Meet Dr Rachael Wheatly

Dr Rachael Wheatley is an experienced Forensic Psychologist with over 21 years of practice in forensic settings, including senior roles within HMPPS. She is HCPC registered and a Chartered member of the British Psychological Society. Dr Wheatley specialises in forensic risk assessments, neurodevelopmental evaluations, and therapeutic interventions for complex cases, with a particular focus on stalking behaviours. She is also an active researcher, trainer, and supervisor committed to advancing forensic psychological practice.

  • HCPC Registered Practitioner (Forensic) Psychologist and Chartered Member of the British Psychological Society (BPS).

    • HCPC: PYL05144

    • BPS: 093164

    • EuroPsy Registered

    • Associate Fellow of the BPS (AFBPsS)

    • Chartered Scientist (CSci)

  • Over 21 years working within HMPPS Psychology Services, including senior leadership roles. Extensive experience in risk assessment, psychological interventions, and the delivery of treatment to adults within forensic settings. Currently works in independent practice and remains actively involved in research, publication, training, and consultancy.

    • Risk and needs assessments (e.g., IQ, autism, ADHD, personality difficulties)

    • Working with individuals who have stalked or are at risk of stalking

    • Complex forensic presentations and high-risk individuals

    • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

    • Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR)

    • Tailored psychological interventions based on individual need

    • Forensic risk assessments

    • Neurodevelopmental and cognitive assessments

    • Personality assessments and structured clinical tools

    • Experienced in delivering training, consultancy, and supervision

    • Active researcher and contributor to professional publications

    • Provides supervision for clinicians working toward accreditation

    • DPsych in Forensic Psychology, Nottingham Trent University (2019)

    • MSc in Legal and Forensic Psychology, University of Leicester (1999)

    • BSc (Hons) in Behavioural Sciences, University of Leicester (1997)

Dr Wheatley is an HCPC Registered Practitioner (Forensic) Psychologist and a BPS Chartered Psychologist, with full membership of the Division of Forensic Psychology.

Due to her extensive training and experience, she can provide a range of forensic psychology risk assessments, needs assessments (such as for IQ, autism & ADHD, personality difficulty, etc.), as well as therapeutic interventions, such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and EMDR. She specialises in working with those who have been, or are at risk of, stalking others. Prior to independent practice, Dr Wheatley worked for HMPPS psychology services group for 21 years, delivering treatment interventions and assessing risks and needs, working with adults, and in the latter part of this time, she held a senior leadership position. She continues to be active in undertaking research and the publishing of such and is a confident and effective trainer and consultant.