Ceri Connelly

Ceri Connelly is a mental health professional with extensive experience in various roles. They currently serve as the Clinical Lead at TalkLife, an online peer support platform for youth mental health. In this role, Ceri combines social connection with machine learning to support and improve mental health.

Prior to their current position, Ceri worked as the Deputy Clinical Lead at Vita Health Group, where they supported the clinical delivery and operational effectiveness of the IAPT service. They provided supervision, training, and consultation on client's psychological care and acted as a clinical point of escalation for therapists and duty practitioners.

Ceri also served as an INTERACT CBT Therapist at the University of Bristol, where they delivered cognitive behavioural therapy to patients in the INTERACT trial. They were responsible for developing psychological formulations, evaluating progress, and managing risk in vulnerable clients. Additionally, Ceri updated training manuals and delivered training for researchers and therapists across multiple university sites.

In their previous role as a Specialist Community Psychiatric Nurse at Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust, Ceri managed a large caseload of patients with complex mental and physical health needs in the STEPS Eating Disorders Service. They acted as a care co-ordinator, collaborating with various specialist mental health teams and delivering CBT for eating disorders.

Ceri's early career includes positions as a CBT Therapist and Trainee CBT Therapist at IAPT Services and a Registered Mental Health Nurse at Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust. In these roles, they gained experience in providing CBT therapy, managing high-risk individuals, and coordinating Mental Health Act transfers within the criminal justice system.

Overall, Ceri Connelly has a diverse background in mental health, with expertise in therapy, clinical leadership, and research.

Ceri Connelly completed their education in a chronological progression. In 1999, they enrolled in Cardiff University/ Prifysgol Caerdydd, undertaking a Bachelor of Arts (BA Hons) in Religious and Theological Studies which they completed in 2002. Following that, from 2006 to 2009, they pursued a Diploma of Higher Education in Mental Health Nursing at the University of the West of England. Their final academic achievement was a Master of Science (MSc) in Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapy from the University of South Wales, which they obtained between 2015 and 2019.