Rebecca Grist

From 2006 – 2010 I completed a BSc in Psychology with Neuroscience, first class Honours at the University of Sussex. During this time I also worked a number of jobs as a support worker and healthcare assistant. I then completed a PhD in Psychology at the University of Sussex (2010 – 2014) investigating computerised and internet-based interventions for common forms of mental health problems. My work included the novel application of theories from clinical psychology, human-computer interaction, developmental psychology, and cognitive psychology. I gained chartered membership of the British Psychological Society in 2015 and completed post-doctoral work at the Centre for Clinical and Community Applications of Health Psychology, University of Southampton (2015 – 2016). Next, I worked on a number of projects in the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Group at the University of Bath (2016 – 2017). During this time I was also an Honorary Psychology Assistant working within Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services.

I began working as a Lecturer in Psychology at the University of Brighton in 2018. I now teach on a number of undergraudate and postgraduate modules mainly covering mental health and wellbeing topics. I am also a trainee counsellor and am currently completing my Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling. I am training in the Person Centred Experiential approach and am a student member of the BACP. In 2022 I became Course Leader for the BSc (Hons) Psychology with Counselling Studies at the University of Brighton. 

I aim to create a supportive and collaborative environment in which students can explore new ideas and concepts. I believe that learning is an active process and, rather than being passive recipients of information, students are active agents in their own learning. I aim to encourage students to develop a critical approach.  

I have a broad interest and expertise in the application of technology to support people with their mental health and wellbeing. My work to date has focused on the safety, acceptability and effectiveness of digital interventions such as computerised CBT and mental health apps using concepts from counselling, attachment theory, human-computer interaction.

Current research project:

Experiences of following therapists on social media - https://www.researchgate.net/project/Experiences-of-following-therapists-as-mental-health-influencers-on-social-media

Previous research projects:

• BlueIce: Smartphone app for young people who self-harm and attend Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services. https://www.oxfordhealth.nhs.uk/blueice/
• Lifeguide: Software platform for internet interventions  https://www.lifeguideonline.org/

I am interested in supervising projects broadly related to digital wellbeing and the use of technology in the arenas of mental health and counselling/therapy. Specifically, I would like to supervise projects exploring social media users’ experiences of consuming therapy content and following therapists on social media. I would also be interested in supervising projects investigating the benefits of therapeutic companion robots for improving wellbeing and an exploration of therapeutic human-robot interactions. Finally, I would like to continue overseeing research investigating digital mental health interventions (apps, online therapies, VR or standalone internet interventions for mental health.