Lucy Cooper

Lecturer

School of Health & Wellbeing

01752 636700

lcooper@marjon.ac.uk

Role Summary

I am a lecturer on the BSc (Hons) Psychotherapy and Counselling degree at Plymouth Marjon University, as well as a BACP Accredited Counsellor/Psychotherapist and PhD student at Sheffield Hallam University.

The majority of my clinical experience is in supporting students within Higher Education; as a Counsellor/Psychotherapist, a Specialist Mental Health Mentor, or in other Student Support and Welfare roles. I have worked in a variety of mental health charities and services across South Yorkshire as a counsellor or service manager.

I have also volunteered as a research ethics application reviewer for universities. These different, but often related experiences have helped inform my research interests.

Qualifications

PhD in Psychology (in progress), Sheffield Hallam University
MSc in Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP Accredited), University of Derby
PG Certificate in Counselling Skills, University of Derby
BSc (Hons) in Psychology, University of Sheffield

Teaching

Counselling and Psychotherapy
Psychology
Research methods (quantiative and qualitative)

Research

My experience in working with students has inspired my current PhD research; investigating Perfectionism, Anxiety and Wellbeing in UK Undergraduates. My thesis has involved analysing a large survey data-set I obtained in 2018, measuring multi-dimensional perfectionism, anxiety, worry, resilience, wellbeing and social media use in students. This has been analysed using various statistical tests, including regression, factor analysis and structural equation modelling. I also developed, implemented and evaluated a dual-factor intervention for students with perfectionism, combining Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy and Positive Psychology.

My research interests include:

Higher Education students' wellbeing trends and contributing factors, including; student mental health, transitions, social media use, academic attainment and wider socio-political and contextual factors
Higher Education professional and student support services; trends, challenges and solutions for delivery
Multi-dimensional perfectionism, wellbeing and procrastination
Counselling and psychotherapeutic interventions
Mental health and wellbeing
Positive Psychology

I have also worked as a research assistant for projects such as GrowPlus (positive psychology interventions for university students) and a project funded by Royal College of Nursing; a mixed-methods investigation exploring mental health nursing provisions for children and young people.

Publications

Expert Membership of professional bodies

Roles on external bodies

Other Interests

Other than enjoying teaching and research, I'm also a keen rock climber, a caffeine-obsessive, a travel-enthusiast, a film-watcher, an occasional walker/cycler/swimmer and a frequent-music-festival-goer. Rarely am I seen without music or the radio on.