Overview
Ceri has worked as a psychology academic and researcher for almost 4 decades and she is dedicated to bringing her knowledge of positive psychology, developmental psychology, coaching and leadership to coaching practice, leadership training and supporting people to achieve higher workplace wellbeing and optimal performance.
She has worked at several universities. She was an Associate Professor at Bucks New University where she is now continuing as an external supervisor supporting doctoral students in psychology. She has also worked at Durham University, Middlesex University, Northumbria University the Medical Research Council and Fazakerley Hospital. She continues to be invited to run Positive Psychology Coaching courses and workshops, and is in particular demand for her nature-based coaching workshops (Cambridge University, Innsbruck Austria, Bucks New University).
Ceri’s coaching psychology work involves a package of coaching individual clients and groups, peer-reviewed coaching research and the creation, delivery and examination of coaching psychology courses. Her emphasis is on bringing the science of positive psychology, developmental psychology and a strengths-based approach to coaching practice. Her unique Appreciative Coaching approach has successfully helped and empowered many clients to create innovative changes in their professional lives. Client feedback and testimonials emphasise Ceri’s very supportive, understanding and encouraging manner along with her expertise in giving people the space and challenge to find their uniqueness in creating meaningful change in their lives and for those of others. Ceri’s use of psychometric tools to foster a strengths focus in coaching and coach training is another of her key approaches when working with various clients.
Ceri is based in Hertfordshire.
Qualifications and professional memberships
Ceri has a PhD in psychology, is Chartered with the British Psychological Society as a Coaching Psychologist as well as chartered as researcher and academic in higher education. She is also a Fellow of the International Society for Coaching Psychology and a Senior Coach Practitioner with the EMCC. Ceri is also a member and co-leader of the BPS Central London Peer Practice group.
Ceri is trained to advanced diploma level in coaching and has a range of coaching training qualifications. Ceri is also a ‘Strengthscope’ Master Practitioner, a Myers-Briggs (MBTI) Practitioner, a Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) practitioner and a Mental Toughness Coach (MTQ48). Her own coach training and CPD mean that she has skills in humanistic approaches, systemic approaches, embodied coaching, presence-based coaching and cognitive-behavioural approaches. She has developed her own model of Appreciative Inquiry coaching that integrates Appreciative Coaching with Positive Psychology and Strengths identification and development models.
A selection of journal articles
- Wason, S., & Sims, C. (2024). The experience of self-compassion training among NHS healthcare professionals. Journal of Health Psychology, 13591053241267041.
- Sims, C, Proctor, C & Kumar, A (2024) A qualitative investigation of the needs and gaps for developing an inclusive positive psychology training course for mental health practitioners, (in preparation for journal – expected Spring 2025)
- Saunders, B., & Sims, C. (2023) Moving beyond fear in a post-Covid world within Existential Positive Psychology. Journal of Existential Positive Psychology, 12, 1. (also Feb 2023 Joshua Wong scholarship award).
- McAllister, K & Sims, C (July, 2023) Can Positive Psychology strengths-based interventions evidence and support strengths-based practice in Adult Social care (White paper – published on university website)
