Gladys Ellis

Biography

I am a Family and Systemic Psychotherapist, and I have worked in the field of psychological health for 30 years – and with eating disorders for almost 20. I am a Consultant Family and Systemic Psychotherapist in the NHS within the highly regarded Mausdley Centre for Children and Adolescent Eating Disorders in South London team but, as part of my role at The London Centre, I also enjoy working with adults and their partners or families. My work takes a range of different formats; from providing therapeutic support, psychoeducation and skills based guidance to families or partners of individuals suffering from an eating disorder to more formal family therapy.

I am trained in Maudsley Family Based Therapy for both Anorexia and Bulimia (FBT-BN / FBT-AN) and in Attachment based Family Therapy (ABFT) which is well evidenced in treating depression in young people. Family therapy is the National Institute of Clinical Excellence recommended treatment of choice for children and young people and is particularly helpful either when a young person is able to be supported in their recovery by their family, or when any difficulties within an individuals’ wider family, peer or school system need to be addressed alongside treatment. I have also trained in a new approach, Radically Open Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (RODBT)-, which I am able to draw on in my work with families, couples and young people to improve their relationships.
My main aim is to help families to understand and support each other and to tap into their existing strengths and resiliencies (which can be difficult to access in times of stress brought on by the presence of an eating disorder). I would describe myself as warm and compassionate, but I am also able to challenge young people and families to change within the context of a supportive and trusting relationship, which is crucial to aid recovery.