Staff Profile

I'm currently the Clinical Director / Deputy Programme Director for the Clinical Psychology Doctorate. I initially joined the programme as a Clinical Tutor in December 2019 and then extended my role to also work as an Academic Tutor and Admissions Lead from November 2020 - November 2022. I co-chair the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion sub-committee with trainees. 

I trained as a Clinical Psychologist at Newcastle University from 2006-2009. Following this, I completed further training in CBT (PgDip Advanced Practice in Cognitive Therapy) and Neuropsychology (PgDip in Clinical Neuropsychology). I have worked in a range of NHS specialties post qualification, including Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT), Community Acquired Brain Injury Rehabilitation, and Older Adult Mental Health and Dementia services. 

Prior to my applied clinical training, I undertook a PhD looking at the developmental trajectories of anxiety and ritualistic behaviour in childhood with a view to better detect, understand and treat obsessive-compulsive disorder in young people. 

My current research interests are focused on understanding and treating uncertainty distress.

Appiah, A., Yeebo, M., Bamford, J., Thwaites, S.V., Lomax, C., & Farooq, R. (2022).  A mixed method evaluation of the North East Black, Asian & Minority Ethnic mentoring scheme launch: Reflections & actions, Clinical Psychology Forum, 354(355): 9-16.

Addy, C., Appiah, A., Yeebo, M., Bamford, J., Thwaites, S.V., Lomax, C., & Farooq, R. (2021).  "Seeing Me" in Clinical Psychology: A Mixed Method Evaluation of the North East Mentoring Scheme for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Aspiring Psychologists. Conference Paper: Group of Trainers in Clinical Psychology Annual Conference.

Farooq, R., Thwaites, S.V. & Addy, C. (2021). Dismantling the Master’s House: Building the foundations for an Anti-Racist Clinical Psychology. Conference Paper: Group of Trainers in Clinical Psychology Annual Conference.

Freeston, M.H., Tiplady, A., Mawn, L., Bottesi, G. & Thwaites, S. (2020). Towards a model of uncertainty distress in the context of Coronavirus (Covid-19). The Cognitive Behaviour Therapist, 1-32.

Veale, D., Thwaites, S. & Freeston, M.H. (2013). Ego-dystonicity: Still relevant to our understanding of obsessions? Conference Paper: 43rd Annual Conference of the European Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Therapies.

Laing, S.V. (2010). Enhancing specificity in cognitive models of obsessive-compulsive disorder: Responsibility, thought-action fusion and egodystonicity. Unpublished DClinPsych. thesis.

Laing, S. V., Fernyhough, C., Turner, M. & Freeston, M. H. (2009). Fear, worry, and ritualistic behavior in childhood: Developmental trends and interrelations. Infant and Child Development 18(4): 351-366.

Laing, S.V. (2008). A developmental approach to fear, worry and rituals among typically developing children. Unpublished PhD thesis.

Scholey, A., Laing, S., & Kennedy, D.O. (2006) Blood glucose changes and memory: Effects of manipulating emotionality and mental effort. Biological Psychology, 71, 12-19.

Laing, S. (2003) The continuity between normative and pathological rituals: Fear, worry and compulsive-like behaviour in childhood. Unpublished MA thesis.

Neave, N., Laing, S., Fink, B. & Manning, J.T. (2003) Second to fourth digit ratio, testosterone and perceived male dominance. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences 270(1529), 2167-72 ·