Sue Holttum

I am a senior lecturer in applied psychology research, and supervise PhDs and clinical psychology doctorate research.

I work four days per week at the university, and half a day per week at the British Association of Art Therapists as Research Officer. My PhD was on psychological components of depression, and my research interests and publications cover psychological therapies including arts therapies, and social determinants of mental distress and wellbeing.

I support the consultation of experts by experience in relation to mental health research. Social inclusion is important to me, and I wrote a regular Research Watch feature for the journal Mental Health and Social Inclusion for 10 years, winning awards in the last four years. I am an Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society and a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.

I supervise clinical psychology doctorate research and PhD students, and regularly publish co-authored papers with former students. I also provide research methods consultation to qualified clinical psychologists and art therapists, and have acted as external examiner for clinical and counselling psychology doctoral research at King's, Birmingham University, University of the West of England, UCL and University of East London.

My research has increasingly focused on arts therapies, as well as what helps when people have psychosis experiences or receive a psychosis-related diagnosis.

Research Projects

A grounded theory exploring if art psychotherapy can ameliorate experiential avoidance for military veterans.. Researcher(s): Ms Alison Smith. Supervisor(s): Dr Val Huet, Dr Sue Holttum. [Postgraduate Research Project]
Art therapy with boys in the looked after (LA) system: Exploring the use of tools and resistant materials in their therapy. Researcher(s): Ms Heather Demmon. Supervisor(s): Dr Val Huet, Dr Sue Holttum. [Postgraduate Research Project]
BAAT Guidelines on Art Therapy for people with a psychosis-related diagnosis. Researcher(s): Dr Sue Holttum. [Project report]
Credibility and health professional academics - a discursive exploration based on midwifery. Researcher(s): Mrs Faith Manyema-Nicol. Supervisor(s): Dr Sue Holttum, Professor Margie Callanan, Dr Sarah Cant. [Postgraduate Research Project]
Doctoral Research Project. Researcher(s): Mrs Rachel Waddingham. Supervisor(s): Dr Anne Cooke, Dr Sue Holttum. [Postgraduate Research Project (past)]
Engagement in community music activities as a vehicle to combat mental health related stigma, with specific interest in the work if the Me2/Orchestra, Vermont. Researcher(s): Mrs Debra Rodgers. Supervisor(s): Dr Maria Varvarigou, Dr Sue Holttum. [Postgraduate Research Project (past)]
Investigation into the metalization and metacognitions in a CBT context and their impact on clients’ within and out of session engagement and treatment outcome.. Researcher(s): Mrs Monika Wilde. Supervisor(s): Dr Sue Holttum, Dr Fergal Jones, Dr Daniel Salter. [Postgraduate Research Project]
Primary-smART (Primary school mentalisation-based art therapy): intervention development and optimisation. Researcher(s): Ms Alex McDonald. Supervisor(s): Dr Sue Holttum, Dr Fergal Jones. [Postgraduate Research Project]
Service configurations for psychosis – what works for whom in what combinations and contexts and why? A realist evidence synthesis. Researcher(s): Dr Sue Holttum, Professor Chris Burton, Ms Laura Lea. [Project]

I led the research and expert-by-experience consultation components of producing the BAAT Guidelines on Art therapy for People with a Psychosis-Related Diagnosis (2020) and was a major researcher, author and editor on the BPS document Understanding Depression (2020).

I was Associate Editor for Research Reporting Standards at the International Journal of Art Therapy for several years, mentored new authors, and helped develop their template for research articles.

My work with the BPS has included a role on the equality, diversity and inclusion advisory panel for The Psychologist magazine, and as a member of the BPS Taskforce on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, which completed its work in 2020.

