Ann Munro, Clinical ethicist, trauma psychotherapist & coach

ABOUT ANN

Clinical ethicist, trauma psychotherapist & coach


For the past 30 years I have taught, supported and worked alongside doctors in palliative care, oncology, intensive care and obstetrics and gynaecology.

My professional life has brought together several complementary roles.

Since the mid-1990s, I have worked as a trauma psychotherapist within medical settings, supporting doctors, patients and multidisciplinary teams through some of the most challenging situations in clinical practice. In 2005, I trained as a clinical ethicist at Imperial College London, adding a further dimension to my work. This was never an academic role. It involved consultation and mediation with doctors, patients and healthcare teams as they navigated complex ethical decisions in real time.

Alongside this clinical work, I have held senior leadership and governance roles, served on the board of an NHS Trust, lectured in communication skills and medical ethics, and worked as a coach and mentor to senior clinicians, NHS leaders and chief executives. Each of these roles has informed the others, bringing different perspectives to the work I do today.

Alongside my NHS work, as children’s psychotherapist, in 2003 I created and directed an independent, well-regarded Tier 2  CAMHS service.

Over time, these complementary roles have come together to shape a distinctive professional practice. Rather than fitting neatly into a single discipline, my work draws on decades of experience at the intersection of medicine, ethics, leadership and psychotherapy. It is this combination of experience that I bring to the doctors I work with today.

My Qualifications

  • MA Ethics, Imperial College London

  • MBACP (Accred)

  • Certificate of Qualification in Social Work (CQSW)  

  • ATAP

BACP Member
  • Testimonials from doctors

    “For me, this works because it is a professional, confidential space where you can decompress without judgement or adverse consequence. The infrastructure for support is not well developed in my NHS trust. We face many ethical and safety-related issues, high-stress situations and difficult decisions. Having an unbiased sounding board is really helpful. It creates a space to step back, consider, and validate or challenge thoughts and opinions. It has helped me navigate many challenges and kept me on a straight line when I might otherwise have lost focus. It has helped me gain clarity in non-clinical decision-making and accelerated my leadership progression.

    Ann is great. We have worked together for two years. She helps me keep perspective, has a great sense of humour and will say it how it is, which I really appreciate. I value her extensive NHS and trust management experience. I can’t recommend her highly enough.”

    Trust Clinical Cancer Lead, Consultant Breast Surgeon

  • Testimonials from doctors

    “I have found the professional supervision provided by Ann to be invaluable in helping me grow, both personally and professionally. Her support and guidance have enabled me to develop my practice while maintaining a sustainable work–life balance amid the stresses and emotional demands of an NHS career. Ann creates a safe, supportive and reflective space where I feel heard, challenged and encouraged to grow. Her longstanding experience in healthcare enables her to approach supervision with professionalism and compassion. She has been instrumental in supporting my wellbeing and resilience, and I am incredibly grateful for her ongoing support.”

    Consultant Oncologist

  • Testimonials from doctors

    “As a typical surgeon who was massively sceptical about any form of counselling or therapy, I can honestly say that having professional supervision with Ann has been invaluable—not just from a career point of view, but also for my personal development. Being able to check in regularly with Ann has provided a safe space to discuss challenging situations with patients, colleagues and the NHS.

    Ann is experienced, wise and compassionate, and has been an amazing guiding hand through some of the most difficult points of my surgical career. I could not recommend her highly enough.”

    Consultant Surgeon

  • Testimonials from doctors

    “Ann and I have worked together in several different settings over more than 15 years. We have worked together in small and larger group teaching sessions focused on communication skills, breaking bad news and debriefing after clinical incidents. She understands team dynamics well and is also great in small groups or one-to-one sessions. Her broad experience in different clinical settings gives her insight into spoken and unspoken issues.

    Ann is an experienced coach with a flexible, interactive style and a good sense of humour when needed. She has a non-confrontational, empathic style, and I would be confident that she could support and develop anyone in our team. One-to-one, Ann is a great listener, stimulates ideas and is comfortable challenging in a supportive way. Her contribution is always well received, and I love working with her!”

    Consultant in Obstetrics and Gynaecology

  • Testimonials from doctors

    “I have worked with Ann for over 20 years, both in her capacity as an ethicist and as an educator. She has unrivalled experience as a clinical ethicist and has provided advice and support to hospital teams in some of the most difficult cases. As an educator, she has been innovative in sharing knowledge, using an adaptable and interactive style that has consistently received the highest-rated feedback.

    I have unhesitatingly recommended her to various colleagues for coaching support.”

    Palliative care consultant

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