ABOUT
Dr Sarah Atayero is a British Nigerian clinical psychologist and a director of the BiPP Network - an organisation working to prioritise and advance the representation and experiences of Black people in psychiatry and psychology. At the BiPP Network, Sarah fosters collaborations with professionals, groups, and organisations to build connections in a field that can be challenging for Black prospective and registered psychologists and psychiatrists. Prior to this, Sarah worked across several NHS and private mental health services and later completed a professional Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at Royal Holloway, University of London.
Committed to anti-racism and decolonisation, Sarah supports those facing psychological distress through her clinical practice, research, and writing. She consults, teaches, and upskills professionals to promote anti-racism and staff wellbeing. Combining her lived experience as a Black British woman with clinical and research expertise, Sarah creates engaging solutions for workplace racial equity and mental wellbeing. She drives innovative racial equity and mental health research, ensuring co-production with affected communities and practical application of findings. Dedicated to culturally sensitive clinical services, she advances the progression of global majority mental health professionals. Sarah's mission is to educate and empower academics, clinicians and organisations to champion anti-racism in psychology and the workplace.
From conferences to creative collaborations, Sarah is always looking for new opportunities to collaborate and learn. Explore Sarah's portfolio and please get in touch with any questions or enquiries.
EDUCATION
2020 - 2023
PHD IN CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY
ROYAL HOLLOWAY, UNIVERSITY OF LONDON
Thesis: 'Exploring How Aspiring Clinical Psychologists from Different Racial Groups Experience and Make Sense of their NHS Career Trajectory' supervised by Prof Stephani Hatch and Dr Thora Bjornsdottir.
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 global majority backgrounds.
CLINICAL EXPERIENCE
2020 - 2023
TRAINEE CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST
ROYAL HOLLOWAY DCLINPSY
During Sarah's professional clinical psychology doctorate she completed a variety of clinical placements delievered both online and face-to-face. This included working at Camden Early Intervention for Psychosis service, Barnet CAMHS, and UCLH Oncology Psychology service. Sarah's 3rd year specialist placement was with the Guy's and St Thomas' Trust Staff Wellbeing Psychology team, with a specific focus on supporting racial equity and anti-racism within the Trust.
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 PSYCHOLOGISTCROYDON 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
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.