About us

PhD in Behaviour change and psychomotor interventions in dementia
Institute for Ageing and Health, Newcastle University, England, UK (2007 -2012).

Master’s degree in Research Cognition, Neuropsychology and Rehabilitation
University of Birmingham, England, UK (2006 – 2007).

GeroPsychology Diploma (Psychological Therapies)
Universidad Autónoma de México (UNAM), México City (2005 – 2006).

BA in Clinical Psychology. Academic Transcript and Clinical Placements assessed and validated by HCPC and BPS
Universidad de las Americas (UDLA /American College of Mexico City) (2000 – 2005)

• Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) trained by Alexandra Richman Part 1/Part 2/Part 3 (2017 -2018)
• European Accreditation Practitioner (September, 2020)
• EMDR Flash technique (2020)
• EMDR DeprEnd protocol (2021)

• Compassion-focused Therapy (CFT) trained by Prof. Gilbert (April 2021)

• Trauma-focused Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, trained by Dr Nick Craig (April 2021)
• Behaviour Change Technique Taxonomy, Centre for Behaviour Change, University College London (2014)
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy with Older People by Dr Ken Laidlaw, University of Reading, UK (2013)
• UDLA (2003)

• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) by Prof Sue Clarke, British Psychological Therapy (2015 – 2018); Dr Joe Oliver, University College London (2019).

• Centre for Excellence Diploma (2022)
• Systemic Working, NHS Tavistock, London, UK (2018)
• UDLA (2004)

• Leadership in Action for Academics, University College London, UK (2014)
• Mantra Research Data Management, University of Edinburgh (2021)
• Good Clinical Practice, Education & Training, NHS Lothian (2019)
• Project Management Course, University of Edinburgh (2019)

• Applied Psychology Practice Supervision, British Psychological Society, UK 2018 Training with Dr Linda Charles: Part 1 to 4 (2018)
• PhD Supervision & Data Management, University of Edinburgh (2019)
• GSC NHS Specialist Supervision (2021)

• Business Gateway, Start up Grant (£1,000) 2022
• Kick-start Santander Funding, University of Edinburgh (£2,500) 2019
• Erasmus+ Staff Mobility Award, University of Edinburgh (£1,000) 2018
• King’s College Fund, HEI Mobility Grant UK-Mex (£1,800) 2018
• Newton British Academy Fellowship, Chief Investigator (£66,200) 2016 – 2018 In collaboration with National Geriatrics Institute (INGER)
• National Skills Academy, Co-holder (£20,000) 2012 – 2014 with Dr J Wenborn and Prof M Orrell/UCL
• NIHR –WHELD Grant, Collaborator in the UCL (£1,000,000) 2011 – 2015 North East London, NHS Foundation Trust Site with Prof. C Ballard, Prof M Orrell, Prof. J Fossey
• Therapist Travel Award, British Geriatrics Society £900 2011- 2009
• Alumni Research Travel Award, Newcastle University (£600) 2011
• Alzheimer’s Research Trust Equipment Grant (£2,000) 2009
• VITAE Poster Competition Innovative Research Winner, Newcastle University (£100) 2008

I provide clinical supervision to senior Clinical Psychologists and have provided consultancy to develop their services and improve the quality of life of people living with dementia and their families. Currently, I contribute to the module of ‘Understanding Behaviours that Challenge’ and ‘Supporting families and caregivers of people living with dementia’ on their ‘Dementia and Music’ training course.

I collaborate with Cielito Lindo Mexican Independent & Assisted Living Home by training staff to develop their clinical and caring skills in dementia care.

