Serena Simmons
Chartered Psychologist, Founder of The Psychology School
Serena Simmons is a Chartered Psychologist with over 30 years experience working in the fields of Mental Health, Forensic and Positive Psychology. As well being a senior psychology lecturer at Nottingham Trent University and Lead Psychologist for Joint Approach Rehab, Serena is founder of ‘The Psychology School’, offering international online and in-person training programmes designed to train Healthcare Professionals, Coaches and Business in the area of Behaviour Change & Peak Performance. Serena also still works in the area of ‘Murder’ where most of her work is in a forensic capacity, working with the media & criminal profiling.
“Beyond the Treatment Couch: The Hidden Power of Words, Belief, and Behaviour”
Saturday Sep 20th: Main Theatre
12:15 – 12:55
Unlock the subtle psychology that helps clients commit, change, and gain agency over their wellbeing. This session will look at the Psychology of Behaviour Change, to help you learn why clients don’t always follow advice, and how you can support lasting change without pushing or persuading. Explore simple, powerful language techniques that build trust, increase motivation, and encourage follow-through.
Three key principles you’ll take away:
✨ Master Micro-Communication Skills.
🍲 Understand common reasons clients avoid change, cancel sessions, or ignore advice so you can respond with insight, not frustration..
💛 Deepen your understanding about human behaviour and gain techniques you can use straight away to improve communication and client outcomes.
“Why Rehab Needs a Joint Approach”
Saturday Sep 20th: Breakout Room
13:40 – 14:20
What happens when strength training and psychology join forces? This interactive session, led by Dr Claire Minshull (rehabilitation & conditioning specialist and founder of Joint Approach) and psychologist Serena Simmons, academic and founder of The Psychology School explores the transformative impact a truly integrated approach to rehabilitation can have.
Drawing from their work within Joint Approach, this session reveals how combining targeted strength training with psychological insight creates a powerful sweet spot for recovery, one where outcomes can be optimised, sustained over time and provides a safety net when people inevitably fall off the wagon. Expect candid discussion, real case examples, and moving video testimonials from participants whose recovery journeys have been shaped by this innovative model. Leave inspired and with critical tools to apply to your practice
Key principles you’ll take away:
✨ Describe how combining psychological principles with strength-based rehabilitation enhances patient outcomes.
🍲 Understand the theoretical and practical basis for integrating mind-body approaches in clinical rehabilitation settings.
💛 Recognise common psychological barriers to physical recovery and how these can be addressed within a holistic rehab mode.
✨ Explore the real-life application of the Joint Approach model through case studies and video evidence.
🍲 Identify practical ways to implement a more integrated, collaborative approach within their own rehabilitation or healthcare practic.
