Biography
Dr Faisal Mahmood is a BACP-accredited counsellor, a UKCP-registered individual and group psychotherapist, and a UKCP-approved clinical supervisor.
He is also a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. Currently, he works as Head of Subject – Counselling, Psychotherapy & Talking Therapies at Birmingham Newman University, where he leads a portfolio of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, including professionally accredited courses (accredited by BACP, UPCA, and BPS).
In addition to his University role, Faisal is Vice Chair and Head of Training Standards at UTC (University Training College, UKCP college). With over 25 years of clinical, supervisory, and management experience, Faisal has worked with clients and staff in diverse settings, including GP surgeries, hospitals, the voluntary sector, and private practice. He also runs a private practice in Solihull, where he offers therapy, clinical supervision, and a range of CPD training events.
Profile
Research Interests
- Diversity and intersectionality
- Gestalt therapy
- Group work
- AI and therapy
- Politics and therapy
- Addiction
Teaching
I teach across a range of programmes covering a diverse set of subjects within my discipline. My teaching focuses on fostering critical thinking, applied knowledge, experiential learning, and reflective practice, encouraging students to engage with theory and practice in meaningful ways.
Administrative Responsibilities
- Head of subject – Counselling, Psychotherapy & Talking Therapies
Membership of Professional Organisations
- BACP
- UKCP
- SFHEA
Other Activities
Conferences and Other Research Activity
Mahmood, F. (2025) Politics in Supervision. BACP Supervisors Conference 2025, Leeds, UK
Mahmood, F., Moller, N., & Vossler, A. (2025) Racialised minority clients’ experiences of racial microaggressions in counselling. BACP International Research Conference 2025, Manchester, UK
Mahmood, F., Crapnell, S., & Jordan, A. (2025) ‘Its hot and getting hotter’ – What contribution can therapy research make (if any) to addressing contemporary global challenges. BACP International Research Conference 2025, Manchester, UK
Mahmood, F. (2025) Intersectionality in Clinical Supervision. Terapia, London
Mahmood, F. (2025) Gestalt Therapy Theory. Therapia, London
Mahmood, F. (2025) Working with Groups. BACP Professional Development Training
Mahmood, F. (2024) Chair – Semi-Plenary: Race, Privilege and Intersectionality in Psychotherapy. SPR Research Conference, Brno, Czech Republic
Mahmood, F.et al. (2024) Racialised minority clients’ experiences of racial microaggressions in counselling: Preliminary findings. SPR Research Conference, Brno, Czech Republic
Professional roles
- PhD examiner
- External Moderator (UKCP).
- External Examiner – City St Georges, University of London
- Head of Training Standards and Vice chair – University Training College (UKCP College)
- Member of UPCA council (Universities Psychotherapy and Counselling Association)
- Member of ETPC – Education, training and practice committee (UKCP)
- Member of Adult Psychotherapy Training Standards revision working work
- Convener – International Gestalt research group
Publications
Moore, E. & Mahmood, F. (2025). Talk With Me Outside: Therapists’ Experiences of the Therapeutic Relationship in Natural Outdoor Settings. Counselling and Psychotherapy Research. 25. 10.1002/capr.70039
Mahmood, F. & O’Malley, C. (2025) The sense of an ending: reflection on the ending of the Marianne Fry Lectures.
Mahmood, F. & Flax, E. (2023) ‘Gestalt Therapy’ In T. Hanley and L. A. Winter (eds.) The SAGE Handbook of Counselling and Psychotherapy, (5th ed.). Sage Publications, pp. 403-407 Mahmood, F. (2020) ‘Can I please have White skin too?’ In. Ade-Serrano, Y. and Nkansa-Dwamena, O. (eds.) Applied psychology and applied professions working with ethnic minorities, Leicester: The British Psychological Society, pp. 74-84