Dr Deborah Morris

I am a Consultant Clinical Psychologist, with a master’s in forensic psychology, and over 20 years qualified experience in crisis, community, forensic and prison settings. I have predominantly worked with autistic people, and people with intellectual disabilities, primarily in women’s services. I have also worked in secure and prison settings, focused on addressing trauma needs. I have held senior clinical leadership roles including lead psychologist and clinical lead for services.

As the founding director for the Centre of Developmental and Complex Trauma (CDCT), I hold responsibility for the portfolio and performance of the centre. The CDCT have won multiple publishing awards for journal papers and scientific awards for conference presentations. We have also held paid consultancy roles for the US government, sit on NIHR grant oversite committees and regularly collaborate with senior public health agencies. The Centres international conference programme attracts speakers with global reputations and audiences. The global reach of the CDCT extends to people from over 38 countries engaging with the CDCT in research, SIGS or with our international conference programme.

My academic responsibilities include being the course founder and Director for the MSc Practitioner in Psychological Trauma and the PGDiP in Complex Trauma, at the University. I also hold several visiting lecture positions at Universities in the UK. During my career I have supervised or co-supervised 23 doctoral, MSc and MRes research projects, many of which have resulted in publications with students.

I am Editor in Chief for Advances in Autism and have held guest editor roles with BMC Psychology and Advances in Intellectual Disabilities and Mental Health. I am the co-editor of the upcoming book “Understanding ICD-11 CPTSD: A Scientific and Evidence-Based Guide for Assessment & Treatment” and have authored over 160 peer-reviewed journal papers, book chapters and conference presentations.

My primary research interests focus on different aspects of psychological trauma in underrepresented populations, in particular autistic people and people who present with complex PTSD and ‘personality’ related needs. I have also published around moral injury and occupational distress, SPJ risk assessments, co-production, the efficacy of psychoeducation, male trauma experiences in secure settings, autogenic sources of PTSD and ethical issues.

In my spare time I indulge my obsessions with Star Wars, puzzles and scuba diving with predator sharks, and relax through swimming. I unproductively invest time in my largely unsuccessful attempts to establish an organic allotment. I am an avid cook and enthusiastically avoid all forms of organised fitness.