![Dean Whybrow BSc (Hons) PGCE PGDip MSc PhD FHEA RNMH TCH](https://profiles-cardiff.imgix.net/attachments/9039?w=200&h=200&auto=format&crop=faces&fit=crop&q=90")
Dr Dean Whybrow
(he/him)
BSc (Hons) PGCE PGDip MSc PhD FHEA RNMH TCH
- Available for postgraduate supervision
Teams and roles for Dean Whybrow
Lecturer: Mental Health Nursing (Teaching & Research)
Postgraduate Research Programme Manager
Overview
Dr Dean Whybrow | Mental Health Nurse | Researcher | University Lecturer | CBT & EMDR Therapist | PhD in Organisational Health & Wellbeing | Royal Navy Veteran
Hello, my name is Dean — a mental health nurse, university lecturer, and dual-accredited therapist (BABCP for CBT and EMDR Europe for EMDR). With a PhD in Organisational Health and Wellbeing, I specialise in workforce wellbeing and mental health practice, blending clinical insight with academic depth.
My journey into mental health began in the Royal Navy, where I spent a full career delivering occupationally focused mental health care and conducting research across diverse and demanding roles. That experience shaped my understanding of resilience, leadership, and the psychological demands of high-performance environments.
Today, I bring that unique blend of military experience, clinical expertise, and academic rigour into everything I do — from supervising PhD students and leading research to shaping future practitioners through teaching. My work is driven by a passion for improving mental health care and creating healthier, more supportive workplaces.
Whether in the classroom, clinic, or research lab, I’m committed to bridging the gap between theory and practice — helping to build a future where mental health and wellbeing are central to how we live and work.
Publication
2025
- Edwards, D. et al. 2025. Mental health services safe staffing: A commissioned rapid scoping review for NHS England. [Online].medRxiv: openRxiv. (10.1101/2025.10.23.25338621)Available at: http://doi.org/10.1101/2025.10.23.25338621.
- McKenna Lawson, S. et al. 2025. Hierarchies of need: a systematic review of resilience, challenge, and change in the global nursing workforce during the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic. Creative Nursing: A Journal of Values, Issues, Experience, and Collaboration (10.1177/10784535251390034)
2024
- Elliott, J. et al. 2024. Mixed shift rotations, sleep, burnout and well-being in professions similar to radiographers: A systematic review. Radiography 30 (4), pp.1194-1200. (10.1016/j.radi.2024.05.016)
- Temeng, E. et al. 2024. Nurses' coping strategies caring for patients during severe viral pandemics: A mixed methods systematic review. Journal of Clinical Nursing. 33 (1), pp.242-254. (10.1111/jocn.16711)
- Whybrow, D. et al. 2024. The perceived helpfulness and acceptability of a bespoke psychological therapy service for registered nurses experiencing psychological distress: A qualitative study. Journal of Advanced Nursing 80 (12), pp.5029-5038. (10.1111/jan.16160)
2023
- Bradley-Scholey, S. et al., 2023. EMDR with a military population. In: Farrell, D. , Schubert, S. J. and Kiernan, M. eds. The Oxford Handbook of EMDR. Oxford: Oxford University Press. , pp.C29S1-C29N1. (10.1093/oxfordhb/9780192898357.013.29)
- Watts, T. et al. 2023. Registered Nurses' and nursing students' perspectives on moral distress and its effects: a mixed-methods systematic review and thematic synthesis. Nursing Open 10 (9), pp.6014-6032. (10.1002/nop2.1913)
- Watts, T. et al. 2023. Addressing moral distress among nurses after the Covid-19 emergency: The ASSISTANCE study. Presented at: Chief Nursing Officer Conference Cardiff 13 October 2023.
- Watts, T. et al. 2023. ASSISTANCE (Addressing moral distress among nurses after the COVID-19 emergency): co-creation of evidence-based guidance to ameliorate moral distress.. Presented at: Chief Nursing Office Wales Conference Cardiff 13 October 2023.
- Watts, T. et al. 2023. Co-creation of evidence-based moral distress guidance for nurses: The ASSISTANCE (Addressing moral distress among nurses after the COVID-19 emergency) Study -Phase 3. Presented at: Chief Nurse Conference Cardiff, UK 13 October 2023.
