Charmaine Kohn-Willbridge

University of Sussex, UK

Charmaine Kohn-Willbridge is a Psychodynamic Therapist and PhD researcher at the University of Sussex, England. After completing a Psychology Degree at Deakin University in Melbourne Australia, Charmaine moved to the UK pursuing a career in the field of mental health. Over a career spanning 15 years Charmaine has worked as a specialist clinician within drug and alcohol rehabilitation before developing and delivering accredited psycho-educational training for professionals commissioned by Public Health England. Charmaine trained and practiced as a qualified Psychodynamic Therapist and later specialised in helping those challenged by both mental health and addiction issues.  

Charmaine’s passion for evidence-based and informed practice returned her to the field of psychology, and she became a mental health researcher within the National Health Service, undertaking both qualitative and qualitative research in commercial and non-commercial trials. In 2016, Charmaine and her partner adopted their second daughter, an experience which was the motivation to undertake a PhD of her own. Charmaine's research interests focus on the lived experience of adoptive parents and the utility of post-adoptive support available.  Currently Charmaine is conducting a study exploring the impact COVID-19, and associated 'lock-down' restrictions, on the wellbeing of adoptive parents.