Philippa Casares (Knight)

About my current job

I just retired, but led Secondary care Adult and Older Adult Psychology services across East Sussex.

Something important I learned during my time at EP

I couldn't have become a Clinical Psychologist without having studied psychology. I found the then called "abnormal" psychology and Developmental Psychology the most interesting courses and most relevant to what I later went on to study and develop. To be honest, I left Oxford thinking that I wasn't sure that Psychology was for me. However, after five years of working in a wide range of care jobs, including helping to set up a therapeutic community for people with mental health difficulties in Zimbabwe, I finally settled on doing a Clinical Doctorate. I enjoyed a very fulfilling, albeit demanding, career as a Clinical Psychologist in the NHS for the last 28 years.

Do you have a lesson or advice that you’d give to current students/researchers at EP?

Make sure you have good links with local services  - this way research projects can be relevant to current practice and needs.

Did you have a favourite tutor/lecturer/prof, and how did they inspire you?

Dr Allsopp was a very kind tutor and he and his wife invited his tutorial group out to tea at their family home on the outskirts of Oxford with his children. It was really thoughtful. I was also very inspired and helped by Dr Anthony Grayling (Philosophy tutor) who was so amazingly patient, grounded and personable in his approach to teaching philosophy. He made it all make sense! I also remember Professor Bryant giving the most lively and engaging Psychology lectures at that time. He was always on the move! Professor Argyle was a close second with his excitement and enthusiasm for  social psychology.

With the benefit of hindsight, do you have any advice you’d give your younger self?

Don't panic -  you've got time!
Follow your heart.
You will never be in control in the way you think you need to be, so give up trying now!