Melanie Forster

Dr. Melanie Forster is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Psychology at the University of York. She holds a BSc Hons in Psychology with Biology from the University of Manchester (1992) and a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the Institute of Psychiatry in London (1997). Her career spans clinical psychology practice in the NHS, academic teaching, and consultancy in special educational needs (SEN) and mental health. She currently teaches modules on child and adolescent mental health and supervises postgraduate research projects.

• Education:
• BSc Hons Psychology with Biology, University of Manchester, 1992
• Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, London, 1997
• Graduate Teacher Training Programme (QTS), North East England, 2010

Her research focuses on emotional resilience in vulnerable youth, trauma-informed care, and mental health support for children with SEN. She has worked with Youth Offending Services and schools to enhance mental health interventions. Dr. Forster is also a core member of the Special Interest Research Group for Language, Communication and Mental Health, advancing interdisciplinary research in this field.

Externally, she contributes to a therapeutic writing group for a local charity and works part-time clinically in a CYP Neurodevelopmental Team’s Autism Service.