Specialist Eating Disorder Therapy Clinic In London
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Dr Ines Soares
Principal Clinical Psychologist
As a clinical psychologist, I am very conscious of the responsibility of my work, and hope to create an environment of warmth, safety, trust and hope for each person I work with. I am passionate about diversity and freedom and strive to work collaboratively in order to find out what truly motivates and drives people towards recovery and achieving their goals.
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I tend to use an integrative approach, drawing on a range of different models (such as CBT, Narrative Therapy, Family Therapy and ACT) depending on a person’s needs. At the start of treatment, we will work collaboratively to develop an understanding (known as a psychological formulation) of what may have triggered the eating disorder/body image difficulties and what factors may be maintaining it, so that we can achieve a common understanding of the concerns, as well as the strengths to be harnessed in the journey towards recovery. Following this psychological formulation, we will develop a tailored treatment plan, that responds to each person’s needs and is informed by evidence-based treatment models.
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I recognize that there are often other mental health co-morbidities alongside eating disorders and body image difficulties (for example, struggles with anxiety, depression, low self-esteem and trauma), that may also need addressing within treatment, in order to facilitate recovery. I am trained and experienced in working with such difficulties and aim to provide a holistic approach within therapy that supports an individual to reach their goals and pursue a meaningful and fulfilling life.
Background and Training
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I completed a BSc degree in Psychology and a Master’s degree in Clinical and Health Psychology (MSc) at the University of Minho (in Portugal). As part of my undergraduate studies, I also trained in Universidad Pontifícia de Salamanca (Spain). My MSc was divided into research and practical training. On a research level, it focused on Basic and Evolutionary Psychology, and the practical training focused mainly on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Narrative Therapy. I am registered as a Clinical Psychologist with the Health and Care Professions Council.
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Since qualifying I have worked with children, adolescents, and adults with a varied range of mental health difficulties and presentations. I have worked privately since 2017 in Portugal, predominantly working with mood disorders like depression or anxiety, across all age groups. After moving to the UK in 2020, I have worked in an NHS Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service, and since specialised in working with children and adolescents with eating disorders.
Alongside my work with Treating Disorders, I have worked in an NHS Specialist Inpatient Unit for Children and Young People with Eating Disorders, as well as in a Children and Young People’s Community Eating Disorder Service in South West London. Within these services, I have been providing individual therapy, family therapy and group therapy to young people and families dealing with varying eating disorder diagnosis including Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa. The therapeutic models I typically use are Family Therapy for Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa (the evidence-based NICE recommended treatment for young people with Anorexia and Bulimia), Dialectical Behavioural Therapy, as well as tools from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. I am currently completing the Cognitive Behavioural Therapy – Enhanced (CBT-E) training which is a specialist and evidence-based treatment for adults with eating disorders and sometimes applied to older adolescents.
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Therapeutic Approaches Offered
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