Dr Victoria Roberts
BSc (First Class Hons), DClinPsy, PGDipCBT
HCPC Registered, Chartered Clinical Psychologist
CBT Therapist
University Lecturer
Every individual is unique in their growth, and it is an honour to bear witness to this in my work with people. I believe that you arrive in treatment with a wealth of knowledge and experience, and I spend time developing a shared understanding of your road travelled so far. This helps me truly meet you where you are, with acceptance and non-judgement. Afterwards, we can start to map out what treatment might look like, so that you can make informed choices about the direction you want to take. Fundamental to this process is a sense of safety, trust, and collaboration. I also believe that therapy is not just about reducing symptoms of distress, but also helping people thrive and bring vitality to their lives.
I am a Clinical Psychologist, and also a CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) Therapist. I trained in an integrative model at University College London (UCL), which included systemic and psychodynamic approaches to psychotherapy. As a CBT Therapist, I draw upon first, second, and third wave CBT, including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, Mindfulness, and Compassion Focused Therapy. I have also received training in other modalities, including CRM (Comprehensive Resource Model) and REBT (Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy). I find that effective therapy requires an approach firmly grounded in the experience of the person, rather than trying to fit a person into a specific type of therapy. Therefore, my style is very integrative and tailored to your individual needs.
I have worked with children and adults in the NHS, social care, forensic and prison settings. When not working clinically, I lecture at Oxford University on the Doctorate in Clinical Psychology Programme and have helped with the writing of NICE guidelines on mental health.
I have an interest in meditation, which I have pursued through participating in a silent meditation Vipassana retreat. The mind and body are the instruments with which we perceive the world through a conscious and unconscious lens. I have experienced the practice of meditation as a process of “fine tuning” these instruments, which I have found to be really helpful in my work when truly listening to people. I am also trained in Martial Arts, and learned Qi Gong and Tai Chi whilst living with the Shaolin Monks in China for 4 months. This has further solidified my understanding of the link between mind and body, and the deepened power of healing if both are understood and supported.
“Your conflicts, all the difficult things, the problematic situations in your life are not chance or haphazard. They are actually yours. They are specifically yours, designed specifically for you by a part of you that loves you more than anything else. The part of you that loves you more than anything else has created roadblocks to lead you to yourself.” – A.H. Almaas