Dr Nick Wrycraft

Before training as a mental health nurse with ARU, Nick studied a degree in Philosophy and Literature and worked as a housing officer in local government and in social and nursing care settings. As a mental health nurse, Nick worked in various clinical areas, including dementia care, adult acute mental health and day services, and undertook several post-registration courses, as well as a Master’s degree in Advanced Clinical Practice in Nursing at the University of Essex.

Following this, Nick gained a scholarship and commenced the Professional Doctorate in Nursing at the University of Essex, researching the effectiveness of clinical supervision groups in primary care. After completing this research, Nick developed training in clinical supervision for healthcare practitioners within multiple NHS Trusts in the eastern region.

In 2004, Nick became a Research Facilitator at a Primary Care Trust to develop the research activity and awareness within the organisation. During this time, he undertook an evaluation of the National Institute for Mental Health for England’s (NIMHE) eastern region Trailblazers course, which promoted and developed joint projects between primary and secondary mental health care. This led to a book chapter publication, and presenting the findings at the National Primary Care Research Conference in York, and the National Institute of Mental Health for England (NIMHE) National Conference in Durham.

In 2004 Nick joined ARU, teaching on the Graduate Worker in Primary Care course before becoming a Senior Lecturer on the Pre-registration Mental Health Nursing course until August 2019. He was also the Admissions Tutor for Mental Health Nursing at Chelmsford, and leader of various modules on the Mental Health Nursing and Pre-registration Nursing courses. In August 2019, Nick became the Course Leader for Pre-registration Mental Health Nursing course at the Chelmsford campus.

In September 2021, Nick became the Module Leader for the Major Project modules in Nursing and Midwifery and led a mentoring group for colleagues new to the University, for which he gained a Dean’s Award in 2022. Nick undertook an MA in management and leadership between 2020-2022, which involved carrying out numerous leadership research projects in the work setting.

Following this, Nick developed links with the Professional Doctorate in Healthcare Course and became the mentor for applicants to the Professional Doctorate course. The innovative support and approach to teaching by the team led to them being awarded a Dean’s Award and a Vice Chancellor’s Award for excellence in education in 2026.

Nick has been an active member of the Health and Care Research Centre (HCRC) since its inception and is a member of the Research Development Implementation Group (RDIG) and the University’s ethics committee. In September 2026 Nick became Researcher in Residence with Hertfordshire Partnership Foundation NHS Trust, with the remit of supporting the development of capacity, infrastructure and profile of the organisation.

Nick has written, jointly written, edited, and co-edited multiple books, mainly on mental health nursing, CBT, and with an emphasis on narrative approaches and case studies.

The subject of Nick’s Masters’ Degree and Professional Doctorate research was clinical supervision in multi-disciplinary teams in primary care settings. Nick’s other interests include qualitative methodology, phenomenology, research design, and all aspects of mental health and well-being, CBT, and brief interventions in primary care settings.

Nick supervises, and is willing to accept Doctoral and Professional Doctorate candidates researching qualitative methodology, methods, and/or research ethics.

Nick has taught students from associate practitioners to doctoral level study for over twenty years.

Specialist areas of interest and teaching include:

• Anxiety and depression
• Assessment and care planning
• CBT approaches to adult and child and adolescent mental health
• Change management
• Clinical supervision in nursing and the healthcare professions
• Community based mental health care
• Inter-professional practice
• Involving experts by experience in service design and patient and public involvement in research
• Leadership, mentorship, and performance coaching
• Mental health promotion
• Recovery and principles-based practice
• Research methodology, methods, and research ethics
• Social inclusion
• Working with people with depression and anxiety

• MA Management and Leadership, ARU (2020-2022)
• Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education Senior Leader Level 7 (Merit) (2020-2022)
• Doctorate in Nursing 2012, University of Essex (2003-2012)
• Postgraduate Diploma in Education, ARU (Distinction) (2007-2008)
• MSc Advanced Clinical Practice Nursing, University of Essex (Distinction) (2001-2003)
• Clinical Leadership (Post-registration course), University of Essex (Distinction) (2001)
• Teaching, Supervising and Assessing (ENB 998, Post-registration course), University of Essex (Distinction) (2000)
• The Promotion of Continence and Management of Incontinence (ENB 975, Post-registration course), ARU (Distinction) (2000)Registered Mental Health Nurse and Diploma in Health Education, ARU (Distinction) (1996-1999)
• BA (Joint Hons) Philosophy and Literature, University of Essex (1987-1990)

