Positive Psychology Academy Student Experiences – Neurodiversity (Caroline Murphy)
Caroline Murphy is a Certified Strengths-Based Practitioner (Neurodiversity & Inclusion) who graduated from the Level 3 Certificate Neurodiversity & Inclusion (Train the Trainer) course in 2025. Below is a summary of her experience and how she is applying her learning in a professional role.
What motivated you to apply for and engage in this course?
Through my own lived experience of neurodiversity I identified a training gap in neurodiversity and wanted to set up a training course. I wanted to get a qualification on neurodiversity to help me with this and increase my knowledge and expertise.
What are you taking away from your learning experience?
There was so much covered in the course it is so hard to say what I am taking away. One of the many points that really resonated with me is not generalising strengths of neurodivergent people. Although this comes from a good place away from stigma and negativity, we do not do this for neurotypical people and it is important to understand that we are all different and we all have different strengths and weaknesses. It was great to be able to do research on the different subjects as well as learning from the course tutor, Dr Reece Coker. The newest parts of the course for me were about Positive Psychology, which I had never looked into before.
How do you plan to use your course learning in the future?
I have written a neurodiversity workforce champion training course Neurodiversity Workforce Champion Training – PWDS and I am currently creating e-learning modules and manager awareness training for the hospital trust I work for. Any questions please email caroline.murphy@uhbw.nhs.uk
About Caroline Murphy
Caroline Murphy MRPharmS is a dedicated and innovative pharmacy education leader with over a decade of experience spanning clinical practice, workforce development, and inclusive training design. Currently serving as a Training Programme Director for Pharmacy Workforce Development South and a Training Programme Facilitator for NHS England South West, Caroline plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of pharmacy education across the region.
She is the lead architect behind the Neurodiversity Workforce Champion Training programme and a passionate advocate for inclusive practice, drawing on both professional expertise and lived experience. Caroline holds a postgraduate qualification in healthcare leadership and a distinction in Neurodiversity and Inclusion. Her work is grounded in a deep commitment to equity, quality assurance, and pastoral support for trainee pharmacists.
Beyond her professional roles, Caroline is an active volunteer with the National Autistic Society and a contributor to the ALN Reform Wales group. She balances her career with family life, enjoying baking, reading, and long walks with her husband and two neurodivergent children.