Dr Paula Watson
CPsychol, HCPC-registered
I’m a Chartered Psychologist with the British Psychological Society and a Registered Sport and Exercise Psychologist with the Health and Care Professions Council. Since 2005 I have worked at Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU), spending the first 8 years leading a family-based health behaviour change programme for children with overweight and obesity (GOALS). During this time I completed my PhD, before becoming a full-time lecturer in Exercise and Health Psychology in 2012.
I have published 30 peer-reviewed journal articles about changing physical activity behaviour and worked with many health practitioners to help them support their patients/clients to live healthily. In June 2020, I moved to a part-time role at LJMU so I could pursue my passion for helping others lead physically active lives.
Me, sport & physical activity
I wasn’t a sporty youngster (in fact, I distinctly remember coming last in the cross-country at school!) but I always found joy in movement and learned from my dad at an early age how important being active is for our mental health. Throughout my adult life I have developed a passion for physical activity, be it football, circuit training, cycling or more recently Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (which I started in 2016 at the ripe age of 39 years!).
Alongside these activities – I find great joy in the freedom of running, it is an activity that keeps me fit and keeps me smiling.
