About me

ABOUT ME

Get to know something about me before opening up about yourself.

Dr Laura Artis

Principal Clinical Psychologist: BSc (hons), DClinPsych, PGCert
HCPC registered and BABCP accredited
Enhanced DBS checked
Fully insured

About Me

In my working life, I am a Principal Clinical Psychologist and Clinical Lead currently working in an NHS Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service. (CAMHS) alongside my private practice.  

I have an interest in PTSD and trauma, including developmental trauma, attachment styles and ways that people relate to others.  When I have the privilege of working with people, I like to be actively involved in the therapy, and will (with permission) use things that are happening 'in the room' to help identify patterns and interactions that may be present in other settings as well.  While I believe in the importance of having a good understanding of the people I work with and their life story so far, this can help to keep therapy current and in the present moment as well.

My other work life passion is working with people who have an Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC).  I find this work challenging, but also rewarding.  I believe strongly in dispelling some of the myths about ASC and reducing the stigma associated with the diagnosis.  This can be through providing psychological therapy to an individual or support to those helping people with an ASC, such as family members or other professionals. 

When I'm not working, I enjoy being out and about in the local countryside with my dog, walking or sometimes jogging.  I also enjoy reading with my cat on my lap.

My Approach

As a psychologist, I believe that I am privileged to bear witness to people's life stories and to provide a space for them to talk openly about their distress. With this in mind, I feel strongly about being empathetic and compassionate, seeing ways of behaving as strategies for protection rather than 'problem behaviours'. I believe that there is always a reason why people do what they do; it is just that sometimes there are unintended and unwanted consequences to this. 

Together, we can explore this in a safe and containing environment so that we might move to a position of looking to change what we can change, and form a new relationship with things we cannot change.  I try to make therapy feel safe by being open about what I do and making sure that I am collaborative at all times.  I understand that change is difficult and would never ask you to do something that I wouldn't be willing to do myself; something I'm happy to be tested on in sessions (yes, I've definitely 'accidentally' bumped into a glass door in public before as part of a graded exposure task!).  

I also find that my sense of humour creeps into the therapy room at times.  While I certainly do not think that distress is funny, I do believe that lightening the tone is a fantastic leveller, can reduce the impact of a heavy session and hopefully shows that I am also human (and possibly models being imperfect with rubbish jokes).

Although there are limits to what I might share about myself and my personal life, I also realise that it is difficult to be open about your most personal experiences without knowing something about me as well.  I am happy for questions to be asked, as long as there is an understanding that I may not  answer everything.
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Education


I have completed a BSc (hons) first degree in Psychology from Royal Holloway, University of London in 2004.

Following work experience, I completed my Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (DClinPsy) at the University of Exeter in 2012.  My research on attitudes towards people who self-harm was published.

Since qualifying, I have completed a PGCert in Supervision of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) in Children and Young People's IAPT at the University of Reading in 2017.

PGCert in Transformational Leadership in Children and Young People's Mental Health, University of Reading, 2022

Experience


I have over 14 years experience in providing psychological therapies, supervision, training and consultation within mental health services in the NHS and education settings. I have worked in many different settings, including inpatient services, CAMHS and specialist services for children and young people with a diagnosis of an Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC).

I am registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as a Practitioner/Clinical Psychologist and am a British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP) accredited Cognitive and Behavioural Psychotherapist as well as being in the process of becoming a member of EMDR UK (pending application processing)..

Further Training


I have completed a number of professional training courses, and workshops as part of my continuing professional development (CPD).  These include: 
  • Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule - second edition (ADOS-2) trained.
  • Level 1 Diadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP) training.
  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) skills development and workshops.
  • Trauma-focused ACT.
  • ACT supervision.
  • Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) workshops.
  • Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) and Narrative Therapy workshops.
  • Supervision training by the University of Southampton and Dorset Healthcare (separate training).
  • EMDR parts 1, 2 and 3.
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