About me
I share a little of my own journey here because lived experience has shaped both my values and how I work. I’m mindful that reading about eating disorders can be difficult, so please skip ahead if needed.
My Journey
I used to think critical thoughts about my appearance were normal. That striving for perfection was healthy, and that dieting, clean eating, and frequent exercise were just what you were meant to do when weight fluctuated. I also thought something was deeply wrong with me when binges happened, so much so that I felt I had to make up for them.
Having grown up in a culture where people making comments about each others' bodies was normal, I bought into the idea that my weight and shape were at fault. It was only after years of depression and low self-esteem that I became aware of the impossible standard my eating disorder was setting, and that its ever-changing goal posts were making my world smaller.
While difficult at the time, these experiences have sharpened my values. Years of therapy and CBT, alongside my training and experience, have allowed me to channel my attention to detail into creating a toolbox that elevates my sense of self and trust for my body. They allowed me to reconnect with the compassion I had for myself. And they taught me how to take in sharp emotions with the joy their existence brings, so my actions can move me towards sustainable long-term wellbeing.
Reconnecting with choice, flexibility, and a sense of self that's not organised around food, body image, or external achievements were the gifts that therapy gave me. These experiences now shape what feels important in my work.
Philosophy and practice
My lived experience, training, and clinical work have shown me that eating disorders are not about willpower or failure; they are understandable responses to pressure, emotion, and context. I’m now passionate about supporting others in their journeys towards recovery.
At the core of my approach in CBT-E are weight inclusivity, Health at Every Size (HAES) and intuitive eating. Both clinical and personal experiences have made me acutely aware of just how unique everyone's body is, and how healthier, happier lives can be achieved through weight neutrality, respect for our body and listening to its internal cues. I firmly believe that the pressures and stigma of fitting into a certain body size and weight need fierce dismantling. In sessions I'd equip you with a range of Ted Talks, HAES social media pages, evidence-based articles and podcasts to support our talks so you feel more confident in holding your own whenever you experience diet culture messaging in your life.
From working in the NHS and private practice I am also aware that challenges rarely come with solely one diagnosis and that everyone deserves holistic, bespoke treatment for their difficulties should they also experience several challenges (like co-occurring anxiety and depression symptoms). Very often we have difficult reactions to our emotions and physical symptoms, and as such I target the core emotional processes that maintain symptoms across different difficulties to increase flexible thinking, self-compassion, tolerance for emotions and physical sensations, and interpersonal effectiveness.
Above all, I want to create a space where you feel heard, appreciated and safe to express yourself. I always ask at the start of sessions if there's any questions or challenges you'd like to prioritise this week, and review our sessions regularly to make sure my approach is helpful and you are always welcome to share whether a more direct or a more gentle approach to our communication is helpful.
Education and Training
Over the past 10 years, my work has spanned clinical, research, and voluntary settings. This has included international volunteer work in Sri Lanka and Romania, supporting adults with severe mental health difficulties, as well as children and young people with neurodivergent needs.
Alongside this, I’ve been involved in national mental health research and have worked as a BABCP-accredited CBT therapist across a range of NHS services. In my clinical work, I’ve offered and adapted CBT for people experiencing eating disorders, anxiety, depression, emotional regulation difficulties, personality disorders, and chronic health conditions.
Extended CBT for Anorexia Nervosa in 20 Sessions
Delivered by Professor Glenn Waller
The University of Warwick
Training in Supervising Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners
University College London
PG Dip Low Intensity CBT for Anxiety and Depression
University College London
Weight Loss Medications (GLP-1s) and Eating Disoders
BEAT Eating Disorders
Training
PGDip High Intensity CBT for Anxiety and Depression
Royal Holloway, University of London
Master's of Research in Clinical Psychology
The University of Birmingham
Specialised Training in Enhanced CBT (CBT-E) for Eating Disorders
Centre for Research in Eating Disorders at Oxford (CREDO)
The University of Oxford
Training in CBT for Long-Term Health Conditions
University College London
Bachelor's of Science in Psychology (Hons)
The University of Birmingham