The Psychology of Dating

Description

Purchase a ninety minute video of a live recording from January 2026 on the latest research on dating in the UK. Includes a presentation with discussion and Q&A, a PDF of the slides and links for further reading and more free resources.

Consultant psychiatrist Dr Niraj Singh speaks about the neurobiology of connection and coaching psychologist Rachel New on the psychology of dating.

Dr Niraj Singh answers these questions:

Rachel New answers these questions:

The discussion includes questions about the future of dating, AI and dating, the risks and benefits of AI relationships, drifting apart in relationships and how to reconnect, conflict management, cultural differences in dating and relationships, and social isolation.

A PDF of the slides is included, with links to other resources.

There are opportunities throughout the workshop for you to reflect on your relationship with dating and the cyberworld and set goals and action points for healthy dating and online activity, applying your learning to your own situation.

Biographies of speakers

Dr Niraj Singh

Dr Niraj Singh is a Consultant Psychiatrist specialising in neurodevelopmental psychiatry, with extensive experience working with adults and young people across both NHS and private settings. His clinical interests include ADHD, Autism, mood disorders, anxiety, trauma, and the complex ways in which neurodiversity, attachment, and life experiences influence relationships and wellbeing.

Dr Singh takes an integrative, evidence-based approach to mental health, combining the mind and the rest of the body to understand how to support individuals in developing insight, emotional regulation, and healthier patterns of relating. He has a particular interest in how neurodiversity, identity, self-esteem, and modern social pressures, including online dating, shape interpersonal relationships.

Alongside his clinical work, Dr Singh is involved in service development, education, and clinical governance, and regularly contributes to multidisciplinary teaching and training. He is passionate about improving access to high-quality, compassionate mental health care and supporting people to build fulfilling, meaningful connections in their personal lives.

Find out more about Dr Singh's clinic, Lenus Global, here.

Rachel New

Rachel New has been a Dating and Relationships Coach for ten years. Rachel is a graduate member of the British Psychological Society and is currently awaiting Chartership as a Coaching Psychologist.

Rachel’s previous experience includes working for nine years in a Social Psychology research lab at the University of Oxford, and teaching Psychology in UK schools.

Rachel uses a range of approaches in her coaching, including person-centred, mindfulness and self-compassion, attachment theory, emotion-focused therapy. Her coaching is neurobiological-informed, trauma-informed and neurodiversity-informed. She also draws on social psychology and relationship science.

Rachel works with all ages, genders, sexual orientations, ethnic and cultural backgrounds and abilities. She especially enjoys working with the neurodivergent and working to reduce prejudice and inequality on dating apps.

As well as one-to-one and couples coaching, Rachel enjoys working with community groups and running group workshops. Rachel has published a dating workbook, dating diary, mindfulness journal, and an anthology of science fiction short stories on the theme of technology on relationships.

Rachel works with people on moving on from past relationships and divorce, your relationship with yourself, identifying your relationship needs, values and purpose,

emotion regulation, dating anxiety, using dating apps and other ways to meet people, interpersonal skills, relationship skills (such as empathy, conflict management and communication), adjusting to stepchildren, and much more.

Visit Rachel's website here.