Dr Lauren Topper
Dr Lauren Topper is a highly specialised Clinical Psychologist
with 20 years experience in the area of Children & Families.
Lauren has a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, a BSc (Hons) in Psychology and
an MSc & PhD in Social, Genetic & Developmental Psychiatry
Approach
Lauren works with children and families across the lifespan. She is trained and experienced in a number of evidence based approaches, with certification in DDP and additional training for therapeutic models including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT), Theraplay, Therapeutic Life Story Work and Therapeutic Parenting.
Lauren’s vast experience, which includes her background in research as well as her earlier experience in youth work has enabled her to develop an open, curious and reflective approach, which supports children and young people to feel safe to engage within the therapeutic relationship. Lauren is artistic and creative, and she is able to bring these skills into her work with young people in order to reach those who find it difficult to express themselves, or to explore difficult topics.
Lauren is trained both therapeuticially and in in-depth clinical assessment, which includes assessing young people’s cognitive and educational strengths/needs.
Lauren is able to use this thinking to take into account holistic needs when supporting children, families, parents and schools.
If you would like to get in touch and find out more, please contact Lauren.
What her work looks like in practice
Lauren began work as a research psychologist at the Institute of Psychiatry, where she worked on the European IMAGEN study to better understand the impact on teenager’s coping strategies when they have experienced bullying victimisation.
Following this, Lauren trained within CAMHS and hospital teams, including working with Neurodisability team at Great Ormond Street Hospital. Lauren’s experience and continued professional training has supported her to develop a holistic approach to working with children and their families – she practices with skill, empathy and care for children with varying neurotypical and neurodiverse presentations.
Lauren works with children, teenagers, young adults and parents across the ages.
She practices using an integrative approach, drawing on evidence based therapy models. Lauren supports people who are experiencing a range of emotional or behavioural needs, taking into account both the developmental age and stage of the child, as well as their emotional regulation needs. Lauren works both with diagnoses as well as symptom presentation, with vast experience in supporting presenting
difficulties including anxiety and anxiety disorders (e.g. obsessive compulsive disorder, separation anxiety and panic disorder), as well as symptoms of low mood and depression.
Lauren believes in approaching someone’s needs with a holistic approach and she therefore liaises with other professionals within the individual’s network (e.g. other health professionals or schools), in order to advocate for the child and to ensure a joined up approach so that the child and their family can gain the from a tailored and
targeted intervention.
Lauren has particular interests in working with children and families who have experienced trauma, developmental trauma as well as separation and attachment related difficulties. Lauren also performs specialist pre and post adoption assessments, in addition to educational assessments for children struggling at school either socially, emotionally or academically.
Training and Consultation
Lauren has a background in informal education, with experience in both public speaking and training/consultation. Lauren’s interest in providing training and consultation includes developing specific material for organisations and charities,
which she is able to tailor to the needs of the organisations’ clients or their staff.
Lauren’s engaging and creative presentation style has led to her being invited to speak in a variety of settings- she has trained social care teams, including mentoring managers on new approaches, in addition to presenting her research to universities in England and across North America. Lauren currently provides supervision and training to a number of mental health professionals, as well as to charities who work
with adolescent and adult clients who experience Learning Disabilities, Neurodiversity and trauma. Lauren’s webinars have been successfully delivered to teams within the NHS as well as to a number of adoption agencies, with feedback focusing on her engaging and informative presentation style. Some examples of Lauren’s webinars can be found freely available on the internet.
Please contact Lauren if you are interested in developing a training, workshop or webinar for your organisation, team or school.
