Dr Pavlos Kasdovasilis

Lecturer in Psychology

Pavlos Kasdovasilis

I am a Lecturer in Psychology at the University of Bedfordshire, specialising in Health Psychology.

I am a Chartered Psychologist with the British Psychological Society and a HCPC registered Health Psychologist.

As Deputy of the MSc Health Psychology programme, I lead on key postgraduate units, supervise student research, and help shape the next generation of health psychologists.

My academic journey began here at the University of Bedfordshire, where I completed both my BSc and MSc in Health Psychology. I went on to earn a Professional Doctorate in Clinical Studies at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan), within the School of Medicine.

With over a decade of experience in frontline health and psychological services—across the NHS, private hospitals, mental health wards, and charitable organisations—I bring real-world insight to my teaching. My professional background includes clinical supervision, service development, research consultancy, and direct psychological support for diverse populations, including individuals with autism, eating disorders, and severe mental health conditions.

My teaching and research interests focus on:

The mental health and wellbeing of frontline staff
Qualitative research methodologies and reviews
Emotional processing and regulation in clinical contexts
The dynamic interplay between health, illness, and psychological resilience

I’ve led the design and delivery of interventions for private health organisations, developed training frameworks, and contributed to national quality audits and applied research projects. I continue to supervise undergraduate and postgraduate research, while also contributing to academic publications in peer-reviewed journals.

I am passionate about bridging academic theory with clinical reality—giving students the tools, critical understanding, and confidence to work effectively in applied health settings.

Professional Doctorate in Clinical Studies [School of Medicine - University of Central Lancashire]
Stage 2 in Health Psychology [British Psychological Society]
MSc in Health Psychology [School of Psychology - University of Bedfordshire]
BSc (HONS) in Psychology [School of Psychology - University of Bedfordshire]
LV5. in Health and Social Care manager [Lifetime Training]
LV5. In Learning and Development, [Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD)]

I am currently the Unit Coordinator for:

Counselling and Psychotherapy in Context (BSc)
Perception and Actions (MSc)
Professional Skills for Health psychologists (MSc)
Health Psychology in Context (MSc)

Frontline mental health and wellbeing – exploring the psychological impact of working in high-stress, emotionally intensive environments such as healthcare, residential care, and community support services.
Clinical emotional processing and regulation – examining how individuals manage emotional responses in clinical and caregiving roles, including coping strategies, burnout prevention, and emotional labor.
Qualitative methodologies and systematic reviews – applying in-depth qualitative approaches to understand lived experiences, and synthesizing evidence through rigorous review methodologies.
Psychological resilience and adaptation – studying how individuals and teams maintain psychological strength and flexibility in the face of health challenges, illness, or crisis.
Health psychology in context – investigating how psychological principles can be practically applied in everyday health settings, especially among underrepresented or vulnerable populations.
Supervision and reflective practice in social care – developing innovative models for clinical supervision that support professional development, emotional safety, and evidence-based care in support work.
Trauma and moral injury in caregiving professions – exploring the effects of exposure to distressing events, ethical dilemmas, and systemic pressures on those in caring roles.

Kasdovasilis, P., Cook, N., & Montasem, A. (2023). Sustaining Resilience of Healthcare Workers and Leaders during a Pandemic: A Protocol to Support Coping during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Psychiatry, 86(4), 329–343. https://doi.org/10.1080/00332747.2023.2246847

Kasdovasilis, P., Cook, N., Montasem, A., (2022). UK healthcare support workers and the COVID-19 pandemic: an explorative analysis of lived experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. Home Health Care Services Quarterly, 1–26. doi:10.1080/01621424.2022.2123757

Kasdovasilis P. et al., (2022). Healthcare support workers’ lived experiences and adaptation strategies within the care sector during the COVID-19 pandemic. A meta-ethnography review, Home Health Care Services Quarterly, DOI: 10.1080/01621424.2022.2105771

Stroumpouki, T., Perrett, S., Kasdovasilis, P., et al., (2020). “A journey towards acceptance”: The process of adapting to life with HIV in Greece. A Qualitative study. Applied Nursing Research 53, 151249. doi:10.1016/j.apnr.2020.151249

Kasdovasilis P. et al., (2019). Film clips smoking behaviour and nicotine craving: The interrelationship between stress, smoking cues and craving. Journal of Psychiatry. Doi 10.22365/jpsych.2019.303.226

Office: B205

Park Square
Luton
LU1 3JU

Tel: 01582 749716
Ext: 9716
Email: Pavlos.Kasdovasilis@beds.ac.uk