Congratulations to Sophie Parker on being named MAHSC Honorary Clinical Chair
Sophie Parker, Director of Youth Mental Health Research Unit and Consultant Clinical Psychologist at GMMH, recognised for her contribution to clinical psychology and research in the area of adolescent mental health.
Manchester Academic Health Science Committee (MAHSC), part of Health Innovation Manchester, awards honorary appointments to individuals who have made a major contribution to their clinical speciality. This year’s list comprised 16 appointments from across Greater Manchester, including Sophie Parker, who was nominated for her work in early intervention in adolescent mental health as Director of the Youth Mental Health Research Unit, and as a Consultant Clinical Psychologist. There are now 86 MAHSC Honorary Clinical Chairs.
Sophie has a strong track record in delivering ground-breaking research for adolescent mental health. She co-founded the Early Detection and Interventions (EDIT) service at GMMH, a specialist psychological therapy service for young people aged 14-35 years who are experiencing distress and symptoms such as hearing or seeing things that others cannot, suspicious concerns and beliefs that others do not share. This was only the second such service in the world, and the first of its kind in Europe.
This service has since been the research platform for many studies, for example demonstrating that psychosis could be delayed and even prevented by the provision of cognitive behavioural therapy in at-risk adolescents. This research has been widely cited and used to inform national clinical guidelines for the treatment of schizophrenia and psychosis in adults, children and young people.
Under Sophie’s direction, the Youth Mental Health Research Unit is currently investigating new treatments in early detection and prevention of long-term difficulties in young people. This work includes pioneering the development of reliable and valid methods of assessment, and new interventions for young people at high risk of bipolar disorder.
For more information about Sophie Parker’s and the Youth Mental Health Research Unit’s work, please visit: Youth Mental Health Research Unit | Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS FT (gmmh.nhs.uk)
