Eating Disorders Team

Dr Gabrielle Brady is a Principal Counselling Psychologist and Cognitive Analytic Therapist who has worked in mental health services for fifteen years. Gabrielle is a Chartered Psychologist with the British Psychological Society; the Psychological Society of Ireland and she is a registered Practitioner Psychologist with the Health and Care Professions Council. 

Over this time, she has acquired substantial experience of providing highly specialised and evidence-based therapies, tailored to suit clients across a range of emotional difficulties and complexity. Gabrielle is dedicated to help her clients improve the quality of their lives. She holds the therapeutic relationship at the core of her work and endeavours to create a safe and trusting space for her clients to bring their vulnerability. Gabrielle listens to her clients with compassion, curiosity, and responsiveness.   

Gabrielle has spent the past 13 years working in specialist eating disorder services, and since 2019 she has been Principal Psychologist at one of the largest NHS eating disorder services in the UK.  She is specialist in the treatment of Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, Binge Eating Disorder and Other Specified Eating Disorders (OSFED). Alongside her work with complex eating disorder presentations, she is highly experienced in working with a range of emotional difficulties, including:

• Anxiety
• Body Dysmorphia 
• Depression
• Grief
• Personality disorders
• Relationship difficulties

Gabrielle has a proven ability to lead and develop services. In her NHS role, she is the Lead Psychologist for a large therapy team; holding responsibility for the organisation, management and leadership of high quality specialist psychology and psychotherapy services to service users. In this role she also provides specialist second opinions and recommendations about assessments & treatment of complex cases.  

Gabrielle offers a range of therapeutic models including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), “Enhanced” CBT, Cognitive Analytic Therapy, Compassion Focused Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.  

Alongside her clinical work, Gabrielle has presented papers and facilitated workshops at international eating disorder conferences and has provided specialist teaching on doctoral training programmes. She also has substantial experience of providing specialist supervision.  

As a therapist and in her consultancy work, Gabrielle has a special interest in early intervention and has played a key role in piloting the now established FREED (First Episode Rapid Intervention for Eating Disorders) pathway in her NHS service.  

Gabrielle believes in providing treatments that are proven to be effective. Treatments that are supported by national guidelines for the treatment of psychological disorders and are informed by the latest research. 

Dr Allison Hayes is the Founder and Clinical Director of the Fitzrovia Psychology Clinic. Dr Hayes is a highly respected Consultant Clinical Psychologist who has acquired a wealth of clinical experience and a track record of delivering high-quality services, having worked with an international client group in the private sector for 20-years.

Dr Hayes completed an undergraduate degree in Psychology with first class honours and later went on to be awarded her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology. She worked in the NHS and founded her private practice in 2003. The Fitzrovia Psychology Clinic has grown out of her pursuit of establishing a centre of clinical excellence, which provides outpatient care for individuals and families with mental health challenges and emotional needs.

Dr Hayes is an optimistic, compassionate and kind psychologist who is committed to working with patients to facilitate and achieve change. She has expertise working with adolescents and adults with emotional difficulties and those with a diagnosis of personality disorder, and is further experienced in supporting individuals who present with:

• Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
• Adjustment Disorder
• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
• Addiction
• Adult Survivors of Childhood Trauma
• Bereavement
• Bipolar Disorder
• Depression
• Eating Disorders
• Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
• Health Anxiety
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
• Personality Disorders
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Psychosis

Dr Hayes has trained in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness-Based Therapies, Compassion-Focused Therapy, The MANTRA model for Eating Disorders, Narrative Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing therapy (EMDR), Radically-Open Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (RO-DBT) and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT).

Dr Hayes has been highly influential in the development of services for Eating Disorders and group programmes for a range of disorders. She is an experienced clinical supervisor of psychology colleagues, and delivers regular multi-disciplinary training on all aspects of mental health and psychology. Dr Hayes has facilitated a range of corporate training programmes on Stress and Emotional First Aid in the workplace.

Dr Hayes oversees recruitment of all professionals to the Fitzrovia Psychology Clinic to ensure the highest clinical standards in treatment. She promotes that all work undertaken at the Fitzrovia Psychology Clinic is grounded in evidence-based practice, is adherent to the NICE guidelines, establishes treatment efficacy, and reflects the principles of the Fitzrovia Psychology Clinic.

