top of page

Meet The Team

Meet some of the Course Directors, staff, trainers and consultants at the Centre for Stress Management, International Academy for Professional Development.

Stephen_Palmer-headshot.jpg
Dr Stephen Palmer PhD CPsychol CBiol FRSB FAC Hon FISMA Hon FIHPE Hon

Founder & Director

International: +44 (0) 208-853-4171 |

Dr Stephen Palmer PhD is the Founder Director of the Centre for Stress Management and a Course Co-Director on the stress management, cognitive-behavioural therapy and coaching programmes. He is Adjunct Professor of Coaching Psychology in the Department of Communication and Psychology, Aalborg University, Denmark. He was Professor of Practice, in WAPPAR, Institute of Management and Health, University of Wales Trinity St David from 2018 to 2024.

 

Stephen is a Chartered Psychologist, Chartered Scientist, Chartered Biologist, Accredited CBT and REBT Therapist, and International Society for Coaching Psychology Accredited Coaching Psychologist and Supervisor. He is a Diplomate of the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress, Board Certified in Emergency Crisis Response and Board Certified in Stress Management. He is a member of the British Neuroscience Association.

 

Stephen is President of the International Society for Coaching Psychology, Vice President and Fellow of the Institute of Health Promotion and Education, Vice President and Fellow of the Society for Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, Co-chair and Fellow of the Association for Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy, former BABCP London Branch Co-chair; former BABCP Compassion SIG Co-chair, former President and Honorary Fellow of the International Stress Management Association (UK), former President and Honorary Fellow of the Association for Coaching and former Co-Editor of International Coaching Psychology Review. He is Co-Editor of the International Journal of Stress Prevention and Wellbeing, the European Journal of Counselling Theory, Research and Practice, and the European Journal of Applied Positive Psychology. He has written/edited over 60 books including Brief Cognitive Behaviour TherapyHandbook of Counselling, Handbook of Coaching Psychology, Cognitive Behavioural Coaching in Practice, Developmental Coaching, The Coaching Relationship and Solution Focused Coaching in Practice. (Books are listed on his Amazon webpage.)

Tracy White

Administration

tracy@iafpd.com

International: +44 (0) 208-853-4171 |

Tracy White is an experienced administrator and deals with the day-to-day course bookings and administration. She is a Member of the Learning Guild.

oriordan@iafpd.com

International: +44 (0) 208-853-4171 |

Dr Siobhain O'Riordan PhD CPsychol FRSA FIHPE FISCP Accred

Course Co-Director: Stress management & coaching programme

Dr Siobhain O'Riordan_edited.jpg

Dr Siobhain O'Riordan is a Course Co-Director on the stress management and coaching programmes and a trainer at the Centre for Stress Management. She is a Chartered Psychologist, and International Society for Coaching Psychology Accredited Coaching Psychologist and Supervisor. From 2013 she is Emeritus Editor of the International Journal of Health Promotion & Education. Currently she is Founder Chair of the International Society for Coaching Psychology, Consulting Editor of The Coaching Psychologist and Editor Coaching Psychology International. Her other posts include being a Director of the International Academy for Professional Development Ltd. She is a Member of the Learning Guild.

Kasia Szymanska MSc CPsychol FISCP BABCP Accred

Course Co-Director: CBT programme

International: +44 (0) 208-853-4171 |

Kasia Szymanska is the Director of Distance Learning programmes and a trainer at the Centre. She is a Chartered Psychologist, BABCP Accredited CBT Therapist, and International Society for Coaching Psychology Accredited Coaching Psychologist.  She is Membership Secretary of the International Society for Coaching Psychology, and a former Editor of Counselling Psychology Review and The Coaching Psychologist published by the British Psychological Society. She is a Director of the International Academy for Professional Development Ltd. Her publications include her book on Understanding CBT.

International: +44 (0) 208-853-4171 |

Nick Edgerton MSc CPsychol MAREBT Accred
Course Co-Director

Nick Edgerton is a Co-director of CBT programmes and a trainer at the Centre. He is a Chartered Psychologist and accredited therapist. Nick developed the cognitive-behavioural SPACE model of therapy and coaching. He has published articles and chapters on the SPACE model. He has also written on stress management and counselling.

International: +44 (0) 208-853-4171 |

Claire Parkinson BSc
Administration

 
Claire-Parkinson_edited.jpg
bottom of page