Dr Rebecca Young – Forensic Psychologist Specialising in Trauma, Personality Disorders & Complex Mental Health

Rebecca Young

BPS Chartered & HCPC Registered Psychologist | Expert in DBT, Trauma Therapy & Emotional Regulation

HCPC No. PYL37849

Pronouns: She/Her

“I am a BPS Chartered and HCPC Registered Forensic Psychologist with 19 years’ experience supporting people with complex emotional and psychological needs.

I am trained in a range of evidence-based therapies, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT), Schema Therapy, Narrative Therapy, mindfulness, and integrated approaches for trauma and self-harm. I use this training to offer a personalised, integrated approach to therapy—tailored to you and your individual needs.

I have experience working with a wide range of difficulties, including anxiety, depression, personality disorders (including BPD), trauma and PTSD, attachment difficulties, low self-worth, self-harm, anger, dissociation, and relationship challenges.

Alongside my private practice, I have worked within HM Prison Service for 19 years, where I completed my training through the British Psychological Society. This has given me extensive experience in supporting people with complex and multiple needs, and I bring a calm, structured, and compassionate approach to my work.

At the heart of my approach is the belief that you are the expert in your own life. Together, we work to understand your experiences, make sense of patterns that may be keeping you stuck, and help you reconnect with your strengths. My aim is to support you in taking back control and moving towards a future that feels more manageable, meaningful, and aligned with who you are.”

 

** Due to being employed by HM Prison Service, I am unable to accept clients who have a criminal history or who are facing criminal proceedings, as this would be a conflict of interest.  

Areas of Specialism

  • Anxiety

  • Anxiety - Stress

  • Anxiety - Generalised (GAD)

  • Anxiety - Panic / Panic Attacks

  • Depression - Low Mood

  • Depression - Seasonal Affective Disorder

  • Eating Disorders - Over Eating & Weight Loss

  • Low Self-Esteem

  • Personality Disorders

  • Relationship - Attachment issues

  • Anger

  • Trauma - Childhood Trauma

  • Trauma - Rape / sexual assalt

  • Trauma - Childhood sexual abuse

Conditions & Difficulties Treated

  • ADHD Assessment / Diagnostics

  • Anxiety - Fears of abandonment

  • Anxiety - Social

  • Skin/Hair picking (tricotillomania / dermatillomania)

  • Relationship - Communication difficulties

  • Relationship - Doubt in relationship

  • Life transitions

  • Trauma - Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

  • Trauma - Complex PTSD

  • Trauma - Dissasociation

  • Addictions - Substance

  • ADHD

  • Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

  • Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

  • LGBTQI+ Related Issues

  • Gender Identity Issues

  • Loneliness

  • Sleep - Problems

  • Sleep - Insomnia

  • Relationship - Codependency

  • Work - Bullying

  • Work - General Problems

  • Work - Stress

Therapeutic Approaches & Models

  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

  • Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)

  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy 

  • Compassion-Focussed Therapy 

  • Schema Therapy 

  • Narrative Therapy 

  • Mindfulness 

  • Integrative Therapy

  • Integrated Therapy for Trauma and Self—Harm.  

  • Interpersonal therapy

  • Person-centred therapy

  • Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)

    Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy

  • Solution Focused Therapy

Rebecca works with

  • Adolescents (16 - 18 Years)                   

  • All adults, across the whole age range from 18 years + 

Rebecca’s professional Training & Accreditations

  • Qualification in Forensic Psychology – Level 2

  • British Psychological Society - BPS No. 264039

  • HCPC No. PYL37849

  • MSc in Applied Forensic Psychology

  • DBT Intensive training

  • DBT Skills training

  • Radically Open Dialectical Behaviour Therapy Intervention

  • IPDE and ICD-11 assessment and interpretation

  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

  • Compassion Focused Therapy for trauma

  • Integrated Therapy for Self-Harm & Trauma

  • Compassion Focused Therapy for Groups

  • Compassion Focused Therapy Chairwork

  • Advanced Compassion Focused Therapy Clinical Skills

  • Advanced Compassion Focussed Therapy for Groups Regularly undertake individualised therapy with complex clients presenting with: - complex trauma - personality disorder diagnoses (and dual diagnoses) - self-harm/suicidal ideation - autism/learning difficulties - substance misuse difficulties - anger and aggression difficulties


Client testimonials

Rebecca’s Support: Rebuilding Confidence and Self-Esteem

“My therapist (Rebecca) has been excellent. She has helped me regain confidence and build up my self esteem after a difficult breakup, and has helped a lot with my social anxiety. Also providing me with the tools to help myself going forward. I am so grateful for the help she has given me over the past 7 months and would recommend her services to anyone struggling with their self esteem, anxiety, etc.” Nick


