ABOUT

Dr Emma Černis ("Chur-niss") is Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychology at the University of Birmingham, UK.

 

Emma's work focuses on understanding dissociative experiences from a psychological perspective, taking a primarily cognitive approach.

 

Through her research, Emma aims to develop an effective talking (CBT) therapy for dissociative experiences and to improve the care that people with dissociation are offered. As part of this, Emma hopes her work can raise awareness of dissociation amongst clinicians and improve their confidence working with it.

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Clinically, Emma specialises in working with people facing highly complex difficulties. For over a decade, she held various roles supporting people of all ages experiencing psychosis across the full range of clinical severity: from children and adolescents with 'at risk mental state', to adults and older adults with diagnoses of chronic 'schizophrenia'. She also has experience working with children, young people, and families affected by sexual harm. Her clinical work now focuses on young adults experiencing dissociation in the context of 'at risk mental state', or a first episode of psychosis.

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Emma's clinical and research supervision style is heavily influenced by her clinical training. Expect goal-setting, action plans, collaborative formulations of your research or clinical stuck-points - and lots of colour coding.

 

A lifelong Formula 1 fan, and semi-regular runner, Emma is adjusting well to the West Midlands climate since relocating from Oxfordshire.