Professor Steven Jones

Director of Spectrum Centre

Research Interests

Steven completed his PhD and clinical training at the Institute of Psychiatry where he also worked as a Lecturer before moving to the North West. More recently he was Reader in Clinical Psychology and Academic Director of Clinical Psychology Doctorate at University of Manchester until taking up his current post in February 2008.

Steven's research interests have always centred on the psychology of severe mental health problems. For over 10 years his primary interest has been in the psychology and psychological treatment of bipolar disorder and associated condition. In line with this interest he has published widely on the development of cognitive therapy approaches for bipolar disorder and on psychological models relevant to the development and recurrence of bipolar experiences. External funding for his research work has come from diverse sources including NIHR, MRC, Wellcome Trust and NHS Trusts. The Spectrum Centre's work is focused on research into the psychological understanding and treatment of bipolar disorder, working across academic, NHS and voluntary sector services to improve outcomes for individuals with this diagnosis.

Steven is currently involved in research evaluating CBT for first diagnosis bipolar disorder; integrated psychological therapy for individuals with substance use and bipolar disorder; web-based parenting interventions for parents with bipolar disorder; and patterns of needs in relatives of individuals with a bipolar diagnosis. He has developed a model of the relationships between patterns of appraisal in bipolar disorder and their interactions with instability of sleep and activity patterns. He is also actively involved with research exploring psychological risk factors in children of bipolar parents and in the general population. He is currently working with the Spectrum team to learn more about factors associated with thriving in individuals with bipolar disorder.