Senior Forensic Psychologist, Clinical Lead John
Meet John, Senior Forensic Psychologist and Clinical Lead for Discovery Yorkshire and Humberside Personality Disorder Pathway
- Name: John Atkinson
- Role: Senior Forensic Psychologist, Clinical Lead
- Service: Discovery Yorkshire and Humberside Personality Disorder Pathway
What made you want to become a forensic psychologist?
I studied psychology at university but wasn’t sure what to do with it at first. For a couple of years, I didn’t follow a clear path. Then my uncle, who worked as a prison governor, told me about forensic psychology. He said it was interesting, had good career prospects, and that he really enjoyed working in prisons. That got me curious, so I looked into it and ended up working in the prison service for five years.
What does your job involve day-to-day?
After working in prisons, I spent 11 years in a psychiatric hospital with men who had mental health issues and had committed crimes. I mainly worked on wards for people with personality disorders. Since 2020, I’ve been part of the NHS Personality Disorders service, working closely with the probation service.
For the first three years, I was based in Humberside. I supported probation officers by helping them understand and work with people who had serious relationship issues and risky behaviours. We looked at things like poverty, trauma, and abuse to understand how these experiences led to personality problems and offending. I used my experience to help probation staff work more effectively with these individuals.
I also led a supported housing project in Humberside. It was a small team made up of probation staff and housing workers from charities. We helped people on probation reintegrate into the community and reduce reoffending. I gave advice and coordinated with other agencies for extra support. We even published a paper about how well the project worked.
For the past two years, I’ve been the lead psychologist for the West and South Yorkshire Intensive Intervention Risk Management Service (IIRMS), also called ‘Discovery’. I work with a Senior Probation Officer to lead a team that includes probation, NHS, and housing staff. We support people on probation as they return to community life, offering up to 15 months of tailored support including psychology and occupational therapy. I provide clinical leadership, supervision, and training to make sure the team meets the needs of the people we work with.
How has your career progressed since you qualified?
I qualified in 2015, and my career has grown a lot since then. At the hospital, I ran group schema therapy sessions, which are similar to psychotherapy. That experience helped me start a private practice, which I’ve been running for seven years.
I loved working at the hospital—it was interesting and fast-paced—but after 11 years, I wanted a change. My current role gives me more flexibility and independence, and I get to use all my skills. It can be tough when people reoffend or struggle, but it’s very rewarding to see them make lasting improvements in their thinking, behaviour, relationships, and lives.
I’ve also worked part-time in universities. I taught on the MSc in Applied Forensic Psychology at York University for two years, and for the past five years, I’ve taught a module on Forensic Psychology and Counselling at the Open University.
What’s your favourite part of the job?
I really enjoy meeting different people and building strong relationships with them. I’m good at connecting with others and finding common ground, which makes this job a great fit for me. I also love working with other professionals to help them improve their skills in supporting vulnerable people.
What qualifications did you need for this role?
I started with a psychology degree, then did a master’s in forensic psychology. After that, there are three main routes to becoming a qualified forensic psychologist. I chose the Stage 2 qualification through the British Psychological Society (BPS). This involved supervised practice, building a portfolio of work, and weekly supervision. Once I submitted everything, I became a Chartered Psychologist. It was a new route at the time, so it took longer than expected, but it’s quicker now.
Another route is doing a doctorate in forensic psychology at a university. It takes at least two years and includes placements, supervision, and submitting evidence. You earn the title of Doctor.
The third option is the Forensic Psychology Practitioner Programme (PgD) from Cardiff University. It mixes academic study with practical training and is supported by university and workplace supervisors. It doesn’t give you BPS chartership, but you can still register with the Health and Care Professions Council and work in various settings.
Any advice for someone thinking about forensic psychology?
Know what kind of setting and work you’re interested in, learn about the different pathways, and make a plan. Working in prisons or psychiatric hospitals isn’t for everyone, so make sure it suits you. Getting hands-on experience is really helpful. One good way is to work as a support worker in a psychiatric hospital. Many of these places have patients who’ve committed offences, so you’ll get a taste of forensic work. You’ll also get to see forensic psychologists in action and learn from them. This experience will help you understand what it’s like to work with people who have mental health and offending issues.