The Centre for Psychological Services Research (CPSR)
The Centre for Psychological Services Research (CPSR) is a newly formed interdisciplinary collaboration between the University's School of Health & Related Research (ScHARR) and Department of Psychology. The Centre is headed by Professor Michael Barkham within an executive group of senior investigators; Professors John Brazier (ScHARR), Gillian Hardy (Clinical Psychology Unit/Psychology) and Glenys Parry (ScHARR).
The Centre reflects the unique position of Psychological Services Research (PSR) in combining the techniques and disciplines of Health Services Research with those of psychological research with the aim of improving decision-making, quality, and outcomes of services treating people presenting with psychological problems. A hallmark of the new Centre is its espousal of equipoise in researching the diversity of psychological therapies, as well as its openness to the array of rigorous research methodologies.
The Centre was formally launched on 9th November 2007 at an all-day event entitled “Psychological Services Research: What’s next?” held at the Leopold Hotel, Sheffield. The formal welcome was made by Professor Geof Tomlinson (Pro Vice Chancellor for Research), Mr Kevan Taylor (Chief Executive, Sheffield Care Trust), and Dr Tim Kendall (Medical Director, Sheffield Care Trust & Co-director of the National Collaborating Centre for Mental Health). Professor Bruce Wampold (University of Wisconsin- Madison) gave the keynote address and presentations were made by leading UK researchers: Sarah Byford (Kings College London), Professors David Richards (University of York), Robert Elliott (University of Strathclyde), and Simon Gilbody (University of York). Contributions were also made by Julie Coleman (Sheffield Hallam University), Dr Tom Ricketts (Sheffield Care Trust) and the executive group of the Centre. Dr Tony Roth (University College London) acted as Discussant.
In addition to ongoing grants led by Centre personnel (e.g., Parry et al.’s NIHR SDO-funded evaluation of the IAPT demonstration sites), two new research projects led from CPSR are about to start: (1) Sutcliffe (PI) et al. (2007) - Determining the clinical and cost effectiveness of group cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) compared with currently used packages of care for women with post-natal depression [NIHR HTA]; (2) Cooper (PI) et al. (2007-10) – Computerised cognitive behavioural therapy for the treatment of depression in people with MS: Pre-clinical trial [Funding: Multiple Sclerosis Society].
A further two grants were awarded in December 2007: (1) Parry (PI) et al. - Understanding and preventing harmful effects of psychological therapies [Funding: Sheffield Consortium]; (2) Blackmore (PI) et al. - A systematic review of group analysis and analytic/dynamic psychotherapy [Funding: Institute of Group Analysis].
The Centre is a collaborating partner in two large multi-centred trials which have recently been awarded and will commence in 2008: (1) Parry, Cooper & Barkham as co-applicants in Gilbody (PI) et al. (University of York) - A randomised trial of the clinical effectiveness, cost effectiveness and acceptability of computerised Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (computerised CBT) versus anti-depressant medication for major depression [Funding: NIHR HTA]; (2) Barkham as co-applicant in Richards (PI) et al. (University of York) - Multi-centre randomised controlled trial of collaborative care for depression [Funding: MRC]. The Centre is also a partner in an IAPT-focused study lead by the University of York aimed at developing educational pathways for the new workforce [Funding: Skills for Health].
Other key activities include presentations made by Professors Parry and Barkham at the major two-day conference on Psychological Therapies and the NHS: Science, Practice and Policy at Savoy Place, London (30.11-1.12) and a working visit to the Centre as Visiting Scholar (26.11-14.12) by Dr Birgit Watzke from the Research Group for Psychotherapy Mental Health Care Research, University Medical Center, Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany.