National Eating Disorders Recovery Centre

About Us

Our Team

The National Eating Disorders Recovery Centre (NEDRC) supports a realistic view to health and weight. We incorporate WHO, NICE, MEED and the HSE Model of Care for Eating Disorders guidelines along with elements of Health at Every Size (HAES) principles, Intuitive Eating and Therapeutic Movement. We approach each individual with a holistic view, using the Medical (where required), Therapeutic, Psychosocial and Recovery models.

Our Consultant Psychiatrists have a vast array of experience from the HSE, NHS, private and public facilities and are all registered with the Irish Medical Council (IMC) and the College of Psychiatrists of Ireland.

Dr Malcolm Garland, Clinical Director & Consultant Psychiatrist

Our Clinical Director & Consultant Psychiatrist is held in great esteem in the Psychiatry profession. Having many years experience as Consultant Psychiatrist in the HSE, we are honoured to have such an experienced and knowledgeable Clinical Director as part of our team. Dr Garland is very open to other approaches alongside the medical model, such as a therapeutic and bio-social model which he encourages.

Dr Joanna Boothroyd

Dr Boothroyd has worked across general medicine, general practice and Psychiatry for many years. Along with raising her own family, she has kept updated and skilled in the area of Psychiatry. She offers a practical, down-to-earth approach and has a strong interest in the therapeutic process of helping clients and looking at alternative ways to help clients manage their emotions and trauma.

Carla Johnston, Director of Services

Carla Johnston, Director of Services, has worked in Healthcare in various roles for many years and leads the wonderful NEDRC team in providing a quality, person-centred service. Carla has worked hard to improve Mental Health Commission compliance whilst working with other services and managed to bring up their compliance ratings until she spread her wings to NEDRC. Carla keeps up-to-date with the most recent evidence and treatments in eating disorders care.

Niall Murphy, Assistant Director of Services

Niall Murphy, Assistant Director of Services comes from a background of adult, adolescent and pediatric services having worked in A&E, Medical, Surgical and Mental Health. Niall has excellent skills around the identification of physical deterioration and fast interventions when needed. Niall is driven by improving client’s quality of life and encouraging different approaches until the client feels they have reached the right one for themself.

Dr Andreana Pulcrano Chartered Clinical Psychologist PSI, FTAI, OsSI.

Dr Andreana Pulcrano, PSI registered Charted Clinical Psychologist, Psychotherapist & FTAI accredited Family Therapist.

Andreana has worked in public and private practice in Ireland and Italy for many years. Her skills include assessments, individual and group work. She has worked as a staff trainer and delivered parental support.

With dynamic experience in mental health, Andreana has particular skills with clients who have autism, ADHD & associated conditions. Andreana works with children, teenagers and adults. She takes a person-centred approach and aims to meet clients were they are at and work towards progress and improving their life experiences.

Dr Natalia Putrino, Counselling Psychologist Chartered Member of PSI

Natalia has a strong background in Psychology both in study and practice. She has also been heavily involved in research and published materials. She is a supervisor for a BSc in Psychology course in Dublin and lectures in Psychology and Psychotherapy. Natalia has experience in working with both adults and adolescents and focuses on providing clients on tools they can use in managing their emotions and more widely within their life, eg CBT and DBT. Natalia helps clients with emotional regulation techniques and helps them to discover and build on their own strengths.

Alia Gomez Ben-issa Child and Adolescents Psychotherapist PSI, APPI & ICP.

Alia is a qualified, registered and experienced Psychotherapist. A member of the PSI, APPI & ICP, with a Degree in Psychology and a Masters in Psychotherapy and numerous Continuous Professional Development interventions, she offers a thorough understanding of mental health. At the core of Alia’s practice, is the belief in the exclusivity and uniqueness of each individual, hence the importance of tailoring each therapeutic intervention to suit the individual need of each client.

