Contact Details
- Position
- Lecturer
- Department
- Department of Psychological Medicine (Dunedin)
- Qualifications
- PhD, PGDipClPs
- Research summary
- Psychological and physiological dimensions of psychotropic medication; psychedelic-assisted therapy
- Teaching
- Block module convener, Second- and Third-Year Medicine, Registrar programme, Masters’ and PhD research supervision
- Memberships
- Full Member, New Zealand College of Clinical Psychologists
- Clinical
- Dr Tan is a registered clinical psychologist and works at Te Whatu Ora and in private practice
Research
Dr Valerie Tan’s research explores the complex relationship between psychological and physiological factors in the use of psychotropic medications. She is particularly interested in how prescribing practices are shaped by clinical, interpersonal, and contextual influences, and how these factors affect treatment outcomes over time.
Her work also examines the process of deprescribing and withdrawal, with a focus on the biopsychosocial challenges that can arise during these transitions. This includes understanding how beliefs, expectations, and therapeutic relationships influence patient experiences and recovery.
Other areas of interest include emerging treatments that combine psychedelics and psychological interventions. Her recent work explores the integration of psilocybin and brief intervention for mood difficulties, with a focus on the enhancement of psychological flexibility, perceptions, interpretations, and treatment responsiveness.
Additional details
Dr Valerie Tan was born in Malaysia and completed her education in New Zealand, earning her qualifications from the University of Otago. With an academic background in both neuroscience and psychology, she brings an integrative perspective to her research and clinical practice.
Beyond her academic and clinical roles, Dr Tan is committed to advancing cultural safety, equitable access in health, and the development of a socially responsive health workforce. She is also actively involved in initiatives that promote inclusive and equity-focused approaches to governance and leadership.
Publications
Tan, V. T. Y., & van Oeveren, M. (2026). Pharmacopsychology of Prescribing: An introduction to the PoP model [Review]. Mental Illness, 2026(1), 3939110. doi: 10.1155/mij/3939110 Journal - Research Article
Jasni, S. H., Graham, F., Bell, E., & Tan, V. T. Y. (2026). Systematic review of group-based emotion regulation interventions for autistic children's socio-emotional competence. OTJR, 46(3), 402-421. doi: 10.1177/15394492251330507 Journal - Research Article
Tan, V. T. Y., & Ward, R. D. (2025). Lost in translation: Toward clinically effective translational research [Review]. Translational Psychiatry, 15(1), 478. doi: 10.1038/s41398-025-03688-7 Journal - Research Article
Van Oeveren, M., Bryan, M., & Tan, V. (2025, September). Deprescribing of antidepressants. Verbal presentation at the Royal Australian & New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) New Zealand Conference, Dunedin, New Zealand. Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Tan, K. K. H., & Tan, V. T. Y. (2025). “Pushing an irritational button”: Asian psychologists making sense of racialization in psychology training in Aotearoa/New Zealand. Asian American Journal of Psychology, 16(2), 132-144. doi: 10.1037/aap0000362 Journal - Research Article