Prof Dr Birgit Gurr
DClin Psych, Dipl Psych, AFBPsS
Contact details
63 Wren Crescent
Poole
BH12 1LB, UK
Mobile: 07748333880; 07953067991
Email: bgurr@bournemouth.ac.uk; birgitgurr@gmail.com
Professional History
| 2015 – Date |
Consultant Clinical Neuropsychologist, Clinical Lead Community Brain Injury and Adult Neuropsychology Services at Dorset Healthcare University Foundation Trust. |
| 2002 – Date |
Private Practice Clinical and Neuropsychology (part time). |
| 1999 – 2015 |
Consultant Clinical Neuropsychologist – Poole Stroke Unit; Principal Neuropsychologist – Adult Neuropsychology, Dorset. |
| 2009 – Date |
Visiting Professor, Bournemouth University.
Visiting Lecturer, Southampton and Exeter Universities (part time).
|
| 2004 – 2005 |
Psychology Lead, Headway Dorset (part time Locum Post). |
| 1998 – 1999 |
Clinical Psychologist, Poole Hospital. |
| 1996 – 1998 |
Private Business: DK Educational Books. |
| 1991 |
German/English Interpreter for the Police Force, Halle, Germany. |
| 1990 – 1991 |
Teaching Assistant and Co-worker at the Rudolf Steiner School for Children with Special Needs, Ringwood. |
| 1987 – 1990 |
Qualified Teacher: Early Years Education, Halle, Germany. |
Education
| 2004 |
University of Wales Bangor
Doctorate in Clinical Psychology |
| 1996 |
Leipzig University, Germany
Psychology, German Diplom |
| 1989 |
School of Higher Education, Halle, Germany
A Levels |
| 1987 |
Fachschule Halle, Germany
Teaching Degree |
Professional Registration
- British Psychological Society – Division of Clinical Neuropsychology
- Division of Neuropsychology – Policy Unit responsible for psychology provision in stroke
- Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society (AFBPsS)
- Health & Care Professions Council
Other
Information Commissioner’s Office Registration Number:
ICO:00015562352
Professional Collaborations
- Chartered Clinical Psychologist – BPS; Registered Clinical Neuropsychologist – Division of Neuropsychology (Member no.:087703)
- Registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (Reg. no.: PYL05454)
- BPS Division of Neuropsychology Policy Unit: co-representative of UK stroke service developments
- BPS DON Professional Practice Unit: co-producer of guidance on commissioning clinical neuropsychology and co-author of BPS documents
- Member of Royal College of Physicians Intercollegiate Working Party on clinical rehabilitation guidelines in stroke
- Lead of the Wessex ISDN Task and Finish group on neuropsychological care
- Visiting Professor Bournemouth University: Clinical and Developmental Neuropsychology MSc; clinical placement and field research supervisor
- Visiting lecturer Southampton and Exeter Universities: clinical supervisor and research supervisor
- Peer review panel member for journals including Topics in Stroke Rehabilitation, International Journal for Therapy and Rehabilitation, Cephalalgia, British Journal of Neuroscience Nursing, Australian Occupational Therapy Journal
Professional Achievements
I am a qualified clinical neuropsychologist with a wide range of skills and experience.
I have expert knowledge in neuropsychological assessment and rehabilitation of patients with stroke, brain injury, and other neurological conditions associated with neuropsychological or psychiatric disturbances.
Based on extensive clinical experience and research, I have developed specialist expertise in the assessment and management of mild brain trauma and functional neurological disorders.
I have a particular clinical and research interest in highly complex conditions, including chronic mild brain injury and trauma-related disorders. This expertise is based on my work within acute and community neuro-rehabilitation services and mental health teams at Dorset Healthcare University Foundation Trust.
I am highly skilled in neuropsychological, cognitive and language assessments and produce well-evaluated, evidence-based clinical reports.
My rehabilitation approaches include memory training, information-processing training, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Schema-focused Therapy, Systemic Family Therapy, Clinical Hypnosis and Client-Centred Therapy.
I have a strong interest in clinical and applied neuropsychological research. My evidence-based approach has contributed to service improvements and audits. I have presented nationally and internationally and have produced over 40 scientific papers, two books and a psychological test.
I am clinical lead of the Acquired Brain Injury Rehabilitation and Adult Neuropsychology Services in Dorset. I provide training to Stroke, Brain Injury, Neurology, Older Adult and Mental Health teams and contribute extensively to clinical psychology and neuropsychology training programmes at Bournemouth, Southampton and Exeter Universities.
In 2012, I was invited by the International Headache Society in Copenhagen to provide recommendations for psychological management programmes for posttraumatic headache.
In 2025, I organised the Brain Injury conference “Holistic Brain Injury Rehabilitation that works”, showcasing biopsychosocial rehabilitation approaches developed by the services I lead.
Since 2002, I have also maintained a private practice, undertaking expert witness work predominantly in personal injury claims and medical negligence cases. I have also worked with family courts and prison services.
Research Projects, Publications and Dissemination
View complete publication record
Psychological consequences of vertigo and the effectiveness of vestibular rehabilitation for brain injury patients.
Gurr B, Moffat N. (2001). Brain Injury.
Conference: World Federation for NeuroRehabilitation Neuropsychological Rehabilitation Conference, London, 2000; Annual Conference of the British Audiological Society, London, 2000.
The effectiveness of cognitive-behavioural therapy for post-traumatic headaches.
Gurr B, Coetzer BR. (2005). Brain Injury.
Conference presentations: British Psychological Society and Division of Clinical Psychology Conferences, London, 2004; International Headache Congress, Berlin, 2011.
Quality of life with posttraumatic and naturally occurring headaches and implications for psychological treatments.
Gurr B, Coetzer BR. (2004). Journal of Cognitive Rehabilitation.
The usefulness of a keyworker system in an acute brain injury rehabilitation service.
Gurr B. (2006). British Journal for Occupational Therapy.
Psychological Care in Stroke Rehabilitation.
Gurr B. (2009). British Journal of Nursing.
SMS – Stroke Mood Screening pathway on a stroke rehabilitation unit.
Gurr B. (2011). British Journal of Nursing.
Google Calendar: A Memory Aid for People with Prospective Memory Impairment Following Acquired Brain Injury.
McDonald A, Haslam C, Yates P, Gurr B, Leeder G, Sayers A. (2011). Neuropsychological Rehabilitation.
HEADACHES AND BRAIN INJURY FROM A BIOPSYCHOSOCIAL PERSPECTIVE – A Practical Psychotherapy Guide.
Gurr B. (2014). Karnac Books Ltd.
HEADACHES AND MILD BRAIN TRAUMA – A Practical Psychotherapy Guide.
Gurr B. (2nd edition, 2021). Routledge.
What type of inhibition underpins performance on Luria’s Fist-Edge-Palm task?
Varkovetski M, Pihkanen K, Shanker S, Parris BA, Gurr B. (2020). Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology, 42(6), 544–555.
Recommendations for Integrated Community Stroke Services: Service design, workforce planning & clinical governance requirements for a high-quality service and rehabilitation outcome.
Griffiths M, Gurr B, Ford C, Garfield A. (2022). British Psychological Society Briefing Paper.
RCP Clinical Guidelines for Stroke (2023).
Intercollegiate Stroke Working Party. Member of research review group and co-author.
BPS Guidance on commissioning clinical neuropsychology (2024).
Co-author, BPS/DON working group.