Working together to optimise your mental and physical wellbeing.

Addiction is a chronic condition characterised through compulsive engagement in behaviours despite harmful consequences. The forms of addiction we treat cover both the traditional substance use disorders of alcohol and narcotics, but we also work with clients with behavioural addictions such as gambling, gaming, and food.

AD(H)D, or Attention Deficient (Hyperactive) Disorder is a neurodevelopmental disorder that impacts attention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. Individuals with ADHD or ADD may struggle with organisation, staying focused, and completing tasks, often leading to challenges in school, work, and relationships. At The Open Practice we both work with clients to actively treat the symptoms of AD(H)D, whilst also acknowledging the affects AD(H)D may have in the treatment approaches for other challenges our clients may be facing.

Agoraphobia a form of anxiety disorder typically where the anxiety an individual experiences is determined by the distance from safety, more often than not considered to be home. Common feared situations include crowded spaces, open areas, using public transportation, or being outside of the home alone. People with agoraphobia often avoid these situations, and in severe cases, they may become housebound. Agoraphobia is frequently associated with panic disorder, as individuals fear having panic attacks, losing control, fainting or collapsing in places where they feel trapped. One particularly challenging experience of Agoraphobia is growing avoidance, this can make finding help even more challenging. That is why we work with our clients to suit their needs, so if they find remote contact easier to start with, we are ready to adjust any treatments to our individual client’s needs.

ASD, or Autism Spectrum Disorder is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects social interaction, communication, and behaviour. Symptoms range from mild to severe, and individuals may have difficulty understanding social cues or exhibit repetitive behaviours. As is the case with AD(H)D, ASD exists on a spectrum, where individuals with ASD may show certain behaviours and characteristics but not others. At The Open Practice we see the person in front of us, working with everything that makes them unique to help them overcome any challenges they may be facing.

While anger is a normal emotion and sometimes necessary within certain situations, when this anger response is activated too often, or when not appropriate it can lead to damaging outcomes for both the individual and those around them. Anger management refers to the techniques and therapies aimed at helping individuals control their anger and express it in healthier ways.

Anxiety has traditionally been a tool to help us survive and prepare for many of life’s challenges, however it can also often lead to many maladaptive behaviours which can perpetuate damaging outcomes. Anxiety is characterised through excessive worry, fear, or nervousness. It can manifest through physical symptoms like sweating, rapid heart rate, and restlessness; behavioural symptoms like avoidance; and cognitive symptoms such as negative thought patterns and misinterpretations of internal or external stimuli. Anxiety disorders come in many forms, often interfering with many aspects of daily life, stressors about the past, or worries about how the future may turn out.

Anorexia Nervosa is an eating disorder marked by extreme restriction of food intake, intense fear of gaining weight, and a distorted body image. Anorexia Nervosa can lead to serious maladaptive outcomes, with sometime life-threatening physical complications. At The Open Practice our multi-disciplinary team is at the heart of everything we do. Meaning that not only are all our practitioners in close contact and informed by the latest developments in nutritional therapy; but also, that they understand the multi-dimensionality that comes with treating Anorexia Nervosa.

An autoimmune condition occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks the body's own healthy cells instead of foreign invaders like bacteria. This leads to inflammation and damage in affected areas. Common autoimmune diseases include rheumatoid arthritis (joints), lupus (multiple organs), type 1 diabetes (pancreas), and multiple sclerosis (nervous system). The cause is often a mix of genetics and environmental triggers. Treatment focuses on managing symptoms, reducing inflammation, and suppressing the immune response to prevent further damage. At The Open Practice alongside physical therapy, we offer nutritional therapy to advise on diet, intolerances, gut health, and nutrient support. 

Bipolar Disorder is a mental health condition generally characterised through extreme mood swings, including manic (high-energy, overly excited) and depressive episodes (low energy, sadness). Although bipolar also exists in various forms, not everyone with bipolar experiences both manic and depressive episodes. These mood shifts can disrupt daily life and relationships making it difficult to obtain stability in ones life. Here at The Open Practice, we not only work with an individual to help them in their current time of need, but plan together to find ways of maintain stability throughout any potential times of need.

