I believe the right training is essential when supporting individuals through their recovery of an eating disorder. I am fortunate to have trained with Deanne Jade (National Centre for Eating Disorders) and Christopher Fairburn (Centre for Research on Eating Disorders at Oxford) and can therefore offer a balance of psychotherapy and CBT-E. Moreover, I am trained to deliver nutritional interventions to support recovery from eating disorders.

I am also experienced in working alongside an Eating Disorder Service CAMHS intervention, thereby ensuring there is therapeutic as well as clinical support for a young person. Communication amongst the team providing care is essential.

Every client is different, but this therapy tends to involve various stages. I take the client's lead - it is their agenda. However, there will be both a physiological and a psychological focus in most sessions, at least until weight is restored (if necessary), and the eating disorder behaviours have subsided.

To begin, I need to edstablish the extent to which the eating disorder (or disordered eating) has taken control. We do this by chatting, completing a verbal assessment, or in some cases a more formal written 'tick box' questionnaire. I need to get to know my client's immediate situation and assess risk. Does the client feel there is a problem, or not? It may be that at this point the client is not not ready to start therapy, because they are too underweight or not motivated to change. I will advise, refer and hold until the right intervention (or none) is in place.

I usually merge elements from CBT-E with my psychotherapy training. As such I may introduce food/mood monitoring and establish regular eating. I may introduce collaborative weighing (if the client wants this) and consider their thoughts about 'normal' eating. I will always take time to focus on my client's life line, getting to know what has happened in thier life and what has precipitated their eating problem. I will remind my client that their true personality may be masked by the eating disorder, but I want to get to know the 'real' person beneath. Together we will consider what is keeping the client 'stuck' and we will regularly discuss motivation for change.

Together we will discuss the effects of undereating, being underweight, the effects of purging, compensatory exercising, and/or the effects of bingeing. Education around these areas can be lifechanging and is crucial to recovery.

During this work we consider, among other things, body image, self esteem, anxiety, emotional overwhelm, perfectionism, assertiveness and coping strategies for low mood. We develop emotional regulation, problem solving, self awareness and mindfulness. The work is rich, and takes time.

Recovery from an eating disorder is rarely linear, and patience is needed from all sides. I offer support for carers and many resources to help everyone cope with the immense challenges an eating disorder brings to an individual and their loved ones.

Above all, I instill hope, offering my true understanding, genuine compassion and calm patience. Together we find solutions, a way forward, and a better long term relationship with food, eating and the incredible human body.