Dr Maike Klein
Lecturer in Clinical PsychologyProfile
Maike Klein is a Lecturer in Clinical Psychology at Lancaster University. She is an HCPC-registered Counselling Psychologist, a BACP-accredited Psychotherapist, a Systemic Family Practitioner and an Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapist.
Maike has worked in a range of clinical settings, including statutory and non-statutory mental health and addiction services, both nationally as well as internationally. Previously, Maike directed a charity which supported people with mental health and addiction issues. She currently works at the Clinical Psychological Services (CPS), drawing from humanistic and systemic therapy approaches so support students at Lancaster University Medical School.
Maike joined Lancaster University in March 2023, at which she teaches on the Doctorate for Clinical Psychology programme. Within this programme, Maike designed and now coordinates the Systemic Theory & Practice pathway (Foundation & Intermediate courses). Additionally, she plays an active role in the programme's Curriculum Team, Selections Team and Widening Participation Team. Maike was also a member of the Faculty for Health and Medicine Research Ethics Committee (FHMREC) between 2023-2026.
Maike's research interests lie in health and addiction psychology, with a particular focus on the socio-systemic determinants of addiction recovery pathways. Maike specialises in qualitative and creative research approaches, with a firm grounding in the human lived experience perspective. Maike co-leads the IFS UK Research Group, which she co-developed in 2025, and serves as Research Council Advisory Member for the IFS Institute.
Research Interests
- Addiction recovery pathways
- Bio-psycho-social determinants of addiction/substance misuse
- Systemic and somatic therapeutic interventions for mental health, specifically Internal Family Systems Therapy (IFS)
Qualifications
Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) - Apr 2023
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Social & Policy Sciences, University of Bath, UK - Apr 2022
Master of Research (MRes) in Social Work, University of Bath, UK - Sep 2018
Master of Arts (MA) in Counseling, East Tennessee State University, USA - May 2017
Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Psychology, University of Louisville, USA - May 2014
PhD Supervision Interests
I am interested in supervising students in the areas of addiction/substance use recovery and the use of somatic therapeutic approaches, such as internal family systems therapy. I am happy to support applications for externally funded fellowships.
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Generating Futures: A Creative Co-Production Study Exploring Barriers and Facilitators, including transgenerational substance use, to Education and Employment Pathways for Young People Living in Temporary Accommodation
01/10/2026 → 31/03/2027
Research
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Exploring Recovery Capital as Care Planning Intervention for Addiction Treatment: A Pilot Study
01/06/2023 → 31/07/2024
Research
Embodied Echoes: A Qualitative Exploration into Body Psychotherapy and Trauma.
Oral presentation
DClinPsy Lancaster Widening Participation Team (External organisation)
Other Membership
A mixed-method evaluation of the impact of Build on Belief on service users' recovery outcomes
Consultancy
IFS Institute Research Council (External organisation)
Membership of council
Addiction Research and Theory (Journal)
Editorial activity
NICE anxiety guideline campaign
Influence on Policy, Practice, Patients & the Public
DClinPsy Lancaster Selections Team (External organisation)
Other Membership
Responding to People Bereaved by Drug and Alcohol-related Deaths in Lancashire
Consultancy
External Assessor for Academic Quality Standards & Conduct
Examination
External Programme Examiner - DClinPsy Trent
Examination
Lived Experience Recovery Organisations as innovative strategy for restoring trust in health and social care systems.
Invited talk
Gaining compassion for addictive processes.
Invited talk
DClinPsy Lancaster Curriculum Team (External organisation)
Other Membership
FHM Mental Health Theme (Organisational unit)
Other Membership
Internal Family Systems UK Research Group (External organisation)
Member of Working Group
Drugs: Education, Prevention, and Policy (Journal)
Editorial activity
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Suchtpsychologie (External organisation)
Member of an organisation
Introducing collaboration options of the Global Family Recovery Alliance
Public Lecture/ Debate/Seminar
Lancaster University FHM Research Ethics Committee (External organisation)
Membership of committee
Provider and user perspectives on long-term recovery in England: How do we know when we're done?
Invited talk
Qualitative Social Work (Journal)
Editorial activity
Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) (External organisation)
Member of an organisation
Association for Family Therapy and Systemic Psychotherapy (External organisation)
Member of an organisation
British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (External organisation)
Member of an organisation
Mental Health Webinar Series
Public Lecture/ Debate/Seminar
International Journal of Qualitative Methods (Journal)
Editorial activity
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Soziale Arbeit in der Suchthilfe (External organisation)
Member of an organisation
Beyond 'them' and 'us': The use of a steering group in alcohol and drug addiction research
Oral presentation
Society for the Study of Addictions (External organisation)
Member of an organisation
Through a glass darkly: An international vs. national student’s perspective of a racial incident on a college campus
Oral presentation
- Clinical Psychology