Joanna Dodsworth
Practice Development Forum (PDF).
Poster Session Abstract
The idea for the PDF has grown out of the successful Safer Society sessions in the US, facilitated by David Prescott and colleagues. These sessions have shown how valuable it is for professionals to come together in a structured but informal setting to discuss real-world practice issues.
Inspired by this model, NOTA has launched its own version — tailored to our members and aligned with our strategic aims to support learning, collaboration, and best practice.
In a field as complex and emotionally demanding as sexual abuse prevention and response, having a space to pause, reflect, and connect is more than just helpful — it is essential.
These forums will allow us to:
- Share insights and knowledge
- Build skills and confidence
- Connect with colleagues across disciplines
- Receive support and validation
- Explore new ideas collaboratively
Biographies
Jo Dodsworth is a Chartered Forensic Psychologist working for Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust. Prior to her current role Jo worked within HM Prison and Probation Service for 12 years, completing psychological risk assessments and delivering psychological interventions to males posing a risk of harm to others.
Jo has also worked within a secure hospital, providing psychological assessment, formulation and intervention to both male and female servicer users. Jo currently works within a community forensic psychology service, which provides therapy aimed at reducing risk of sexual and violent reoffending. This service includes a Prevention service for adults who have not sexually offended but may be at risk of doing so, and a trauma focused therapy service delivered across Northwest prisons.
Jo is also involved in delivering a psychologically-informed intervention for non-offending partners (NOPs), aimed at developing individual’s capacity to protect their children from risk of sexual harm.
Dr Mark Walton is a Consultant Clinical Psychologist and has worked in a range of forensic settings, including prisons, probation services, medium and low secure services, community forensic services, within the Offender Personality Disorder Pathway and currently within the Mental Health Treatment Requirements service.
Mark has an interest in childhood trauma and offending behaviour and using psychological therapy to reduce the risks of offending. He primarily uses schema therapy and EMDR a to conceptualise distress and offending behaviours and to shape the process of deeper psychological change.