• Registered Mental Health Nurse
• Senior Fellow Higher Education Academy (SFHEA)
• Chartered Manager member of Chartered Management Institute (CMI)

Books

Wrycraft, N. (2025) Assessment and Care Planning in Mental Health Nursing. 2nd edn. Maidenhead: McGraw-Hill: Open University Press.

Thurston C. and Wrycraft, N. (Eds.) (2020) Transition to Registered Practice: From Student to Qualified Nurse. London: Sage.

Wrycraft N. and Coad, A. (Eds.) (2017) Recovery in Mental Health Nursing. Maidenhead: McGraw-Hill: Open University Press.

Wrycraft, N. (2015) Assessment and Care Planning in Mental Health Nursing. Maidenhead: McGraw-Hill: Open University Press.

Coad, A. and Wrycraft, N. (Eds.) (2015) CBT Approaches for Children and Young People. Maidenhead: McGraw-Hill: Open University Press.

Skinner, V. and Wrycraft, N. (2014) CBT Fundamentals: Cases and Practice. Maidenhead: McGraw-Hill: Open University Press.

Wrycraft, N. (2012) (Ed.) Case studies in Mental Health Nursing. Maidenhead: McGraw-Hill: Open University Press.

Wrycraft, N. (2009) (Ed.) An Introduction to Mental Health Nursing. Maidenhead: McGraw-Hill: Open University Press.

Book chapters

Wrycraft, N. (2018) 'Assessment'. In: Norman, I. and Ryrie, I. (Eds.) (2018) The Art and Science of Mental Health Nursing: Principles and Practice. 4th edn. Maidenhead: McGraw-Hill Education. Chapter 11, pp. 156-173.

Ryrie, I., Coster, S., Wrycraft, N. and Norman, I. (2018) 'Professional practice: Caring for ourselves'. In: Norman, I. and Ryrie, I. (Eds.) (2018) The Art and Science of Mental Health Nursing: Principles and Practice. 4th edn. Maidenhead: McGraw-Hill Education. Chapter 40, pp. 645-667.

Wrycraft, N. (2008) 'Preconceptions and the reality of mental illness.' In: Evans, C. and Tippins, E. (Eds) (2018) Fitness for Practice. Maidenhead: McGraw-Hill: Open University. Chapter 13, pp. 283-300.

Wrycraft, N. (2006) 'Mental Health'. In: Martin, P. and Eldridge, K. (Eds.) Partnerships in Healthcare. London: Quay Books Division, MA Healthcare. Chapter 4, pp. 63-90.

Journal articles

Wrycraft, N. (2026) 'Care planning in mental health nursing using a person-centred, co production, and recovery-informed approach'. Mental Health Practice. Available at: https://doi.org/10.7748/mhp.2026.e1786

Wrycraft, N. (2026) 'Initial assessments in mental health nursing: engaging with the patient as a person'. Mental Health Practice. Available at: https://doi.org/10.7748/mhp.2026.e1776

Schafer, T., Amoateng, G. and Wrycraft, N., (2009) 'An exploratory study of GP perceptions of a primary care counselling service on their practice'. British Journal of Guidance and Counselling, 37(1), pp. 1-15.

Schafer, T. and Wrycraft, N. (2007) 'Contributions of Graduate mental health workers in primary care'. Nursing Standard, 20(17), pp. 44-49.

Primary Care Research Network Conference, York (2005) 'An Evaluation of NIMHE Eastern Region Trailblazers Project'.

Witham, Halstead and Braintree PCT (2005) 'An Evaluation of the NIMHE Eastern Region Trailblazers Project'.

Witham, Halstead and Braintree PCT (2004) 'An Evaluation of the Intermediate Care Team'.