I joined the Department of Clincial Psychology and Psychological Therapies as a Clinical Lecturer in 2021. I have had close ties with the department for many years, hosting specialist placements and guest lecturing. I have valued the opportunity to share my own areas of clinical interest and help develop the clinical skills of my trainees. I am so excited to continue to do so as part of the department. 

I feel strongly about developing compassionate, skillful practitioners who are ready to meet the workforce demands of the NHS. I am thrilled to be leading on the systemic curriculum which aligns with my own areas of interest and clinical skill. 

I look forward to developing research streams around perinatal and infant mental health; areas of such growth and promise with the NHS Long Term Plan. 

Dr Joanne Peterkin completed her clinical psychology training at UEA in 2012. After qualifying, Jo worked for Children’s Social Care in Cambridgeshire where she specialised in supporting children and infants in care. Jo completed her Video Interaction Guidance training before later becoming an accredited supervisor, as well as training in Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy. Jo went on to be the clinical lead for adoption support services in Cambridgeshire. Developmental trauma and family work continues to be an area of special interest.  

In 2019, Jo became the principal psychologist for a newly developing perinatal mental health service in Cambridgeshire. Maternal and parent-infant mental health, parent-infant interventions and trauma-informed care are additional areas of clinical and research interest. Jo is a board member of the DCP Faculty of Perinatal Psychology with the BPS.

In 2021, Jo took up a position as a Clinical Lecturer on the DClinPsy with the University of East Anglia having hosted specialist placements for the course for many years. 

Jo has developed an independent psychology practice over a number of years, founding Peterkin Psychology Services in 2016. It now hosts a number of associates and offers assessments, therapy, training and supervision.

Working systemically with children Looked After and adopted

Perinatal mental health

Parent-infant mental health

Video Interaction Guidance 

Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy: Making use of PACE to support children and young people

Child and adolescent mental health; attachment; developmental trauma; working with children and families; approaches to parenting

BSc. in Psychology at the University of Sheffield: First Class Honours (2007)

MSc. in Psychological Research at the University of Sheffield: Pass with Distinction (2008)

Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at the University of East Anglia (ClinPsyD): Pass (2012)

PG NQ OAS Perinatal Clinical Psychology Training: Pass (2020)