Lauren Young

Lauren initially trained as a Children's Nurse and whilst working within the NHS subsequently studied for her MSc in Child and Adolescent Mental Health at the University of Northampton. Whilst working within Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, Lauren then trained as a Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist (PgDip). 

Lauren is now a Lecturer in Child and Adolescent Mental Health and a Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist working with children, young people, and families within private practice.  Lauren is currently studying for her Professional Doctorate in Health and Social Care, investigating Children’s Nurses personal stories of how they interpret and have shaped their professional identities when navigating working in Children and Young People’s Mental Health Services.  

Alongside this project, Lauren is interested in understanding ways of improving both students' and academics learning experiences. This was initially prompted by the completion of published research exploring MSc Counselling student’s experiences of conducting online role play activities during the pandemic, which in turn has led to further exploration of felt safety within the classroom context.  

• Professional Identity (specifically in healthcare)
• The learning experience of students and academics
• Children and young people's mental health

Lauren's teaching interests are predominantly focused on children and young people's mental health and therapeutic working. 

Lauren is the Module Co-Ordinator for two modules at the University of Northampton: Child and Adolescent Mental Health (Level 6, Undergraduate) and Therapeutic Interventions with Children, Young People and Families (Level 7, Postgraduate).

Lauren teaches mainly on the MSc Child and Adolescent Mental Health course and the undergradute Child and Adolescent Mental Health module, but also teaches on various counselling modules at different levels. 

Lauren has experience supervising MSc students through various qualitatitive studies, predominantly focused on children, young people and families within various contexts. 

Lauren has over ten years experience working within the National Health Service, employed  across various areas including Buckinghamshire, Northamptonshire, Cambridgeshire, Coventry and Warwickshire. Lauren has worked in both community and clinical environments, both in her role as a Children's Nurse and her capacity as a Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist.