Dr Vasilis S. Vasiliou

Biography

Education

I completed a bachelor’s degree in psychology at the University of Crete, Greece, and then continued with a master’s degree at Swansea University, Wales, UK, and a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at the University of Cyprus. I also hold a Post-graduate Certificate (Pg. Cert.) in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education (CKBO2, NFQ Level 9) from the University College Cork (UCC), Ireland.

Clinical Training

During my clinical training I was trained in the newest Contextual Cognitive-Behavioral interventions (e.g., Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Mindfulness, etc) from the ACTHealthy: Clinical Psychology & Behavioral Medicine Laboratory, Department of Psychology, University of Cyprus. Further, I completed part of my clinical training in behavioral change programs for targeted populations (individuals with chronic pain) in Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Neurological Institute, Center for International Medical Education, and in McLean Hospital (adolescents with anxiety problems), Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts, US.

At present, I hold two part-time positions:

• a Post-Doctoral in Clinical Health Psychology Research Associate, Biomedical and Life Sciences, School of Psychology, Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology (PsyD), Cardiff University (Prof. Andrew R. Thompson)
• Post-Doctoral Mixed Methods Research Associate at Nuffield Department of Orthopedics, Rheumatology & Musculoskeletal Sciences, Botnar Research Center, University of Oxford, UK Prof. Raashid Luqmani), and

Future work

In the future, I want to work in academic institutions and clinical settings to apply innovative ideas, conduct research, and mentor a young generation of clinical researchers. My interdisciplinary work will attempt to harness technology (AI, VR) and behavioral science to secure ongoing funding that will promote synergies in unresearched areas across Wales. This will include programs to enhance the Welsh NHS mental health services remotely, such as online psychosocial programs for adolescents with chronic illnesses.

Honours and awards

2020

• Vasilis S. Vasiliou (PI) obtained the Brain, Mind and Patient-Centred Innovation Grant (BMP Grant) from the Pain Alliance Europe (PAE), to run the Phase II, ASpida: Against Stigma pain intervention development approach (30.000 €).
• Vasilis S. Vasiliou (PI) obtained a research innovation grant from the Wanax Ltd., Department of research and development, to support the rapid response οf a qualitative inquiry (COM-B & TDF), to investigate health care professionals’ training needs in managing patients with chronic illnesses, in the aftermath of the COVID-19 (3000 €).
• Vasilis S. Vasiliou (PI) & Conor Linehan obtained a Collaborative Research Project funding from the School of Applied Psychology (SoAP Research funding 2019/2020) to support the enactment of Phase I, ASpida: Against Stigma pain intervention development approach (6345.13 €).

2018

• Vasilis S. Vasiliou (PI) obtained funding from the government of the Republic of Cyprus seeds’ grants to support the clinical work (individual and group-based sessions) of the Counseling & Preventive Center for drug addictions ACHILLEAS (KENTHEA), Avgorou, Ammochostos District, Cyprus (3000 €).

2016

• Vasilis S. Vasiliou obtained Ph.D. Scholarship (decision obtained by UCY rector’s council committee on 04/11/2015) from the Graduate School, University of Cyprus for the academic year 2015-2016 (8000 €).
• Vasiliou, S.V, Nicolaou, A., Christodoulou, L., & Michaelides, M., obtained funding for developing the National Guidelines for the responsible selling and serving of alcohol in Cyprus by the Cyprus Anti-Drug Council. Nicosia, Cyprus (1200 €).

2014  

• Vasilis S. Vasiliou obtained a mobility grant (US $ 8000) from the ALGEA project to receive specialized clinical training in the US at the following centers: (a) Neurological Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Chronic pain management program, Ohio, USA; (b) McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Behavioral Health Partial Program (BHPP) and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Institute (OCDI), McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA., USA.

2012

• Vasilis S. Vasiliou & Maria Karekla (PI), University of Cyprus & ACTHealthy lab, (principal investigators) “ALGEA project- An Innovative psychosocial intervention program for the treatment of chronic pain patients and their families”- was funded as a Ph.D. grant proposal (research coordinator position) approved from the European Commission (1851/24-04-2012), Territorial Bilateral Cooperation programme “Greece-Cyprus 2010-2015” co-funded by the European Union and National funds- in partnerships with Cyprus Institute of Genetics and Neurology and the Department of Psychology, University of Crete, Greece (390,000 € overall; 90.000 budgeted for VSV’s PhD).

2011

• Maria Karekla & Vasiliou S. V. Smoking Cessation Research Program for Adolescents. Research Assistant, Responsible for data collection, administration and evaluation of findings, funded by the Ministry of Education, Policy Unit, Republic of Cyprus, Cyprus (3000 €).