“I am extremely grateful for the care Allison showed me during our sessions. She always adapted sessions to match my needs and demonstrated a real understanding of the difficulties I was facing. Her openness and kindness meant that trust was developed very quickly, and I would have no hesitation in seeing her again should I ever need to.” Former Client

Dr Gavin Menzies is a highly experienced Clinical Psychologist with expertise in treating a wide range of psychological presentations.  He has 15 years of experience across a diverse range of mental health settings, and currently holds a senior leadership position within the NHS.   

Gavin completed his Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at Newcastle University, with a particular focus on ‘third-wave’ psychological approaches such as Mindfulness-Based Therapy, on which he completed a research dissertation.  In addition, he holds a Masters in Psychological Therapy in Primary Care from the University of Stirling.  He is registered with the Health and Care Professions Council as a Clinical Psychologist and upholds high professional standards with an emphasis on client choice, confidentiality and evidence-based practice. 

Gavin develops an effective therapeutic relationship where individuals can feel heard and understood, and are able to gain comprehensive psychological insights into their own experience.  He works collaboratively with clients to find meaningful and achievable solutions to problems, and can draw upon a wide range of therapeutic approaches including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Schema Therapy in order to tailor interventions towards a client’s needs.  He is skilled in the use of experiential change techniques that can help to create significant psychological shifts in one’s life, and will give clients the skills to sustain changes into the future. 

Gavin has expertise in treating a wide range of presentations, including the following problems: 

• Anxiety 
• Attachment difficulties / developmental trauma 
• Bipolar Disorder 
• Depression
• Eating Disorders 
• Generalised Anxiety Disorder
• Health Anxiety
• Low Self-Esteem 
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder 
• Perfectionism 
• Personality Disorders 
• Phobias
• Post-traumatic Stress Disorder 
• Social Anxiety
• Stress and Burn Out 

Dr Heather Westwood is a highly skilled Clinical Psychologist, Cognitive Behavioural Therapist and Research Psychologist who has worked in mental health settings in the UK for over twelve years.

Heather completed her undergraduate degree in Psychology at Newcastle University before going on to study for a Post Graduate Diploma in Mental Health Studies at The University of Southampton, for which she gained a Distinction. Heather then completed a research PhD at King’s College London, focusing on the relationship between autism and anorexia nervosa. Heather achieved the Elsevier Outstanding PhD Thesis Prize for exceptional doctoral work in recognition for her studies. Wanting to shift her focus more to clinical work, Heather then completed her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at Royal Holloway University of London, from which she gained HCPC registration as a Clinical Psychologist.

As a therapist, building rapport and creating a safe, judgement-free, and empathic space is at the core of what Heather does. Heather very much believes that being “in therapy” is an active, rather than a passive process and works collaboratively with her clients to ensure they are getting as much out of the therapeutic relationship and process as they can. This includes developing a shared understanding of a client’s difficulties through a comprehensive assessment process and working together to implement evidence-based interventions to address factors that may have led to and are maintaining these difficulties.

Heather specialises in the treatment of adults with eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, and other atypical presentations. Alongside her work with The Fitzrovia Psychology Clinic, Heather holds a senior leadership position in an adult eating disorder service within the NHS. Heather is passionate about drawing on evidenced approaches within her practice, in line with current NICE guidelines. Heather draws upon several therapeutic approaches within her work, including Schema Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and “third-wave” approaches, including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Compassion-Focused Therapy.

Outside of eating disorders, Heather has an interest in trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and is skilled at treating trauma in the context of eating disorders and other presenting problems. Heather has extensive experience of treating a range of mental health problems including:

• depression
• anxiety disorders (including generalised anxiety, health anxiety, social anxiety, panic, and phobias)
• obsessive-compulsive disorder
• eating disorders (including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder)
• post-traumatic stress disorder and complex post-traumatic stress disorder
• low self-esteem
• personality disorders

Heather has extensive experience of working with autistic people and is experienced in delivering CBT to address symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Heather can tailor treatment accordingly for neurodivergent individuals.

Outside of her clinical work, Heather maintains her interest in academia and research and continues to conduct empirical research and to publish high-quality papers, working with some of the most prestigious researchers within the eating disorder field.

