Therapists (including CBT Therapists and Clinical Psychologists)
The therapists in our team use their knowledge and skills in various therapy models to support service users to learn about eating disorders, understand their eating disorder (how it developed and what keeps it going), monitor their weight and food intake, make dietary changes, develop strategies and tools to manage their eating disorder and explore their identity and how their eating disorder impacts this.
Our therapists may also support service users with other difficulties which may appear relevant to the eating disorder if appropriate to the individual e.g., low self-esteem, perfectionism, and difficulties with interpersonal relationships.
A note on job titles…
We have CBT therapists and Clinical Psychologists working in our team – we may have different job titles, but we all offer therapy. So, for those receiving care within the service, it won’t make a difference whether you are allocated a CBT therapist or Clinical Psychologist for your therapy. Please see the Derbyshire Eating Disorders “Role of Therapists” podcast (add link here) for further information about the difference between the two roles.
Assistant Psychologists
Assistant Psychologists use their background and understanding of Psychology to offer therapies such as CBT-T and Guided Self Help to service users, under supervision of a Clinical Psychologist within the team.
Some of the ways Assistant Psychologists support the team are via supporting assessments of service users, offering support for those on the waiting list via our waiting list programme, and offering weekly mindfulness sessions to service users and carers.
Psychiatrists
Psychiatrists offer psychiatric assessment and review physical risk associated with eating disorders.
This may include review and treatment of comorbid mental illnesses (such as depression, anxiety, OCD, Complex Trauma/EUPD) with initiation of psychotropic medications (such as antidepressants, antipsychotics, anxiolytics) where indicated. We will support individuals to access appropriate treatment from other services (eg. IAPT, Living Well, CMHT, perinatal service, Specialist Autism Team) when appropriate. Often, Psychiatrists will work jointly with colleagues to optimise treatment around the needs of the individual, where there are comorbidities.
Psychiatrists work closely with the multi-disciplinary team to provide bio-psycho-social treatment of eating disorders.
Alongside, our specialist Dieticians, Psychiatrists liaise with GPs to advise on:
- physical monitoring (according to MEED guidance)
- safe management of refeeding
- addressing electrolyte disturbance
- bone risk
Psychiatrists liaise with Gastroenterology colleagues (at Chesterfield Royal Hospital and Royal Derby Hospital) in review of physical complications or if individuals need admission to medical wards.
Psychiatrists will support individuals affected by severe eating disorder requiring admission to SEDU, maintaining contact through CPA-meetings, and provide post-discharge follow-up.
Psychiatrists can use legislation (Mental Health Act or Mental Capacity Act) as is necessary, ensuring guiding principles are always adhered to.
For more information visit: What to expect of your psychiatrist on the Royal College of Psychiatrists website.
Occupational Therapists and OT Assistants
The main aim of Occupational Therapy (OT) is to help service users to regain a balance of occupations in their life and help them to develop independent skills to manage and recover from their eating disorder. OT intervention plans are completely person-centred and holistic, and goals are led by the individual. OT can also help people to redefine their occupational identity beyond their eating disorder. Interventions can be offered as a 1:1 or in a group setting depending on the individual’s needs. Examples of therapeutic interventions include practical skills (E.g. meal planning), activity-based interventions (e.g. developing hobbies and interests) and psychosocial skills (e.g. confidence building). Occupational Therapy Assistants support the OT’s with delivering these interventions.
Peer Support Worker
A Peer Support Worker is someone with lived experience of a mental health challenge; employed to help others struggling with a similar challenge. Peer Support Workers use their background and understanding to empathise with difficulties the service user is facing, offer support and guidance in an informal, patient led manner.
Within the Derbyshire Eating Disorder Service, Peer Support Workers offer a range of guidance and support. They work with an individual that may need support eating during mealtimes, support with food shopping, clothes shopping, socialising or goal setting. The role is varied and entirely open to input and feedback from the service user.
Dietician
Eating disorder dietitians play a critical role in helping individuals recover from conditions like anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating disorder. They begin with a nutritional assessment to evaluate the person's current health, eating habits, and any deficiencies. Based on this, they create personalized meal plans designed to restore nutritional balance, promote healthy eating patterns, and address specific needs.
Education is a key aspect of their work, teaching clients about proper nutrition, debunking food myths, and helping them recognize hunger and fullness cues. Dietitians also provide ongoing support through regular check-ins, meal planning, and help with overcoming fear around certain foods.
They collaborate with therapists and other healthcare providers to address both the physical and emotional aspects of the disorder, and work on long-term strategies to prevent relapse and maintain healthy eating habits. Overall, they focus on guiding individuals to a healthier relationship with food and their bodies.
Administrators
The administration team consists of administrators and a medical secretary. Our Medical Secretary provides professional and efficient secretarial support to our two consultants.
Our role is to support the team with all administrative tasks from initial referral through to eventual discharge. We provide a link to the team for patients, families and wider health professionals. We support the team with all aspects of quality improvement, managing office supplies, maintaining equipment, supporting new team members, staff training and annual leave.
