Eating Disorders & Food Relationships
Specialist nutritional support for eating disorders, disordered eating and difficult relationships with food.
We provide individual, specialist support for anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, ARFID, disordered eating and difficult relationships with food, taking into account both your physical and emotional health.
Eating disorders and difficulties with food can affect both your physical and emotional health, and nutritional support needs to take both into account.
We provide individual, specialist support for anorexia, bulimia, binge eating, disordered eating and other difficulties with food, working at a pace that is appropriate for you.
We can work alongside your GP, psychotherapist, psychiatrist or wider eating disorder team where needed, so that nutrition forms part of your overall care.
Let us help you in your recovery so that you can have a healthier relationship with yourself, and with food.
Eating disorder recovery often needs closer and more consistent support. We work with clients for a minimum of 12 weeks, usually meeting weekly, so that we can provide regular nutritional guidance, accountability and support as things change.
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Eating Disorders & Disordered Eating
Here at Urban Wellness, we provide specialised nutritional support for eating disorders and disordered eating. We take a functional medicine approach to all our clients, looking at the possible physiological factors that may be affecting your relationship with food, as well as the lifestyle and psychological factors.
Every relationship with food is very individual, despite any diagnosis, and at Urban Wellness we make sure our approach is individual and tailored to you. It may be the first time that you are reaching out for help, or maybe you’ve tried other therapies before.
You may also be in active recovery working with a psychotherapist or psychiatrist. We work alongside many other therapists, GPS and CAMHS, and are happy to work collaboratively for you.
We are experienced in working with a wide range of mental health challenges, from teenagers through to late adulthood. We will look at potential underlying factors that could be contributing to your poor mental health, including gut health, nutrients deficiencies, genetics, and hormones.
ARFID can look very different from other eating disorders. Food restriction may be linked to sensory sensitivities, fear of eating or its consequences, low appetite or a lack of interest in food, rather than concerns about weight or body image.
Food fears can also develop following difficult experiences with eating or ongoing health problems. Chronic digestive symptoms, pain, nausea, reflux or other physical symptoms can understandably lead to avoiding foods or becoming increasingly anxious about eating.
We provide specialist support for teenagers and adults with ARFID and restrictive eating, taking into account not only what you're able to eat, but your wider health, nutritional status, sensory needs and experiences around food.
The aim isn't simply to hand you a list of foods you “should” be eating. We work gradually and practically to improve nutritional adequacy and variety, while understanding and working with the reasons eating has become difficult in the first place.
Specialist support for ARFID
Eating Disorder Nutritionists
All of our eating disorder nutritionists have trained with the National Centre For Eating Disorders and are a Master Practitioner in Eating Disorders & Obesity, which is approved by The British Psychological Society.
REGISTERED NUTRITIONAL THERAPIST & EATING DISORDER SPECIALIST
Irina Pollastri
Irina is the lead practitioner for our eating disorder and disordered eating clients, working with teenagers and adults with anorexia, bulimia, binge eating and difficult relationships with food. She also has particular experience supporting clients where eating difficulties exist alongside gut health concerns and PCOS.
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CLINIC DIRECTOR, REGISTERED NUTRITIONAL THERAPIST & EATING DISORDER SPECIALIST
Nicola Shubrook
Nicola works specifically with teenagers and adults with ARFID and restrictive eating, including where food fears have developed alongside digestive or other health concerns. She also supports clients with more complex nutritional needs, including low body weight and a eating disorder history.
Clarity Calls are 30-minute introductory consultations. A fee is payable at the time of booking. We’re unable to provide personalised recommendations, review test results or recommend supplements during these calls.
What is a Clarity Call?
1
Before Your Call
When you book, we'll ask you to complete a short questionnaire so we can understand a little about what's been going on and make the best use of your time with us.
2
During the call
We'll talk through your main concerns, what support you're looking for and any questions you have. We'll explain how we work and help you understand which practitioner and type of support may be most appropriate for you.
3
After the call
If we feel we're the right fit, we'll explain the next steps and how you can get started with the right support. If we don't think we're the right service for you, we'll be honest about that and, where possible, suggest what might be more appropriate.
Clarity Calls are 30-minute introductory conversations designed to help you decide whether working with us feels right for you. A fee is payable at the time of booking. We’re unable to provide personalised recommendations, review test results or recommend supplements during these calls.
A chance to talk things through before deciding whether we're the right support for you.
How we work
Clarity Call
We start with a 30-minute paid Clarity Call so that we can understand a little about what's been going on, answer any initial questions and make sure we match you with the right practitioner and level of support.
01
In-depth Assessment
During your first session, we'll take time to understand your eating history, current food intake, physical and emotional health, symptoms and any existing medical or therapeutic support. This helps us understand your individual needs and identify the areas that need our attention first.
02
Personalised plan
You'll receive personalised recommendations based on your individual needs and stage of recovery. Changes are introduced carefully and at an appropriate pace, with your physical health, nutritional needs and relationship with food taken into account.
03
Accountability and on-going support
Between sessions, you'll be able to check in with questions or updates, giving you additional support and accountability as you work on the areas we've agreed together.
04
Weekly follow-ups
We'll usually meet weekly for 45 minutes. These regular sessions give us time to review how things are going, discuss any difficulties and adapt your recommendations as your needs change.
05
Functional testing
Functional testing can help us build a more detailed picture of your health and identify factors that may be affecting your nutritional status and wellbeing. Depending on your needs, we may explore areas such as gut health, nutrient status, hormones, blood sugar or genetics, using the results alongside your symptoms, medical history and wider care to help guide your plan.
06
Supplements
Supplements may be appropriate where there are specific nutritional needs or deficiencies. Any recommendations will take into account your health, medications, food intake and wider care.
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Looking for support?
Working with your healthcare team
Eating disorder support often works best as part of a wider team. With your permission, we can communicate with your GP, therapist, psychiatrist, dietitian, CAMHS or other healthcare professionals involved in your care where appropriate.
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If you or someone you care for is struggling with an eating disorder, ARFID or their relationship with food, start with a Clarity Call. We'll talk through what's been going on and help you understand which support may be most appropriate.
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