“Heather, thank you, most of all, for all your guidance and help: you have immensely improved my sense of myself, and how I approach adversity, and have illuminated much I didn’t know needed illuminating. So, thank you so much for being a fantastic therapist – I couldn’t have asked for more! (. . .) I’m just very glad that I reached out to Fitzrovia and was connected with you in the end!” Former Client

Dr Jasmine Shingadia is a Principal Counselling Psychologist and a Clinical Lead holding registrations with the British Psychological Society (BPS) and the Health and Care Professionals Council (HCPC). After graduating with first-class honours in Psychology, she pursued her doctoral training, emerging as a qualified Counselling Psychologist. Jasmine has considerable specialist knowledge and experience in various mental health conditions, having delivered evidence-based therapies and interventions to adults and adolescents in NHS clinical settings and the private sector.

Jasmine’s passion lies in assisting individuals to make sense of themselves and their lives, fostering growth and achieving their full potential. Central to her approach is the therapeutic relationship based on respect and equality, prioritising empowered choices in healing and growth. Providing a secure, non-judgemental space to explore thoughts and feelings, Jasmine offers attentiveness, empathy, and respect whilst providing evidence-based interventions. Acknowledging the significance of social and relational contexts, she has had the privilege of aiding individuals from diverse backgrounds in achieving their personal and emotional well-being goals.

Specialising notably in eating disorders, Jasmine’s expertise is underscored by her work at leading NHS and private eating disorder services with both adults and adolescents. Her proficiency extends to the treatment of various eating disorders, including Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, Binge Eating Disorder, Other Specified Eating Disorders (OSFED), and Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID). Additionally, she is adept at working with individuals on the autism spectrum, tailoring therapy to their specific needs. Her doctoral thesis, delving into the impact of social media on body image and eating, informs her practice by integrating the latest clinical research in this domain. Beyond her specialisation in eating disorders, Jasmine is highly experienced in a range of mental health conditions, including:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• OCD
• Panic
• Body Dysmorphia
• Personality Disorders
• Trauma and PTSD
• Emotional and Relationship difficulties

Jasmine works integratively to ensure a customised and holistic approach that aligns with each client’s needs. Her repertoire includes various therapeutic modalities such as Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy, MANTRA, Compassion-Focused Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, and Cognitive Analytical Therapy.

Jasmine is the Principal Psychologist and Clinical Lead for a primary care service dedicated to severe mental health conditions. In this role, she holds clinical responsibility and leadership, delivering high-quality specialist psychological interventions and treatments while addressing physical health and social care needs. Passionate about mitigating social and racial disparities in local communities, Jasmine proactively works to prevent gaps in services for those who require them most. She ardently advocates for a vision of care aligned with the NHS long-term plan and Community Mental Health Framework, focusing on establishing a revitalised purpose and identity for community mental health services with an ‘open door policy’ to accessible joined-up care.

“I am incredibly grateful for the support I received at The Fitzrovia Psychology Clinic in my journey overcoming an eating disorder. What I appreciated most was the methodical and thoughtful approach Jasmine took, as well as being given the choice to explore the type of treatment that felt right for me. The therapy was holistic, combining talking sessions with additional resources to educate me about nutrition and meal planning, which made me feel supported both emotionally and practically.” Former Client

Dr Mirko Esposito is an HCPC accredited Clinical Psychologist and Cognitive Behavioural Therapist. He is a Principal Clinical Psychologist within the NHS and has worked in a range of mental health settings in the UK for over ten years.

Mirko completed his undergraduate degree in Psychology and a master’s in the Psychology of Cognitive Processes (MRes) in Italy, before undertaking his Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (DClinPsy) at University College London. 

Mirko aims to translate evidence-based interventions into the therapeutic space. Instrumental to this practice is an accurate assessment and formulation process, which he tailors to the individual needs of his clients. He values co-creating therapy as a safe, insightful, and transformative experience. 

Mirko is trained in a range of therapies including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Schema Therapy, Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT), Systemic Therapies, Motivational Interviewing, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT). He is fluent in English and Italian and delivers treatment in both languages. 

