Dr Nils Rickardsson

Senior Lecturer In Clinical Psychology

Psychology

Personal statement

I am a clinical psychologist working in academia. I have an interest in rehabilitation and psychological therapies to support mental health and wellbeing in the context of health conditions. I am particularly interested in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and how to improve adjustment to neurological conditions (TBI/Stroke) and cancer.

I joined the University of Strathclyde in 2023 as a research fellow in clinical health, part of a research group led by Prof Chris Graham, Professor of Clinical Psychology. I started full time as a Senior Lecturer in Clinical Psychology in 2025.

Clinically, I have worked as a Clinical Psychologist, and Clinical Associate in Applied Psychology, in the NHS and third sector. I have worked mostly in health-psychology and neuropsychology services in hospitals and outpatient clinics, but also in primary care mental health teams. I have experience of supervising clinical psychologists and trial therapists.

Publications

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Publications

Guided self-help for psychological distress after stroke and TIA : a scoping review of existing interventions: Rickardsson Nils, Kevill Sarah, Fiserova Anna, Harju Sophie Emilia; (2026); https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/JR6YH
Goal setting in stroke rehabilitation : a systematic review and qualitative synthesis of the experiences and perspectives of healthcare professionals: Fišerová Anna, Duchoňová Šarlota, Hafiz Hannah, Hagarová Martina, Morton Brodie, Tessmann Helena, Graham Christopher D, Rickardsson Nils; Clinical Rehabilitation (2026); https://doi.org/10.1177/02692155261446313
Healthcare professionals' experiences of supporting the psychological wellbeing of stroke survivors with aphasia : A systematic review and qualitative synthesis: Rickardsson Nils, Graham Christopher Darryl, Hitchenes Amy, Henrich Gabriela, Mcintosh Aimee, Harju Sophie Emilia, Quigley Niamh, Hardie Chloe, Pieri Matilde; (2026)
Lived experience of working-age women post-stroke : A systematic review and qualitative synthesis: Rickardsson Nils, Graham Christopher Darryl, Hitchenes Amy, Ferguson Susanna, Hanley Sinead, Hughes Eilidh, Rankin Taylor, Riley Romano, Callaghan Amy; (2026)
A systematic review of remotely delivered interventions to support wellbeing amongst caregivers of adults with acquired brain injuries: Rickardsson Nils, Stopforth Daniel Jon, Gillanders David; Brain Impairment Vol 25 (2024); https://doi.org/10.1071/IB23099
Caring for someone with an acquired brain injury : the role of psychological flexibility: Rickardsson Nils, Scotland Jennifer, Poveda Blanca, Gillanders David; Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science Vol 23, pp. 151-164 (2022); https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcbs.2022.01.005

More publications

Research

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Professional Activities

ACT Supervision for MND Scotland: Consultant; 6/2026
Careers in Clinical Psychology: Speaker; 13/5/2026
Training on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: Consultant; 1/5/2026

More professional activities

Projects

Guided self-help interventions to support psychological wellbeing after stroke and TIA: a scoping review of existing evidence: Rickardsson, Nils (Principal Investigator); Department Early Career Research scheme (£4,881.94 awarded); 01-Jan-2026 - 01-Jan-2027
UoS/NHS Lanarkshire Psychological Therapies Research and Teaching Clinic: Graham, Christopher Darryl (Principal Investigator) Rickardsson, Nils (Co-investigator); 20-Jan-2026
Acceptance Commitment Therapy: Graham, Christopher Darryl (Principal Investigator) Rickardsson, Nils (Co-investigator); 01-Jan-2025 - 31-Jan-2027
a qualitative study exploring the experience of psychological therapists working with patients with acute myeloid leukaemia: Rickardsson, Nils (Principal Investigator) Graham, Christopher Darryl (Co-investigator); Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML), and its treatment, is known to have a range of physical and psychological challenges on patients. From a patient perspective, these challenges are documented in both qualitative and quantitative research highlighting the experience of people suffering from them, and the prevalence of these issues. From these findings, psychological support, and the provision of clinical psychology services, in oncology is more common now and is recommended to meet the full biopsychosocial needs of AML patients. However, we have a limited knowledge in terms of what psychological problems are referred to clinical psychology services, and what interventions and methods are used in these services to manage these issues today. It is also not known how psychological therapists find it working with a population faced with a highly challenging condition.

By exploring the experiences of psychological therapists working with people with AML, we hope to learn more about what type of psychological issues they tend to see in their practice, and what techniques and methods they employ to support this patient group. It is hoped that knowing more about this area can support clinicians and services in this field as it can highlight challenges to be addressed or strengths of specific working practices, techniques, models. It is also hoped that this research has validating and educational value to less experienced clinicians. Likewise, by exploring the experiences of clinicians first hand, this can provide qualitative data for researchers developing and evaluating interventions in this area.; 01-Jan-2025 - 01-Jan-2027