Numerous mental health and neurological conditions can be hugely improved by diet.

Clare provides her clients with the support, knowledge and resources to help them understand their mental health challenges. She creates personalised dietary support to improve their mental health and help mitigate the side effects of some prescribed medications used to treat mental health conditions.

Our diets have an enormous impact on our cognitive processes. It can affect the way our brain cells communicate, as well as reduce inflammatory processes, and improve blood flow to the brain. Evidence also suggests dietary changes may be beneficial in managing migraines and neurological conditions.

Clare works with her clients to ensure they are obtaining the optimal balance of nutrients to optimise brain functioning. Improving diets can help improve cognitive function throughout our lifespan, as well as lowering the risk for age-related conditions like dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

Clare provides compassionate, safe and effective care when working with clients experiencing eating disorders. She works with other members of her client's support team, including psychiatrists ,specialist clinical psychologists and specialist nurses to ensure treatment at all stages of recovery is holistic and appropriate.

There are a range of clinically described eating problems that Clare has experience within including;

Anorexia Nervosa
Anorexia is a complex eating disorder, with symptoms including a difficulty to maintain a healthy body weight and an intense fear of weight gain and certain foods. Beyond preoccupation with food, weight and shape, anorexia nervosa is often related to deeper more complex mental health concerns.

Clare helps her clients move away from anorexia’s self-destructive pattern. Alongside medical and mental health professionals, Clare supports clients with rebuilding a healthy relationship with food, regaining health and self-confidence with weight and body shape and over time relearning to identify and honour hunger and fullness sensations.

Bulimia Nervosa
Bulimia often presents as a compulsion to overeat, followed by punishing behaviours such as purging, fasting, or excessive exercising in an attempt to counter the effects of what has been eaten . This cycle is extremely destructive to the physical and emotional wellbeing of patients

Clare focuses on effective evidence based bulimia treatment and support to help her clients develop a healthier relationship with food, breaking t e binge, purge cycle and overcoming feelings of anxiety, guilt or shame.

Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)
ARFID, previously known as Selective Eating Disorder (SED), involves avoidance of particular food types or quantities of food. It can be related to sensory concerns, as well as fear of he consequences of eating or lack of interest in food. Unlike other eating disorders there is no preoccupation with weight or shape or anxiety around body image.

Coupled with necessary psychological treatment such as CBT, Clare provides tailored advice to clients based on the specific eating challenges they experience. All advice is bespoke and accounts for other conditions which are risk factors such as ADHD and ASD

Binge Eating Disorder
Binge eating disorder is characterised by regular episodes of eating large quantities of food and is related to a complex web of mental health issues.

Clare helps her clients overcome binge eating disorder by helping them understand the individual causes, and providing a tailored diet designed to encourage a long term healthier relationship with food.

ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition that includes symptoms that may impact food habits, such as how to plan and prepare foods.

It is important to note that ADHD cannot be cured with diet. However, Clare works in combination with other medical professionals using nutrition to support additional treatments, such as therapy and/or medication.

Management strategies are very individual and whilst there is no general ADHD diet, Clare supports clients with strategies and nutrients that may help in managing symptoms.

Dementia can have a huge impact on a persons ability to meet their nutrient needs. It affects desire and ability to eat due to appetite, taste or smell changes, memory or swallowing issues.

Clare helps her clients, and their families or carers, meet their nutritional needs and overcome the dietary challenges presented by dementia. Advice around fortifying meals, suitable manageable textures, ensuring nutritionally adequate foods and calming mealtime routines, can help reduce the impact of weight loss and nutritional deficiency commonly seen. Dignity, respect and enhancing quality of life are at the core of Clare’s care.