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a personality disorder that affects emotional regulation, that can lead to intense mood swings, impulsive behaviours, and unstable relationships. Individuals with BPD may struggle with self-image and fear of abandonment. From firsthand experience with our clients and their families, we know that individuals with BPD often contend with a variety of additional challenges. That’s why, at The Open Practice we work alongside our clients to help them overcome whatever they may be facing, regardless of the situation they are coming from.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) refers to a group of disorders affecting the heart and blood vessels. Conditions include coronary artery disease, heart failure, arrhythmias, and stroke. CVD often results from factors like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, leading to narrowed or blocked blood vessels that can cause heart attacks, strokes, or other complications.

The Open Practice may help manage or prevent CVD through an integrated approach focused on lifestyle changes such as nutritional guidance or stress management techniques like mindfulness.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), also known as Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME), is a complex and long-term condition characterised by extreme fatigue that does not improve with rest and worsens with physical or mental activity. It often includes muscle and joint pain, headaches, memory problems, and sleep disturbances. The exact cause is unclear, but potential triggers include viral infections, immune dysfunction, and hormonal imbalances.

There is no cure for CFS/ME but our team can help improve quality of life, with treatments such as Vagus Nerve Optimisation to improve sleep, Nutritional Therapy and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) to help cope with the psychological aspects of the illness.

Chronic pain can have a profound effect on both physical and psychological wellbeing and can lead to a number of additional complications. At The Open Practice we understand that pain can have both physical or psychological causes as well as physical and psychological solutions. That is why we have our multidisciplinary team who work with clients to find the solution that best suits their individual needs. 

Depression is one of the most common mental health conditions, characterised through persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and lack of interest or pleasure in activities. It can impact sleep, appetite, energy levels, and overall functioning. Depression is particularly known for placing a ‘filter’ over every aspect of an individual’s life, reinforcing barriers which distance them from recovery. Helping to maintain an individual’s experience of depression by preventing them from viewing a future in which their negative experience will ever end. At The Open Practice, we know that while depression may be the only issue in play, it often develops from and alongside a range of other challenges, both mental and physical. And as with all reasons our clients come to us, we aim to work with them to tackle the depression and the situation which led to it, not simply treat the current symptoms and leave it at that.

Diabetes is a chronic condition where the body can't properly regulate blood sugar (glucose) levels. In Type 1 diabetes, the immune system mistakenly attacks insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, leading to little or no insulin production. In Type 2 diabetes, the body either doesn't produce enough insulin or becomes resistant to it. Without proper insulin function, glucose can't enter cells, leading to high blood sugar. Over time, this can damage organs, nerves, and blood vessels. Managing diabetes involves regular monitoring, a healthy diet, exercise, and sometimes medication or insulin to maintain normal blood sugar levels. 

Dyslexia is classified as a specific learning disorder that affects reading and writing abilities. Individuals with dyslexia may have trouble recognising words, spelling, with slower word processing, but it does not affect overall intelligence. Even more so than usual, as is the case with other learning and neurodevelopmental disorders, individuals with dyslexia may have different learn styles, finding certain mediums harder to understand and connect with than others. At The Open Practice we acknowledge these differences and work with our clients to help best support them in whatever form this may take.

Dyspraxia is classified as a specific learning disorder affecting physical coordination. It impacts both fine (detailed and small scale movements) and gross (large scale movements) motor skills. It can make physical tasks such as writing, tying shoelaces, or playing sports difficult, but also can lead to complications in concentration, perception and communication. Even more so than usual, as is the case with other learning and neurodevelopmental disorders, individuals with dyspraxia may have different learn styles, finding certain mediums harder to understand and connect with than others. At The Open Practice we acknowledge these differences and work with our clients to help best support them in whatever form this may take.

