Dr Irem Aksu

Biography

I’m a Specialist Counselling Psychologist with a Professional Doctorate in Counselling Psychology. I work with adults experiencing eating disorders and a wide range of disordered eating difficulties.
I use evidence-based approaches, including CBT-E and MANTRA, alongside additional training in CBT-T. I also draw on techniques from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT), and Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT), depending on what feels most helpful for the person I am working with.
My clinical interest is in body image difficulties, eating-related struggles that take up significant mental and emotional space, and the impact these can have on self-esteem, identity, and daily life. I aim to support people in developing a more balanced and compassionate relationship with food, their body, and themselves. Alongside helping to reduce eating disorder thoughts and behaviours, I also focus on building self-esteem that is not solely dependent on appearance or eating patterns.
I have experience working across both NHS and private settings, supporting individuals with a range of presentations linked to eating disorders and broader mental health difficulties. I am especially interested in early intervention in eating disorders, and in supporting people before difficulties become more entrenched.
Many mental health difficulties can affect how we experience life, but eating disorders in particular can make life feel very small, rigid, and isolating. I find this area of work deeply meaningful, because recovery often involves not only reducing symptoms, but also reconnecting with parts of the self that may have been lost or overshadowed by the eating disorder.
Outside of work, I value spending time with the people close to me and having a good balance in life. I enjoy travelling, being in nature, and staying active through things like exercise and tennis. I also really enjoy reading and finding quiet moments to switch off and recharge.