Meet Melanie Merola

Melanie is a BPS Chartered and HCPC-registered Forensic Psychologist, with extensive experience in the assessment, formulation, and treatment of sexual and violent offenders. She has particular expertise in delivering and managing accredited Offending Behaviour Programmes (OBPs) at both moderate and high intensity. Over her career, Melanie has developed a strong track record in implementing evidence-based interventions, conducting detailed risk assessments, and providing therapeutic support to offenders across a range of secure and community settings. She combines clinical expertise with leadership experience, ensuring both the quality of individual care and the effective functioning of the services she oversees.

  • Chartered & HCPC-Registered Forensic Psychologist

    • HCPC Registered (PYLXXXX)

    • Chartered Member of the British Psychological Society (BPS)

  • Melanie has worked in forensic psychology since 2006, including roles within HM Prison and Probation Service with young adult and adult prisoners. She has held positions as Head of Psychology and continues to provide therapeutic input to offenders in high-security and Category C prison settings. She is currently employed by the NHS as a Consultant Forensic Psychologist and Strategic Clinical Lead for the HMP Aylesbury Offender Personality Disorder (OPD) Pathway.

  • Melanie specialises in forensic risk assessment, intervention, and the treatment management of sexual and violent offenders. She has experience delivering individual therapy and accredited offending behaviour programmes across a range of security levels.

    • Risk assessment tools: HCR-20v3, RSVP v2, SARA v3

    • Structured psychological assessments: IPDE, PCL-R

    • Cognitive assessments: WAIS-IV, BADS

    • Neurodevelopmental/protective factor assessments: SAPROF

    • Proficient in supervising and managing accredited offending behaviour programmes

  • Melanie provides leadership, supervision, and service development within forensic psychology settings, supporting professional development and treatment integrity across the OPD Pathway.

Melanie Merola is a Forensic Psychologist, Chartered with the BPS and Registered with the HCPC. She has over 17 years’ experience working with sexual and violent offenders, specialising in risk assessment, accredited programme delivery, and therapeutic interventions. Melanie is currently NHS Consultant Forensic Psychologist and Strategic Clinical Lead for the HMP Aylesbury OPD Pathway, where she continues to work directly with prisoners while overseeing and developing the service. She is proficient in structured risk, psychological, and cognitive assessments, and in the delivery and management of both moderate and high-intensity OBPs.

Discover the rest of our highly experienced psychologists and specialists, each bringing their own expertise to support our clients.