Dr Waters

Dr Waters gained a First Class (Hons) degree in Psychology with Sports Science from the University of Surrey, Roehampton.  She then spent five years at the University of Wales, Bangor working under the supervision of Professor Lew Hardy. There she attained an MSc in Applied Sport Psychology and was awarded an Economic and Social Research Council Competition Studentship to complete a PhD.  The PhD investigated: “The Role of self-confidence in rehabilitation and the recovery of motor performance” and won the British Psychological Society Sport and Exercise Division Award for the most Outstanding PhD Thesis of 2006.

Dr Waters is a registered Chartered Psychologist with the British Psychological Society (BPS) and has worked with a wide range of sports and organisations including: UK Athletics, The British Equestrian Federation, The English Institute of Sport, Kelly Holmes’ initiative ‘On Camp with Kelly’ as well as individuals in track and field, horse racing, equestrian sports, golf, tennis, football, rugby and softball. She also works closely with actors and comedians in the entertainment industry and is a regular guest lecturer at various universities.

Dr Waters has extensive experience of working with a wide spectrum of people recovering from injury, from elite athletes to patients rehabilitating after orthopaedic surgery. Her doctorate, at the prestigious Sport Psychology Department of Bangor University, examined the central role of confidence in injury and rehabilitation. Dr Waters is now one of the leaders in the field of sports injury research.

Injury affects the mind and emotions as well as the body.  Rehabilitation can be a time of big emotional distress.  As a sport psychologist, Dr Waters uses interventions specifically designed to minimise the negative affect of injury and facilitate your swift and complete recovery.

Dr Waters can also work with you during your rehabilitation to promote your psychological, as well as your physical, recovery. This will enable you to effectively manage your return to fitness, feel more in control and ready to get back into sport or general physical activities, as soon as is possible.

In the initial session Dr Waters will discuss your injury, what level of physical activity you aim to get back to, be it walking to the shops, playing golf at weekends or professional sport.  She will then develop a personal programme specifically for you. 
Dr Waters will work with you to enable you to return to your level of physical activity as successfully and rapidly as possible.  The programme will be monitored regularly and modified or adapted as necessary.   

Programmes may include techniques to help with:

•  Enhancing your confidence
•  Decreasing fears of re-injury
•  Pain management
•  Developing effective coping skills
•  Adherence to rehabilitation exercises
•  Effective management of your recovery
•  Promoting your successful return to
  exercise, training or competition