Meet Dr Hannah Dennis

Born in South Wales, UK, from an early age Dr Dennis was aware of individuals with learning disabilities through playing with children at school and outside of school who had disabilities.  She can particularly remember one family friend, who despite his parents being told that he would never be able to walk or speak,  used to toddle into the swimming pool area with them and jump into the pool and swim, joining in games with the other children in the session.

Dr Dennis completed her BSc (Hons) from Cardiff University before taking an Assistant Psychology job in South Wales, working with older adults and people with health difficulties.  She was involved in research into the psychological effects of being nursed in isolation due to infectious diseases which led to policy changes in the District General Hospital.  Dr Dennis then went on to work in a Medium Secure Unit offering individual and group interventions, supporting the staff teams on the wards and conducting assessments of the service users.

In 2000, Dr Dennis began her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at the University of Birmingham and it was during this time that she rediscovered her passion for empowering individuals with learning disabilities to fulfil their potential.

Her research during her doctorate focused around the psychological effects of disfigurement and disfiguring skin  conditions, drawing on attachment theory and systemic theories.  Her work in this area was published in the Textbook of Paediatric Dermatology.

In 2003 Dr Dennis gained a position of Principal Clinical Psychologist in the Community Learning Disability Teams in her local NHS Trust.  Within her work in the CLDT's she continued to develop her interests in systemic and attachment theories, whilst also undertaking training in Positive Behavioural Support.  She worked within many settings, ranging from small independent homes to larger groups of homes.  Over her time working within the Community Teams she met many managers and care workers who were wanting to provide the best care for their service users, but who were finding themselves drowning in paperwork and demands from outside organisations.  She spoke with many who were frustrated that they simply did not have the tools or resources to provide the psychologically informed care they knew that their service users needed.

In 2015 Dr Dennis began working as an Expert Witness, alongside her NHS role, providing psychological reports for family courts, criminal courts, local authorities and the court of protection, focusing on the impact of learning disabilities, autism, other neurodevelopmental factors and trauma.  

From her experiences to date, Dr Dennis feels passionately that every individual with learning disabilities deserves outstanding quality care that is psychologically informed and empowers them to reach their full-potential in services where they feel safe and nurtured.  

Her mission is to help Leaders and Managers of Learning Disability Services to develop their organisations so that they are based on solid values, can empower individuals and provide psychologically informed care.  

When she is not working, Dr Dennis loves spending time with her family, developing skills in wildlife photography, working out at the gym or in the pool, or simply relaxing at a spa!