Dr Brenda (Bree) Caldwell Phillips

School of Psychology

University Teacher & Clinical Tutor, DClinPsy Programme

Bree is smiling at the camera, standing next to a window
Profile picture of Bree is smiling at the camera, standing next to a window
b.phillips@sheffield.ac.uk

Full contact details

Dr Brenda (Bree) Caldwell Phillips
School of Psychology
Interdisciplinary Centre of the Social Sciences (ICOSS)
219 Portobello
Sheffield
S1 4DP
Profile

Bree is a clinical psychologist and Buddhist healthcare chaplain. She completed her PhD at Boston University and also pursued postdoctoral training at Harvard University, Vanderbilt University, and the University of Sheffield. 
She supports trainees on the Doctorate in Clinical Psychology Programme as an academic and clinical tutor. Her primary clinical and research interests fall within the domain of psycho-oncology. She provides support to patients individually and via group therapies. 
Prior to joining the faculty at the University of Sheffield, she directed the MSc Health Psychology Programme and the Psycho-Oncology Lab at the University of Derby. 

Qualifications

PhD, Psychology (Boston University, USA); Registered Clinical Psychologist (HCPC); Chartered Psychologist (BPS)

Research interests

Bree studies health and well-being from a Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) perspective. She designs clinical trials that address the efficacy of mindfulness-based interventions on psychological distress. She is a trauma-informed clinician. She provides care to those who live under conditions of extreme adversity including cancer patients, refugees and Survivors of abuse. She also publishes within the domains of psycholinguistics and social cognitive development.

Grants

Small Grant Award (PI), Weston Park Cancer Charity, 2025 (£1490)
Open Science of Religion Project Award (PI), John Templeton Foundation, 2024 ($19,489)
Pedagogic Research Seedcorn Fund (PI), University of Derby, 2023 (£1,952)
Grand Challenges Award (CI), Templeton World Charity Foundation, 2021 ($100,000)
Social Justice & Sustainability Award (PI), Boston University, 2020 ($4,000)

Teaching activities

DClinPsy Programme

Professional activities and memberships

American Psychological Association
British Psychological Society (Division of Clinical Psychology, Health Psychology, Oncology and Palliative Care & Clinical Health Psychology)
British Psychosocial Oncology Society
Buddhist Healthcare Chaplaincy Trust
Expert Clinical Advisory Group, East Midlands Cancer Alliance
International Psycho-Oncology Society