Kate Hicks
Lecturer in Psychology
About
Kate gained her BSc in Counselling Psychology from the University of Chichester and is currently undertaking her Professional Doctorate in Counselling Psychology and Psychotherapy (DCPsych). She has specialist interests in existential psychotherapy, exploring how individuals make sense of meaning, purpose, and identity during significant life transitions.
Kate’s teaching integrates academic theory and research with applied skills and reflective practice. Alongside her teaching, she works clinically within hospice, homelessness support, and low-cost counselling services, supporting individuals experiencing loss, trauma, and mental health challenges.
Professional
Kate is a graduate member of the British Psychological Society and Division of Counselling Psychology (DCoP), and a registered member of the UPCA (Universities Psychotherapy and Counselling Association) and UKCP (UK association of Counselling and Psychotherapy). She is also a fellow of the Higher Education Academy.
Research
Kate’s doctoral research focuses on understanding experiences of compassion in caregiver bereavement, exploring how compassion for others and self-compassion shape transitions following the loss of a loved one. Her wider research interests include mindfulness, wisdom development, embodied approaches to therapy, and the role of meaning-making within therapeutic work.
Publications
Hicks, K., Cleveland, M., & Canessa-Pollard, V. (2026). Finding the words to say how you feel: experiences of using embodied metaphors. Counselling Psychology Quarterly, 1–24. https://doi.org/10.1080/09515070.2026.2616754
Other department members
Alexander T. R. Sharpe
Associate Lecturer in Psychology, Department Administrator
