Our Team
Megan Kennedy-Woodard
B.A., MS.c, Pg.Cert.
Climate Coaching Psychologist
Hello and welcome! As a Climate Coaching Psychologist, I support and motivate parents, individuals and groups to identify their process, passion, and purpose within the context of Eco-Emotions. These Big Feelings can block us or motivate us- we get to choose.
When working with local community members, I observed symptoms of procrastination, fear of failure, lack of identity and agency and general feeling of ‘being stuck’ - these were the issues I worked with as a Life Coach, but in the context of climate change. I saw that I could apply my psychology background and skills as a coach to support the move towards climate action. I help by identifying unhelpful patterns of thinking, processing big emotions, developing positive coping strategies, identifying values and setting goals for positive environmental-impact plans.
As a coach, I help my clients, not by giving them advice or solutions but by helping them to realise, and uncover the confidence they need to know that they are already dynamic, creative, and have all the tools to achieve their goals in helping to protect the planet.
Dr. Patrick Kennedy-Williams
D.Clin.Psy (Oxon.)
Clinical Psychologist
Hello I'm Patrick. I'm an HCPC-registered Clinical Psychologist and a Chartered member of the British Psychological Society. I hold a doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of Oxford
Whilst my clinical training was broad, over the years I have developed specialties in a few key areas. I have a specific interest in climate change-related mental health and wellbeing. I am passionate about helping people working in sustainability sustained.
Over the course of my career, I have participated actively in research, and I am currently involved in supporting research into the psychological aspects of climate change.
I am co-Director of Climate Psychologists.
I look forward to meeting you!
Qualifications: BA (Hons), MSc, DClinPsy (Oxon.), Chartered Member of the British Psychological Society (C.Psychol), HCPC Registered Psychologist (PYL 33540)
Let’s make plans!
Qualifications: I received my M.Sc in Psychology from The University of East London with a focus on childhood social dynamics. I went on to train at the University of Oxford, where I obtained my P.G. Cert. in Psychodynamic Studies and Advanced Coaching. I am a qualified Simplicity Parenting Coach.
Melissa James
B.A.
Programme Manager
Hi! I’m Melissa, the newest member of the Climate Psychologists’ team - it’s great to meet you!
Whilst studying for a BSc in Psychology and Counselling, I realised that it was possible to combine the skills I had acquired with my love of people and the planet. So, I set out researching psychological responses to climate change - namely, eco-anxiety (of course, I am a counselling graduate after all!).
I continue to be both impassioned and inspired by the ability of psychology to aid individuals and society dealing with the mental health toll of an increasingly uncertain future. So much so that I am currently reading for an MSc in Environmental Psychology at The University of Surrey, as well as working alongside some great academics in continuing to research eco-anxiety.
Since the most important thing any of us can do to help ourselves and the planet is lean into our skills and our passions, I am here! - working alongside Patrick and Megan toward a world that feels empowered to turn its climate anxiety into climate action.