I'm Catherine
Developer of Cybertrauma theory. Author of seven books, Consultant. Practitioner. Speaker and trainer.
Bringing 20 years of experience to your stage, event or practice
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I'm a voice for children, young people, and adults when they need it.
I'm an award-winning researcher, Online Harms Consultant, Trainer, Speaker, and Author. Most of my work happens in clinic as a Child & Adult Trauma Psychotherapist, where I use technology in sessions - mostly gaming apps and biofeedback - and I talk endlessly with children, young people, and grown-ups about what they do online and what problems they face.
I've spent over 30 years working with technology in some shape or form, in business and daily life. That journey is what led me to develop Cybertrauma theory and create Children and Tech as a training academy.
What makes me unique is having a foot in both arenas: people and technology. I'm at the very forefront of what we know about the connection between biology, neuroscience, and technology, and how we can use that knowledge.
Where my work lives
1
🩺 In Clinic
Child & Adult Trauma Psychotherapist. I work with tiny children through to grown-ups in their 70s, using technology in sessions including gaming apps and biofeedback.
2
🛡️ In the Field
Consulting with VR, AI, and Mental Health Tech companies including Spirit VR, MHVR, XRSI, Swayly, and White Lens - building tools that keep children safer online.
3
🎤 On Stage & In Print
Keynotes, workshops, and courses on cybertrauma, gaming, social media, pornography, online grooming, and the lesser-known harms most professionals miss.
Credentials & qualifications
Consultant Child & Adult Trauma Psychotherapist & Supervisor.
Education
2015-2026
🩺 Consultant Child & Adult Trauma Psychotherapist & Supervisor
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Optronics Engineer by trade (Mech/Elec/Electronic) - trained in the Military (first Woman to qualify in the Armed Forces for the role)
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Clinical practitioner (PhD, Child Msc and Adult Msc, PGdip, Bsc (hons))
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Cyberpsychologist & Online Harms Consultant
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Functional Health Practitioner (BANT)
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15+ years specialising in Online Child S*xual Abuse, Exploitation, and Grooming, Violent and Gory Content.
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Peer-reviewed Researcher & Journal Editor at Frontiers (Cybersecurity in Digital Mental Health)
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TEDx Speaker - Bodies, Brains and Technology
🎓 PhD in Cyberpsychology
2018-2025
An exploration with children aged 7-10 of Digital Media in everyday life, and the potential for this to generate traumatic experience of gore/violent content. Read PhD Findings here.
2010-2026
📘Author of 7 books on Cybertrauma and online harm.
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Tech Smart Parenting - How to Keep Your Kids Happy & Safe Online (2025, Vermillion, Penguin Random House)
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Managing Your Gaming and Social Media Habits - From Science to Solutions (2024, BPS Ask the Experts series with Routledge)
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Online Harms and Cybertrauma - Legal and Harmful Issues with Children and Young People (2023, Routledge)
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Children and Sexual Harm Online - Evidence-based Guidance for Professionals and Parents (2023, Routledge)
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Children, Technology and Healthy Development - How to Help Kids be Safe and Thrive Online (2022, Routledge)
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A Practitioner's Guide to Cybersecurity and Data Protection - How to Ensure Client Confidentiality (2024, Routledge)
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Cybertrauma - The Darker Side of the Internet for Children and Young People (2016, Kindle)
Work with me
Get in touch or book your next event