Sophie, NHS Psychologist
Name: Sophie Mohamed
Where you are from: Uganda
PhD University: University of Lincoln
PhD topic area: Psychology – “The evaluation and assessment of body image perception and distortion in men”
Current job title and company: Health Psychologist (NHS Grampian)
Current location: Aberdeen, Scotland
How would you describe to your granny/granddad what you do for work?
In a nutshell, I provide psychological support to people living with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes who are struggling with their efforts to self-manage their condition. This involves helping them make health-related changes to their lifestyle (e.g. increase their physical activity levels or improve their eating habits) and improve their emotional wellbeing.
What does a typical day/week look like for you?
My days are varied, but a typical week would include delivering 1:1 psychological assessments and interventions to patients, attending team meetings, writing clinical notes and letters to GPs, conducting service outreach and evaluation, providing teaching/training to NHS staff, and contributing to research projects.
What’s the best thing about your job?
Working directly with patients is definitely my favourite part. Although it is often difficult and I am constantly learning, I really enjoy building positive relationships with patients and I find it extremely rewarding when they experience improvements in their physical health and/or emotional wellbeing.
What hard skills does someone need for your job?
My current role requires specific skills in the following areas: psychological interventions, teaching and training, consultancy, research, and service evaluation.
What soft skills does someone need for your job?
Being able to work with patients who have complex needs and problems, and make difficult decisions about a person’s level of risk, as well as how best to devote the resources of a limited NHS service. I think it’s also important to be able to develop and maintain good working relationships with other healthcare professionals, in order to work well as a multidisciplinary team.
In 10 years' time, what job/position do you see yourself in?
I would hope to be in more of a leadership position, having developed more expertise and highly specialist skills in supporting people living with long-term physical health conditions.
What advice would you give to someone starting out in your industry?
I would encourage them to look for and pursue opportunities for professional development as early as possible, as it can often be tricky to find time for this. I think it’s also hugely important to take care of yourself and do things you enjoy outside of work!
What advice would you give to someone coming to the end of their PhD?
Be kind to yourself and do things that bring you joy or help you relax in-between thesis writing. It can be really helpful to have something to look forward to once you finish, so make some plans!
How can people contact you?
