During CV-19 I remain available for individual sessions and am doing these online via Zoom
I specialise in supporting those with a history of, or currently experiencing symptoms of an eating disorder, disordered eating, binge eating, compulsive exercise and other associated issues. I often work with people who do not meet the strict DSM criteria to qualify for NHS support but who feel that they are in need of support to deal with the signs and symptoms that they are experiencing. I also work with anyone who has had an eating disorder in the past and feels that their relationship with food, their body and exercise is still challenging in some way.
I am able to support those in more acute stages of an eating disorder, who are either on the waiting list for NHS support or who have found that it has not been right for them in some way. I am privileged to associate with several practitioners (physios, psychotherapists, nutritionists, yoga therapists) who are highly experienced in helping people with eating disorder recovery. I am able to refer to and / or to seek advice, from these practitioners as appropriate.
I offer both talking and movement therapy depending on what most appropriate for where you are at. Often it is in reality it can be some combination of both: if we decide to take a more movement and body based approach then talking through things may naturally happen anyway; if we choose to focus on talking then we always have the option to use techniques from movement and body based practices to help us move forward.
Talking therapy is generally based on working through the behaviours and feelings that you are struggling with, getting some understanding as to the hold they have, and then gradually finding and implementing new, more helpful, behaviours. I will listen and give you space to talk without judging. I will see you, not the eating disorder, and support you to find you again. We will start with how things are for you in the 'here and now' and find ways forward from there. We may at times reflect back to your previous experiences, and acknowledge that the past has had an influence on how things are for you now, but we are not generally looking to delve into the past to understand 'why'. We are more intent on moving forward from here.
Movement and body focused therapy can be helpful in supporting you to gently connect with your body more positively and learn to understand and respond to its needs appropriately. Yoga based practices can be useful for managing overwhelming thoughts, emotions and feelings and helping you to feel more regulated and able to deal with things. Pilates can be a really practical help for those who have been diagnosed with physical issues as a result of their eating disorder (for example, osteoporosis, hyper-mobility, pelvic floor issues). I can offer exercise therapy for this who are in a place of general recovery but who are concerned about getting back to a heathy level of exercise without succumbing to old triggers.
Whichever approach we take together, I will hold a safe space for you, listen without judgement and guide and support you as you find your way through the process. I expect you to not always 'get it right' and to sometimes feel that you are falling backwards, but I will remind you of how far you have come, why you want to fully recover and you will make steps that you are ready to take.
It is important to me that you find the right person to support you in your recovery, therefore I am very happy to have a chat with you on the phone so that you can talk with me, ask me questions and so we can see if my approach is right for you. If you would like to arrange this then please contact me.