Dr. Rachael Skews

Chartered Psychologist

About Rachael

Rachael is an experienced psychologist and consultant, whose passions lie in an evidence-based approach to developing people at work. Her PhD explored the mechanisms through which coaching can be used to boost Psychological Flexibility in the workplace.

She is also the course director of the MSc in Occupational Psychology and the Postgraduate Certificate in Coaching at Goldsmiths, University of London.

Professional Experience

Rachael has worked in business consultancy with a range of clients from industries across the private, public, and third sectors, both in the UK and internationally. Her consultancy experience encompasses: Leadership and talent development; workplace assessment; coaching; career management and transition; wellbeing in the workplace; stress management; and post-trauma in the workplace.

Rachael’s research focuses primarily on performance and development coaching. She has investigated the effectiveness of coaching interventions using a form of coaching theoretically informed by contextual behavioural science. She is interested in how coaching can help people to change behaviour and achieve goals. This includes understanding the processes (or mechanisms of change) through which coaching works.

She has conducted research investigating the role of psychological flexibility in behaviour change, and also contrasted different processes of change to highlight the most likely pathways that coaching interventions work through.

In addition to her core research interests, Rachael is an advocate of evidence-based practice in management and occupational psychology. She is interested in how evidence produced by academics and practitioners can help organisations and individuals to perform better, and enhance their wellbeing, so performance is sustainable.

Professional Accreditation

Below is a breakdown of Rachael’s professional accreditations:

  • CPsychol – Chartered Psychologist, British Psychological Society
  • Registered Coaching Psychologist – British Psychological Society
  • Director of the International Society for Coaching Psychology
  • Fellow of the Centre for Evidence-based Management
  • Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy

Qualifications

Below is a breakdown of Rachael’s qualifications:

  • BA (Hons) in Philosophy
  • BSc (Hons) in Psychology
  • MSc (Distinction) in Occupational Psychology
  • PhD in Psychology
  • Certificate in Coaching
  • Primary Certificate in Coaching Supervision
  • PGCert, Management of Learning and Teaching in Higher Education
  • Occupational Test User qualifications through the BPS (Personality and Ability)