BSc in Psychology from Bristol University, followed by experience working in drug addiction, then physical disability; MSc in clinical psychology from North East London Polytechnic (now UEL).

PhD in 1976 while working at St Thomas' Hospital in pain management; subsequently part-time senior lecturer at King's College medical school and part time clinical practice at St Thomas' Hospital.

2004 came to UCL as Reader in Clinical Health Psychology. I also work one session as a consultant clinical psychologist in the pain management centre of UCLH (at the National Hospital, Queen Square), and one day for the International Centre for Health and Human Rights (ICHHR).