Dr. Victoria (Toya) Smalley, Clinical Psychologist 

BSc Hons, DClinPsy, CPsychol.  

Clinical Psychologist​

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Toya has worked for the NHS providing psychological assessment and therapy to children, young people and families for many years. She has worked in a variety of settings including Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) and paediatrics (working with hospital-based medical teams providing care to children and young people with diabetes).  Toya has a particular interest in Systemic Family Therapy interventions.  Toya is registered with the Health and Care Professions Council and holds an enhanced DBS check.  Toya offers appointments on a Monday.   

 

Main therapeutic models:  

Every young person is unique and importantly, so is their context: their family, friends and experience of education. Therefore, I'm a strong believer in really listening to the young person and their family and generating a joint understanding before agreeing on the most useful psychological intervention.

 

As Psychologists, we are trained to be adept in a range of therapeutic models and draw from them depending on what may be most helpful for the young person. These models include CBT, ACT, DBT, Systemic Family Therapy, Person-centred approaches and Brief solution focussed methods.

 

My hope is that young people complete their therapy feeling heard and respected and able to face the world with a range of life skills to draw on in the future. An additional aim is for parents leave with a deeper shared understanding of difficulties, stronger relationships and more confidence.

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Areas of interest: Family conflict/ communication difficulties; coping with divorce/ separation/ domestic violence; managing distress and heightened emotions (emotional dysregulation), parenting support,  anxiety (generalised anxiety, health anxiety, separation anxiety, phobias); low mood/depression; self-harm, OCD, Autistic Spectrum and other neuro-developmental difficulties e.g. ADHD, tics and Tourettes; disordered eating, body image difficulties, sleep problems, behavioural difficulties, resilience, low self-esteem and bullying; school liaison.

 

Clinical Psychology Qualifications

2012 - Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, University of Plymouth

2000 - Masters in Psychology, University of Sussex

1998 - Psychology BA (Hons), University of Wales, Cardiff

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A selection of additional psychological therapy training undertaken including: 

Foundation course in Family Therapy

Intermediate skills in Family Therapy and Systemic Practice

Supervision Training and Recognition (STAR) Levels 1- 4

Working Systemically with Couples

STORM  risk assessment training

CBT for OCD

ACT for Long Term Health Conditions

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