On Thursday 24th March Dr Julie Smith – Clinical Psychologist, TikTok sensation and bestselling author – spoke to students at Barton Peveril Sixth Form College in Eastleigh about mental health and her career as a psychologist.
Dr Julie, who was born and raised in nearby Ringwood, spoke to the students about managing self-doubt, the science of motivation and how to help support someone else’s mental health – all themes that are covered in her #1 Sunday Times Bestselling book Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before?
Having previously worked in the NHS, with veterans and the MoD, in addiction and crisis centres, and now in private practice, Dr Julie has over ten years professional experience as a Clinical Psychologist.
She is also an online educator and social media star, sharing bite-sized mental health and motivational videos online, with a combined following of more than 4 million.
“Eye-opening experience”
Dr Julie spoke in conversation with Anthony Pagett, Head of Psychology at Barton Peveril Sixth Form College before taking questions from the students (studying Psychology and on the Aspire Programme) ranging from dealing with anxiety to how she approaches her profession.
Following the talk, all of the pupils received a free copy of her book Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before? from Penguin Random Housein addition to copies donated to the school library.
Sam, 17, a pupil at Barton Peveril, said the talk was an “eye-opening experience.”
Dr Julie Smith said:
“It was great to talk the all the students today who were so interested in learning about how to manage their own mental health. It was really refreshing to speak to them all.” The event was arranged by Penguin Talks in partnerships with Speakers for Schools, who aim to give free, creative talks to young people from writers and influential figures from Penguin’s family of authors.
Barton Peveril Sixth Form College, which is home to over 4,300 students from across Hampshire, offers the Aspire Programme to stretch and challenge its high achieving students before helping them earn places in prestigious universities, on competitive Degree Apprenticeships, and with the world’s most renowned employers.
