Adrienne McDermid-Thomas

Adrienne McDermid-Thomas serves as Senior Lecturer of Art Psychotherapy and Programme Leader for the MSc in Art Psychotherapy at Queen Margaret University's School of Occupational Therapy and Arts Therapies. A registered Art Psychotherapist with extensive NHS and third-sector experience, she specializes in therapeutic interventions across complex mental health contexts.

Her educational foundation includes an MA in English Language and Literature from the University of Edinburgh (1999) followed by Art Psychotherapy qualification in 2004. Professional development spans forensic mental health services, substance misuse programs, community mental health initiatives, and dementia care settings.

Research priorities focus on Art Psychotherapy applications for mental health recovery during transitions from secure accommodation, nature-based environmental arts therapies, and specialized supervision methodologies. She maintains strong commitment to practice-education frameworks across clinical and academic environments.

As Programme Leader, she oversees the MSc curriculum within the Person-centred Practice framework, delivering lectures, workshops, and facilitating Interpersonal Learning Groups alongside Practice-based Supervision Groups. International contributions include arts therapies education development in Spain and Chile.

Professional recognition includes membership in the British Association of Art Therapists (BAAT) and registration with the Health Professions Council (HPC). Her work integrates clinical practice with academic leadership through voluntary sector partnerships advancing outdoor therapeutic applications.