Ashley Bennett

Dr. Ashley Bennett is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Psychology at the University of Bedfordshire, serving as BSc Psychology Course Leader and teaching Research Methods and Statistics across undergraduate levels. Her interdisciplinary expertise bridges clinical psychology and Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Academic qualifications include:

• BSc (Hons) Psychology – University of Bedfordshire
• Post Graduate Diploma in Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture – Acumedic Centre, London (Beijing University of Chinese Medicine)
• PhD Psychology – University of Bedfordshire

Her research program focuses on three core areas: evaluating Traditional Chinese Medicine's efficacy for psychological disorders (depression/anxiety), treating medically unexplained symptoms through integrative approaches, and examining attachment theory's role in therapeutic outcomes for alternative medicine. She employs rigorous clinical trial methodologies including double-blind randomized controlled trials to validate complementary interventions.

Recent publications demonstrate methodologically robust investigations into acupuncture's impact on psychological distress and somatic symptoms, contributing to evidence-based integration of Eastern and Western medical practices. Her work emphasizes empirical validation of alternative therapies within psychological treatment frameworks.

As Course Leader, Dr. Bennett provides academic mentorship and has promoted student research through initiatives like the 2013 Psychology Undergraduate Research Conference keynote. Her current projects include clinical trials evaluating Chinese medicine for depression/anxiety and acupuncture's effectiveness for psychological distress.