Emily Jones – Research Assistant

Emily Jones is a Research Assistant and joined the Psychosis Research Unit in August 2021. Emily currently works on the Let’s Talk trial, which aims to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of conducting a Randomised Controlled Trial (RCT) of the ‘Let’s Talk’ peer-delivered intervention with people who experience psychosis. In this role, Emily works with GMMH services to gain referrals to the study and conducts assessments with service-users who experience psychosis and express internalised stigma and disclosure-related distress.

Emily has been thoroughly enjoying giving service-users a safe space to speak openly about their experiences, and feels passionate about reducing mental health stigma through increasing education, awareness, and conversations.

Emily Jones graduated from The University of Birmingham in 2020 with a First-class integrated Master’s Degree in Psychology and Psychological Practice. During this time, Emily expanded her knowledge of psychology and spent her free time volunteering with children with Autism Spectrum Conditions and older adults with dementia.

During her fourth year, Emily had a placement with Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust in both the Community Perinatal team and the Early Intervention in Psychosis team where she worked as an Honorary Assistant Psychologist. Here, Emily developed her enthusiasm for increasing a psychological perspective in treating mental health conditions.

After graduating, Emily Jones worked as an Assistant Psychologist at a social enterprise called Innovating Minds where she supported individuals who were NEET (not in education, employment or training) with their mental health difficulties. Following this, Emily worked as an Assistant Psychologist at Midlands Partnership Foundation NHS Trust in another Community Perinatal team.

Emily thoroughly enjoyed being able to provide therapeutic support to service-users through one-to-one and group sessions, for example, using ideas from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT).

Aside from work, Emily likes going to the gym, finding new independent restaurants to try and relaxing with her housemates.