Louise has an impressive academic background, holding an honours degree in Psychology from Sheffield University, a masters degree in Applied Criminological Psychology from the University of London and a doctorate in Forensic Psychology Practice from the University of Birmingham.
Her professional journey as a qualified forensic psychologist began in 1995, leading her through diverse roles in the HM Prison Service, the NHS and Youth Offending Teams. She has worked in private practice since 2005 which has included locum contracts with Partnerships in Care, The Priory Group and several local authority secure children’s units.
Louise was honoured to be one of the first two forensic psychologists appointed to the Parole Board in 2003 where she served until 2010 when her term of office ended. She was appointed as a partner of the HCPC and sat on Fitness To Practice panels between 2011 to 2019.
Currently, Louise holds an academic position at Cardiff Metropolitan University where she supervises students on the Post Graduate Forensic Psychology Practitioner Programme. She is a BPS registered applied psychology practice supervisor and holds a Ministry of Justice contract to supervise trainee forensic psychologists who work for HMPPS. Louise has also been appointed as the external examiner for the Forensic Psychology Practice Doctorate at The University of Birmingham.
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She is a Bond Solon/ University of Cardiff accredited expert witness and regularly provides reports and gives evidence in Parole Board hearings and in the Crown, Youth, Magistrates, Appeal and High Court. She is also a national trainer for the BPS accredited expert witness training.
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She specialises in risk assessment and treatment planning for people who have committed sexual and violent offences, those who set fires and others who engage in stalking behaviours. She has expertise in assessing mental illness, learning disability/ difficultes, neurodevelopmental conditions and personality problems which might impact on an individual’s ability to participate effectively in the criminal justice process. She is frequently instructed as an expert in high profile, challenging and unusual cases.
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Louise is recognised as one of the country’s leading experts in working with children and young people who are involved with the criminal justice system or who are at risk of offending. This includes groundbreaking work in assessing the impact of removing anonymity and publicly identifying children and young people who have committed extremely serious offences. Her evidence has been used to support a number of life-long anonymity orders being granted to young adults.
Louise is a leader in applying forensic psychology to education and she is frequently commissioned as a consultant in mainstream and alternative educational settings.
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She maintains a significant practice base and is well known for sharing her expertise through teaching, training, consulting and supervising others.
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When Louise is not at work, she enjoys spending time with her family, going to the gym and hiking up mountains with her two whippets.