Linda Snape

I am a specialist eating disorder therapist, recovery coach and integrative psychotherapist and I have 5 years experience working in a private eating disorder clinic. In my own practice I seek to support people who face barriers to accessing NHS or other services or perhaps don’t feel as though they deserve help.

If self-criticism, low self-esteem, shame, perfectionism, eating or body image are causing you distress you deserve help. Anyone, regardless of age, gender or weight, can be affected by eating problems.

I can help you to overcome eating and associated issues including disordered eating, bulimia, binge eating, anorexia, anxiety, low mood, low self esteem and OCD so you can live a balanced life. I can help you make connections between eating issues and life experiences, personality traits and neurodivergence, autism and ADHD and develop new ways to manage and think about these. 

Please contact me if you are struggling with any of the following:

• Weight and/or body checking and comparing
• Strong feelings of guilt, shame or anxiety about eating
• Started dieting and can't stop
• Feeling out of control when you eat
• Trying to stick to strict and rigid rules around food and eating
• Exercising to allow or compensate for eating
• Eating a lot in secret
• Hating parts of your body
• Doing things like vomiting or using laxatives to get rid of what you eat.
• Setting high standards, but never feel like you're doing well enough
• Bullying or negative weight/shape comments
• Forgetting to eat or no hunger/fullness cues.
• Eat lots of food in response to difficult emotions (when you don't feel
  physically hungry)
• Have lots of food 'noise', constant or intrusive thoughts about eating or your body.

If you are caring for or live with someone with an eating disorder, I also offer support to parents, partners or siblings because you also deserve help. 

How I work:

I aim to offer immediate support that is as affordable, flexible and effective as possible. I have the specific eating disorder qualifications and experience needed to address eating and body image issues as well as the broader skills required to tackle the associated and underlying issues and distress. My approach is based on what the evidence tells us works and uniquely tailored because each client is unique. I therefore integrate approaches including CBT-ED (Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for Eating Disorders), MANTRA (Maudsley Anorexia Nervosa Treatment for Adults), ACT, CFT (find out more in the Therapies offered section). 

I also bring my humanistic background to support building a relationship with you that is deeply trusting. This means that sessions will have some structure and focus but also provide space when you need it and go at the pace that you want to work at. If you want to run away from difficult feelings I will gently challenge and support you to stay with them. I will share resources and ask you to do things between sessions if you can. If you use app based recording of food and mood, I will check in on this between sessions to provide a word of support or encouragement. I model compassion as an alternative to shame-based self criticism and perfectionism.

What my clients say:

My client’s words are more helpful than mine if you are thinking about taking the first steps:

"I contacted Linda after much deliberation as I had tried other counsellors/CBT online which hadn't helped me since I was a teenager (I'm currently 59) so I had almost given up hope of ever being helped. I'm not sure I thought I was worthy of being helped, or that I was as unwell as others who were more deserving of the help. I am so happy I made that first contact and to say I am very grateful to Linda really is an understatement.

"Working with Linda has changed my life and my outlook on life and continues to do so. I have come such a long way in the time we have worked together, and I am now realising I am worthy of being happy and having a good life."

"Linda is kind, calm and thoughtful and helps me to see and understand what is going on in my life and mind in a sensitive and respectful way. I have made a lot of progress with my disordered eating, whilst tackling other related and often deeply-rooted issues."

"Linda challenges me to push myself and try new and difficult things, but at my own pace and with respect for my personal choices and boundaries. I would highly recommend Linda to anyone considering a counselling journey."

We can have a free initial chat to explore any of your questions or concerns without expectation or obligation.

I offer a free initial 20 minute telephone conversation.

I offer online sessions at lower cost of £60 due to fewer overheads. I can meet you in person at different locations in Lancashire for our initial session and then move online or continue in person if you prefer (or do a mixture).  In person sessions are £70. 

I also work with health insurance providers. Fees include one free between session check-in via an app.