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Staff Profiles

Laura Stevenson-Young

Director of Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner Training. Lecturer in Psychology. CBT Therapist and Clinical Supervisor

Background

Background

Since 2012, I have worked in a variety of roles in different NHS adult mental health settings. Prior to taking up the role of CBT therapist in the Psychological Therapies Training and Research Clinic (PTTRC) here at Newcastle University in 2020, I worked across both NHS primary and secondary care mental health settings in North London. I also worked part time as a clinical tutor at University College London, on the Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner (PWP) training programme. I trained as a Cognitive Behavioural Therapist (CBT) in 2016 at Canterbury Christ Church University; obtaining BABCP accreditation in 2018 following my foundation year of clinical practice. My main areas of clinical experience developed with severe, chronic and enduring presentations of depression and PTSD. In 2015, I ran a community engagement project within a London borough, and have since being passionate about widening access to psychological therapies for minoritised groups. Between 2017-2020, a vast amount of my clinical activity was working with asylum seekers. I have received training and development in third wave psychotherapies, such as Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT).


Current role

In August 2021 I was appointed as programme director of the Low Intensity Psychological Therapies programme (PG-Cert) within the Psychological Therapies Training and Research Unit (PTTRU). I lead the clinical training in line with NHS England Talking Therapies standards to fulfil clinical and academic training requirements of Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners. Upon completion, graduates are able to professionally register with an accrediting body, and work in NHS Talking Therapies services delivering CBT. I am passionate about the valuable and respected role PWPs hold in NHS mental services, and strive for pedagogical excellence in clinical training for PWPs. Further to this role, I am a lecturer on the BSc Psychology programme.

In addition to my teaching and training roles, I am also a BABCP accredited CBT therapist and clinical supervisor, and contribute to the other clinical training programmes within the shcool.

I am part of the Psychological Professions Network (PPN) for PWP networks in the North Region, the North East & Yorkshire PWP senior forum, and the Talking Therapies Oversight Delivery network (TTOD). This ensures strong links with our service providers and other stakeholders in mental healthcare delivery within the region.

Research

My main research interests are in the field of Low Intensity Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, including advancing the evidence base and development of clinical supervision and clinical practices of the PWP workforce (Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners). Other research interests are in LGBTQ+ mental health, and effectiveness of clinical interventions for this group. My research in this area focuses on how proximal stressors (negative beliefs about sexuality and gender) can be treated using emerging and evidence based frameworks.


I also contribute to pedagogical research for clinical training on the PG-Cert to improve standards of training. My research in this area specifically focuses on workforce development and mediating burnout in the psychological professions.


I supervise both undergraduate and postgraduate research projects within the school.


Teaching

I contribute to, and direct the teaching and clinical training on the Post Graduate Certificate in Psychological therapies, which includes assessment and engagement with people with mental health problems, low intensity clinical interventions for common mental health problems, and adapted care for minoritised groups. I contribute to other postgraduate clinical programmes within the school, contributing my expertise in LGBTQ+ mental health, clinical risk, supervision and many more. I supervise both undergraduate and postgraduate projects within the school.

I am a lecturer on BSc Psychology programme and lead the stage two module: ‘Pathways and therapies in clinical psychology’. This optional module attracts some of the largest number of students, and provides students with a foundation of knowledge and skills on the clinical methods used in Clinical Psychology. It helps students identify pathways of pursuing a career in clinical psychology.

In 2022, I won: Outstanding Contribution to Teaching at The Education Awards for my use of research, and passion in clinical teaching.

In 2024, I was nominated for another Education Award for my clinical teaching qualities.

In June 2026, I was successfully awarded my Senior Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy. I obtained this status for my prior success in leading and influencing the pedagogy of clinical training, both locally and nationally.

Publications