- Whybrow, D. et al. 2023. EMDR Therapy with Military Veterans. In: Kiernan, M. , Schubert, S. and Farrell, D. eds. The Oxford Handbook of EMDR. Oxford: Oxford University Press. , pp.C30S1-C30S19. (10.1093/oxfordhb/9780192898357.013.30)
- Whybrow, D. and Milligan, C. 2023. Military healthcare professionals' experience of transitioning into civilian employment: a heuristic inquiry. WORK: A Journal of Prevention, Assessment & Rehabilitation 76 (2), pp.663-677. (10.3233/WOR-220317)
2022
- Temeng, E. et al. 2022. Nurses' experiences of caring for severely ill patients during infection outbreaks (pandemic / epidemic): a mixed methods systematic review. Presented at: RCN International Nursing Research Conference 2022 Cardiff 5-6 September 2022.
- Watts, T. et al. 2022. Perceived helpfulness of a tiered mental health support intervention for moral distress: a qualitative, exploratory study. Presented at: European Nursing Congress 22: Future Proof Nursing: Nurses as key drivers of change Netherlands 4-7 October 2022.
- Watts, T. et al. 2022. Contributing factors and impacts of moral distress among nurses: a systematic review. Presented at: European Nursing Congress 22: Future Proof Nursing: Nurses as key drivers of change Netherlands 4-7 October 2022.
- Watts, T. et al. 2022. Addressing moral distress during COVID-19 recovery: a mixed methods systematic review and narrative synthesis of moral distress in nurses and supportive moral distress interventions.
- Watts, T. et al. 2022. Addressing moral distress among nurses after the COVID-19 emergency: The ASSISTANCE study. Presented at: Canopi Synposium Cardiff University May 2022.
- Watts, T. et al. 2022. Symposium of four papers: Identifying and mitigating moral distress in the nursing workforce: insights from the UK and the United States. Presented at: RCN International Nursing Research Conference Cardiff, UK 5-6 Sept 2022.
- Whybrow, D. , Holman, G. and Jones, G. 2022. Journeys to the essence of being a mental health nurse: a collaborative autoethnography. British Journal of Mental Health Nursing 11 (4 (S)), pp.22-33. (10.12968/bjmh.2022.0035)
2021
- Watts, T. et al. 2021. Supportive interventions to mitigate moral distress among nurses: a mixed methods systematic review and narrative synthesis. Presented at: Public Health Wales Research and Evaluation Conference 2021: Research in action: COVID-19 and beyond Online 23 September 2021.
2019
- Crole-Rees, C. , Whybrow, D. and Kitchiner, N. 2019. Working with military veterans. In: Evans, N. ed. Family work in mental health: a skills approach. Vol. 1st, M&K Update
2018
- Jones, N. , Whybrow, D. and Coetzee, R. 2018. UK military doctors; stigma, mental health and help-seeking: a comparative cohort study. Journal of the Royal Army Medical Corps 164 , pp.259-266. (10.1136/jramc-2018-000928)
- Wilson, G. et al., 2018. The use of eye-movement desensitization reprocessing (EMDR) therapy in treating post-traumatic stress disorder—a systematic narrative review. Frontiers in Psychology 9 923. (10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00923)
2016
- Kennedy, I. et al., 2016. A service evaluation of self-referral to military mental health teams. Occupational Medicine 66 (5), pp.394-398. (10.1093/occmed/kqw044)
- Whybrow, D. 2016. Meeting the health care needs of transgender people within the armed forces: putting UK military policy into practice. Journal of Clinical Nursing. 25 (23-24), pp.3743-3749. (10.1111/jocn.13573)
2015
- Whybrow, D. , Jones, N. and Greenberg, N. 2015. Promoting organizational well-being: a comprehensive review of Trauma Risk Management. Occupational Medicine 65 (4), pp.331-336. (10.1093/occmed/kqv024)
- Whybrow, D. et al. 2015. The mental health of deployed UK maritime forces. Occupational and Environmental Medicine 73 (2), pp.75-82. (10.1136/oemed-2015-102961)
2013
- Wesson, M. I. et al., 2013. Clinical supervision in a UK military department of community mental health. Journal of the Royal Army Medical Corps 159 (4), pp.291-293. (10.1136/jramc-2013-000079)
- Wesson, M. et al., 2013. An initial evaluation of the clinical and fitness for work outcomes of a military group behavioural activation programme. Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy 42 (02), pp.243-247. (10.1017/S135246581300043X)
- Whybrow, D. 2013. Behavioural activation for the treatment of depression in military personnel. Journal of the Royal Army Medical Corps 159 (1), pp.15-20. (10.1136/jramc-2013-000004)
- Whybrow, D. 2013. Psychiatric nursing liaison in a combat zone: an autoethnography. Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing 20 (10), pp.896-901. (10.1111/jpm.12034)
- Whybrow, D. , Jones, N. and Greenberg, N. 2013. Corporate knowledge of psychiatric services available in a combat zone. Military Medicine 178 (2) e241. (10.7205/MILMED-D-12-00329)
Articles
