About me
Life can sometimes feel overwhelming. You may be struggling with anxiety, feeling trapped in an unhealthy relationship with food or your body, or finding that experiences from your past continue to shape your life today. Perhaps you're managing to keep everything together on the outside, while inside you feel exhausted, stuck or disconnected from yourself.
Whatever has brought you here, you don't have to face it alone. Reaching out for support isn't a sign that you've failed- it is often the first step towards healing. I believe recovery is possible, and that meaningful change can happen when you feel truly understood, supported and safe.
I am a specialist psychotherapist working with adults and adolescents experiencing eating disorders, trauma, body image difficulties, anxiety and low self-esteem. I support people living with anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, ARFID, emotional eating and the lasting effects of trauma, helping them move beyond survival and towards a life that feels more fulfilling, connected and authentic.
Many of the people I work with have spent years blaming themselves for behaviours or emotions they don't fully understand. Together, we explore these patterns with curiosity and compassion, recognising that many of our coping strategies once served an important purpose. Rather than asking, "What's wrong with you?", I believe the more helpful question is, "What has happened to you?" Understanding your story is often the beginning of creating lasting change.
Because every person is different, I tailor therapy to your individual needs rather than following a one-size-fits-all approach. Drawing on evidence-based therapies including CBT-E (Enhanced Cognitive Behavioural Therapy), EMDR, Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, Transactional Analysis and Parts Work, I work collaboratively with you to understand the roots of your difficulties while helping you develop practical tools for recovery.
Above all, I believe that the relationship between therapist and client is one of the most important parts of therapy. My aim is to create a warm, compassionate and non-judgemental space where you feel genuinely heard and understood, while also feeling gently supported to move beyond the patterns that are keeping you stuck. Clients often tell me they appreciate feeling accepted exactly as they are, while also being encouraged to make meaningful and lasting changes.
Beginning therapy can feel daunting, but you don't need to have everything figured out before you start. Whether you're seeking support for trauma, an eating disorder, anxiety or simply have a sense that something doesn't feel quite right, I would be honoured to walk alongside you on your journey.
Recovery isn't about becoming perfect. It's about coming back to yourself.
Training, qualifications & experience
Whether you're reaching out at the very beginning of your journey or have been struggling for many years, I believe recovery is possible. Having worked across the full spectrum of mental health care, I understand that healing looks different for everyone, and my aim is to meet you wherever you are with compassion, curiosity and evidence-based support.
My approach to therapy is grounded in the belief that every person's story is unique. Rather than asking "What's wrong with you?", I believe the more important question is "What has happened to you?" Many of the difficulties we experience with food, body image, emotions and relationships are not signs that something is wrong with us- they are often understandable responses to trauma, attachment experiences and overwhelming life events. My role is to help you make sense of those experiences, develop healthier ways of coping and move towards lasting recovery.
I am a specialist psychotherapist in trauma, eating disorders and emotional wellbeing, with extensive experience working with adults, adolescents and families across both the UK and South Africa. Throughout my career I have supported individuals experiencing eating disorders, body image concerns, trauma, anxiety, OCD, emotional dysregulation, low self-esteem and complex mental health difficulties in both public and private healthcare settings.
I have worked across the full continuum of mental health care, including inpatient, day patient and outpatient eating disorder services, adolescent mental health services, general psychiatric units, substance misuse services, high-care settings and the criminal justice system. This breadth of experience allows me to support individuals with a wide range of presentations, from early intervention through to more complex and high-risk difficulties.
Therapy is never a one-size-fits-all process. I tailor treatment to each individual by integrating evidence-based approaches, including EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing), CBT-E (Enhanced Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Eating Disorders), Trauma-Focused CBT, Compassion Focused Therapy, Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, Transactional Analysis, Parts Work, DBT-informed skills, exposure-based approaches and the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP). By drawing on a range of therapeutic models, I can adapt therapy to meet your individual needs, goals and pace.
