My name is Nicola Birkin, and I have worked in the area of eating disorders and Mental Health for over twenty five years with the NHS in many roles such as in an acute Hospital, Specialist Eating Disorder Units and as Specialist Practitioner in the community. I have also worked in the private sector as a Therapist in Eating disorders and a Day Service Lead.
More recently i have worked as a Clinical Nurse Specialist in a CAMHS service and I am now working in a new exciting role in New Zealand, but I am continuing to offer online sessions on Saturdays both to clients in the UK and NZ.
I became interested in supporting individuals with mental health problems and Eating Issues whilst working in London and this has been my passion since.
My aims
I am very aware of the impact that mental health including 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 mental health issues, 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) 