1. Torres-Castro, S., López-Ortega, M., Martínez-Ruiz, A., Gutiérrez-Robledo LM., Guzmán, A. (in press) Multi-component staff training intervention to improve residential dementia care (PROCUIDA-Demencia): A mixed-methods two-arm cluster randomised controlled pilot and clinical outcomes study. Journal of Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine.(link to the paper)
2. Guzmán A., Arellano K., López-Ortega, M., Gutiérrez-Robledo LM, Torres-Castro, S. (under review) Nursing care home management pre and post intervention views when introducing psychosocial interventions to reduce antipsychotic medication in dementia care: evaluation based on the RE-AIM framework (Evaluation and Programme Planning, submitted February 2021)(link to the paper)
3. Torres-Castro, S., López-Ortega, M., Martínez-Ruiz, A., Gutiérrez-Robledo LM., Guzmán, A. (2018) Optimising antipsychotic medication prescription, introducing person-centred care and psychosocial interventions in dementia care homes: Protocol of a Mixed methods pilot study and key feasibility features, preliminary outcomes, residents, staff and family members views. Mental Health and Ageing, 2, 2, 47 -55. (link to the paper)
4. McAleese N, Guzmán A., Gillespie D., O’Rourke S. (2019) Post-stroke Emotionalism: A Qualitative Investigation. Disability & Rehabilitation J (DOI:10.1080/09638288.2019.1620876) (link to the paper)
5. Guzmán A,. Stevenson A., Gillanders D., Ross K. (2019) Psychosocial adjustment to Mild Cognitive impairment: the role of illness perceptions, cognitive fusion and cognitive impairment (in press) Dementia J(link to the paper)
6. Vasilopoulou E., Karatzias T., Wallace H., Guzmán A., (2019) The mediating role of early maladaptive schemas in the relationship between childhood traumatic events and complex posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms in older adults (>64 years) (in press) J of Loss & Trauma (DOI: 10.1080/15325024.2019.1661598) (link to the paper)
7. Fossey J., Garrod L., Guzmán A., Testad, I. (2018) A qualitative analysis of trainer/coach experiences of changing care home practice in the Well-being and Health in Dementia (WHELD) randomised control trial.  (in press) Dementia  J (DOI: 10.1177/1471301218772178) (link to the paper)
8. Guzmán A., Robinson L., Hughes, J., Rochester L., James, I. (2017). A process evaluation of the Psychomotor Dance Therapy Intervention (DANCIN) for behaviour change in dementia: attitudes and beliefs of participating residents and staff. International Psychogeriatrics, 29, 2, 313-322(link to the paper)
9. Guzmán A., Wenborn J., Swinson T., Orrell M. (2017). Evaluation of the ‘Ladder to the Moon, Culture Change Studio Engagement Programme’ staff training: Two quasi-experimental case studies. International Journal of Older People Nursing, Doi:10.1111/opn.12147(link to the paper)
10. Guzmán A., Freeston M., Hughes J., Rochester L. James, I. (2016). A psychomotor dance therapy intervention for people with dementia: A multiple-baseline single case study. International Psychogeriatrics, 28, 10, 1695 – 715(link to the paper)
11. Guzmán A., Wenborn J., Ledgerd R., Orrell M. (2016) Evaluation of a Staff Training Programme using Positive Psychology coaching with film and theatre elements in care homes: views and attitudes of residents, staff and relatives. International Journal of Older People Nursing. DOI: 10.1111/opn.12126(link to the paper)
12. Meluhish R., Beuzeboc C., Guzmán A. (2015). Developing relationships through involving nursing care staff in Music Therapy and Dance Movement Therapy groups for people with dementia. Dementia, 0, 1-15(link to the paper)
13. Molloy F. Keogh J., Krampe J., Guzmán A. (2015). Dance Mobility: A somatic dance programme enhancing social and mobility function in New Zealand older adults. Dance, Body and Movement in Psychotherapy, 10,169-180(link to the paper)
14. Guzmán-García A., James I., Hughes J., Rochester L. (2012). Dance studies in older people with dementia in long-term care settings: A systematic l review. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 28,914-424(link to the paper)
15. Guzmán-García A., Mukaetova-Ladinska E., James I. (2012). Introducing a lesson of Latin Ballroom dance class to people with dementia living in care homes, benefits and concerns: a Pilot Study. Dementia International Journal of Social Sciences and Practice, 0, 1-13(link to the paper)
16. Guzmán-García A., Freeston M., James I., Hughes J., Rochester L. (2011). Dance Embraces dementia: A psychomotor intervention in care homes. International Psychogeriatrics; 23, S92-S138(link to the paper)
17. Guzmán-García A., James I., Hughes J., Rochester L. (2012). Dance studies in older people with dementia in long-term care settings: A systematic review. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 28,914-424(link to the paper)
18. Guzmán-García A., Johannsen L., Wing A.M. (2011). Dance exercise for older adults: a pilot study investigating body sway following a single lesson of Danzón. American Journal of Dance Therapy, 33, 148-156(link to the paper)
19. Johannsen L., Guzmán A., Wing A.M. (2009). Interpersonal Light Touch Assists Balance in the Elderly. Journal of Motor Behaviour, 41, 397-399(link to the paper)
20. Soto D., Funes M.J., Guzmán A., Warbrick T., Rotshtein P., Humphreys, G.W. (2008). Pleasant music overcomes the loss of awareness in patients with visual neglect. PNAS, DOI:10.1073/pnas.0811681106(link to the paper)