- Elliott, J. et al. 2024. Mixed shift rotations, sleep, burnout and well-being in professions similar to radiographers: A systematic review. Radiography 30 (4), pp.1194-1200. (10.1016/j.radi.2024.05.016)
- Jones, N. , Whybrow, D. and Coetzee, R. 2018. UK military doctors; stigma, mental health and help-seeking: a comparative cohort study. Journal of the Royal Army Medical Corps 164 , pp.259-266. (10.1136/jramc-2018-000928)
- Kennedy, I. et al., 2016. A service evaluation of self-referral to military mental health teams. Occupational Medicine 66 (5), pp.394-398. (10.1093/occmed/kqw044)
- McKenna Lawson, S. et al. 2025. Hierarchies of need: a systematic review of resilience, challenge, and change in the global nursing workforce during the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic. Creative Nursing: A Journal of Values, Issues, Experience, and Collaboration (10.1177/10784535251390034)
- Temeng, E. et al. 2024. Nurses' coping strategies caring for patients during severe viral pandemics: A mixed methods systematic review. Journal of Clinical Nursing. 33 (1), pp.242-254. (10.1111/jocn.16711)
- Watts, T. et al. 2023. Registered Nurses' and nursing students' perspectives on moral distress and its effects: a mixed-methods systematic review and thematic synthesis. Nursing Open 10 (9), pp.6014-6032. (10.1002/nop2.1913)
- Wesson, M. I. et al., 2013. Clinical supervision in a UK military department of community mental health. Journal of the Royal Army Medical Corps 159 (4), pp.291-293. (10.1136/jramc-2013-000079)
- Wesson, M. et al., 2013. An initial evaluation of the clinical and fitness for work outcomes of a military group behavioural activation programme. Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy 42 (02), pp.243-247. (10.1017/S135246581300043X)
- Whybrow, D. 2013. Behavioural activation for the treatment of depression in military personnel. Journal of the Royal Army Medical Corps 159 (1), pp.15-20. (10.1136/jramc-2013-000004)
- Whybrow, D. 2016. Meeting the health care needs of transgender people within the armed forces: putting UK military policy into practice. Journal of Clinical Nursing. 25 (23-24), pp.3743-3749. (10.1111/jocn.13573)
- Whybrow, D. 2013. Psychiatric nursing liaison in a combat zone: an autoethnography. Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing 20 (10), pp.896-901. (10.1111/jpm.12034)
- Whybrow, D. , Holman, G. and Jones, G. 2022. Journeys to the essence of being a mental health nurse: a collaborative autoethnography. British Journal of Mental Health Nursing 11 (4 (S)), pp.22-33. (10.12968/bjmh.2022.0035)
- Whybrow, D. et al. 2024. The perceived helpfulness and acceptability of a bespoke psychological therapy service for registered nurses experiencing psychological distress: A qualitative study. Journal of Advanced Nursing 80 (12), pp.5029-5038. (10.1111/jan.16160)
- Whybrow, D. , Jones, N. and Greenberg, N. 2015. Promoting organizational well-being: a comprehensive review of Trauma Risk Management. Occupational Medicine 65 (4), pp.331-336. (10.1093/occmed/kqv024)
- Whybrow, D. et al. 2015. The mental health of deployed UK maritime forces. Occupational and Environmental Medicine 73 (2), pp.75-82. (10.1136/oemed-2015-102961)
- Whybrow, D. , Jones, N. and Greenberg, N. 2013. Corporate knowledge of psychiatric services available in a combat zone. Military Medicine 178 (2) e241. (10.7205/MILMED-D-12-00329)
- Whybrow, D. and Milligan, C. 2023. Military healthcare professionals' experience of transitioning into civilian employment: a heuristic inquiry. WORK: A Journal of Prevention, Assessment & Rehabilitation 76 (2), pp.663-677. (10.3233/WOR-220317)
- Wilson, G. et al., 2018. The use of eye-movement desensitization reprocessing (EMDR) therapy in treating post-traumatic stress disorder—a systematic narrative review. Frontiers in Psychology 9 923. (10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00923)
Book sections
- Bradley-Scholey, S. et al., 2023. EMDR with a military population. In: Farrell, D. , Schubert, S. J. and Kiernan, M. eds. The Oxford Handbook of EMDR. Oxford: Oxford University Press. , pp.C29S1-C29N1. (10.1093/oxfordhb/9780192898357.013.29)
- Crole-Rees, C. , Whybrow, D. and Kitchiner, N. 2019. Working with military veterans. In: Evans, N. ed. Family work in mental health: a skills approach. Vol. 1st, M&K Update
- Whybrow, D. et al. 2023. EMDR Therapy with Military Veterans. In: Kiernan, M. , Schubert, S. and Farrell, D. eds. The Oxford Handbook of EMDR. Oxford: Oxford University Press. , pp.C30S1-C30S19. (10.1093/oxfordhb/9780192898357.013.30)
Conferences
- Temeng, E. et al. 2022. Nurses' experiences of caring for severely ill patients during infection outbreaks (pandemic / epidemic): a mixed methods systematic review. Presented at: RCN International Nursing Research Conference 2022 Cardiff 5-6 September 2022.
