Stigma sadly still pervades the support that people living with obesity are offered in health services. Any individual who had weight loss surgery would struggle to adjust with some of the demands and changes in both the short and long term.

As human beings, we all find it hard to make desired lifestyle changes as a result of the tricky minds we are born with! However, it is often the case that people I work with feel a deep sense of shame and personal failure if they struggle to make the recommended changes, which often stems from societal stigma and reinforced by diet culture, which we know sets most people up to fail in the long term. Alongside this, many of the people I work with have experienced difficult and traumatic life situations, which may continue to impact and influence thoughts, feelings and behaviour in similar ways after surgery. 

I use a range of therapeutic models in my clinical practice, though the approach I prefer draws on Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT). This is a powerful, skills-based approach that has shown to be effective with a range of difficulties that we tend to struggle with as humans, including physical health limitations, addiction, trauma, anxiety and depression. The basic aims of ACT are to reduce psychological suffering and commit to action that help us build a richer, more meaningful life (despite the presence of challenges we are living with).

I like to think that I have a style that brings compassion, humour and hope into my work with people. Outside of work, I try and spend as much time as I can outdoors, whether that be cycling, running, hiking and exploring new places.