Professor Tanya Byron

The role of a clinical psychologist is to reduce an individual’s psychological distress; such as depression, anxiety, chronic stress, plus addictive behaviours and behavioural disorders, thus enhancing and promoting psychological wellbeing.

Professor Tanya Byron took her undergraduate degree in psychology at York University, and went on to gain a Masters degree in clinical psychology at University College London, followed by a Doctorate (on the treatment of cocaine, amphetamine and ecstasy misusers) at University College Hospital and Surrey.

Subsequent work followed as a Senior Clinical Psychologist specialising in working with children and adolescents in University College and Middlesex Hospitals and as a Consultant Clinical Psychologist specialising in working with children and adolescents in Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire.

Tanya has been working in the NHS for over 20 years working in Drug Dependency, HIV/AIDS and sexual health, adult mental health and eating disorders services.

She was the Consultant of an in patient unit for 12 - 16 year olds with severe mental health problems and child protection issues. Tanya designed and ran an NHS beacon awarded NHS and Care Staff training programme in the assessment and management of aggressive and violent behaviours.

Tanya's career has developed in a number of important directions: as a keynote public speaker, and most notably, as a writer and broadcaster. Her involvement as a presenter and on-screen expert in the BBC television series Little Angels, Teen Angels, The House of Tiny Tearaways and Child of Our Time gave national audiences an appreciation of issues around exploring and treating children's behaviour problems.

As a writer, Tanya has published extensively, including Your Child, Your Way and the top ten best-seller The Skeleton Cupboard.

Tanya was also commissioned by the then Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, to undertake an independent review into the potentially harmful effects of the internet and video games on children, resulting in The Byron Review: Safer children in a digital world which was published in March 2008 and its follow-up review Do we have safer children in a digital world? The review was well-received by the government and the wider public both nationally and internationally, and has led to a number of policy changes.

Tanya also advises on international policy relating to children, young people, mental health and education to develop services for children, young people and their families. Awarded Honorary Doctorates by the University of York and the Open University for her 'outstanding and exceptional contribution to science, education and culture'.

Tanya is a Fellow of the RSA, a Trustee of the National Family and Parenting Institute and Patron of Prospex, an inner-London based charity supporting vulnerable and abused teenagers. Tanya is also patron of Relate, and an ambassador of FPI.

Alongside Claudia Winkleman, Tanya is the co-host of the award winning podcast How Did We Get Here?, in which Tanya and Claudia identify struggles faced by real-life parents and family members by inviting them in and hearing their story. With topics ranging from parental estrangement, gender identity, domestic violence, trauma, inheriting mental health issues and neurodivergence.

She speaks regularly across government and advises ministers at the Department for Education and continues to practise as a Consultant Clinical Psychologist specialising in working with children and adolescents three days per week.

Professor Tanya Byron’s recent keynote speaking engagements at charity, corporate, professional body events include:

Royal Television Society Educational TV Awards
Cambridge University Debating Society
National Family Week [DCSF]
Langdon Foundation
International Business Leaders Forum
Homestart
Oxford Internet Institute
Nominet
Becta
Childbase Staff Conference
RSA
Women of Distinction Awards
National Family and Parenting Institute at House of Commons
ChildLine
Royal College of Medicin

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Clients often ask about purchasing books for giveaways and delegate packs. Below you’ll find a selection of products by Professor Tanya Byron. Click the images to view on Amazon's website. For bulk orders, please speak with your Booking Agent.