Specialist Psychological Expertise
Mental health and wellbeing in the maritime sector can raise questions that benefit from specialist knowledge and professional judgement.
We combine clinical psychology expertise with an in-depth understanding of the maritime environment, providing evidence-informed input across a wide range of situations and projects. This might involve advising on an individual concern, contributing psychological expertise to the development or review of a wellbeing initiative, service or resource, or supporting research and evaluation.
Our input is tailored to what you need, whether that is a specialist perspective on a particular question, direct clinical involvement, or ongoing input as a project develops.
How Can We Help?
You can explore more information about each of the services below.
Technical Clinical Advice
01
We’re dealing with a difficult situation involving mental health — how should we respond?
Captains, senior crew, HR and crew management teams can encounter sensitive or complex situations where it is difficult to know what is happening, how concerned to be or what the appropriate response should be.
We provide confidential access to specialist psychological expertise to help you think through what you are noticing, assess risk where necessary, consider the different factors involved and determine appropriate next steps. This might include concerns about a crew member’s mental health, behaviour or ability to cope; suicide risk or a developing mental health crisis; conflict, bullying or harassment; questions about confidentiality, support or reasonable adjustments; or liaison with healthcare providers.
Our role is not to make decisions for you, but to provide an experienced, independent perspective that helps you approach difficult situations with greater confidence, care and professional judgement. Where appropriate, we can also advise on whether a specialist psychological assessment is needed and, in some circumstances, undertake that assessment.
Psychological Assessment & Psychological Therapy
We need direct specialist psychological input — what would be appropriate?
Psychological
Assessment
There are times when an organisation needs a clearer understanding of an individual's psychological presentation, how this may be affecting their wellbeing or functioning, or the part psychological factors may be playing in a particular situation.
We can undertake an independent assessment to address the questions relevant to the referral and provide a specialist psychological opinion, with recommendations about appropriate support, treatment, adjustments or other next steps where needed.
Return to Work
Assessment
A specialist psychological return-to-work assessment provides an evidence-informed basis for considering whether it is safe and appropriate for a seafarer to return to work following a period of absence on mental health grounds.
The decision about whether the seafarer returns to work rests with the company; our role is to provide an independent psychological assessment and recommendations to inform that decision.
NB This is separate from, and does not replace, any requirement for an ENG1 medical fitness assessment.
Medico-Legal & Expert Witness Assessments
02
Independent specialist assessment and opinion for legal and insurance purposes.
Psychological
Therapy
Life at sea can bring particular pressures, both onboard and at home. We provide evidence-based psychological therapy for a range of difficulties, including managing stress and difficult life experiences, relationship difficulties ashore, interpersonal problems or bullying onboard, and other issues affecting mental health and wellbeing.
Our understanding of the maritime environment means that therapy takes account of the realities of seafaring life rather than considering difficulties in isolation. We also have particular expertise in psychological trauma and PTSD where specialist trauma-focused treatment is needed.
Therapy is offered on a case-by-case basis following an initial assessment of individual needs.
Independent psychological assessment when you need a specialist opinion.
Confidential psychological therapy grounded in the realities of living and working at sea.
We provide independent psychological assessment and expert reporting where psychological health or injury is relevant to a legal, insurance or compensation matter.
Assessments are tailored to the purpose of the referral and the specific questions being asked, drawing on extensive clinical experience, including specialist expertise in psychological trauma and PTSD.
Independent psychological assessment to inform decisions about returning to work.
Subject-Matter Expertise
03
We’re developing or reviewing something related to mental health and wellbeing — how can we make sure it’s informed by the right expertise?
Organisations are increasingly developing their own approaches to supporting mental health and wellbeing. Bringing appropriately qualified psychological expertise into this work can provide valuable assurance that what is being developed is safe, evidence-informed and appropriate for its intended purpose and the maritime context. It can also form an important part of responsible practice and good professional due diligence.
We combine clinical psychology expertise, an understanding of the wider mental health evidence base and extensive maritime experience. This brings a specialist perspective to the work, helping to consider how evidence applies in practice, where its limitations may lie, and any potential unintended consequences.
We can contribute subject-matter expertise at different stages of a project, from early development through to reviewing existing provision. This might include wellbeing initiatives and programmes, training, digital tools and self-assessment resources, guidance and self-help materials, or services and support pathways.
Our involvement can range from providing a specialist perspective on a particular aspect of the work to contributing expertise as a project develops.
Evaluation, Review & Research
04
Where are we now? Is what we’re doing making a difference?
We can undertake focused evaluation and review projects to help you understand current wellbeing and needs, assess existing provision, or determine whether an initiative is achieving what was intended.
The approach is tailored to the questions you want to answer. We analyse the evidence and translate the findings into practical, evidence-informed recommendations.
We can also contribute psychological and maritime expertise to collaborative research projects addressing important questions about mental health and wellbeing across the maritime sector.
Talk to us about what you need
Whether you have a specific requirement or would like to explore whether specialist psychological input could be useful, we’d be happy to discuss what you need and how we may be able to help.