Danielle McDermott is an Associate Senior Lecturer for the BSc (Hons) Forensic Psychology Degree. Danielle has a BA (Hons.) in Psychology and Management at the University of Leeds, an MSc in Applied Forensic Psychology at the University of York and is currently undertaking a part time PhD in Psychology at the Institute for Psychological Sciences, University of Leeds, for which she received a Scholarship. Danielle also has a Postgraduate Certificate in Clinical Case Formulation at the University of Central Lancashire (with distinction). Danielle's thesis explores the risk factors associated with self-harming behaviours in young and adult male offenders. 

Prior to lecturing at Leeds Trinity University, Danielle had 7 years’ experience working in the Psychology Department of one of the busiest local prisons in the country, housing male prisoners aged 21 and above. She then went on to work with male juveniles aged between 15-18. In Danielle’s first year of work in the Prison Service Danielle was nominated for, and consequently won, both regionally and nationally, the Prison Service Staff of the Year Award. She then went on to manage the Safer Custody Unit at HMP Leeds which was a specialist unit for vulnerable prisoners. Danielle was responsible for managing 5 prison officers, a Registered Mental Health Nurse, a Drug Worker and 2 Administration Support staff. Danielle designed and delivered a 4 week psychosocial programme aimed at increasing skills in impulsive and emotional management, communication and problem solving skills (all of which have previous research to suggest that offenders, particularly vulnerable ones, have deficits in these areas). Danielle has experience writing and presenting risk assessments to professionals, particularly for the Parole Board. Danielle has provided cognitive behavioural based interventions to offenders on both a group and an individual basis and has experience writing tailored treatment plans to reduce re-offending. Danielle has also delivered training to Prison Service staff on topics such as Motivational Interviewing and Pro-Social Modelling.

PSY 4202 Level 4 Introduction to Forensic Psychology (Module Co-ordinator)

PSY 5202 Level 5 Forensic Psychology in Theory and Practice 

PSY 6402 Level 6 Applied Forensic Psychology 

PSY 6222 Level 6 Forensic Psychology (option for Psychology students) 

PSY 6114 Level 6 Major Research Project

PSY 6122 Level 6 Special Subject 

PSY6232 Forensic Practitioner (Module Co-ordinator)

Criminal Justice Employability Contacts

Danielle continues to liaise, maintain and create new contacts in the Criminal Justice arena, particularly within the Prison Service, Crime Reduction Initiatives, Probation Services, Offender Bail Hostels, Offender Rehabilitation Charities and Sex Offender Treatment Charities such as The Lucy Faithful Organisation. Danielle offers Forensic Psychology student’s specific placements in this field based on these contacts, organises field trips to HMP Leeds (in level 4) and The Crown Court (in level 5) and gives students the opportunity to have lectures which are delivered by leaders in this field. Previous guest lectures have included topics such as:

·         Paul Baker (Prison Governor): If prison is the answer, what is the question?

·         Helen Turner (Chartered Forensic Psychologist): Working with Young Offenders

·         Jason Halliwell (Lucy Faithful Foundation): Young people who sexually offend

As a result of Danielle’s previous practioner role, her research interests are in the areas of offender’s cognitions, impulsivity, addiction, aggression, emotional management and essentially, effective intervention for use with these offenders. Danielle’s PhD aims to investigate the psychological correlates with self-harm and suicide in offender populations, focusing on impulsivity, aggression and emotional management.