With over 10 years experience in mental health, I have worked in both NHS and private settings, focusing on eating disorders, anxiety, depression and obsessive-compulsive disorders.

I specialise in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy-Enhanced (CBT-E) and Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) Skills and have established a private practice based in Warwickshire to provide more accessible psychological support. 

Mental health affects how we think, feel, behave and is critical for our overall well-being. Having good mental health is essential for building and maintaining healthy relationships. Our mental health can also impact our ability to function effectively in daily life.

I am a strong believer you should practice what you preach. Not only is CBT evidence based, but I am an advocate for CBT and DBT skills, because I too put these skills into practice on a daily basis and find them extremely helpful.

CBT skills will not only help you to manage the difficulties you have right now but will also allow you to manage life stresses in the future and therefore sustain better mental health long-term.

Outstanding Accomplishments and Achievements

In my previous role, I was part of the research committee. We met monthly to discuss research projects and were consistently at the forefront of international research in the field of eating disorders.

Over the years, as a team we presented posters at the London International Eating Disorders Conferences and presented two research projects at the Adolescent Eating Disorder Research Consortium. The Practical Body Image (PBI) programme and the Newbridge Eating-Disorder Activity Treatment (NEAT). 

I am hugely proud to have been part of such extensive research and particularly seeing the development of the PBI programme, which is a rigorously tested and comprehensive programme for individuals with high levels of body dissatisfaction and associated anxiety. I was involved in the project when I first started as an Assistant Psychologist, so it has been hugely satisfying to see the project through from start to finish. 

My latest involvement included the adaption of a manual on ‘Imaginal Exposure Response Prevention’ therapy which has been shown to be effective amongst outpatient adults in the USA with Anorexia Nervosa. We as a team adapted this manual to be appropriate for in-patient young people and adolescents in a group format. This was discussed at the Adolescent Eating Disorder Research Consortium and has recently been published.  

Biney, H., Astbury, S., Haines, A., Grant, J., Malone, N., Hutt, M., & Lacey, J. H. (2020). A novel ‘practical body image’ therapy for adolescent inpatients with anorexia nervosa: a randomised controlled trial. Eating and Weight Disorders-Studies on Anorexia, Bulimia and Obesity, 1-10.

Mang, L., Garghan, A., Grant, J., Lacey, H., & Matthews, R. (2021). An evaluation of efficacy and acceptability of a novel manualised Junior LEAP group programme for compulsive exercise, for children and adolescents with anorexia nervosa, within an inpatient setting. Eating and Weight Disorders-Studies on Anorexia, Bulimia and Obesity, 26(2), 591-597

Smith, K., Grant, J., Lacey, H. (2025). A pilot evaluation of the efficacy and acceptability of a novel imaginal exposure prevention (I-ERP) group programme to treat core weight, shape and social fears or phobias in adolescents with anorexia nervosa in an inpatient setting. Eating and Weight Disorders-Studies on Anorexia, Bulimia and Obesity, 30 (16).

Qualifications

University of Birmingham 

Postgraduate Diploma in Cognitive behavioural Therapy 

University of the West of England

Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology

Continued Professional Development 

To keep my skills and knowledge up to date and prepare myself for greater responsibilities over the years, it has been important to continue with professional development. I have therefore attended various workshops and masterclasses:

The compassionate mind approach to beating over-eating with Ken Goss.

Body Image Intervention, specific to mirror exposure with Glen Waller.

Transdiagnostic cognitive behaviour therapy for eating disorders with Dr Christopher Fairburn.

10-week online Credo training in CBT-E, developed by Christopher Fairburn.

The biopsychosocial and cognitive interpersonal model of eating disorders with Janet Treasure.

New cognitive tools in the treatment of eating disorders: a focus on emotional regulation with Gerard J. Butcher.

Professional Bodies

To ensure safe practice and accountability for my own actions, I work in line with the code of conduct as recommended by the BABCP and the NICE guidelines and I have an accredited supervisor.

In order to allow me to practice safely and affectively whilst also adhering to legal and regulatory requirements I am up to date with all mandatory training including:

mental health awareness, person centred care, safeguarding children and adults and equality and diversity and human rights.