Helen Payne

Professor Helen Payne is a faculty member at the University of Hertfordshire, specializing in psychotherapy with a focus on embodied approaches. She holds a PhD and is affiliated with the School of Life and Medical Sciences and the Psychology and NeuroDiversity Applied Research Unit. Her research interests include mental health in higher education, medically unexplained symptoms, and arts therapies. She has supervised numerous PhD candidates and contributes to journals like Body, Movement and Dance in Psychotherapy. Her work integrates clinical practice, research, and education, emphasizing embodiment in therapy and leadership.

Education:

• PhD, University of London (1997)
• MPhil, University of Manchester (1988)
• Postgraduate Diploma, Institute of Continuing Education (1982)
• Laban Centre Diploma, Goldsmiths College (1979)
• BEd, University of Sheffield (1973)

Research Interests:

• Mental health and wellbeing in higher education
• Embodied psychotherapy for medically unexplained symptoms
• Arts therapies and groupwork
• Attachment theory and trauma
• Embodied leadership and qualitative methodologies

Key Projects:

• BodyMind Approach for self-management of MUS
• Embodied learning in education (AECED project)
• Impact of personal development groups on therapists

Awards:

• Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
• Fellow of the Association for Dance Movement Psychotherapy
• National Task Force for Medically Unexplained Symptoms member