Dr Tom Matthews

Profile

I joined the University of Leeds in 2023 as a Lecturer in Clinical Psychology and Academic Tutor on the Clinical Psychology Training Programme. I contribute to teaching on the programme, including topics around risk in young people; the impact of trauma and abuse; research methods; sexual and gender diversity; and working with families and children.

Alongside this role I work clinically in the NHS within a Secure Children’s Home as the clinical lead for a Child and Adolescent Mental Health team as part of a project to introduce trauma-informed care to the young people’s secure estate.

I am also a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.

Responsibilities

• Academic Tutor
• Lecturer
• Research Supervision

Research interests

Broadly, my research interests fall within the areas of young people’s psychological wellbeing, attachment, and trauma which includes wider experiences that could be considered as traumatic such as considering the experiences of minoritised groups, and how social categorisations such as gender, race, sexuality, and appearance, relate to trauma and psychological wellbeing. Developing in contexts outside the birth family are areas of focus, such as being care experienced or adopted, living in secure care, and how people navigate development following an experience of trauma.

I am largely oriented to qualitative approaches, including use of creative and participatory research methods. I am interested in exploring and critiquing methodological aspects of research and often join research supervision teams with this role in mind.

Qualifications

• Intermediate Certificate in Systemic Practice, University of Leeds, 2018
• Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (DClin), University of Leeds 2016
• Psychology (BSc Hons), University of Leicester, 2009

Professional memberships

• Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)