- Watts, T. et al. 2022. Perceived helpfulness of a tiered mental health support intervention for moral distress: a qualitative, exploratory study. Presented at: European Nursing Congress 22: Future Proof Nursing: Nurses as key drivers of change Netherlands 4-7 October 2022.
- Watts, T. et al. 2022. Contributing factors and impacts of moral distress among nurses: a systematic review. Presented at: European Nursing Congress 22: Future Proof Nursing: Nurses as key drivers of change Netherlands 4-7 October 2022.
- Watts, T. et al. 2021. Supportive interventions to mitigate moral distress among nurses: a mixed methods systematic review and narrative synthesis. Presented at: Public Health Wales Research and Evaluation Conference 2021: Research in action: COVID-19 and beyond Online 23 September 2021.
- Watts, T. et al. 2022. Addressing moral distress among nurses after the COVID-19 emergency: The ASSISTANCE study. Presented at: Canopi Synposium Cardiff University May 2022.
- Watts, T. et al. 2022. Symposium of four papers: Identifying and mitigating moral distress in the nursing workforce: insights from the UK and the United States. Presented at: RCN International Nursing Research Conference Cardiff, UK 5-6 Sept 2022.
- Watts, T. et al. 2023. Addressing moral distress among nurses after the Covid-19 emergency: The ASSISTANCE study. Presented at: Chief Nursing Officer Conference Cardiff 13 October 2023.
- Watts, T. et al. 2023. ASSISTANCE (Addressing moral distress among nurses after the COVID-19 emergency): co-creation of evidence-based guidance to ameliorate moral distress.. Presented at: Chief Nursing Office Wales Conference Cardiff 13 October 2023.
- Watts, T. et al. 2023. Co-creation of evidence-based moral distress guidance for nurses: The ASSISTANCE (Addressing moral distress among nurses after the COVID-19 emergency) Study -Phase 3. Presented at: Chief Nurse Conference Cardiff, UK 13 October 2023.
Monographs
- Watts, T. et al. 2022. Addressing moral distress during COVID-19 recovery: a mixed methods systematic review and narrative synthesis of moral distress in nurses and supportive moral distress interventions.
Websites
- Edwards, D. et al. 2025. Mental health services safe staffing: A commissioned rapid scoping review for NHS England. [Online].medRxiv: openRxiv. (10.1101/2025.10.23.25338621)Available at: http://doi.org/10.1101/2025.10.23.25338621.
Research
My research area is organizational health and wellbeing. I am a subject matter expert in psychological well-being, post-traumatic stress and occupationally focused mental health care.
Key Grants and Projects:
OMHNE (Royal Navy) 2013 - 2016: Psychological wellbeing of deployed maritime personnel
Dr Dean Whybrow was a member of the research team
3MDR 2016 - 2019: Novel trauma-focused therapy
Dr Dean Whybrow was a 3MDR therapist in this clinical trial.
ASSISTANCE Plus Study 2021-2022: Moral distress
Dr Dean Whybrow was a member of the research team.
Award: £17,000
ASSISTANCE Study 2021 - 2023: Moral distress
Dr Dean Whybrow is a member of the research team.
Award: £80,000
MASI SUMIT 2021-2023: Nurses' experiences of resilience, challenge and change
Dr Dean Whybrow led the grant application and is a member of the research team.
Award: £30,000
GW4 Crucible Seed Funding 2022-2023: Inter-professional methodologies
Dr Dean Whybrow is a member of the research team.