Artway: gallery art therapy group for young people with mental health difficulties Scott, W., Holttum, S., Fischer, M., (17 May 2024): Taylor and Francis Online. [Journal article]
Primary school mentalisation-based art therapy (Primary-smART): a Person-based approach optimisation study Kavermann, S., Holttum, S., Lloyd, B, Zubala, A., Bourne, J., Hackett, S., (18 Apr 2024): Taylor & Francis. [Journal article]
Identifying the mechanisms of poetry therapy and perceived effects on participants: A synthesised replication case study Alfrey, Abigail, Xenophontes, Ioanna, Field, V., Springham, Neil, Holttum, Sue, (31 Jan 2022): Elsevier. [Journal article]
Seeing through the façade of Anorexia: A grounded theory of emotional change processes associated with recovery from Anorexia Nervosa Drinkwater, Danielle, Holttum, Sue, Lavender, Tony, Startup, Helen, Oldershaw, Anna, (24 Jun 2022): Frontiers. [Journal article]
Therapist and client experiences of art therapy in relation to psychosis: a thematic analysis Holttum, S., Barrett, H., Wright, T., (04 Apr 2022): Taylor & Francis. [Journal article]
"I've lived that thing that we do with families": Understanding the experiences of practitioners' undertaking a three-year open dialogue UK training programme Wates, A., Allen, J, Cooke, A, Holttum, S, (17 Sep 2021): Springer. [Journal article]
"My heart on this bit of paper": A grounded theory of the mechanisms of change in art therapy for military veterans. Schnitzer, Gabriel, Holttum, Sue, Huet, Val, (26 Oct 2021, 15 Jan 2022): Elsevier. [Journal article]
‘A life I can cope with’. An alternative model of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for CFS/ME Clark, C., Holttum, S., (02 Sep 2021): Wiley. [Journal article]
A grounded theory analysis of the experience of therapy in the context of negative change Hart, Christina, Boellinghaus, Inga, Holttum, Sue, Shepherd, Melanie, O’Brien, Clare, Salter, Daniel, (24 Jun 2021, 01 Apr 2021): SAGE. [Journal article]
A systematic literature review of the impact of art therapy upon post-traumatic stress disorder Schnitzer, G., Holttum, S., Huet, V., (26 Apr 2021, 02 Oct 2021): Taylor & Francis. [Journal article]
Art therapy with people diagnosed with psychosis: therapists’ experiences of their work and the journey to their current practice Holttum, S., Wright, T., Wood, C., (24 Mar 2021): Taylor & Francis. [Journal article]
Identifying the mechanisms of poetry therapy and associated effects on participants: A synthesised review of empirical literature Alfrey, Abigail, Field, V., Xenophontes, Ioanna, Holttum, Sue, (30 Jun 2021, Sep 2021): Elsevier. [Journal article]
Art therapy in museums and galleries: evidence and research Holttum, S., (21 Feb 2020), Art therapy in museums and galleries: reframing practice. UK: Jessica Kingsley. [Book chapter]
Primary-school-based art therapy: A mixed methods comparison study on children’s classroom learning Holttum, S., McDonald, A., (12 Jun 2020): Taylor & Francis. [Journal article]
Primary-school-based art therapy: exploratory study of changes in children’s social, emotional and mental health McDonald, A., Holttum, S., Drey, N., (02 Jul 2019): Taylor & Francis. [Journal article]
Research watch: mental health services supporting social inclusion Holttum, S., (01 Nov 2019): Pier Professional. [Journal article]
The Birds Nest Drawing and accompanying stories in the assessment of attachment security Young Yoon, J., Betts, D., Holttum, S., (18 Dec 2019): Taylor and Francis Online. [Journal article]
An exploration of young people’s narratives of hope following experience of psychosis Bonnett, V., Berry, C., Meddings, S., Holttum, S., (18 Apr 2018): Taylor & Francis. [Journal article]
Evaluation of arts based courses within a UK recovery college for people with mental health challenges Stevens, J., Butterfield, C., Whittington, A., Holttum, S., (04 Jun 2018): MDPI. [Journal article]
Inclusion of family and parenthood in mental health recovery Holttum, S.: Emerald. [Journal article]
Now they're listening: involvement in clinical psychology training Lea, L., Holttum, S., Butters, V., Byrne, D., Cable, H., Morris, D., Richardson, R., Riley, L., Warren, H., (2018): Emerald. [Journal article]
Pets, animal-assisted therapy and social inclusion Holttum, S.: Emerald. [Journal article]
Processes in an experience-based co-design project with family carers in community mental health Chisholm, L., Holttum, S., Springham, N., (29 Oct 2018): SAGE. [Journal article]
