Anita Gaisford
Eating disorders therapist
Conditions treated
- Anorexia nervosa
- Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
- Binge eating disorder (BED)
- Bulimia nervosa
- Depression
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorders (OSFED)
- Panic attacks
- Self-harm
- Stress
- Suicidal thoughts
Treatment approaches
- Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
- Counselling
- Eating disorder treatment
- Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT)
- Psychotherapy
- Well-being therapies
Languages spoken
- English
Professional qualifications, accreditations, and memberships
- Diploma in Integrative Counselling
- Master Practitioner Advanced Diploma in Eating Disorders (National Centre for Eating Disorders)
- Accredited Member of the BACP
- Accredited Professional Registrant of the NCS
- Member of BEAT therapists network
- Member of the New Maudsley Carers Kent
Professional statement
As an integrative therapist, Anita is able to incorporate various therapeutic approaches to support the specific needs and goals of each client. These include psychodynamic, relational therapy, person-centred, transactional analysis, and CBTe in addition to Socratic questioning and motivational interviewing. Having studied Petruska Clarkson’s 5 Relationship Model, she believes the therapeutic relationship is an integral part of therapy in order to create a strong and trusting relationship.
Anita has experience working within a secondary school and FE/HE college setting as a therapist to support students and staff. In 2015, she set up a private practice.
She has worked with patients dealing with a variety of mental health issues, but her passion lies in supporting and working with eating disorders and disordered eating. For this reason, in 2018 she undertook specialist training through the National Centre for Eating Disorders (NCFED) to allow her to work competently and professionally in this field. She continues to work closely with NCFED as part of their network, as well as BEAT (the UK’s Eating Disorder Charity) and New Maudlsely Carers Kent.
Anita continues to run a private practice in Kent, alongside her role as a specialist eating disorder therapist at Nightingale Hospital.
Personal statement
Anita works with patients over the age of 18 across general mental health issues, however, the main focus of her work surrounds eating disorders/disordered eating. This includes supporting those suffering from anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder (BED), orthorexia, ARFID, and OSFED.
She offers a hybrid approach to her work, offering in-person or remote appointments to suit her clients.
The focus of Anita’s work is to create healthy lifestyle changes to improve the quality of your life and of which, are sustainable.
