Staff Profile
Dr Byron Al-Murri
Lecturer in Counselling Psychology
I am a HCPC-registered Counselling Psychologist, Clinical and Research Supervisor, and Lecturer in qualitative research methods and counselling psychology at undergraduate and doctoral level.
I came into counselling psychology from a background in modern languages (BA) and international relations (MA) (University of Leeds), completing my psychology MSc at Nottingham Trent University.
After graduation, I worked as an assistant psychologist before embarking on my doctorate in counselling psychology at Teesside University.
I have worked pluralistically with a range of clients across the lifespan, offering long-term and short-term therapy, integrating both Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Psychodynamic approaches.
I am interested in difference and diversity in therapy, multicultural competence and social justice.
- School – School of Education, Language and Psychology
- Email – b.almurri@yorksj.ac.uk
Teaching
I teach on Psychology (BSc), Psychology with Counselling (BSc), and the Doctorate in Counselling Psychology.
My teaching covers several modules:
- PSY5003M: Qualitative Research Methods (Second Year Psychology Undergraduate) - in collaboration with Dr Maria Fernandes-Jesus and Dr Jasmine Childs-Fegredo.
- PSY6026M: Counselling Skills and Process 1 (Third Year Psychology with Counselling Undergraduate) - Module Leader.
- PSY6027M: Contemporary Counselling Psychology (Third Year Psychology with Counselling Undergraduate) - Module Leader.
- PSY8101M: Professional Practice in Counselling Psychology (First Year Doctorate) - in collaboration with Professor Divine Charura.
- PSY8105M: Individual Psychotherapy (First Year Doctorate) Guest lecturing on the First Year Doctorate: PSY8104M - Research Methods in Counselling Psychology.
- PSY8106M: Psychological Interventions Over the Lifespan.
I am a Clinical Supervisor for York St John University Trainee Counselling Psychologists, and I also collaborate with colleagues on the Counselling and Mental Health (BA) and Humanistic Counselling (MA, PG Dip) degrees.
Research
My research interests are in difference and diversity in therapy, multicultural competence and social justice.
I am co-supervising a doctoral trainee thesis with Professor Divine Charura and I also supervise third-year Psychology undergraduate dissertations.
My thesis title was "British-Arab Client Experiences of Psychological Therapy: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis". This was the first major UK study to capture British-Arab client experiences of therapy, which highlighted the importance of cultural awareness and understanding within the therapeutic encounter.