Research watch: men’s social inclusion and suicide prevention Holttum, S.: Emerald. [Journal article]
Research watch: therapists’ working conditions and their implications for service users’ social inclusion Holttum, S.: Pier Professional. [Journal article]
‘I can see it and I can feel it, but I can’t put my finger on it’: A Foucauldian discourse analysis of experiences of relating on psychiatric inpatient units Cheetham, J., Holttum, S., Springham, N., Butt, K., (27 Oct 2017): British Psychological Society. [Journal article]
Group art therapy: supporting social inclusion through an ancient practice? Holttum, S.: Emerald. [Journal article]
Mental health of people in the military depends on social inclusion: why not for all of us? Holttum, S.: Emerald. [Journal article]
Mindfulness practice following mindfulness-based cognitive therapy Jones, F., Langdon, S., Hutton, J., Holttum, S., Sussex Mindfulness Centre Annual Conference. [Conference paper]
Research watch: is social inclusion for service users increased when mental health professionals “come out” as service users? Holttum, S.: Emerald. [Journal article]
Social exclusion prevents us understanding the role of sleep in psychosis and “schizophrenia” Holttum, S.: Emerald. [Journal article]
Aims for service user involvement in mental health training: staying human Lea, L., Holttum, S., Cooke, A., Riley, L., (2016): Emerald. [Journal article]
Art therapists with experience of mental distress: implications for art therapy training and practice Huet, V., Holttum, S., British Association of Art Therapists, (14 Sep 2016): Taylor & Francis. [Journal article]
Art therapy-based groups for work-related stress with staff in health and social care: an exploratory study Huet, V., Holttum, S., (16 Jun 2016, Sep 2016): Elsevier. [Journal article]
Dyslexia: is it genetic and what does this mean for social inclusion? Holttum, S., (2016): Emerald. [Journal article]
Ethnic minority membership and depression in the UK and America Holttum, S.: Emerald. [Journal article]
How do “mental health professionals” who are also or have been “mental health service users” construct their identities? Holttum, S., Richards, J., Springham, N., (12 Jan 2016): SAGE. [Journal article]
How included are mental health service users in decisions about their medication? Holttum, S., (2016): Emerald. [Journal article]
Mental health, human rights and social inclusion for adults and children Holttum, S.: Emerald. [Journal article]
Predictors of IAPT psychological well-being practitioners’ intention to use CBT self-help materials routinely in their clinical practice Levy, M., Holttum, S., Dooley, J., Ononaiye, M., (Jun 2016): British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies. [Journal article]
Processes of change in school-based art therapy with children: a systematic qualitative study Deboys, R., Holttum, S., Wright, K., (22 Dec 2016): Taylor & Francis. [Journal article]
Reaching a UK consensus on art therapy for people with a diagnosis of a psychotic disorder using the Delphi method Holttum, S., Huet, V., Wright, Tim, (09 Dec 2016): Taylor & Francis. [Journal article]
Coping with cognitive behaviour therapy for psychosis, adapting it for another culture, and community inclusion Holttum, S., (2015): Pier Professional. [Journal article]
Do clinicians and clinical researchers do enough to foster social inclusion? Holttum, S., (2015): Pier Professional. [Journal article]
Do computers increase older people’s inclusion and wellbeing? Holttum, S.: Emerald. [Journal article]
School inclusion for children with mental health difficulties Holttum, S., (2015): Pier Professional. [Journal article]
Students, inclusion, help-seeking and compassionate caring Holttum, S., (May 2015): Pier Professional. [Journal article]
Development of a measure of caregiver burden in paediatric chronic kidney disease: the Paediatric Renal Caregiver Burden Scale Parham, R., Jacyna, N., Horthi, D., Marks, S., Holttum, S., Camic, P., (18 Mar 2014): SAGE. [Journal article]
The process of engaging in mindfulness-based cognitive therapy as a partnership: a grounded theory study Smith, E., Jones, F., Holttum, S., Griffiths, K., (25 Jan 2014). [Journal article]
Mechanisms of collaboration to support social interaction in ASC Holttum, S., Yuill, N., Carr, A., Kreitmayer, S., 1st International Conference on Innovative Technologies for Autism Spectrum Disorders. [Conference poster]
