Palliative Care | PG Diploma
Substance Use and Substance Use Disorders | PG Certificate
Substance Use and Substance Use Disorders | PG Diploma
Substance Use and Substance Use Disorders | MSc
Systemic Practice and Family Therapy | MSc
Systemic Practice and Family Therapy | PG Certificate
Systemic Practice and Family Therapy | PG Diploma
Systemic Psychotherapy | MSc

We also welcome applications from suitably qualified applicants for PhD study.

The DARN study assessed the feasibility of ‘wearing’ the device within a sample of a homeless hostel population. The individuals wore it whilst in the homeless shelter (for participant protection), under the supervision of hostel staff. Focus groups were held with individuals in Maghaberry prison and Hydebank College to ascertain the views of those who are at risk of opioid overdose on return to the community.

I redesigned the courses to reflect current evidence-based models and secured accreditation with the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy.

Our courses are highly valued and commissioned for all Northern Ireland Health and Social Care Trusts and the Health Service Executive regions in the Republic of Ireland. I am particularly proud that we are training Research Clinicians on our specialist trauma focussed MSc and many are now therapists in our complex PTSD trial.

My studies have been recognised internationally. I have been invited to provide many workshops after large scale traumas including: the 9/11 New York attack in 2001; the 7/11 London bombings in 2005; the Oslo bombing and Utoya Island shootings in 2012; and the Manchester Concert bomb in 2017. Some of my most influential work has been providing expert commentary in television documentaries screened on the BBC, BBC Persia and Channel 4.

In 2022, with Oxford University colleagues, as Principial Investigator I commenced a multi-site randomised control test (RCT) to test Trauma Focussed Cognitive Therapy for Complex PTSD, funded by a £2 million grant from the National Institute for Health and Care Research. Our group is also developing a new cognitive model for Prolonged Grief Disorder. 

In 2022, with Queen’s University colleague Ciaran Mulholland, I designed a mental health assessment framework for the new Troubles Pension scheme which has now received over 10,000 applications.

It is important to disseminate our research and knowledge. Thus, I have been a member of the UK Trauma Council since its formation in 2020 and in January 2024 I accepted an invitation to join the Mental Health Advisory Panel of the National Emergencies Trust. My current international activities include: training mental health clinicians in Ukraine; providing expertise to colleagues at the North-West University, South Africa, for a psycho-social therapeutic programme for police officers; providing expert advice to colleagues at Curtin University in Australia for an RCT testing internet delivered cognitive behaviour therapy for adolescent grief.

The project is led by SSESW professors Mandi MacDonald and Berni Kelly. The visit saw young people and staff from Mamelani Projects, Cape Town meet with their Northern Irish peers at Voice of Young People in Care (VOYPIC) to explore similarities and differences in their experiences of leaving care and to identify advocacy strategies. The group spent the week meeting policy influencers including the Lord Mayor of Belfast and the Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People (NICCY), learning about supports for young people leaving care – and, of course, introducing our visitors to Northern Irish food, culture and weather.

With the help of Queen’s colleagues, professors Cahal McLaughlin and Pedro Rebelo, the group are making a film and soundscape reflecting their shared and diverse perspectives on leaving care. Together they are building skills and connections for advocacy, equipping care-experienced youth to spotlight their priorities for research and action.

The young leaders from VOYPIC in Belfast and Mamelani Projects in Cape Town received a very warm welcome during the programme of activities, including from the Lord Mayor of Belfast Councillor Murray, Queen’s University colleagues, VOYPIC, NICCY and the staff and local politicians at the Northern Ireland Assembly at Stormont.

The project is funded by AHRC and ESRC Impact Acceleration Accounts at Queen’s University Belfast and is a collaboration with the Children’s Institute at the University of Cape Town. For more information, you can email Professor Mandi MacDonald at m.macdonald@qub.ac.uk.