Professor Catherine Butler

I am an Associate Professor and Interim Programme Director of the DClinPsy at the University of Exeter. My research interests include sexual and gender identity, whiteness and anti-racism and intersectionality. For over ten years, I have produced post-graduate level qualitative research, in both universities and in the NHS. My work won the 2003 BPS Lesbian and Gay Section Postgraduate Prize. I’ve secured research funding from many sources, including the British Academy, British Psychological Society and The Association of Family Therapy. I am an experienced conference presenter and organiser in the UK and internationally, from keynote speaker and discussant, to symposium Convenor and Chair. I’ve also been an internal and external examiner for Doctorate in Clinical Psychology theses, and supervised many trainee research projects, as well as PhDs and Masters students. My 2009 article in Journal of Family Therapy (JFT) was included amongst the 24 articles awarded 'most influential on social justice and diversity in Family Therapy: a collaboration between Family Process and JFT 1980-2019'.

I’ve over ten years’ experience of lecturing in universities and teaching in the voluntary sector. I am a Senior Fellow of The Higher Education Academy. My lectures address issues as diverse as sexual and gender minorities, sexual health, qualitative research methods, and systemic therapy. I develop – and evaluate – a range of bespoke training, for example, I approached Bristol Myers Squibb to host my international and national workshops on using Motivational Interviewing for HIV drug adherence. After the success of these events, BMS collaborated with me on a new training DVD.  In 2009, my LGBT awareness training DVD, ‘Homoworld’ won the London Independent Film Festival’s ‘Best LGBT Film’ award.  I secured funding from the Higher Education Authority, produced, co-wrote and acted in it.

I have been a member of the British Psychological Society’s (BPS) Psychology of Sexualities Committee and The BPS HIV and Sexual Health Faculty, where I organised and chaired conferences, symposiums and conducted national workshops.

I am a qualified systemic psychotherapist and have built up a wealth of experience in working with families, couples and individuals. I have set up couple clinics In all but one of the NHS settings where I have worked. I have developed and run a range of training, including Foundation and Intermediate accredited courses and one-off workshops. I was a Panel Member of the Association of Family Therapy’s Accreditation Committee and an external examiner on the systemic strand of the MSc in Psychological Therapists in Exeter University.

I have supervised both qualified and trainee counselling and clinical psychologists. I’ve managed teams of therapists, in Primary Care and Acute Hospital Trusts. I have supported and developed staff in a range of situations  - good and bad.

I am an experienced author and peer-reviewer, please see my CV for more information.