Alongside my clinical work, I have supervised trainee therapists as a Clinical Supervisor at Stellenbosch University and was part of the University's Crisis Support Service, supporting students experiencing psychological distress. I remain committed to ongoing professional development to ensure my practice reflects the latest research and evidence-based approaches in trauma and eating disorder treatment.
My qualifications include a Master's Degree in Clinical Social Work, Honours Degrees in Psychology and Social Work, together with advanced specialist training in EMDR, EMDR and Eating Disorders, CBT-E, Trauma-Focused CBT, Compassion Focused Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) and the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP).
Member organisations
school Registered / Accredited
Being registered/accredited with a professional body means an individual must have achieved a substantial level of training and experience approved by their member organisation.
The National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society This Not For Profit association of counsellors and psychotherapists aim to support the counselling profession, members and training organisations. In 2013 the NCS register was accredited by the Professional Standards Authority under the Accredited Voluntary Register Scheme. Accredited by the Professional Standards Authority.
Accredited register membership
The Accredited Register Scheme was set up in 2013 by the Department of Health (DoH) as a way to recognise organisations that hold voluntary registers which meet certain standards. These standards are set by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA).
This therapist has indicated that they belong to an Accredited Register.
Areas of counselling I deal with
Other areas of counselling I deal with
I am also trained in the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP), a gentle, auditory-based intervention that supports nervous system regulation. SSP can be particularly helpful for trauma, anxiety, dissociation, and eating disorder recovery where the nervous system has become stuck in a state of threat.
Therapies offered
Photos & videos
Fees
£150.00 - £180.00
Health Insurance/EAP
Additional information
Choosing a therapist is an important decision. To help you decide whether I'm the right fit, I offer a free 15-minute introductory telephone consultation where we can discuss your needs and answer any questions you may have. If we decide to work together, we'll arrange an initial assessment and discuss the most appropriate treatment plan for you.
When I work
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Early morning | |||||||
| Morning | |||||||
| Early afternoon | |||||||
| Late afternoon | |||||||
| Evening |
Further information
Client Testimonials
Lauren helped me to get recovery from my eating disorder by being absolutely caring but also by being brutally honest. She would say things I needed to hear, even though I did not want to hear them! She always listened, but allowed me to take responsibility for my recovery. She helped me to regain the power to make my own choices and to take responsibility of my own life & my own recovery. I am forever grateful that our paths crossed.
Client E, The Netherlands
I met Lauren at a treatment facility in South Africa for my eating disorder. I was extremely sick on arrival and I was there for 6 months; Lauren supported me through my whole stay as well as about a year and a half after I was discharged. I never thought that I would be in recovery and Lauren was the one who helped and guided me, she met me at my lowest of lows and has seen me grow as I was starting my life over again. Lauren aided me with my body dysmorphia, depression; anxiety and other personal matters. She helped me learn new things about myself, helped me see the truth rather than me believe the lies in my head. When I was in the treatment facility, I also had family sessions and working with Lauren really benefited me as I was able to speak my truth and she helped them understand my disorder on a deeper level that I was unable to explain.
Lauren is not only a great therapist, but also a lovely person. She made me feel comfortable and safe in my sessions; I didn’t feel judgement when speaking about things and she helped me learn how to regain trust. I would highly recommend anyone to start sessions with Lauren, I will forever be grateful for having worked with her, Lauren helped save my life and is apart of the reason as to why I’m still in recovery.
Client S, South Africa
Lauren has been an integral part of my healing journey. Working with her at the start of my recovery journey was a blessing. She not only gave me the space to feel safe, seen and heard. She helped me to see me too. Today, I live my life knowing who I am, and living what i had told her I always desired. Thank you Lauren
Client M, South Africa
When I think of Lauren, I think of tough love and it was exactly what I needed (and what I now think a good therapist needs to be). I struggled with trusting therapists, but Lauren is really kind and supportive and knows how to make you feel safe and heard, but she also calls you out and holds you accountable for your own responsibilities in recovery. She was the first person I felt safe enough to open up to about things and started processing them, and I’m forever grateful of her support in my recovery process.
Client B, Amsterdam