Eating disorders encompass a range of conditions, including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder. They involve unhealthy relationships with food, body image, and eating behaviours, often accompanied by emotional distress and a range of other challenges, encompassing psychological, physical and social domains. At The Open Practice our multi-disciplinary team is at the heart of everything we do. This means that not only do we have a nutritional therapist central to our team, but that all of our practitioners are informed by the latest developments in nutritional therapy, allowing us to effectively work with our clients to provide evidenced based support in a manner that suits our individual client’s needs.

Infertility is the inability to conceive after one year of regular, unprotected intercourse, or six months for women over 35. Factors such as age, lifestyle, and underlying health conditions can contribute to infertility. Scientific evidence suggests that nutrition plays a crucial role and diet is intertwined with various factors, including lifestyle, exercise, weight management, income level, and stress. The Open Practice offers support by providing personalised Nutritional Therapy, lifestyle modifications, and stress management strategies to enhance overall well-being and improve fertility outcomes.

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition characterised by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and cognitive difficulties. Its exact cause is unknown, but it may involve a combination of genetic, environmental, and psychological factors. Symptoms can vary in intensity and may be triggered by stress, physical activity, or hormonal changes. Research indicates that nutrition and lifestyle choices can significantly impact the management of fibromyalgia. A balanced diet, regular exercise, and stress management techniques may help alleviate symptoms and improve overall quality of life.

The Open Practice offers personalised nutritional guidance, CBT and Mindfulness stress reduction strategies tailored to your needs. Our approach aims to empower you to manage your symptoms effectively and enhance your well-being.

Low self-esteem is characterised by a negative perception of oneself, leading to feelings of inadequacy, worthlessness, or self-doubt. It can affect relationships, decision-making, and overall mental well-being. While low self-esteem may be present on its own, but it often coincides with a range of other challenges. Individuals with low self-esteem may find themselves particularly frustrated when seemingly limited by their own insecurities. However, here at The Open Practice we understand that it is not so simple to suddenly feel differently, it takes time, patience and determination, but all of these processes can be helped when working together to understand and overcome such challenges.

Menopause is the natural biological process marking the end of menstruation and fertility in women. It can bring about physical and emotional symptoms like hot flashes, mood swings, and anxiety, impacting mental and physical health. Given that it affects every women on the planet, its surprisingly often left out of the conversation when treating psychological and physical health of women for whom it affects. Along with understanding the effects of the menstrual cycle on women’s health, understanding and working with the affects of menopause is a key component of how The Open Practice operates, working with our clients in their best interests regardless of what stage of life they are in.

OCD, or Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is an anxiety disorder characterised through unwanted obsessions (intrusive thoughts, images) and compulsions (rituals, urges and behavioural responses to the thoughts) performed to alleviate distress. Although in reality these tendencies only lower the experience of short term distress whilst perpetuating the distress individuals can experience in the long run. OCD is a pervasive condition which is emphasised through its continual rumination, interfering with various different daily functions, which can impact both an individual’s life and loved ones around them. OCD can often have a strong social and systematic component, that is why at The Open Practice we work with clients and their larger family systems to work together to help alleviate the distress that is being caused.

Panic attacks are sudden episodes of intense fear, discomfort or feelings of doom, often accompanied by physical symptoms like shortness of breath, chest pain, or dizziness. They can occur unexpectedly, or be related to a wide range of psychological factors, in some situations they can lead to panic disorder. Panic attacks can be extremely scary for those who experience them. That is why at The Open Practice, our practitioners focus on normalising the process for our clients, helping them understand the physiological and psychological processes behind the attacks, while working together to alleviate the is the problem.

Panic Disorder is an anxiety disorder characterised through recurrent, unexpected panic attacks, marked by sudden episodes of intense fear or discomfort that peak within minutes. Individuals with panic disorder often live in fear of having another panic attack, which leads to avoidant behaviours, which in turn perpetuate the experiences of anxiety, potentially impacting daily functioning and quality of life. Panic Disorder differs from occasional panic attacks, as the fear and avoidance behaviour become persistent and overwhelming. Panic attacks can be extremely scary for those who experience them. That is why at The Open Practice, we work with our clients to normalise and explain the psychological and physiological processes behind panic attacks and work together to break out of the vicious cycle of avoidance and maintenance.

