Richard Hallam
Richard Hallam is a researcher, writer, and independent therapist. He worked as a clinical psychologist in the UK National Health Service and taught on postgraduate courses at the University of East London and University College London, contributing especially to therapy processes, case formulation, audiological medicine, and concept of self. Currently he has become interested in human cultural evolution, especially responses to resource depletion and climate change.
Subjects: Health Psychology, Psychological Science
Biography
After deciding that Forestry was not for him, Richard Hallam switched to Psychology and Philosophy, and then to Clinical Psychology, with a short deviation to Social Anthropology. As a clinical psychologist in the National Health Service, he has worked with children and adolescents, with adults in primary care and outpatient departments, with substance abuse and psychosomatic problems, and latterly in audiological medicine with people affected by tinnitus, vestibular problems, and profound hearing loss. At the same time, he has been employed teaching and training clinical psychologists at a postgraduate level.His study of social anthropology has led him to investigate the way psychological problems are framed and experienced through a cultural lens. He has worked with performance artist, Bobby Baker, on her show How to Live, which was performed twice at the Barbican Theatre London and also at the Newhaven Arts Festival in the USA. He has been led to the conclusion that a paradigm shift is needed in the way human woes are understood, hence the title of his latest book Abolishing the concept of mental illness.
Education
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BA, Psychology & Philosophy, UCNW, 1965
Dip Psychol, Abnormal Psychology, London IoP, 1966
PhD, Abnormal Psychology, London IoP, 1971
MSc, Social Anthropology, London UCL, 1980
Areas of Research / Professional Expertise
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The social construction of mental health, social governance of psychological therapists, and related social policy.
Richard Hallam is accredited as a cognitive behavioural therapist with the British Association of Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy. He is not registered with the Health and Care Professions Council.
Personal Interests
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Writing fiction especially short stories. Painting and collage. Richard Hallam has set up an independent publishing house, Polpresa Press, which has published three books of general cultural interest.
Websites
Books
News
My interview on the Mad in America website
By: Richard Hallam
Eric Maisel interviews Richard Hallam about the nature and content of his book "Abolishing the concept of mental illness: Rethinking the nature of our woes" which has already attracted a number of replies and comments.