Eating Disorder Psychiatrist

UK’s leading experts in eating disorders and body image difficulties

WHAT IS A PSYCHIATRIST?

One of the services that The London Centre offers is psychiatric assessment and treatment in our London clinic including a prescription service for those who would benefit from medication.

Psychiatrists are medically trained doctors who have chosen to specialise in mental health. Within the field of eating disorders, an eating disorder psychiatrist can diagnose, evaluate, and monitor medical risk, prescribe medication for any relevant comorbidities such as depression or anxiety, provide an opinion on treatment planning, and assist with stepping up to a more intensive form of treatment if required. Whilst not all clients will need or want medication, for many, medication may be an important part of their treatment planning. Additionally, where physical or medical risk is present, it may be important to have someone have oversight into this in order to make recommendations to help ensure your safety.

WHY SEE AN EATING DISORDER PSYCHIATRIST?

If physical or psychological risk is present, or if there is a level of complexity to your presentation involving a number of different difficulties, we may recommend that you see an eating disorder psychiatrist. You are able to see a psychiatrist internally or externally to the London clinic, or within the NHS if appropriate, and we are able to help with referrals if you choose not to see a psychiatrist at The London Centre. Additionally, if you are on medication or would like to consider medication options, it may be beneficial to do this through an eating disorder psychiatrist rather than via your GP.

There is a range of medications that can be prescribed to help people with mental health difficulties, and a psychiatrist will be able to talk you through all of the medication options available to you and either prescribe a medication for you or arrange for your NHS GP to prescribe them.

Where medication has been prescribed, it is always helpful to offer a follow-up appointment to check that the medication is working for you; however, unlike other clinics, this can be done in a 15-minute telephone appointment to save on costs. Very often, there will be a period of monitoring and dose adjustment as many of these medications take a while to reach their full effect.

Where medication isn't working for you, either due to unwanted side effects or because you aren't seeing the desired improvements, there are usually a number of alternatives which we will help you consider so that you find the one for you.


PSYCHIATRIST VS PSYCHOLOGIST?

Ultimately, it comes down to the severity of your condition and whether you are likely to need medication. Talking therapy will almost always be a part of your treatment; therefore, we often recommend an assessment appointment with a Psychologist first, and from there, we will recommend that you see a psychiatrist if we feel this would be a helpful part of your treatment.

Our recommendation is that your Psychiatric appointments are alongside Psychology, Dietetics or Occupational Therapy as talking therapy, primarily Enhanced Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT-E) as the leading evidence based treatment for eating disorders, meaning it has been shown to be the most effective treatment for adult clients.

Specialist Team

The London Centre comprises specialist health professionals trained in evidence-based treatments for eating disorders. The team includes:

  • Eating disorder Psychiatrists

  • Clinical Psychologists

  • Counselling Psychologists

  • Trainee Psychologists

  • Occupational Therapists

  • Dietitians

  • Family/Couple Therapists

Diverse Treatment Options

The clinic's specialist nature and the experience of its team also enable the offering of a wide variety of treatment approaches and therapies. The clinics offer both in-person and remote consultations.

Personalised Care

At The London Centre, we believe it's important to align our patients with both the right clinician and the appropriate treatment. While we ensure the use of evidence-based therapies, we also ensure taking the time to listen to client preferences. This approach enables us to find the therapist and approach that best suits your needs.
 

Testimonials

 

How it works

Our team conducts a comprehensive evaluation, leveraging the expertise of multiple specialists, to ensure that our treatment is effective and tailored to your personal recovery.

 

Step 1

Contact Us

Before making an appointment, you can contact us with any questions you might have via phone, email, or by using our online contact form. Your first contact will more than likely be with Kerry, our wonderful PA.

Step 2

Assessment

Before the initial session, clients are requested to complete a brief questionnaire regarding their current circumstances, preferences, and availability for appointments. While not mandatory, this information assists us in matching individuals with the most suitable clinician for their psychiatric assessment London.

Step 3

First Session

Following the assessment, clients will have a session to discuss their recommended treatment plan. A start date will be agreed upon, and arrangements will be made for an initial session.
 

FAQs