Physical health encompasses the overall well-being of the body. psychological and physical health are closely linked, with physical health issues often affecting psychological well-being and vice versa. At the Open Practice we not only work with psychological well-being, but physical health as well, understanding how the two are interlinked. Our multidisciplinary team encompasses specialists not only of the mind, but the body as well, working with our clients regardless of what challenges they are facing. See our team for more information on the physical practitioners we have.

PTSD, or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is a mental health condition which can develop after experiencing or witnessing trauma, leading to intrusive memories, flashbacks, and nightmares. Avoidance of reminders, hypervigilance, and negative mood changes often follow, making everyday life challenging. Overcoming PTSD can be challenging because trauma is often re-experienced unpredictably, even by innocuous stimuli and avoidance can lead to isolation and impaired functioning. Chronic hyperarousal can cause physical exhaustion and disrupt sleep, while feelings of guilt, shame, and mistrust may affect relationships. To make things harder, PTSD often co-occurs with depression, anxiety, and substance abuse, complicating recovery.

Here at The Open Practice we have practitioners who have worked with simple and complex forms of trauma for decades. Recent developments in understanding the effects trauma on the brain and body provide even more accessible ways that our practitioners can work together with their clients to overcome the barriers to not only functional recovery, to experience post-traumatic growth as well.

Sleep disorders disrupt normal sleep patterns and include conditions like insomnia, where falling or staying asleep is difficult; sleep apnea, which causes breathing interruptions during sleep; and restless leg syndrome (RLS), leading to discomfort and the need to move the legs. These disorders can lead to fatigue, poor concentration, irritability, and worsen psychological well-being. Sleep disorders exist on their own or can often develop alongside other psychological and physical challenges.

Social Anxiety, also known as Social Phobia, is a common form of anxiety characterised through an intense fear of social situations where an individual might be judged, criticized, or humiliated. This can include public speaking, meeting new people, or even everyday activities like eating in public. People with social anxiety often fear embarrassing themselves in front of others, leading them to avoid social interactions. Social anxiety can affect a person's social life, work, and relationships, as the fear of social scrutiny becomes overwhelming. It is this overwhelming aspect of social anxiety and the tendency to avoid stressful situations that can quickly make individuals world shrink, further exacerbating the challenges in play. This is why at The Open Practice we work with our clients to slowly increase their world of comfort, to allow them to thrive in life, not only survive.

Somatic disorders involve the experience of physical symptoms that cannot be fully explained by medical conditions. The distress is real, but its roots are often psychological, leading to significant impairment in daily functioning. The exact root causes of any somatic disorder varying the individual. That is why at The Open Practice we work with our clients to figure out what is causing the distress, and together work towards relief and recovery.

Specific Phobias, also known as Simple Phobias, involve an intense, irrational fear of a particular object or situation, such as heights (acrophobia), spiders (arachnophobia), or flying (aviophobia). Individuals with specific phobias tend to be symptom free when not in contact with the phobic stimulus or in anticipation of a phobic situation. Exposure to the feared object or situation can trigger immediate anxiety or panic, often leading individuals to avoid the trigger entirely, which may sometimes appear to be an adaptive strategy but turn out to be maladaptive coping strategies. While individuals with simple phobias generally recognise their fear as excessive, they still no easier to discount or control.

An unexplained medical condition refers to persistent physical symptoms that doctors are unable to diagnose. These conditions can cause frustration, anxiety, and a sense of helplessness for individuals, as the cause of their symptoms remains unclear. This type of condition highlights where The Open Practice can be truly insightful. Clients can benefit from the multidisciplinary team at the core of our approach, not only to help explore the underlying causes of the condition but also to provide a multidimensional approach to treatment.