Prof. Karina, is a Mental health Nurse, CBT practitioner, Professor of Mental Health and Director of Research for SHS at the University of Manchester. Her main research fields lie in developing and evaluating complex psychological interventions for anxiety and depression in primary care mental health. Her programme of research has focused on alternative, accessible and innovative low intensity interventions for common mental health problems, particularly guided self-help and the use of the telephone in delivering psychological interventions.

She has also been involved in leading programmes of research which aim to improve user and carer involvement in care planning and the physical health of individuals with enduring mental health problems in secondary care mental health settings. She is also involved in Global Mental Health studies in Indonesia, Pakistan and Africa.