Anne Bentley

Lecturer

School of Health & Wellbeing

01752 636700

abentley@marjon.ac.uk

Role Summary

I am a lecturer on the MPsy Psychotherapy and Counselling degree at Plymouth Marjon University, as well as a BACP Accredited Counsellor and Doctoral student at University of Plymouth.

From 2012-2021, I was Manager of the Student Wellbeing Services at the University of Plymouth, managing 3 teams of counsellors, mental health advisors and the Pastoral & Spiritual Support Team. I was Chair of HUCS (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, Heads of University Counselling Services) and a member of AMOSSHE (Association of Managers of Student Services in Higher Education).

Qualifications

Post Graduate Certificate in Academic Practice (PGCAP), University of Plymouth, 2015-2016
PGCert in Continuing Professional Development (Supervision), University of Leicester, 2004
Registered. MBACP (Accredited) British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy, 2000- TO DATE
MA in Consultation and the Organisation, Tavistock and Portman NHS Trust 1997-1999
MSc in Psychological Counselling, Roehampton Institute, Surrey University, 1993-1996
Diploma in Psychological Counselling, Roehampton Institute, Surrey University, 1992-1993
BA (Hons) Philosophy, Politics and Economics, St Hugh’s College, Oxford University, 1985-1988

Research

Bentley, A., Virgo, M. & Hastings, D. (2016) Reaching out to enhance the wellbeing of international students. Are university counselling and wellbeing services accessible and inclusive? In Research into the international student experience in the UK2015-16. pp. 46-69. London: UKCISA. Available at: https://www.ukcisa.org.uk/Research--Policy/Resource-bank/resources/111/Reaching-out-to-enhance-the-wellbeing-of-international-students-

This research was Highly Commended in the UKCISA Paul Webley Award for Innovation in International Education 2016.

Research grants/funding

2015-2016 UKCISA Grants Scheme Award: Reaching out to enhance the wellbeing of international students. Are university counselling and wellbeing services accessible and inclusive? £5000

2013-14 PEDRIO Teaching Fellowship Award Scheme: ‘Exploring the Benefits of Peer to Peer Helping Relationships’, £5300. Research report available at Plymouth University Pearl Repository.

Publications

Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles

Homer S, Solbrig L, Djama D, Bentley A, Kearns S & May J (2021) 'The researcher Toolkit: A preventative, peer-support approach to postgraduate research student mental health' Studies in Graduate and Postdoctoral Education

Bentley, A (2018) A tale of two capitals: a Bourdieusian perspective on counselling in higher education, British Journal of Guidance & Counselling

Bentley, A (2018) ‘I was just like, Wow!’: Students’ perceptions of how counselling benefitted their academic experience. Counselling and Psychotherapy Research, June, Vol.18 (2), pp.215-219.

Bentley, A. (1997) The Psychological Effects of Homelessness and their Impact on the Development of a Counselling Relationship. Counselling Psychology Quarterly; Vol. 10, No. 2, pp. 195-210.

Additional Publications

Bentley, A. (2022) Suicide prevention through online staff training. An Office for Students Case Study. https://www.officeforstudents.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/promoting-equal-opportunities/effective-practice/case-studies/

Bentley, A (2018) ‘A counselling service is our last choice ….. sorry’. University & College Counselling. Vol. 6 (3).

Bentley, A and Sibley, D. (2015) Image conscious. University & College Counselling. Vol. 04, Issue 03, pp16-19.

Bentley, A. (2015) Hear (and Now). University & College Counselling. Vol.03, Issue 05, pp 22-27.

Bentley, A. (2010) The Journey. Mslexia, Issue 45 Apr/May/Jun.

This story won second prize in the Mslexia Short Story Competition 2010

Bentley, A. (2001) We are not a grandmother, First Person. The Guardian, Family section, 13.01.07

Bentley, A. (1999) Counselling in an Urban Police Service. Counselling. Vol.10, No. 5, pp 349-355.

Bentley, A. (1994) Counselling and Homelessness, Counselling, Vol. 5, No. 2, pp. 132-134.

This article was also published in 1996 in; Stephen Palmer, Sheila Dainow and Pat Milner (eds.) Counselling: The BAC Counselling Reader.

Expert Membership of professional bodies

Fellow of Advance HE (Higher Education Academy)

Chair of the British Association for Counselling, Heads of University Counselling Services (HUCS) 2019-2021

I was an Expert Reviewer for an Epigeum, Oxford University Press International Student Success Programme reviewing online content designed for international students studying in the UK (2020-2021) https://www.epigeum.com/courses/studying/international-student-success/

Other Interests

I love teaching, research and writing. When I am not doing these, I can be found reading vegetarian cookbooks, watching films, wandering through bookshops and indoctrinating my teenage children into shoegaze music. I am a lover of coffee and Indian food.