School of Psychology

I am an applied psychologist, interested in the application of psychology to real life. I'm particularly interested in ways to make a change - for example, the psychotherapies (including hypnosis, behavioural management techniques, and person-centred approaches) and also in educational technologies such as computer applications for disability. But I also like the natural world and am now exploring the relatively new area of "ecopsychology" (people's relationship with the natural world and how it can help in healing).

 I recently introduced a new final-year option on "ecopsychology" which proved popular with students. This links to my current research collaboration with Fordhall Community Land Initiative, with whom I am looking at the ecopsychology of community land ownership.

I have an ongoing interest in the idea of "nature-connectedness" and use this in my teaching for the MSc in Counselling Psychology to encourage trainee counsellors to incorporate "nature" into their person-centred counselling.

• Florian,  L. &  Hegarty, J. R. (2003) (eds) Information Technology for Special Needs (Milton Keynes, Open University Press)
• Hegarty, J.R. (2006) The use of personal computers with adults who have developmental disability: outcomes of an organisation-wide initiative British J Developmental Disabilities, 52 (2), 133-150
• Hegarty, J.R. (2008) Community farm ownership: a way to increase involvement in care-farming? In : Dessein, J. ed. (2008) Farming for Health. Merelbeke, Belgium: ILVO
• Hegarty, J.R. (2010) Out of the consulting room and into the woods? Experiences of nature connectedness and self-healing.  European Journal of Ecopsychology 1: 64-84

Year 1

• PSY-10001 : Individuals and Society I
• PSY-10002 : Research Perspectives and Basic Methods
• PSY-10003 : Mechanisms and Principles I
• PSY-10007 : Applied Psychology
• PSY-10008 : Psychology across the Lifespan

Year 3

• PSY-30060 : Ecopsychology

Year 4

• PSY-40026 :
• PSY-40027 :