Description
TLC Zoom
Wednesday 24th June 2026 18|:00 BST
From Stage to Service: Reinvention, Resilience and the Science of Human Adaptation
Dr Esther Ingham
Back in early February you will recall ACC Jenny Sims giving us an electrifying presentation entited Leading in a crisis. Southport & Liverpool FC parade reflections. During her presentation she specifically mentioned the invaluable assistance she and the Merseyside Force received from Chief Psycologist Dr. Esther Ingham. I immediately wanted to learn more as I am sure you did as well. And is why I got in touch.
After a life-changing road traffic collision left her indefinitely paralysed and ended her career as a classical musician, Dr Esther Ingham was forced to rebuild not only her body but her identity.
Esther shares her journey from concert stage to leading trauma-focused psychological services within policing. Blending personal narrative with a little neuroscience, trauma psychology, and leadership insight, she explores what truly happens when high performers lose certainty, status, or direction — and how individuals and organisations can respond in ways that promote genuine growth rather than forced resilience.
Drawing from her work supporting police officers and staff in high-risk roles, Esther challenges common corporate narratives around “bouncing back” and instead introduces a more sustainable model of adaptation — rooted in neuroplasticity, meaning-making, psychological safety, and evidence-based support.
This is a talk about identity disruption, courage, reinvention, and how to build cultures that do not simply survive adversity, but evolve through it.
Biography
Dr Esther Ingham is a Counselling Psychologist with expertise in trauma‑focused clinical practice and organisational consultancy within policing. After a life‑changing injury redirected her career away from classical music, she retrained to specialise in psychology and trauma intervention and has since played a pivotal role in guiding and developing tailored psychological services for police forces including Lancashire Constabulary, the National Crime Agency, The Police Rehabilitation and Retraining Trust, and most recently, Merseyside Police.
Esther is deeply committed to ensuring that individuals working in high‑pressure, high‑risk environments receive timely, appropriate, and evidence‑based psychological support. She currently leads the Psychological Support Service within Merseyside Police’s award‑winning Occupational Health Unit, delivering a wide range of individual and group therapeutic interventions, a High‑Risk‑Role Support Programme, Critical Incident Debrief Support, Suicide First Aid training, and a large, active peer‑support programme for officers and staff.
Alongside her clinical leadership, Esther contributes to the wider academic and professional field through published papers and book chapters on physicality and trauma. She guest lectures at doctoral level, supervises emerging psychological practitioners and therapists, and is a regular public speaker and panel contributor — particularly on trauma, mental health, and proactive, effective engagement with Occupational Health services in policing and emergency services.
