LESLEY POWELL, PhD, CPsychol, BA(Honours) PgDPM, APA, RYT
Tel: 07729 305206. Email:
Previous Employment
2012-2013University of Bristol, Qualitative Researcher, 60%FTE for 12 mths on ComMando (obesity in children).
2010-2011Senior Qualitative Researcher, Department of Primary Health Care, Health Experiences Research Group, University of Oxford (completion of two modules: and
2007-2009Reader in Health Psychology, Coventry. University
2006-2007Senior Research Fellow, Coventry University (includes part-time lecturing on various Health Psychology and related modules (e.g. Masters in Health Psychology, Health Studies - Complementary Therapy module)
1995-2006 Research Fellow, as above.
1995-1996Temporary Lecturer in Psychology, Coventry Technical College
1983-1993Clerical Officer, Coventry City Council (Part-time in Home for Older Persons)
1976-1983Illustrator, British Aerospace Plc
1974-1976Comptometer Operator, British Aerospace Plc
Academic Qualifications
2006Stage II Supervisor Training (CPsychol) – half day
2003PhD in Applied Health Psychology
2001Qualitative Data Analysis
1995-1997Pg Diploma in Personnel Management; Credit
1990-1995BA Honours Degree in Applied Social Science (Upper 2/1) (Psychology, Social Policy and Sociology)
1988-1989A level Sociology, (External Candidate)
1982-1984City in Guilds in Food and Nutrition, Credit & Distinctions
Complementary and Integrated Medicine/Vibrational Energy Qualifications/courses completed
2016Yoga Nidra and connecting with the body’s intelligence using the Breath with Ben Wolff – 1 day CPD event – May 27th
2015 ongoingDiploma Ayurvea Health Care - Ayurveda College Milton Keynes - Dr Marouf Athrique – degree level
2015Total Yoga Nidra Teacher Training intensive – 6 days plus home practice – completed Sept.
2015Total Yoga Nidra Foundation – Uma and Nirlipta Tuli – online at own pace completed June.
2014-15Marma Suksma Therapy Block 1 – 6 days completed - Dr Med Ernst Schrott (Dr Raju)
2014Transcendental Meditation – Sue Lincoln
2013Pregnancy Yoga Teacher Trainning – Jane Mackernass – 6 months online course - credit
2013Fertility Yoga Teacher Training – Jane Mackernass – 6 months online course - distinction
2013Yoga of the Heat (cardiac and cancer certified training programme for professionals and yoga teachers) - Nischala Joy Devi - 5 day intensive in Austria at theSivananda Ashram – completed August 2013)
2013Meditation Retreat ‘Heart of Peace Week’ (5 days – Turkey – with Chris Sell)
2011-2013Spiritual Mentoring with Mukunda and Chinnamasta Stiles
20125 day intensive Dr Vasant Lad with the APA – 28-31th October 2012.
2012-Sadhana Deep Yoga Retreat – Mukunda Stiles, Holland, August 3 days
2012Vasistha Yoga Retreat/Study – Mukunda Stiles, San Fransisco, Feb 5 days
2011Ayurveda Yoga Teacher/Therapist – Mukunda Stiles, San Fransisco Nov 7 days and 1+ year follow-up, self-study and practice, monthly feedback and guidance (completed)
2011Ayurveda Diet, Herbs, Yoga, and Lifestyle Consultant – Diploma – 1 year. Dr Deepa Apte at Ayurveda Pura, London. Credit (Theory) Pass (Practical)
2010Thai Yoga Massage (1 Year) – (Distinction) Kira Balaskas, School of Thai Yoga Massage, London.
2008Awakening Your Light Body Course (7 days) – Christopher Sell, Heaven on Earth, UK. (Sanaya RomanandDuane Packer - OrinandDaBen, USA)
2008Arcturian Healing – (2 days) – Christopher Sell, Heaven on Earth
2007Diploma, Yoga Teacher ( 2 years) – Inner Healing School of Yoga
2007Sound Healing Part I (2 days) – Tim Wheater
2007Third Phase Magnified Healer/Teacher, September (3 days) – Elisis (Isis).
2007Reiki/Seichem Sensei Teacher, March/April (3 days) – Kim Cullen-Moore
2005Optimal Health Balance – Self-Help - Applied Kinesiology - 1 day - Kevin
2002Child's Palette Course - Aura-Soma Colour (3-days)
2001Sekhem Masters Part I (Non-teaching)
1999International Association of Infant Massage (IAIM)
1998Anatomy, Physiology & Therapeutic Massage; Credit (Theory) and Distinction (Practical)
1997-2000Reiki I, II and III and Masters (Non-Teaching)
Training Courses developed
Positive Touch Massage Post-graduate training course with accreditation of20CPD points by CThA. (Developed in accordance with research; trained and mentored over 40 massage therapists across the UK; developed and conducted quality assurance procedures)
Have presented at numerous conferences, locally, nationally and internationally, within academic career.
More recently have given talks on ayurveda and yoga.
External Examiner
Thames Valley University. Health and CAM Modules. September 2008 to September 2012.
Publications
Peer Reviewed (over 60 publications) showing a selection from 2005-16 only
Powell L & Cheshire A. (2015) An Individualized Yoga Programme for Multiple Sclerosis: A Case Study.
