Dr Lucy Loftus is a Research Assistant
Lucy Loftus is a clinical psychologist, trial therapist and researcher working with the Psychosis Research Unit at Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust. She currently works as a trial therapist and local trial coordinator for the Feeling Safer study.
Feeling Safer is a large, multi-centre research trial evaluating a supported online psychological programme for people experiencing persistent fears that other people intend to harm them. The study aims to make specialist psychological support more accessible while helping participants feel safer and return to the activities and parts of life that matter to them.
Lucy has contributed to several major Psychosis Research Unit trials, including RAPID and COMPARE. She was the Clinical Trial Manager for RAPID and is a named author of the trial’s published research protocol. RAPID investigated remotely delivered psychological and peer-support interventions for people with serious mental health difficulties who had recently experienced a suicidal crisis.
COMPARE is a Psychosis Research Unit trial that examined cognitive behavioural therapy, antipsychotic medication and a combination of both for adults experiencing psychosis. The study formed part of the unit’s wider commitment to improving treatment choice and ensuring that people experiencing psychosis have access to psychological as well as medical approaches to care.
Across her work, Lucy has developed a particular interest in psychological therapies for psychosis, personal recovery and helping people feel more involved in decisions about their care. She values approaches that are collaborative, flexible and guided by the individual’s own priorities rather than focusing only on symptoms or diagnoses.
Lucy completed her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at The University of Leeds. Her doctoral research explored how people with long-term experiences of psychosis understood recovery-focused support within community mental health services. The findings highlighted the importance of trusting relationships, genuine human connection and a more equal balance between professionals and the people receiving support.
Her clinical experience includes supporting people affected by psychosis and a range of other emotional and psychological difficulties. This background allows her to bring together psychological therapy, research and an understanding of the importance of compassionate, person-centred care.
Lucy enjoys the opportunity that research provides to develop and evaluate new forms of psychological support. Through her work with Feeling Safer and her previous contribution to RAPID and COMPARE, she continues to support research intended to increase choice, improve access to therapy and help people experiencing complex mental health difficulties work towards recovery in ways that are meaningful to them.