ABOUT
Sarah Atayero is a British Nigerian trainee clinical psychologist at Royal Holloway, University of London and a director of the BiPP Network - an organisation that prioritises the advancement and representation of Black and Minority Ethnic backgrounds in psychiatry and psychology. Prior to this, Sarah read for a degree in Experimental Psychology at the University of Oxford and later completed an MSc in Affective Disorders at King’s College London.
Sarah’s experience of working within NHS mental health services highlighted multiple challenges intersecting with her identity as a Black woman. Consequently, Sarah’s clinical practice, research, and writing are centred on exploring how the colonial history of psychological theory contributes to racial inequalities in not only the psychology curriculum but also in mental health research and treatment. By addressing this past and discussing what decolonisation looks like in practice, Sarah hopes to educate and empower students, teachers, academics and clinicians to champion decolonisation and inclusion within psychology.
From conferences to creative collaborations, Sarah is always looking for the chance to collaborate and learn something new that she can apply to her work. Explore Sarah's portfolio, and feel free to get in touch with any questions.
CLINICAL EXPERIENCE
2018 - 2020
RESEARCH ASSISTANT
GREAT ORMOND STREET HOSPITAL
Sarah worked at UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health as part of the Mental Health Intervention for Children with Epilepsy (M.I.C.E) study. She delivered low-intensity cognitive behavioural therapy, based on the Modular Approach to Therapy for Children with Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, or Conduct Problems (MATCH-ADTC), to children with epilepsy.
2018
ASSISTANT PSYCHOLOGIST
CROYDON TALKING THERAPIES
Based at the Bethlem Royal Hospital within the Croydon Talking Therapies (IAPT) service, Sarah was involved in the assessment and treatment of clients with common mental health disorders, such as
depression and anxiety using low-intensity cognitive behavioural therapy. She was also part of the increasing access for racial minorities working group and led community outreach workshops.
2017 - 2018
CLINICAL SUPPORT WORKER
MAUDSLEY HOSPITAL
Based on a female psychiatric intensive care unit, Sarah provided therapeutic support to individuals suffering from severe mental health disorders with complex needs. Sarah secured a secondment as an Activities Coordinator, where she helped to engage individuals in activities that were important to them and beneficial for their mental well-being.
2017 - 2018
HONORARY ASSISTANT PSYCHOLOGIST
LEWISHAM PROMOTING RECOVERY
Sarah delivered low-intensity interventions to individuals recovering from psychosis, including implementing a range of CBT and DBT techniques. She also conducted a research audit on the need for parenting support and advice within the service’s client group.
EDUCATION
2020 - 2023
PHD IN CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY
ROYAL HOLLOWAY, UNIVERSITY OF LONDON
Thesis: 'Exploring Black British aspiring clinical psychologists’ experience of discrimination within the NHS compared to their White British counterparts' supervised by Prof Stephani Hatch and Dr Tatiana Lau.
2016 - 2017
MSC IN AFFECTIVE DISORDERS,
KING'S COLLEGE LONDON
Dissertation: 'Impact of Stigma on Help-seeking Behaviour for Common Mental Disorders: Secondary data analysis of a South London community population', supervised by Prof Stephani Hatch.
2013 - 2016
BA IN EXPERIMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY
UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD
Dissertation: 'The Sensitive Adolescent Brain & Depression: Why is adolescence a risky period for the first onset of major depressive disorder?' supervised by Dr Catherine Crane
Want to learn more about Sarah's academic journey? Get in touch, she's always happy to provide support and advice to aspiring psychologists and researchers from racially minoritised backgrounds.