Having worked in the public, private and NGO sectors, Alia has enriched her practice by having the opportunity to work with a various range of clients from children, adolescents and adults. Alia has a warm personality and uses this along with her therapeutic techniques to help the client uncover, unravel and find solutions to their difficulties. She has vast experience with clients having difficulties with emotional recognition and emotional regulation difficulties which can result in the person feeling “empty” or “too full of emotions- feeling everything at the same time”, these feeling can result in the person engaging in self-destructive behaviours, either impulsive or isolation. Alia works from a trauma informed basis and walks with clients through their trauma with the aim of reducing self-blame and being able to move on with their life to reach their true potential.

Paul Quinn, BACP accredited Psychotherapist. BSc, H.Dip.

Paul uses a trauma informed approach in his work with clients. Paul has worked across the life-span of children, adolescents and adults. His practical approach to issues and solutions relates well particularly with clients who have emotional and behavioural regulation difficulties. Paul seeks to discover with the client how certain relationships and situations trigger dysfunctional responses and together explore new ways to interact and relate more effectively thus developing confidence and self-belief to achieve a life with meaning and purpose.

Clive Rooney Psychotherapist, CBT Therapist & Schema therapy (ST)

Clive is a registered Psychotherapist & CBT Therapist. A member of the IACP and holds a BA (Hons) Psychology, H.Dip Psychoanalysis, BSc (Hons) Counselling & Psychotherapy, MA Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).

Clive uses a CBT approach to formulate a treatment plan and empower clients to become proficient in managing their distress in relation to emotions, feelings, eating disorder behaviours, OCD and behaviours such as self-harm. Clive is a compassionate and empathic Therapist and aims to help clients become more self-sufficient, resilient and compassionate towards themselves using the tools developed while working with Clive. Clive has experience of working with both adolescents and adults in the public and private healthcare settings.

Clive Rooney Psychotherapist & CBT Therapist.

Karen Mertig Social Worker and Family Therapist. Coru & Teaching Counselling registered.

Karen Mertig Social Worker and Family Therapist. Coru & Teaching Counselling registered. Holds a BSc Psychology, MA Social Worker & multiple relevant CPD certificates & diplomas.

Karen has a wealth of knowledge & experience with young people, adults & families. From working as senior social worker in both mental and general health Hospitals (children’s Hospital included), lecturing at University level to social work students and as family therapist to families experiencing conflict, distress, crisis, trauma and providing intervention. Karen has worked with clients who have various mental health difficulties including eating disorders, other complex conditions, CSA, substance abuse and guidance counselling to young people.

Tamara Chaal BSc Human Dietetics and Nutrition TCD CORU registered Dietitian

Tamara Chaal holds a BSc in Human Nutrition and Dietetics from Trinity College Dublin and is a member of INDI. Tamara has an open, friendly approach which helps clients to feel more at ease. She takes a practical approach and meets clients where they are at in order to move forward.

Tamara has a keen interest in cooking, baking and enjoys hiking.

Michael Metoudi, Coru registered Dietitian BSc, MSc.

Michael comes from a strong scientific and research background having worked at Guy’s Hospital, King’s College London and University College Dublin as Senior Research Assistant. Michael possesses great knowledge around the scientific rationale for the importance of human nutrition, functions and meal planning and has a friendly, approachable way in helping clients understand this.

Claudia Guerrico Diaz- Coru registered Dietician

Claudia has completed a multitude of postgraduate and Master’s level University Dietetic related courses, including working with adolescents, treatment of food disorders and primary health care. She has worked in the Hospital setting within the Multidisciplinary team, primary care and as Dietetic Consultant to Schools regarding meal plans. Claudia has also spent time as a University Lecturer in Dietetics. She is available to see both adolescents and adults with an eating disorder and disordered eating behaviours. Claudia works as a Consultant Dietitian with NEDRC.

Mental Health Social Workers, Mental Health Physiotherapist, Movement therapist

We have Mental Health Social Workers, Mental Health Physiotherapists & Movement therapists who can assist in and support families/ loved ones in high stress situations and advise on services and options available to them.

Start your recovery journey today

Give us a call to schedule an appointment.

Phone: 01 564 4450 / 087 7755996