Kirsty is a Chartered and Registered Forensic Psychologist. Her career began in the Prison Service, where she was involved in delivering drug treatment and sex offender interventions, as well as conducting forensic risk assessments and attending Parole Board Hearings. She has worked in a mental health rehabilitation hospital for women and a therapeutic organisation for adolescents and adults with a range of forensic issues, including aggression and harmful sexual behaviour. Many of her clients have experienced childhood adversity and present with trauma. Kirsty is trained in Eye Movement, Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. She also has level 3 accreditation in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and level 2 accreditation in Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT). Currently, Kirsty works for an organisation that supports people with addiction to substances and alcohol. Her role involves delivering a range of interventions to support service users in their recovery. She also assists the staff team through providing psychological consultation, reflective practice and training.
Kirsty completed her PhD in 2019, on the topic of risk and vulnerability factors for child sexual exploitation and poly-victimisation. Her research interests relate to childhood adversity, resilience, and wellbeing, with the aim of improving outcomes for survivors of adversity. She is also interested in conducting research that relates to addiction recovery. Kirsty co-leads and delivers on the MSc in Forensic and Investigative Psychology, which is a BPS accredited Stage 1 course. Kirsty supervises individuals who are undertaking Doctoral and BPS Stage 2 routes to becoming a qualified Forensic Psychologist.
Degrees
University of Liverpool, United Kingdom, BSc in Psychology & Neuroscience
Manchester Metropolitan University, United Kingdom, MSc in Forensic Psychology
University of Central Lancashire, United Kingdom, PhD
Certifications
British Psychological Society, United Kingdom, CPsychol
Academic appointments
Co-Lead MSc Forensic and Investigative Psychology, Liverpool John Moores University, 2022 - present
Lecturer in Forensic Psychology, Liverpool John Moores University, 2021 - present
Postgraduate training
PG Cert Academic Practice, United Kingdom, Liverpool John Moores University, ? - present
Dataset
Alderson K, Ward J. 2025. Childhood adversity and adulthood internalising disorders: Mediating role of positive schemas. DOI Public Url
Journal article
Alderson K, Ireland CA, Khan R, Ireland JL, Lewis M. 2022. Child sexual exploitation, poly-victimisation and resilience Journal of Criminological Research, Policy and Practice, 8 :53-74 DOI Publisher Url Public Url
Alderson K, Ireland CA. 2020. Child Sexual Exploitation: Definition and the importance of language Abuse: An International Impact Journal, 1 DOI Publisher Url Public Url
Alderson KA. 2016. Child sexual exploitation JOURNAL OF FORENSIC PRACTICE, 18 :292-295 DOI Publisher Url
Ireland CA, Alderson K, Ireland JL. 2015. Sexual Exploitation in Children: Nature, Prevalence, and Distinguishing Characteristics Reported in Young Adulthood JOURNAL OF AGGRESSION MALTREATMENT & TRAUMA, 24 :603-622 DOI Publisher Url
Membership of professional bodies:
Diploma in Applied Forensic Psychology, British Psychological Society.
EMDR therapist, EMDR Association, UK and Ireland.
Practitioner Psychologist, Health and Care Professions Council.
Register of Applied Practitioner Psychologist Supervisors, The British Psychological Society.