Advisory Panel of Experts by Experience
Established in 2011, Advisory Panel of Experts by Experience (APEX) represents the perspective of those with lived experience of using health & social care services, including parents and carers. We are a small, friendly and welcoming group from a range of backgrounds. If you use or have used health or social care services, we would love you to consider joining our group. We particularly wish to encourage people who have experience of using clinical psychology services to join us. We welcome enquiries from people from a range of different backgrounds and with a diverse range of skills. We support the training of clinical psychologists on the Edinburgh training programme, ensuring that the voice of lived experience is recognised and valued as part of the training experience.
What does APEX do?
Improving Training
We work in partnership with the clinical and academic staff and trainees from the University of Edinburgh to contribute to and influence the delivery of the Doctorate in Clinical Psychology training programme from a lived experience perspective. We can and do make a difference.
APEX members are involved in various ways in a wide range of different activities. We recognise that the level of involvement of each individual will depend on interest and availability.
Some of the activities we are involved in:
- Induction of new trainees
- Selection of trainees
- Teaching trainees
- Reviewing the curriculum
- Supporting research
- Attending and presenting at the training conference
- Representing APEX on range of sub-committees: Selection sub-committee/Joint Training Committee
For more information, view the panel Terms of Reference
Who can be part of APEX?
If you use or have used health or social care services, we would love you to consider joining our group. We particularly wish to encourage people who have experience of using clinical psychology services to join us. We welcome enquiries from people from a range of different backgrounds and with a diverse range of skills. We support the training of clinical psychologists on the Edinburgh training programme, ensuring that the voice of lived experience is recognised and valued as part of the training experience.
For more information, view the APEX role profile below:
View our member biographies below:
Join us!
If you’re interested in joining APEX and would like further information, please contact our Administrator:
Phone: 0131 651 3973
Testimonials
My name is Ash and I’ve recently been warmly welcomed to join APEX. I’ve both lived and live experience of mental illness and have accessed both NHS and third sector psychology, counselling and therapies, with a perspective of what works well and where things could improve. I’m keen to bring my voice, insights and constructive enthusiasm to help shape best practice in the design and delivery of treatments, from a person centred focus. I volunteer also in peer support for Health in Mind, on the NHS Lothian Arts Therapy Empowerment Group, with the University of Edinburgh mental health and social archives. I am also passionate about the role of arts and creativity in the wellbeing and recovery in everyone’s mental health.
I find it very enjoyable to work alongside trainee psychologists in the hope of creating better services.
I enjoy being a member of APEX. We make a positive contribution to ensuring that the training reflects the views of people with experience of mental health difficulties. We have been successful in bringing about several changes to the recruitment and training and have opportunities to speak to the trainees which they find extremely helpful.
Having members of APEX talk to us about their experiences makes a real difference to our training. Hearing from those with lived experience can help us as trainees better appreciate the impact of our work and consider the weight of the privilege we will have as Clinical Psychologists. It is so important for experts to be involved in every part of the training process and to help us go into our jobs advocating for better mental health services with an invaluable insight into what the experience is like for those with mental health problems.