In this interview, Rose discusses her role at Oxford Health, focusing on delivering and leading mental health research studies for children and young people, alongside her motivation, career pathway, and aspiration to become a clinical psychologist involved in research.

Tell us about yourself, and what attracted you to working at OHFT?

I’m passionate about understanding people and working collaboratively to support those who are struggling. I’m particularly interested in psychological theories and interventions. Working in research allows me to continue using my clinical skills in patient‑facing roles while developing new skills and contributing to innovative, evidence‑based ways of improving care.

What is the focus of the work in your role?

I am a Senior Clinical Research Assistant and the Children and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) Lead for Oxford Health. I promote, recruit to and deliver studies. I am responsible for leading on all CAMHS studies that are supported by the Trust’s mental health research delivery team. I also help find and set up new studies. Our team manages a wide range of studies including psychological intervention studies, medication studies and questionnaire studies.

What does a day in your current job look like? What are you currently working on?

A day in my current job can vary greatly from day to day. I am currently working on a study for young people who are diagnosed with ADHD and Tic’s looking at which standard medication is the most effective for treating Tic’s. Another study running at our trust is a mindful intervention where young people are allocated to either treatment as usual alone or treatment as usual with the new intervention to see if this new treatment can help improve symptoms for young people with depression/anxiety.

How did you get to where you are today?

I completed an undergraduate degree in psychology before taking roles in different care setting including Autism and Dementia. I always wanted to work within mental health and to pursue this I applied for a Support Worker role in an Adult Mental Health Team(?) at Oxford Health.  I joined that team and spent 2 years there before moving into a day hospital role. Whilst in both roles I was promoting research within my teams and was actively involved in delivering studies. I was offered a one day a week secondment and then applied and was successful for a Clinical Research Assistant Role before then obtaining a Senior Role and becoming the CAMHS Lead.

Who or what inspires you?

I am in awe of the amazing people in my life. My Husband who is very modest when it comes to achievements has done so much since we moved to Oxfordshire. My little girl who at a young age has already shown such determination and puts a lot of effort into the things that are important to her. I also have wonderful friends and family who impress me with what they have managed to overcome and achieve.

I have been very lucky to work with incredible colleagues throughout my career at Oxford Health who are supportive of our patients and their colleagues. I have learnt a lot from many different individuals who work at Oxford Health.

If you were not in your job currently, what would you like to be doing?

I forgot to mention above that I have a small role with a psychological therapy team and am really enjoy it. If I wasn’t in my research role I think I would have a role as an assistant psychologist or similar. My long term goal is to become a Clinical Psychologist involved in research.