Award: £3,500
University of Waikato Collaboration Seed Funding 2022-2023: Mental health care in nursing practice
Dr Dean Whybrow is Co-Chief Investigator
Award: £10,000
University of Waikato Collaboration Seed Funding 2023-2024: Kava as a novel intervention for veterans with PTSD
Dr Dean Whybrow is Co-applicant
Award: £10,000
NHS England 2024: Mental health services safe staffing: A commissioned rapid scoping review for NHS England
Dr Dean Whybrow is Co-Principal Investigator
Award: £20,000
**WATCH THIS SPACE 2026-2029: New Award due to be announced soon**
Dr Dean Whybrow is Co-applicant
Award: ~£450,000
Other research commitments:
Northumbria University: The Northern Hub For Veterans and Military Families Research
Wales Centre for Evidence-Based Care: Committee member
RAND Europe/King's Centre for Military Health Research - FIMT Research Centre: Expert Advisory Board member
Trinity Military Health Research Group: TMHRG Team
Teaching
I am a full-time lecturer in Mental Health Nursing, with a broad portfolio spanning research, teaching, academic supervision, and assessment across both undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. I led a high-impact research methods module with approximately 250 students, fostering critical inquiry and evidence-based practice.
Previous roles include the Mental Health Field Manager within the nursing programme, where I have driven initiatives to enhance student engagement and satisfaction, provided tailored support for students with complex needs, and overseen line management responsibilities. My expertise in psychological therapies led to a secondment to the School of Psychology, where I delivered specialist teaching in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.
I have supported learners at all levels as a personal tutor, and currently serve as the Postgraduate Research Programme Manager for Healthcare Sciences, where I champion academic excellence and research development.
Biography
I am a registered mental health nurse, nurse specialist in psychological therapies, military veteran, researcher and lecturer in mental health nursing.
Qualifications:
2004 BSc Nursing (Mental Health)
2007 Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing: Level 3
2009 PGDip Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (IAPT)
2011 Clinical Supervisor's Course
2011 MSc Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
2018 Post Graduate Certificate in Education
2020 PhD Organisational Health and Wellbeing
2020 Expert Witness Training Course; Inspire MediLaw
Honours and awards
1997 Commodore's Prize for military bearing
2010 Ruth Carter prize for innovative practice
2012 Ruth Carter prize for service development
2012 Portsmouth City News: Mental Health Worker of the Year
2019 Enriching Student Life Award: Nominee
2019 Academic Excellence in Leadership, Cardiff University: Nominee
2020 Enriching Student Life Award (Most Uplifting Member of Staff): Nominee
2023 Enriching Student Life Award (Most Uplifting Member of Staff): Nominee
Professional memberships
NMC Registered Mental Health Nurse
BABCP Accredited Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist
EMDR Europe Accredited Practitioner
Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
Academic positions
Current:
Cardiff University: Lecturer in Mental Health Nursing (Teaching & Research)
Northumbria University: Visiting Fellow
Previous:
Swansea University: Lecturer in Mental Health Nursing (Enhanced Teaching & Scholarship)
Cardiff University: Lecturer in Mental Health Nursing (Teaching & Scholarship)
King's College, London: Visiting Researcher
Speaking engagements
- 2025: RCN Wales Biennial Research Lecture
- 2022: RCN International Nursing Research Conference 2022
- 2019: 27th International MHNR Conference 2019
Committees and reviewing
2022-Present: Forces in Mind Trust Research Centre (FIMT Research Centre): Expert Advisory Board
2021-Present: Wales Centre for Evidence-Based Care, Cardiff University: Committee member
Supervisions
PhD student projects:
2023-Current: The Effect of Using Mental Health Simulation using Standardized Patients on Nursing Students’ Fear of Psychiatric Patients in Saudi Arabia
2022-Current: Radiographers working shifts Out of Hours, and the effects on fatigue & wellbeing
2021-Current: The emotional impact on healthcare staff when a cancer diagnosis is made in emergency settings
2021-2024: Nurses' experiences of caring for patients with Covid19
2017-Current: Nurses experience of the factors influencing nurses' adherence to the five moments for hand washing hygiene
I am interested in supervising PhD students in the areas of:
- Organisational health and wellbeing
- Mental health
- Nursing
- Psychological therapies
- Healthcare
- Military
- Veterans
I also have expertise in the following methodologies:
- Qualitative research
- Insider research
- Autoethnography
- Heuristic Inquiry
Current supervision
Past projects
Dr Eunice Temeng (2024) Nurses’ experiences of caring for patients with COVID-19. PhD Thesis, Cardiff University.
Contact Details
+44 29225 11656
Heath Park West (formerly Department of Work and Pensions (DWP)), Room 1.06 Ty'r Garth, St Agnes Rd, Cardiff, CF14 4US
Research themes
Specialisms
- Workforce
- Military & Veterans
- Nursing
- Mental Health
- Qualitative Research