Testing a model of research intention among U.K. clinical psychologists: a logistic regression analysis Eke, G., Holttum, S., Hayward, M.. [Journal article]
A grounded theory investigation of life experience and the role of social support for adolescent offspring after parental brain injury Moreno-Lopez, A., Holttum, S., Oddy, M.. [Journal article]
A grounded-theory study of mindfulness practice following mindfulness-based cognitive therapy Langdon, S., Jones, F., Hutton, J., Holttum, S.: Springer. [Journal article]
Research watch Holttum, S., (2011): Pier Professional. [Journal article]
Research Watch (2) Holttum, S., (01 Feb 2011): Emerald. [Journal article]
From student to service user to research lecturer on a clinical psychology programme: a personal view on why clinical psychology training needs service user involvement Holttum, S., (May 2010): British Psychological Society. [Journal article]
Gender identity, research self-efficacy and research intention in trainee clinical psychologists in the UK Wright, A., Holttum, S., (15 Dec 2010): John Wiley & Sons. [Journal article]
Perceived improvements in service user involvement in two clinical psychology training courses Holttum, S., Hayward, M., (2010): Higher Education Academy Psychology Network.. [Journal article]
Comparative clinical feasibility study of three tools for delivery of cognitive behavioural therapy for mild to moderate depression and anxiety, provided on a self-help basis Pittaway, S., Cupitt, C., Palmer, D., Arowobusoye, N., Milne, R., Holttum, S., Pezet, R., Patrik, H., (Sep 2009): Radcliffe Publishing. [Journal article]
Perceived changes associated with autogenic training for anxiety: a grounded theory study Yurdakul, L., Holttum, S., Bowden, A.. [Journal article]
Service user and carer involvement in clinical psychology doctoral training: Training as a professional and remaining human Holttum, S., 10th Mental Health Nursing Forum Conference. [Conference paper]
Reflections on involving service users and carers in clinical psychology training Holttum, S., (Jun 2008). [Journal article]
How do women experience myocardial infarction? A qualitative exploration of illness perceptions, adjustment and coping White, J., Hunter, M., Holttum, S., (2007): Routledge. [Journal article]
Involving service users and carers in clinical psychology training Goodbody, L., Holttum, S., Authenticity to Action Conference. [Conference paper]
Children's explanations of aggressive incidents at school within an attribution framework Joscelyne, T., Holttum, S., (2006): Wiley-Blackwell. [Journal article]
Factors influencing levels of research activity in clinical psychologists: a new model Holttum, S., Goble, L., (2006): John Wiley & Sons. [Journal article]
WAIS III UK: an extension of the UK comparability study Wycherley, R., Lavender, T., Holttum, S., Crawford, J., Mockler, D., (Jun 2005): British Psychological Society. [Journal article]
Quality improvement projects: an introduction Holttum, S., Raval, H., Sperlinger, D., (2003): Canterbury Christ Church University College (Salomons). [Journal article]
The relationship between acceptance and cognitive representations of pain in participants of a pain management programme Rankin, H., Holttum, S., (2003): Routledge. [Journal article]
Determinants of quality of life in black African women with HIV living in London Onwumere, J., Holttum, S., Hirst, F., (2002): Routledge. [Journal article]
Personality style, psychological adaptation and expectations of trainee clinical psychologists Brooks, J., Holttum, S., Lavender, T., (2002): John Wiley & Sons. [Journal article]
Small-scale placement-based research in clinical psychology training: the role of qualitative methods Holttum, S., Lavender, T., (Sep 2001). [Journal article]
An investigation of the impact of training social workers and their managers Duffy, T., Holttum, S., Keegan, M., (1998): Center for Study and Control of Alcoholism and Addictions. [Journal article]
Express yourself? Research in brief Holttum, S., (1998): The British Psychological Society. [Journal article]
Is abstinence from alcohol dangerous? Research in brief Holttum, S., (1998): The British Psychological Society. [Journal article]

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Faculty of Science, Engineering and Social Sciences

School of Psychology and Life Sciences

Salomons Institute for Applied Psychology

Dr Sue Holttum

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