Professional memberships

• European Health Psychology Association (EHPS), Regular Professional Member (Reg. # 1762)
• British Psychological Society (BPS)- MBPsS –(Reg.#261228)
• Association for Contextual and Behavior Science (ACBS)- President-elect (2 years on the board) for the Greece- Cyprus ACBS Chapter by 2016-2019
• International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP), member since 2013 (Reg. # 79874)
• Member of Network for Psychotherapeutic Care in Europe from 2016 (NPCE; through the BPtK initiative; Federal Chamber of Psychotherapists in Germany; free membership)
• Member of the International Collaborative Network (ICN) for N-of-1 Clinical Trials and Single-Case Designs (since 2019; free membership)

Academic positions

Post- Doctoral Training

For two and a ½ years, I have been working as a postdoctoral researcher and part-time Lecturer at the School of Applied Psychology, University College Cork (UCC), Ireland, leading the development of a digitally delivered contextual behavior change program for young adults with drug use problems and teaching at the Clinical Psychology (PsyD) program, UCC.

• Feb. 2021- Sept. 2021,  Lectureship in Clinical Psychology position (part-time), Clinical Psychology Training program (PsyD), College of Arts Celtic Studies & Social Sciences, School of Applied Psychology, University College Cork (UCC), Cork Enterprise Centre, North Mall, Cork, Ireland
• Jan 2019- Sept. 2021, Post- Doctoral Researcher (part-time), College of Arts Celtic Studies & Social Sciences, School of Applied Psychology, University College Cork (UCC), Cork Enterprise Centre, North Mall, Cork, Ireland, Supervisors: Samantha Dockray, Ph.D, Conor Linehan, Ph.D., Michael Byrne, MD

Clinical Positions

• 2017- 2018, Clinical Psychologist, “Achilleas” Preventive & Counseling center, Center for Education about Drugs and Treatment of Drug Addictive persons., 18C’ Archibishop Makariou III., 5510, Avgorou, Ammochostos district, Cyprus

• 2016- 2018, Clinical Psychologist (Reg. Number #418), Center for Cognitive Behavioral Psychology. 18 Stavrou Av., 2035, Strovolos, Nicosia, Cyprus, Private Practice

• 2012-2015, Supervised PRACTICA as a Clinical Psychologist Trainee

• 2012-2013, Street Work Team & other Projects, Youth Board of Cyprus Organization, Prevention and Counseling services; “Safer Night” prevention team

• 2010-2011, Military Service/ Assistant Psychologist (under constitution rules), Naval and Veterans Hospital of Athens, Department of Psychiatry

• 2009-2010, Honorary Assistant Psychologist, Psychology Department ABMU West, Central Clinic, Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board NHS Trust Wales, U.K.

• 2008-2009, Clinical Trainee, University of Athens, Medical School, Department of Psychiatry, A’ Outpatient Clinic "Aiginiteion Hospital", Athens, Greece

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Speaking engagements

Guest Lecturer

• - GL.1., 2015, Values and Motivation in PSY- 106 module, Department of Psychology, University of Cyprus
• - 2., 2016, The role of nurse in managing patients with rheumatoid arthritis, Ministry of Health, Republic of Cyprus, Department of Nursing.
• - GL.3., 2018, Hazing & Bullying behaviours, Training for Military Leaders, Commanders, and stuff to hazing prevention, National Guard of Cyprus, Ministry of Defense, Republic of Cyprus.
• - 4., 2019, CBT, DBT, ACT and other behavioural interventions, in AP 1036- Learning and Behaviour module, School of Applied Psychology, UCC.
• - 5., 2021, Harnessing the Role of Psychological Flexibility as a Transdiagnostic Malleable Intervention Target, Invited Departmental talk, School of Applied Psychology.

Committees and reviewing

Ad Hoc Reviewer

• jcbs: Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science (Board member)
• jpain: The Journal of Pain
• EJP: European Journal of Pain
• Pilot and Feasibility Studies
• British Journal of Psychiatry
• Psychologica Belgica
• Disability and Rehabilitation

Committee Member

• Member of the Development Committee for the ACBS Foundation (including Steve Hayes, Jason Luoma, Mara Lins, Jessica Borushok, and Andrew Gloster)

Contribution to Community

Beyond my role as a researcher, my commitment to service through interdisciplinary activities is evident. So far, I have worked independently as a licensed Clinical Psychologist (3 yrs in a private clinic), teacher instructor (n=7 modules), mentor to junior researchers (n=13 students), consultant to a heath-tech start-up company (Wanax Ltd; http://www.wanax.co.uk/), and committee member in organizations such as the Pain Alliance Europe and a board member of the Association for Contextual & Behavioral Science.

Teaching

Teaching Experience:

I have more than seven years of diverse teaching experience, delivering modules at different universities, institutions, and academies. My teaching experience includes the preparation of modules' (curricula,  learning/ objective plan, learning weekly activities), students' supervision and mentor provision meetings, marking and evaluation of final exam papers and other deliverables.

