About Me
How I Work
What to Expect from Therapy with me
I specialize in eating disorders to support people struggling with binge eating, compulsive eating, bulimia, anorexia, compulsive exercising, OSFED and atypical presentations diagnosed and undiagnosed.
I have experience working with a range of issues, including: anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, trauma, eating disorders and disordered eating, neurodiversity, LGBTQ+ issues, family dynamics, body image, clinical perfectionism, grief and loss.
I understand humans as complex beings and appreciate that difficulties may not be present in isolation. I understand exploring the person as a whole as vital to therapeutic progress.
Regardless of whether a diagnosis is present or not, I work with your unique struggles and presentation, exploring not only current struggles but their development, to help you gain a deeper understanding of your life’s journey, and find a path towards healing, to reclaim a healthy relationship with yourself, your body, food and/or exercise.
My theoretical background is person-centered integrative and during my years of working I have acquired an eclectic range of tools from a variety of therapeutic approaches, including CBT, Gestalt, Mindfulness, humanistic, interpersonal, relational, family and emotion- and compassion-focused therapy.
Person-centered to me really means putting each person at the center of their therapeutic experience, with empathy and unconditional positive regard. We will work together to find what works best for you, and I will create a safe, non-judgmental and confidential space for you to explore your challenges and how to tackle these differently.
Having worked in an inpatient environment, I also understand the significant risks eating disorders can pose to health and wellbeing, and I am passionate about helping people to learn different coping strategies and overcome these difficulties early, in hopes of preventing any hospital admission.
I am passionate about a holistic approach and the body & mind connection, understanding the overarching impact complex mental health difficulties and trauma can have.
The main focus of my work is with individuals, but as none of us exist in isolation, I recognize the importance of relational work, in particular as eating disorder struggles have a great impact on family and relationship dynamics. So if and when it might be fitting for the individual, I will invite family or partners to a session, to explore how these relationships have been affected and how loved ones can best support the individual I work with.
Should we discover any challenges which are beyond my expertise, I will help you to connect with the right supports.
Education and Experience
My Journey to becoming a Therapist
I have always been passionate about helping others, and after school pursued a Bachelor's degree in Psychology. After experiencing a powerful self-exploratory course on Carl Roger's person-centered therapy, a vision for my career path became clear.
I hold a Master's Degree in Counselling & Counsellor Education from Indiana University in Bloomington, USA
and a Master's Degree in Clinical Psychology from Hamburg University, Germany
My initial training was mainly focused on working with adults and I have since acquired a separate qualification in
Counselling Children and Young People, from Strathclyde University, Glasgow, UK
I have done a variety of trainings including safeguarding, trauma-informed working, suicidal ideation and self-harm support to name a few.
I have worked with individual, families, young people and children in school, community and inpatient settings and in addition to my private work am currently also working on an inpatient eating disorder ward in a mental health hospital.
To support with eating disorders specifically, I have completed the specialised training for both CBT-E and MANTRA as well as Maudseley Carer support.
I am a German native speaker and having grown up outside the UK, I am able to offer a culturally-informed approach which you might find helpful. I can also offer therapy sessions in German.
Name of Company
Anna Zaman Therapy
Professional Membership
British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP)