Debbie Featherstone MSc: Qualifications and Experience

Qualifications:

(2012) MSc in Psychotherapy with Merit (University of Sheffield)

(2005) DHP(NC) Post Graduate Diploma in Hypnotherapy & Psychotherapy with Distinction (NCHP)

(1994) Diploma in Hearing Therapy (City Lit., London)

(1983) Certificate Teacher of Lipreading to Adults (City Lit, London)

Employment:

2001-2010 Head of Hearing Therapy Services based in Burnley and Blackburn at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust (Early retirement from NHS in 2020)

Responsibilities for specialist rehabilitative service provision for NHS patients who have tinnitus, hyperacusis, balance/vestibular disorders and hearing loss

1996-2001 Hearing Therapist based at NHS Regional Rehabilitation Services for Deafened People

Hearing Therapist as part of a unique NHS specialist regional & national rehabilitation team. Our team comprised: one Clinical Psychologist (Team Lead), one highly specialist Audiologist, one Hearing Therapist, and one Speech & Language Therapist

1993-1996 Hearing Therapist based at St Margaret's Hospital, Epping, Essex

District Hearing Therapist providing specialist rehabilitation for people with hearing loss, tinnitus and vestibular/balance problems

1983-1993 Lipreading Teacher across multiple centres in Essex, & Lecturer at City Literary Institute, London

Teaching Lipreading Classes throughout Essex and City Lit, London teaching Lipreading to adults with hearing loss
Lecturer for Hearing Therapists in training, Lipreading Teachers in training and teaching Lipreading to adults with hearing loss.

BAA (British Academy of Audiology) Professional Body Offices whilst working in the NHS:

2008-2009 Chair BAA Professional Development Committee

2006-2009 BAA Chief Auditor for Continuing Professional Development

2004-2009 BAA Professional Development Committee

2004-2007 BAA (British Academy of Audiology) Executive Board

Collaborative Research with NIHR NHBRC

2015 - 2017 : Published: A psychologically informed, audiologist-delivered, manualised intervention for tinnitus: Protocol for a randomised controlled feasibility trial (Tin Man Study) John A Taylor; Deborah A Hall; Dawn-Marie Walker; Mary McMurran; Amanda Casey; David Stockdale; Debbie Featherstone; Dean M Thompson; Carol MacDonald; Derek J Hoare, Pilot and Feasibility Studies

2013 - 2016

NIHR NHBRC Stage 1 & 2 Evaluation of the Tinnitus E-Programme
Published: The application of intervention coding methodology to describe the Tinnitus E-Programme, an internet-delivered self-help intervention for tinnitus, Kate Greenwell, Debbie Featherstone, Derek Hoare, American Journal of Audiology

A Selection of External Lectures & Courses:

March 2021 : Webinar for the British Tinnitus Association: "What is Cognitive Behaviour Therapy and how it can help with tinnitus"

January 2020 - present : Partnered the CBT for Tinnitus E-Programme with the British Tinnitus Association BTA website

January 2016 - 2017 : Counselling Skills & Tinnitus Care Pathway (CSTCP) - training Audiologists & Specialist Sensory Social Workers across all regions of Northern Ireland Health & Social Care Northern Ireland

2010 - 2019 : Counselling Skills & Tinnitus Care Pathway (CSTCP) - A Course for Audiologists: 8 day training course delivered to NHS and private sector Audiologists provided in partnership with the North West School of Audiology

2009 - present : Provision of the 'online' Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for Tinnitus E-Programme that became CBT4T late 2024. The online programme is regularly updated - at least once a year Main course website

2006 - 2008 : Part time secondment to the University of Manchester

Teaching BSc and MSc Audiology students - Tinnitus Management and Rehabilitation in Audiology;
Developed Masters level specialist course in Aural Rehabilitation and Tinnitus Management

A Selection of National and International Lectures & Workshops

November 2017 : University of Manchester - Tinnitus Training Day for Audiologists

June 2014 : British Academy of Audiology Student Conference (Nat) Main Speaker: "Working with Non-routine Patients"

Sept 2012 : British Society of Audiology (Nat) Main Speaker "Practice Guidance Principles of Adult Rehabilitation: Implications of the Principles for an Individual's Practice"

April 2012 : National Biomedical Research Unit in Hearing, Nottingham: Seminar Series Main Speaker: “Tinnitus – Designing Therapy Around the Patient”

A Selection of Professional Interests

2004 - present : Provision of national interactive forum for Hearing Therapists

2018 - present : Provision of the Therapist-supported CBT for Tinnitus E-Programme (CBT4T since 2024)

2009 - 2018 : Provision of Tinnitus E-Programme: a worldwide tinnitus management resource for professionals and the public, (including a moderated on-line Support Forum)

2011 - 2014 : Member of NSHP Ethics Panel. NSHP is a member organisation of UKCP (UK Council for Psychotherapy)

A Selection of Earlier Lectures & Workshops:

May 2011 : NHS Scotland: Starkey Innovation Day (NHS Scotland Heads of Audiology) Main Speaker: “Innovation and Change”

March 2008 : RNID National Study Day (*Nat) “Group Work and Tinnitus”

March 2008 : ATLA National Training (*Nat) “Management of Patients with Tinnitus”

April 2008 : Phonak iLearn (**Int) “Working with Groups in a Clinical Setting”

April 2007 : Phonak iLearn (**Int) “Change Management”

2007-2008 : Hearing Therapy Forum (*Nat) “Case Studies Workshops” – Various topics

Notes:

RNID – Royal National Institute for the Deaf (now Action on Hearing Loss)
ATLA – Association of Teachers of Lipreading
Phonak iLearn – Worldwide Web Live lectures for professionals in Audiology, also in recorded format thereafter
Hearing Therapy Forum Workshops held at Royal National Throat, Nose & Ear Hospital, London

*National **International