Let's Talk Forensic Psychology

We were joined by Emeritus Professor David Wilson to discuss his work in prisons, and more broadly in Criminology.As the Founding Director of the Centre for Applied Criminology at Birmingham City University, David is also the author of more than 25 books, a National Teaching Fellow, and former editor of The Howard Journal. David's work combines a passion for penal reform with a keen interest in true crime and popular culture, reflected in award‑winning TV documentaries such as Interview with a Murderer, In the Footsteps of Killers, and Crime Files. He is also co‑host of the podcast This Much is True Crime, author of A History of Britain in 20 Murders, and has recently completed a sell‑out national tour, Tartan Noir, exploring how crime fiction shapes public perception.We welcome your feedback. Leave a comment below, connect with us on social media or email us at [email protected]

We were joined by Richard Barker, who works as a Consultant Clinical & Forensic Psychologist within the NHS, a BPS National Assessor and Honorary Associate Clinical Professor at The University of Birmingham.
Having worked in forensic mental health settings for over 25 years, predominantly in medium secure male settings, Rich has been a long-standing advocate of both recovery-orientated practice and now trauma-informed practice. He is currently service lead for trauma informed care.
Rich has a particular interest in how trauma-informed care principles translate to leadership, teamship and organisational issues, and we discussed teamship and leadership in forensic settings, specifically focused on promoting trauma informed working within teams. You can access the chapter Rich and Geri recently edited with the Routledge discount code 26ESA1 (20% off valid until 30th June 2026):Barker, R., & Akerman, G. (2026). Working with traumatised teams. In P. Willmot, L. Jones, G. Akerman, & A. Mahoney (Eds.), Trauma-informed forensic interventions. Routledge.
You can see Rich's publications here: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2874-957X We welcome your feedback. Leave a comment below, connect with us on social media or email us at [email protected]

We were joined by Dr Fiona Gullon-Scott to discuss the concept of Fabricated or induced illness and Fiona's policy work advocating for Autistic families.Fiona is a Clinical Psychologist and Associate Fellow with the BPS. She is Programme Director for the Newcastle University Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, Director of the Newcastle University Neurodevelopmental Assessment Service, and Managing Director of a specialist clinical psychology consultancy company.
Fiona has 30 years' specialist experience working clinically and researching autism and more recently wider neurodivergence such as ADHD, and as an International ADOS (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule) and ADI-R (Autism Diagnostic Interview Revised) Trainer.
Fiona's current research focuses heavily on policy-related work linked to improving understanding and awareness of autism and neurodivergence, reducing discrimination, and improving wellbeing and mental health.
You can access some of Fiona's recent publications below:
Gullon-Scott, F.J. & Long, C., (2022) Fabricated or Induced Illness and Perplexing Presentations: What is the evidence base for and against current guidelines, and what are the implications for Social Services? British Journal of Social Work. Open Access https://doi.org/10.1093/bjsw/bcac037
Lockington, D., & Gullon-Scott, F.J. (2025) The Lived Experiences of Autistic Mothers : A Systematic Review and Thematic Synthesis of Qualitative Evidence. Autism & Developmental Language Impairments, 7 (1), doi: 10.1177/23969415251343850
Lockington, D., & Gullon-Scott, F. (2024), "MY WHOLE ENTIRE BEING WAS QUESTIONED": UNDERSTANDING THE LIVING EXPERIENCES OF AUTISTIC MOTHERS. Advance. March 18, 2025.DOI: 10.31124/advance.174228960.08772277/v1
Wilson, A.C. & Gullon-Scott, F.(2024b) 'It's not always textbook social anxiety': A survey-based study investigating the nature of social anxiety and experiences of therapy in autistic people. Autism, 28(11):2923-2936. https://doi.org/10.1177/13623613241251513
Bechlem, B., & Gullon-Scott, F.J. (2025) "Adapting CBT for social anxiety in autism: the feasibility and acceptability of a modified group intervention based on the cognitive model of Clark and Wells (1995)" The Cognitive Behaviour Therapist, 18, e26. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S1754470X25100147
Fiona also kindly provided a number of useful links you may wish to explore to find more resources, research and support information:
FII Campaign website - www.withdrawfii.org
Systematic Review about autistic motherhood - https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/23969415251343850
To download the FII consultation report - https://www.stgeorgeshouse.org/past_consultations/
www.hopegb.co.uk
www.asperger.org.uk
We welcome your feedback. Leave a comment below, connect with us on social media or email us at [email protected].

We were joined by Mental Health Nurse, Richard Lindsley, to discuss working in an attachment based way with children.Richard has over 30 years of experience working with children and young people, and after qualifying as a Mental Health Nurse, worked in CAMHS and then further specialised, working with looked after children.In the episode, Richard discusses TheraPlay and Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy in particular, and shared several heartfelt reflections from his own life and work. We welcome your feedback. Leave a comment below, connect with us on social media or email us at [email protected]

We were joined by Paul Gullon-Scott, Higher Assistant Psychologist and former Digital Forensic Investigator to discuss his work and pioneering research into improving the wellbeing of Digital Forensic Investigators through evidence based adaptations in workplace processes, culture and support.
We welcome your feedback. Leave a comment below, connect with us on social media or email us at [email protected]