
Tara McCloskey
Highly Specialist CBT Therapist
I offer a warm, compassionate and collaborative therapeutic space where building a strong therapeutic relationship is central to my work. I aim to help clients feel understood, supported and safe enough to explore the difficulties that may be affecting their relationship with food, body image and emotional wellbeing. My approach is evidence-based, flexible and tailored to the individual, drawing primarily from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Eating Disorders (CBT-E) and the Maudsley Model of Anorexia Nervosa Treatment for Adults (MANTRA), alongside approaches such as Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) informed skills where helpful.
Alongside addressing eating behaviours and body image concerns, I take a holistic view, recognising the role that factors such as perfectionism, anxiety, low mood and self-criticism can play in maintaining difficulties. I support clients to develop practical skills, build self-compassion and make meaningful, lasting changes that align with their values and the life they want to live. I am also mindful of the wider societal pressures that can influence our relationship with food and body image, and I aim to work in a respectful, non-stigmatising and neurodiversity-informed way that promotes overall wellbeing rather than focusing on weight alone.
I have also worked within FREED (First Episode Rapid Early Intervention for Eating Disorders) services and have experience supporting young adults transitioning from Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) into adult eating disorder services. This has given me a strong understanding of the unique challenges that can arise during this stage of life, and the importance of working collaboratively with families and support systems alongside the individual to help create a supportive and compassionate transition into adult services.
I feel privileged to support individuals in moving towards recovery and developing a more balanced and peaceful relationship with food, their body and themselves. I currently offer online sessions and can also provide therapy in Farsi if preferred.


Background and Training
I have over 19 years’ experience working within NHS mental health services assessing and treating depression and anxiety disorders, and have specialised in eating disorders for the past 11 years, working with a wide range of difficulties including Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, Binge Eating Disorder and ARFID.
I currently also lead on an NHS pathway delivering CBT-10 for Eating Disorders (CBT-T), supporting the development and delivery of evidence-based early intervention treatment within specialist services. Alongside my NHS role, I have worked in private practice since 2012.
I completed my BSc (Hons) in Psychology at Royal Holloway, University of London and later completed my postgraduate training in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy through the Charlie Waller Institute at the University of Reading. I am trained in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Eating Disorders (CBT-E), CBT-10 for Eating Disorders (CBT-T), the Maudsley Model of Anorexia Nervosa Treatment for Adults (MANTRA) and FREED (First Episode Rapid Early Intervention for Eating Disorders). Alongside this, I integrate approaches including Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and DBT-informed skills into my work where appropriate.
Therapeutic Approaches Offered

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