Life-Changing Expertise with the Right Therapist Match

“Rebecca was exceptionally talented and her knowledge, skills and experience was evident from the start. I was diagnosed with BPD, and Rebecca has been the only therapist to help me manage my BPD. I have genuinely made so much progress, down to the hard work I’ve put in, but mostly through the expertise of Rebecca. Thank you” Nick

“MTO managed to pair me with the most appropriate therapist (Rebecca), and for the first time time managed to actually help with my issues. Clear and concise communication from the start.” (Feedback about My Therapist online)

  • Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) is a psychological approach designed to help individuals develop and cultivate compassion towards themselves and others to enhance well-being. Developed by Dr. Paul Gilbert, CFT is grounded in the understanding that compassion can be a powerful motivator for change, helping to alleviate feelings of shame, self-criticism, and negative self-image.

    CFT therapy combines techniques from cognitive-behavioural therapy, evolutionary psychology, social psychology, and neuroscience. It focuses on teaching individuals skills to regulate difficult emotions, develop self-compassion, and build inner strength to face life's challenges. CFT is particularly effective for those who struggle with self-criticism and high levels of shame and can be applied to a range of psychological conditions, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD.

  • DBT is a type of cognitive behavioural therapy which is particularly effective for individuals who experience intense emotions and reactions. DBT combines standard cognitive behavioural techniques for emotional regulation and reality-testing with concepts of distress tolerance, acceptance, and mindful awareness largely derived from Buddhist meditative practice.

    DBT is a structured, skills-based approach that focuses on teaching patients skills in four key areas:

    1. Mindfulness: Improving the ability to accept and be present in the current moment.

    2. Distress Tolerance: Increasing tolerance to negative emotion, rather than trying to escape from it.

    3. Emotion Regulation: Learning to modulate and change intense emotions that are causing problems in a person’s life.

    4. Interpersonal Effectiveness: Increasing assertive communication and improving relationships.

  • Schema therapy is an integrative and evidence-based psychotherapeutic approach designed to treat complex, longstanding emotional and behavioural difficulties.

    It combines elements from cognitive behavioural therapy, attachment theory, and psychodynamic concepts.

    The focus of schema therapy is on identifying and modifying deeply ingrained negative patterns or schemas developed in childhood that influence an individual's thoughts, feelings, and behaviours.

    The therapy aims to bring about lasting change by addressing core emotional needs, fostering healthier coping mechanisms, and promoting positive life patterns.

If you’re ready to start, we can match you with Rebecca or a similar specialist within 48 hours.

FAQs about working with Rebecca

  • Rebecca supports people with a range of complex emotional and psychological difficulties, including trauma, PTSD, personality disorders (including BPD), anxiety, depression, low self-worth, self-harm, dissociation, anger, and relationship challenges.

    Areas of Specialism

    • Anxiety

    • Anxiety - Stress

    • Anxiety - Generalised (GAD)

    • Anxiety - Panic / Panic Attacks

    • Depression - Low Mood

    • Depression - Seasonal Affective Disorder

    • Eating Disorders - Over Eating & Weight Loss

    • Low Self-Esteem

    • Personality Disorders

    • Relationship - Attachment issues

    • Anger

    • Trauma - Childhood Trauma

    • Trauma - Rape / sexual assalt

    • Trauma - Childhood sexual abuse

  • Yes. Rebecca has extensive experience working with personality disorders, including BPD. She uses evidence-based approaches such as Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Schema Therapy, and Compassion Focused Therapy to help you better understand and manage emotions, relationships, and patterns of behaviour.

  • Yes. Rebecca has significant experience supporting people with trauma, abuse, and both chronic and acute PTSD. She offers a structured, compassionate approach to help you process experiences safely and move forward at your own pace.

  • Rebecca offers an integrated, personalised approach to therapy. She is trained in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT), Schema Therapy, Narrative Therapy, mindfulness, and trauma-focused approaches. Therapy is tailored to your individual needs.

  • Rebecca works in a collaborative and person-centred way. She believes you are the expert in your own life and focuses on helping you understand your experiences, make sense of patterns, and build practical tools to feel more in control and move towards a more meaningful future.

  • Rebecca works with adults aged 18 and over. Due to her role within HM Prison Service, she is unable to work with individuals who have a criminal history or are currently involved in criminal proceedings.

  • You can start by completing a short form, and add Rebecca’s name in the “preferred therapist” section and we’ll match you with Rebecca or a similar specialist based on your needs. You’ll then have a free introductory call to ensure the fit feels right before beginning therapy.