Deborah Rafter

Deborah Rafter is a Senior Lecturer in Mental Health Nursing at Teesside University's SHLS Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedic Practice department. She combines clinical practice as an accredited CBT therapist with academic roles, currently serving as Course Leader for the Assessment and Intervention Skills for Psychological Wellbeing Practice programme and teaching on the BSc Nursing Studies (Mental Health) course. Her career spans 19 years in mental health nursing across inpatient, community, and forensic settings.

Education:

• Diploma in Forensic Health and Social Care (2002)
• BSc Promoting Practice Effectiveness (2007)
• PgD CBT (date unspecified)
• PGCE Learning and Teaching in Higher Education (date unspecified)
• MA Education (2015)

Research Interests: Focuses on innovative teaching strategies such as role-play simulation for clinical preparation, integration of CBT in mental health nursing, and forensic mental health care. Her MA study examined role-play simulation's impact on student readiness for clinical practice.

Practice Roles: Maintains clinical practice with Teesside University's student services department and holds BABCP accreditation as a CBT therapist. Previously worked in medium secure facilities and prisons, shaping her expertise in forensic mental health.