About me
Dr Athena Foran
I am an experienced Chartered Counselling Psychologist with the British Psychological Society (BPS) and a registered Psychologist with the Health Care and Professions Council (HCPC).
I completed my Doctorate at City University with my research examining Emotional Eating.
Prior to my doctorate, I completed my MSc in Health Psychology where my research focused on parental feeding styles and its effects in adulthood, this is where my passion and interest in individuals' relationship with food really blossomed. I also am passionate about Mental Health Stigma and educating the general public on how to take care of their mental health. My research on Mental Health Stigma was published in the British Journal of Psychology as part of my undergraduate degree in Psychology.
I have worked in a variety of settings including charity organisations such as MIND. In addition to my private work, I work in the NHS at St Mary's Hospital Imperial Specialist Bariatric Service providing psychological support to individuals struggling with their weight. I assess and offer support to both pre- and post-operative patients following Bariatric Surgery (gastric band, gastric sleeve and gastric bypass).
Although I have a special interest and expertise in eating issues and disorders, I have worked with and am passionate about working with a variety of needs. Please see here for a list of needs I commonly work with but am not limited to.
I am especially interested in cognitive behavioural approaches, working with clients to manage difficulties such as binge eating disorder, emotional eating, anorexia and bulimia nervosa, as well as mood and anxiety problems.
I am also passionate about mindfulness and self-compassion, both of which form fundamental parts of my work - read a bit more about the therapeutic techniques I use here. I strongly believe that the therapeutic relationship is the most important factor in fostering change and aim to provide a warm, compassionate environment.
I enjoy working creatively with my clients to individually tailor evidence-based interventions to my clients’ needs.
On a personal note, I live in North London with my husband and two young daughters. I also speak Swedish and Polish.
Publications:
Swami, V., Foran, A., & Furnham, A. (2011). Examining mental health literacy and its correlates using the overclaiming technique. British Journal of Psychology, 102, 662-675.