Shevaun completed her BSc Psychology degree in 2010. Following this she worked for 18 months in a variety of forensic settings and attained employment as an Assistant Psychologist at St Andrew's Healthcare in November 2011. Shevaun worked with adult males who had diagnoses of autism spectrum conditions, learning disabilities and co-morbid mental health and personality disorder diagnoses. Shevaun remained employed by St Andrew's until she was funded to complete the Doctorate in Forensic and Clinical Psychology Practice at the University of Birmingham in 2013. The Doctorate combined the University of Birmingham's Clinical and Forensic Doctorate courses and the majority of placements occurred within forensic mental health settings. Shevaun’s thesis explored the early maladaptive schemas and implicit theories of male child sex offenders. Shevaun also conducted a literature review to explore the differences in societal attitudes towards male and female child sex offenders.
Shevaun has experience working with both adult male and female offenders and is competent in a variety of risk and psychometric assessments: HCR-20 V3 (including the FAM additional items), RSVP, IPDE, and SAPROF. Shevaun received training during her doctoral programme on the use of the PCL-R. Shevaun is also trained in the use of a number of cognitive assessments including the WAIS IV, the BADS and the WMS. Shevaun has experience of writing risk assessments, CPA and other clinical reports to inform decisions at parole hearings and supporting decision making around other placement and transition options.
Shevaun spent a year and a half working with looked after and adopted children in the community and is currently leading a one year pilot project developing trauma informed practice within Youth Justice Services across North Yorkshire and York.
Shevaun's specialist areas include child sexual offending, both male and female perpetrators; personality disorders; juvenile offending; and the impact of trauma on the development and attachments in looked after and adopted children.