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Dawn Johnson ACBS Board Member - UK And Ireland Chapter

Tell us a bit about yourself

Elizabeth Burnside

I was born in County Durham and spent my formative years in North Yorkshire, where my family still live. As a youth I had aspirations to become an actor, or failing that an engineer, but after my first round of A levels did not go to plan, I became fascinated by human behaviour and human suffering, and so instead went off to the University of East London to study Psychology.

Elizabeth Burnside

I was the first in my family to go to University so this was still a bit of a shock to the system! After two research assistant posts in Northampton, then Liverpool, I moved in 1998 to beautiful North Wales to train as a Clinical Psychologist at Bangor University. By this point I was the mother of two year old twins (Esme and Zak), who of course are now very grown up.

After qualifying I worked in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services for the NHS until 2021. I still live in North Wales with my husband where we get to appreciate the stunning landscape of Eryri. As well as messing about in the hills, I love to explore and have fun with other people.

I love to have a go at anything and dabble in climbing, biking, running, singing, learning Welsh, swimming, and when I get the chance, still acting. However, my current favourite pastime has to be combining any of these activities with motor-homing around Europe, finding out what there is to see.

I was the first in my family to go to University so this was still a bit of a shock to the system! After two research assistant posts in Northampton, then Liverpool, I moved in 1998 to beautiful North Wales to train as a Clinical Psychologist at Bangor University. By this point I was the mother of two year old twins (Esme and Zak), who of course are now very grown up.

What do you do?

1

I now work part time for the Clinical Psychology Training Programme where I trained myself, in Bangor University. I am the Academic Director for the programme, which means that I oversee the teaching aspect of the trainees’ learning experience.

2

 I am a peer-reviewed ACT trainer and really enjoy delivering ACT teaching for our trainees and to other people in our local health board and beyond.  (Of course since this is really important to me, it also makes me nervous!)

3

For the rest of my time, I work as a self-employed Clinical Psychologist offering ACT training and supervision, as well as individual and group therapy sessions.

4

 I am currently serving as past president of ACBS UK and Republic of Ireland Chapter, a role which has been enormously rewarding.

Why are you a member of ACBS?

I attended my first experiential ACT workshop in 2002, and as many people do, I found this to be completely transformative in both my personal life and in my work. I joined ACBS shortly afterwards as a way to reach out and connect with others who shared this perspective.  It was and still is amazing to be able to feel part of a global community that is so generous, respectful and welcoming. Although ACT has grown a lot since then, ACBS is still the ‘mothership’ and go-to place for the most up to date thinking in the field.

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