Dr. Victoria (Toya) Smalley, Clinical Psychologist
BSc Hons, DClinPsy, CPsychol.
Clinical Psychologist
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.
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
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