I have more recent clinical experience working in the NHS with
children and their families and older adults. My specialist experience includes the completion
of violence risk assessments, including sexual violence; personality assessment and
diagnosis, including psychopathy; and cognitive assessments (intelligence and pre-morbid
functioning, memory, frontal functioning). I have provided interventions with clients with a
wide range of psychological and mental health problems, including psychosis, anxiety,
depression, OCD, personality disorder, anger management, trauma, low self-esteem and so
on. I have also provided interventions aimed at reducing the risk of future offending,
including violence, sex offending and arson.
I have presented evidence at Mental Health Review Tribunals and Parole Board Hearings. I
completed the Cardiff University Expert Witness Training in 2013.
Independent Practice:

2013 - Present:
Independent Expert Witness
I specialise in Forensic Issues (risk assessment, parole board reports, pre-sentencing reports,
personality and psychopathy assessments) as well as the assessment of adults in the context
of Family Proceedings and Private Law disputes.
Employment History
2006 – Present:
Cygnet Hospital Wyke Low Secure
Psychiatric Hospital & Cygnet Lodge
Brighouse Community Rehabilitation Unit
Clinical & Forensic Psychologist
Responsibilities include:

Completing personality, risk, cognitive, and clinical assessments and
formulations with clients with complex mental health problems.

Producing high quality assessment reports for presentation at MDT meetings,
CPA's and Mental Health Review Tribunal's.

Conducting evidence based psychological therapies with clients using a
variety of therapeutic approaches that are specifically tailored to meet the
client's needs. Long and short-term models of therapy offered including: CBT,
schema focused approaches, mindfulness, solution focused therapy,
motivational interviewing.

Supervising Clinical Psychologists, trainees, assistants and multidisciplinary
team members.

Honorary Lecturer at Leeds University on the Doctorate in Clinical
Psychology course and at Bradford University on the Psychology
Undergraduate course.
January – July 2012: (part time maternity leave cover) East Lancashire Child &
Adolescent Services,
Accrington
Clinical Psychologist
Responsibilities included:


Working with children and their families to provide assessments using both formal
and informal measures.
Providing tailored interventions for children and adolescents with anxiety difficulties,
eating disorders, bereavement issues, and so on. This also involved working directly
with families and relevant others such as the child's school.
June-Dec 2011: (part time maternity leave cover)
Nursing & Care Home Liaison
Team,
Rawtenstall, East Lancashire
Clinical Psychologist
Responsibilities included:

Completing assessments of older adults with behaviour that challenges in nursing and
care homes.


Developing and sharing formulations with care staff and making recommendations for
managing behaviour and improving the wellbeing of the older adult.
Providing consultancy, specialist advice and training and to the team, on topics such
as Formulation, and Attachment Styles.
2003-2006:
HMP Buckley Hall Female Prison,
Rochdale, Lancashire
Senior Forensic Psychologist & Head of Group Work Programmes
Responsibilities included:





Providing risk and personality assessments with life sentence prisoners for
presentation at parole board hearings
Conducting individual interventions with prisoners aimed at reducing their risk of
re-offending
Managing and supervising multi-disciplinary staff in the delivery of various
accredited group work programmes
Devising and delivering training to staff such as Motivational Interviewing and
Alternatives to Self-Harm
Managing and supervising a team of Trainee Forensic Psychologists
1999-2003
HMP & YOI New Hall Female Prison,
Wakefield, Yorkshire
Forensic Psychologist
Responsibilities included:



Providing assessments and interventions with life sentence prisoners for presentation
at parole board hearings
Delivery of Cognitive Behavioural group work programmes to adult and juvenile
offenders including Enhanced Thinking Skills, Anger Management, Substance Misuse
Managing and supervising staff in the delivery of the Enhanced Thinking Skills
programme
Additional Information:

Full-enhanced CRB clearance.

Personal professional indemnity insurance.

Clean driver’s licence.

Experience of working with an interpreter.
Contact Details:
Mobile no: 07980 141726
Website: northstarpsychologicalservices.co.uk
E-mail address: kirstie@northstarpsychologicalservices.co.uk