To date, Mirko has accrued extensive experience in working with adults with eating disorders, as well as supporting clients with body image, perfectionism, self-esteem, and relational difficulties. He has worked with individuals across the lifespan and is highly experienced in treating a wide variety of disorders including: 

• General Anxiety Disorders 
• Depression  
• Eating Disorders 
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder 
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder 
• Personality Disorders 
• Acute work stress, burnout and moral injury

Alongside his clinical work, Mirko is passionate about academia and clinical research. In his role as a Senior Lecturer and Clinical Tutor on the Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at University College of London, he continues to be actively involved in the teaching, training, and supervision of aspiring Clinical Psychologists.

“Working with Mirko has been incredibly helpful. His therapeutic approach is patient, empathetic, and grounded in kindness. What stood out most to me was the structure he brings to each session, creating a sense of continuity that allowed me to build on insights and deepen my self-understanding over time. He strikes a thoughtful balance between being gently direct and offering meaningful reflections, often helping me see things from perspectives I hadn’t considered before. His questions are thought-provoking and consistently led to valuable personal insights.” Former Client

Dr Cara Eilender is a Clinical Psychologist who has worked in mental health for 10 years. Cara is a registered practitioner with the Health and Care Professionals Council (HCPC) and has a plethora of experience within a variety of different mental health services.  

Cara completed her undergraduate degree and her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at University College London (UCL), during which she specialised in Avoidant and Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID).  Over this time, Cara has acquired substantial experience of providing highly specialised and evidence-based therapies, individually tailored to clients with a variety of needs.   

Cara holds expertise in Eating Disorders, having worked within national teams. She has worked in the Feeding and Eating Disorder Service at Great Ormond Street Hospital, and the National Eating Disorder Service at the Maudsley Hospital. She has experience of working both with children/adolescence and adults and provides treatment for Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, Binge Eating Disorder and ARFID. Cara has also been part of the validation study of the Pica, ARFID and Rumination Disorder Interview. A tool that is now largely used within NHS services to provide accurate ARFID diagnosis. She has also co-authored several publications in peer-reviewed journals. 

In the last years, Cara has specialised in working with Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), particularly with refugees and asylum seekers. In her trauma focused work she uses a variety of different evidence-based interventions, for which she has been extensively trained. Cara delivers trauma focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (Tf-CBT), Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET) and Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) and believes in the importance of treatments that are supported by national guidelines and are informed by the latest research.  

Cara believes in compassion being at the heart of any therapeutic intervention she delivers. She is passionate about giving her clients a voice and empowering them to find their own resilience when endeavouring to improve their mental health. With that in mind, Cara strives to find each person’s unique skillset and strengths. Fundamental to Cara’s approach is the collaboration with her clients. She believes in the important of designing and co-creating a therapeutic space in which the client can feel heard and seen. Cara places great emphasis of developing a safe, trustworthy and authentic therapeutic relationship, in which all emotions are welcome and met without judgement.

Eda Erturk is a Highly Specialist Dietitian dedicated to fostering a positive and sustainable relationship between individuals and food. With extensive experience in both the NHS and private sectors within the UK, Eda works with adults and young people, employing evidence-based practices infused with compassion and collaboration.

Eda is registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and the Association for Nutrition (ANutr). She is also an active member of the British Dietetic Association (BDA) and the London Eating Disorders Dietitians Group. Eda holds a Master’s degree in Clinical Dietetics and is currently pursuing a second MSc in Advanced Clinical Practice in Paediatric Dietetics at the University of Plymouth. She is trained in various therapeutic approaches, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Eating Disorders (CBT-E), ARFID treatment, and family-based treatments (FT-AN), which allows her to tailor her methods to address complex eating and feeding challenges effectively.

Eda specialises in supporting individuals with eating disorders, autism-related feeding issues, weight management challenges, and gastrointestinal conditions such as IBS. Her experience spans refeeding assessment and management, nutrition education, parental support, and the development of clinical guidelines for best practice.

Eda is passionate about empowering her clients through personalised, collaborative care plans that promote long-term recovery and well-being. Her approach integrates evidence-based nutrition therapy with techniques such as motivational interviewing and psycho-education. With a non-judgmental and empathetic approach, Eda is dedicated to helping individuals and families rebuild a healthy connection with food, guiding them on their journey towards recovery.