Cognitive and Behavioural psychotherapist
My training and experience in mental health spans over the last 15 years in various settings, including prisons, inpatient units and community settings. I have worked with the whole age range and am particularly passionate about preventative work with children and young people. Learning how to cope with difficulties that are thrown at us and how to understand the world, other people and ourselves is crucial to navigating life.
During my career I have worked in and managed a specialist all-age eating disorder service which means eating disorder is my secondary speciality. This included working with adults, children and young people and their families. Here I trained in Motivational enhancement therapy, Compassion focussed therapy, Family based therapy, Specialist Supportive Clinical Management for Anorexia Nervosa and CBT-E (enhanced CBT for people with eating disorders).
I understand that eating issues are sometimes a part of neurodivergence and can be labelled as ARFID (Avoidant and Restrictive Food Intake Disorder). I also know that having a diagnosis of Autism sometimes will exclude you from a specialist service. I also know some people with Autism can have anorexia, or bulimia and binge eating disorder.
I believe having Autism should not exclude you from access to trained professionals who can understand the risks involved in having an eating disorder of any diagnosis.
I started out as a registered mental health nurse and still practice in this role in a GP surgery. This means I work with members of the public and neurodivergent people every day who have other mental health issues, such as OCD, depression, anxiety, eating disorders and PTSD. This led me to complete further training in CBT and am accredited by the BAPCP, so I am now able to provide psychological therapy to people outside of my NHS role. During my training I covered narrative exposure therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy and specialist treatment for body focussed repetitive disorders such as trichotillomania (hair pulling) and dermatillomania (skin picking).
I have a kind, compassionate approach, and can draw from several therapeutic modalities that I have worked in over the years. I would work with you to find the right fit.
It is with great honour that I can help people here at the Divergent Space. If you feel my experience can help you, please get in touch.