My training background qualifies me to teach in undergraduate programs, delivering several modules relevant to Clinical and Health Psychology, Personality/Individual Differences, Positive Psychology & Well-being, Addiction & Behavioral Problems, and Behavioral Change and Applications of Psychology through Digital Technologies. At a post-graduate level, I can teach Research Methods, Applications of Clinical & Health Psychology, Psychotherapeutic Procedures, Counseling & Interviewing skills, and Advanced Counseling Skills, as well as courses relevant to Applied Behavioral Analysis, Modern Contextual Behavior Treatments (CBT), and Process-based Interventions.

In 2021 I completed the online post-graduate Certificate in Teaching, Learning & Supervising in Higher Education (CKBO2, Part-time) at the University College Cork (UCC).

Teaching (TE)

• Cardiff University:
  • o 2. School of Psychology, Spring semester, 2022 Clinical Seminar (PsyD program) Behavioural Change Wheel (BCW) and the Theoretical Domain Framework (TDF): Practical Applications in health-related research
• • University College Cork:
• o 2. School of Applied Psychology, Spring semester, 2022 Seminars in Health Psychology: Theory and Practice
• o 3. School of Applied Psychology, Spring semester, 2021 AP2042 Introduction to Clinical Psychology
• o 4. School of Applied Psychology, Fall semester, 2019 AP2042 Introduction to Clinical Psychology
• o 5. School of Applied Psychology, Spring Semester 2019, 2020, 2021 & 2022 Clinical Seminar (PsyD program) Making Mindful behavioral changes: Introduction in Acceptance & Commitment Therapy

University of Cyprus:

• Department of Psychology:
  • o 5. Fall semester 2017, PSY-103- Clinical Psychology I: Theories of Personalities
  • o 6. Spring semester 2017, PSY-220- Clinical Psychology II: Adults Psychopathology
  • o 7. Fall semester 2016, PSY-347- Psychology of drug & Addiction
• Medical School: TE.8. Fall semesters 2016 & 2017, Clinical round seminars of Medical Psychology: 31- Pain, 38- Diabetes, 62- Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Cyprus Police Academy:
  • o 9. Seminar for soft skill development and communication with citizens in front-line policing

Guest Lectures (GL):

• - GL.1., 2015, Values and Motivation in PSY- 106 modules, Department of Psychology, University of Cyprus
• - 2., 2016, The role of the nurse in managing patients with rheumatoid arthritis, Ministry of Health, Republic of Cyprus, Department of Nursing.
• - GL.3., 2018, Hazing & Bullying behaviors, Training for Military Leaders, Commanders, and stuff to hazing prevention, National Guard of Cyprus, Ministry of Defense, Republic of Cyprus.
• - 4., 2019, CBT, DBT, ACT, and other behavioral interventions, in AP 1036- Learning and Behaviour module, School of Applied Psychology, UCC.
• - 5., 2021, Harnessing the Role of Psychological Flexibility as a Transdiagnostic Malleable Intervention Target, Invited Departmental talk, School of Applied Psychology.

Teaching Approach:

My teaching approach stems both from my updated theoretical knowledge in my area of expertise (Clinical Health Psychology and Behavioral Medicine) and from my research and clinical experiences as a clinical psychologist. In my teaching, the focus is for students to get experiential learning by doing. The scope is always for the students to gain the experience necessary to reason, argue, and interpret situations that will arise in practice, during their future careers, and in settings where they will be challenged to think beyond the facts. I do this by using interactive lectures, case studies, experiential work, and examples while keeping scientific integrity, by incorporating evidence from cutting-edge research and theories as part of the teaching practice.

Main research framework:

In my research, I employ mixed-methods (triangulating quantitative and qualitative data), participatory-design plans (e.g., interventions developed from public and patient involvement groups- PPI), and approaches to collect data in the context of individuals' lives (e.g., N-of-1 and Ecological Momentary assessment).

I also undertake analyses from behavioral integrated theoretical frameworks, such as the Behavioral Change Wheel (BCW) Model and the Theoretical Domain Framework (TDF), to understand implementation challenges and highlight parameters that could support  behavioral changes in clinical settings (e.g., soft communication skills, medical adherence, toxicity from medications, etc.)

Research Outcome

My research has been so far published in the top 10% of highly reputable scientific journals (source SciVal, Scopus, June 2021), such as the Journal of Pain, Psychology & Health, Harm Reduction Journal, Journal of Contextual & Behavioral Science). I have developed more than 7 clinical protocols for health care professionals and I have secured more than 70.000€ (grants, n=9) in research projects, and more than >17.000 € in research collaboration and training. I am currently serving as president-elect of the Greece & Cyprus Association for Contextual & Behavioral Science local chapter (ACBS) and I am a board member of the ACBS Foundation. My research in chronic pain management has received four awards, two travel Scholarships from ANZACBS and EHPS, and two best citation awards from the Society of Behavioral Medicine, and the WASET group.