Dr. Neha Zia

I am CDA-licensed and HCPC registered Counselling Psychologist, born and raised in the UK. I specialise in eating disorder and body image concerns, with extensive experience supporting a varied range of additional presentations, including difficulties with mood management, low self-worth and self-esteem, psychosis, personality disorders and attachment issues.

The foundation of my therapeutic practice is to ensure a non-judgemental and empathic environment where people feel safe to explore their thoughts, emotions, and experiences openly. I have aimed to uphold this foundation by adopting a person-centred approach that entails working collaboratively, creatively and sensitivity with the aim to empower and foster sustainable change.

In order to come to a shared understanding of what my clients need, I tend to draw from an integrative, evidence-based approach to ensure that therapy is tailored to each individual’s needs; rather than taking a ‘one-size-fits-all’ stance. The evidence-based modalities I am trained in include the following:

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
• CBT-E (Enhanced CBT for Eating Disorders)
• Maudsley Model of Anorexia Nervosa Treatment for Adults (MANTRA)
• Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT),
• Compassion Focused Therapy for Psychosis (CFT-P)
• Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT)
• Internal Family Systems (IFS)
• Person Centred Therapy
• Social Skills Training and Play Therapy

Throughout my career I have worked in a range of clinical settings including inpatient psychiatric and forensic services, charity organisations, and private practice. I have supported – and continue to support- children, adolescence and adults who experience complex emotional difficulties including shame, guilt, self-doubt, and trauma.

I have a keen interest in promoting awareness and psychoeducation around body image issues, misconceptions surrounding eating disorders, and the de-stigmatisation of accessing psychological therapies—particularly within minority and marginalised communities. Owing to my own Pakistani heritage whilst being raised in the Western world, I have a deep appreciation for nuances within cultural contexts and systemic factors that can shape and influence perspectives + perceptions about the self, the world and others.

I highly regard the integration of art, literature, meditation, music and mindfulness to encourage creative expression amongst others, however broad or specific this might be for each person, to support people in connecting with themselves more deeply to develop resilience, self-compassion, and a sense of empowerment.