Malou Luchtenberg & Els Maeckelberghe, University Medical Center, Groningen, University of Groningen
Louise Locock, University of Oxford and Oxford NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, & Lesley Powell, University of Oxford, A.A. Eduard Verhagen, University Medical Center Groninger, University of Groningen: Young People’s Experiences ofParticipation in Clinical Trials: Reasons for Taking Part, The American Journal of Bioethics, 15(11): 3–13, 2015
Book Chapter: Powell, L. (2011) A school-based intervention involving massage and yoga for male disadvantaged adolescents: An exploratory study on a Self Discovery Programme in Brdar Ingrid (Ed) The Human Pursuit of Well-Being; A Cultural Approach, 1st Edition, XV 215 p.35 illus, Hardcover, ISBN: 978-94-007-1374-1
Cheshire & Powell, The nature and experience of adverse effects arising from the delivery of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) to children with brain injury, Complementary Medicine
Cheshire, A., Barlow, J. & Powell, L. (2010) Coping Using Positive Reinterpretation in Parents of Children with Cerebral Palsy, Journal of Health Psychology, 15 (6), 801-810.
Powell, L. & Cheshire, A. (2010). A Preliminary Evaluation of a Massage Program for Children Who Have Been Sexually Abused and their Nonabusing Mothers, Journal of Child Sexual Abuse, Volume 19 Issue 2, 141-155
Powell LA, Cheshire A & Swaby L. (2010) Children’s experiences of living with cerebral palsy and their participation in a Training and Support Programme involving massage, Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 16(1), 47-51 Feb 2010
Dr LA Powell & L Potter. (2009) Report on an intervention involving massage and yoga for male adolescents attending one community special school in the UK International Journal Special Education.
Silva LM & Powell LA, Perhaps the cause of autism lies within the senses, rather than DNA, American Journal of Occupational Therapy re editorial (submitted April 2009 - posted online).
Powell LA & Cheshire A. (2008) “New skills and abilities to enable me to support my pupils in a forward thinking positive way”: A Self-Discovery Programme for teachers in mainstream school. International Journal of Special Education, 23 (2), 57-66.
Powell LA & Stapley J. (2008) Training parents of children with life long and life limiting conditions the art of massage. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 14, 237-243.
Powell LA, Gilchrist M & Stapley J. (2008) A Journey of Self-Discovery: An intervention involving massage, yoga and relaxation for children with emotional and behavioural difficulties attending primary schools. European Journal Special Needs Education, 23 (4), November, 403-412.
Powell LA, Gilchrist M & Stapley J. (2008) A Journey of Self-Discovery: An intervention involving massage, yoga and relaxation for children with emotional and behavioural difficulties attending primary schools. Journal Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties, I13 (3), September, 193-199.
Powell, L.A., Gilchrist, M. & Stapley, J. (2008) Psychosocial well-being of parents of children with ataxia who attended the Training and Support Programme: A 12 month follow-up. Journal of Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice,14, 152-157.
Barlow, Powell, Gilchrist & Fotiadou (2008) The effectiveness of the Training and Support Programme for parents of children with disabilities: A randomised controlled trial, Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 64, 55-62.
Barlow J, Cullen-Powell & Williams H (2006) The Training and Support Programme for parents of children with ataxia: A pilot study, Psychology, Health & Medicine Journal, January, 12 (1), 64-69.
Lesley Powell, Julie Barlow, Anna Cheshire, (2006), The Training and Support Programme for parents of children with Cerebral Palsy: A process evaluation, Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 12, (3), 192-199.
Lesley Cullen-Powell et al, (2005) Promoting inner stillness: the value of self-discovery programme for children with social, emotional an behavioural difficulties, British Journal of Special Education, 32 (3), September, 138-144.
Cullen-Powell, L.A., Barlow, J.H. & Cushway, D. (2005), Positive touch, the implications for parents and their children with autism: An exploratory study, Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 11, 182-189.
Research projects include
Experiences of obesity among children aged 5-11 years and their parents who are taking part in a randomised controlled study to aid weight loss and change eating habits.
Development of two modules on the experiences of clinical trials among parents, children and young people for the award winning websites: healthtalkonline.org and youthhealthtalk.org, respectively, and on behalf of the Health Experiences Research Group, University of Oxford.
Development and evaluation of:
- A Training and Support Programme (previously the Touch Therapy Programme) for parents and their children with long term health conditions and disabilities, autism;
- Adapting the TSP for non abusing mothers of sexually abused children.
- A Self-Discovery Programme for children with identified special educational needs in mainstream school and special needs schools/EBD/excluded schools
- A Self-Discovery Programme for teachers in mainstream school.
Follow-up of an evaluation addressing the effectiveness of information leaflets for people with rheumatoid arthritis and osteo-arthritis
Evaluation of: Into Work: Personal Development Programme (Phase I & 11) (in partnership with Arthritis Care).
Child care problems of parents with rheumatic diseases: Raising confidence through practical solutions
Exploratory survey of psychological well-being and information needs of people with rheumatoid arthritis (in partnership with Worcester Royal Infirmary, Rheumatology Department).
Pilot study addressing the level of knowledge about Osteoporosis and lifestyle behaviour of women in the general population (Project Management in partnership with Bethan Williams).
Breast Screening in partnership with Coventry and Warwickshire Breast Screening Service: Pilot study re evaluation current diagnostic tool used by GP’s and Family History used by women.
Working Horizons in partnership with Arthritis Care: Evaluation of a programme to get people with a disability back to work.
Follow-up survey of the psychological well-being and information needs of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (in partnership with Worcester Royal Infirmary, Rheumatology Department).