My name is Nicola Birkin, and I have worked in the area of eating disorders for over twenty years both in the NHS as a specialist Practitioner and Therapist in eating disorders.
Over the last three years, I have been working as a Specialist Therapist & Day Service Lead at a Specialist Eating Disorder Unit in York for adults with significant eating difficulties. I am now working in a new exciting role in New Zealand, but I am continuing to offer online sessions on Saturdays.
I became interested in supporting individuals with Eating Issues when I began working at Vincent Square Clinic, an Eating Disorder inpatient unit in London working alongside the Maudsley during this time.
My journey then led me to North Yorkshire, working in an acute inpatient setting for females, before I became a Specialist Practitioner in Eating Disorders in the Community working in Scarborough, Whitby and Ryedale and York.
My aims
I am very aware of the impact that eating disorders, and eating issues have on an individuls life. I also have acute knowledge of the limited support that is available in this area. My ultimate aim is to be able to provide support and guidance to a wider range of individuals. I believe that recovery from eating disorders, and disordered eating issues is possible with the right support, and I am passionate about helping individuals achieving this.
Credentials & Therapies
My Degree Certificate Qualifications are;
Eating Disorders (including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy & Research) Post Graduate Certificate.
Mental Health Nursing BSc (Hons).
Psychology BSc (Hons).
My Professional qualifications are as follows; Certificate in ‘The Maudsley Model Cognitive Interpersonal Therapy for Treating Anorexia Nervosa’ (MANTRA); Certificate in ‘Specialist Supportive Clinical Management for Eating Disorders’ (SSCM Eating Disorders;); I am qualified in eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) and I obtained Certificates in ‘EMDR with Eating Disorders’; ‘Eating Disorders and the Ego’, ‘EMDR and Attachment’ and ‘The Embodied Child”. I have completed training and gained the certificate in CBT-E. I have a certificate in introductory Systemic Practice; Certificates in Counselling level One and Two, and a certificate in Mindfulness. I can offer individual and group Guided Self Help treatment options and also MANTRA.
I am registered with the NMC and also registered with the EMDR association, UK. I have full DBS clearance for work with both children and adults.
Eating Disorders Therapy (EDT) 