Shirley began her career in mental health as a student nurse, qualifying as an RMN in 1978 she worked in hospitals, day hospitals and as a Community Psychiatric Nurse with adults and older adults with mental health problems. She studied for a B.Sc. (hons) in Psychology at Manchester University and after graduation Shirley worked for central Manchester community mental health services for adults and older adults with long-term mental health problems.

Her experience in NHS mental health services development led Shirley to complete a part-time M.A. in Health Research at Lancaster University while working as a dementia link nurse across primary and secondary care developing memory clinic services. Shirley also worked extensively with the Alzheimer’s Society and Dementia Advice and Support Service in delivering dementia training into nursing and care homes.

Working closely with clients and carers led Shirley back to her love of psychology and she completed her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology specialising in health psychology, palliative care and oncology and psychosexual problems. Her thesis research examined the experience of caring for a partner with young onset dementia and was published in Dementia: The International Journal of Social Research and Practice.
Shirley works in the NHS as a clinical psychologist in older adult’s services.

Her clinical and research interests include equality and diversity issues in older adults mental health, dementia care, health psychology and psycho-sexual issues relating to older people.

Shirley also works part-time in private practice as a chartered clinical psychologist in Lancashire and has recently completed an Advanced Diploma in Holistic Hypnotherapy.