Tag Archives: Abigail Finnegan

Abigail Finnegan joins the Psychology Department at Staffordshire University!

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The Psychology Academic team are pleased to welcome Abigail Finnegan who joined the University as a Lecturer in Counselling and Psychology in 2022. Abigail introduces herself below:

Coming to Staffordshire University has been a pivotal moment in my career which allows me to blend my two passions – education and psychotherapy, and the welcome here at Staffordshire University has been simply beautiful from both the staff and students alike.

Picture of Abigail Finnegan smiling at the camera.
Abigail Finnegan

I have a long history of teaching and training, and I have worked in the field of counselling and psychotherapy in various guises in the third sector and the NHS, and now privately. I have been fortunate to train with world leaders in the field of psychological trauma which has supported me in my development of trauma informed practice which I am looking forward to bringing to my role here at Staffs.

Eighteen years ago I founded a counselling organisation providing specialist therapeutic support to children and families affected by sexual and domestic violence, and from there went on to work within Primary Care developing a specialist service for patients with Complex Trauma and persistent physical symptoms. This service was shortlisted in the National GP Awards for clinical practice. I have also chaired various specialist groups working with Child Sexual Exploitation and other areas of sexual violence, and sat on a governmental advisory panel working for Victims of Crime within the Office for Criminal Justice Reform (OCJR).

At Staffs I am currently Level 4 Module Lead on the BSc in Counselling, and I’m looking forward to teaching across both undergraduate and post graduate courses, and supporting students who have an interest in further research on Trauma at dissertation level. My research interests lie in understanding the delicate interplay between the stories we hold and which need to be heard, and the impact on our bodies and minds of our untold stories. I am interested in widening and unifying an understanding of the fragile process which lies beneath the familiar diagnostic labels of complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD), ADHD, Emotionally Unstable/Borderline Personality Disorders, and other similar emotional health diagnoses in a way that has utility to both client and clinician through practice-based inquiry. In line with this I am presently developing trauma informed courses for working with and supporting people with fragile processes that draws on what we now understand about the neurobiology of stress and distress. 

Qualifications: MA (Hons), PGCE, PGDip (Psych), MSc (Psych)

Professional Memberships UKCP, BACP

The Department of Psychology at Staffordshire University offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in Psychology at the University’s £30 million Science Centre in Stoke-on-Trent. The department is home to the Staffordshire Centre for Psychological Research, a large and active group of psychologists, PhD students and researchers conducting work into a variety of psychological disciplines and topic areas.

Interested in a Psychology degree? Come to an Open Day – for further details and to book your place at an open day please click here.