Dr Claire Blakeley
Background experience
I am a Principal Clinical Psychologist with experience working within neuropsychological and physical health services, with specific experience working with clients who have been diagnosed with an acquired brain injury or neurological condition, including stroke, brain tumour, MND, MS and epilepsy. I am also experienced in working with clients presenting with functional neuropsychological disorders or medically unexplained symptoms. I have worked extensively within MDTs, in both inpatient and outpatient settings, providing consultation, training and supervision to professionals within these teams.
I regularly assess clients presenting with cognitive difficulties, supporting medical teams with differential diagnosis, as well as providing strategies to support any highlighted cognitive difficulties, and assessing changes over time. My work routinely involves providing therapeutic support to clients struggling with the emotional impact of neurological conditions, both individually with the client, and also alongside support for family members or carers, and I regularly utilise cognitive behavioural therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy and compassion focussed therapy within this work. I am experienced in assessing clients presenting with behaviours which are challenging to manage, supporting clients, carers and family members with behavioural interventions.
I am currently undertaking a MSc in Clinical Neuropsychology, regularly supervise Trainee Clinical Psychologists, provide academic teaching on doctoral and masters programmes within the North West and Midlands, and have acted as first author on a number of published research papers.
I am able to provide virtual appointments, or face to face appointments within the Cheshire, Merseyside or Greater Manchester area.
Qualifications
• PGDip Clinical Neuropsychology, University of Bristol 2023
• Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, University of Manchester 2018
• BSc Psychology, University of Liverpool 2011
Additional Training
• Cognitive Behaviour Therapy-Insomnia, Sleep Consultancy Ltd, 2024
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Motor Neuron Disease, University College
London, 2021
• Clinical Psychology Supervisor Training, University of Manchester, 2019
• Structured Clinical Management, Anna Freud Centre, 2019
• Liaison Mental Health Training, University of Salford, 2018
• Incredible Years Parent Programme Facilitator Training, The Incredible Years, 2016
Membership of Professional Bodies
• Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) (Reg. No. PYL36124)
•Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) (Ref. No. C1370482)
Publications
- Blakeley, Watts (pending). Stroke multi-disciplinary team experience of a drop-in
mindfulness-based wellbeing group: A thematic analysis.
- Blakeley, Smith, Johnstone, Wittkowski (2019) Parental decision-making following a prenatal
diagnosis that is lethal, life-limiting, or has long term implications for the future child and
family: a meta-synthesis of qualitative literature. BMC medical ethics.
- Blakeley, Smith, Johnstone, Wittkowski (2019) Women’s lived experiences of a prenatal
diagnosis of fetail growth restriction at the limits of viability: An interpretative
phenomenological analysis. Midwifery.
- Blakeley, Smith, Johnstone, Wittkowski (2019). Women’s Psychological and emotional
response to a prenatal diagnosis of fetal growth restriction. Poster presentation at the
British Psychological Society Division of Clinical Psychology Annual Conference. Manchester,
UK.
- Blakeley, Smith, Johnstone, Wittkowski (2018). Parental decision making following lethal or
life-limiting parental diagnosis. Oral presentation at 38th Annual Society of Reproductive
and Infant Psychology Conference. Lodz, Poland.
- Blakeley, Smith, Johnstone, Wittkowski (2018). Women’s experience and decision-making
following a diagnosis of fetal growth restriction. Poster presentation at 38th Annual Society
of Reproductive and Infant Psychology Conference. Lodz, Poland.
- Blakeley, McDonnel (2018). Redesigning level 2 training for oncology professionals using a
CAT informed approach. Poster presentation at The University of Manchester Clinician’s
PsyD Annual Review. Manchester, UK.
- Blakeley, Smith, Johnstone, Wittkowski (2018). Women’s experience and decision-making
following a diagnosis of fetal growth restriction. Poster presentation at The Northern
Midwifery Conference. Manchester, UK.
- Blakeley, Smith, Johnstone, Wittkowski (2018). Parental decision-making following lethal or
life-limiting prenatal diagnosis: a meta-synthesis. Oral presentation at the Division of
Psychology and Mental Health PGR Research Conference. Manchester, UK.
- Guthrie, Afzal, Blakeley, Blakemore et al (2017) CHOICE: Choosing health options in chronic
care emergencies. Programme grants for applied science.
- Blakeley, Blakemore, Hunter, Guthrie et al (2014). Does anxiety predict the use of urgent
care by people with long term health conditions? A systematic review with meta-analysis.
Journal of psychosomatic research.
- Blakeley, Tegart (2014). Evaluating psychological provision within a stroke rehabilitation
service. Oral presentation at the Organisation for Psychological Research into Stroke.
Bangor, UK.
- Blakeley, Macklin, Afzal, Anderson et al (2014). An evaluation of the impact and influence of
lay representative involvement within a five year NIHR programme grant. Poster
presentation at CHOICE Conference. Manchester, UK.
- Blakeley, Downey, Sharma, Hayden et al (2014). Ketamine augmentation of
electroconvulsive therapy to improve the outcomes of treatment. Poster presentation at
the Mental Health Research Network Scientific Meeting. Liverpool, UK.
- Blakeley, Blakemore, Hunter, Guthrie et al (2014). Anxiety and urgent healthcare in long-
term conditions: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Poster presentation at the Mental
Health Research Network Scientific Meeting. Liverpool, UK.