Verity Smith – Assistant Psychologist (Research)

Verity Smith is an Assistant Research Psychologist working on MAPS (Managing Adolescent first episode Psychosis: a feasibility Study). This trial is investigating treatment options for young people (aged 14-18) who are currently experiencing a first episode of psychosis. The study compares Cognitive Behavioural Therapy with antipsychotic medication, and a combination of both of these. Research comparing treatments helps young people, their families and the services supporting them make informed choices about available evidence-based options and better fit interventions to meet individuals’ needs.

Verity studied Psychology at The University of Warwick, where she became interested in stigma and how we talk about mental health problems, completing her dissertation on the influence of Hollywood cinema on public attitudes towards mental health. Verity went on to complete an MSc at The University of Warwick in The Clinical Applications of Psychology. Whilst studying Verity worked as a play-worker with children with disabilities. Verity has previously worked as an Assistant Psychologist for a parent infant mental health attachment project, as part of an integrative social care and therapeutic team for families on the edge of care, where there are significant difficulties with emerging attachment relationships as well as parental mental health needs.

Verity has also worked an Assistant Psychologist within a specialist therapeutic school, supporting children and young people who have been permanently excluded from mainstream education and whose needs often mean they fall through the gaps in traditional mental health services. Through her previous assistantships Verity developed a passion for talking about how we develop safe authentic relationships. Verity joined the team at PRU in September 2017, and is excited to be involved a project which will empower young people to make informed choices about the care they receive.

Verity would like to work as a Clinical Psychologist in the future, with a particular interest in early attachment relationships and the integration of the arts.

Outside of work, Verity enjoys movies, yoga and creative writing.