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, 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 leading our team.

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 NEDRC team in providing a quality, person-centred service. Carla has worked hard to improve Mental Health Commission compliance whilst working for other services and managed to bring up their compliance until herself and the successful, award winning team spread their wings to NEDRC.

Niall Murphy, Clinical Nurse Manager

Niall Murphy, Clinical Nurse Manager and comes from a background of adult, adolescent and paediatric 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.

Andreana Pulcrano Chartered Clinical Psychologist PSI, FTAI, OsSI.

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, Clinical Psychologist 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. 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.

Sheila Joyce, Registered Psychologist & Behaviour Support Practioner.

Sheila Joyce, Registered Psychologist & Behaviour Support Practioner has experience in providing psychological assessments across the lifespan. Sheila’s practice is trauma informed coming from experience of working with people with mood and personality disorders, ASD, ADHD and neurological disorders. Sheila uses interventions such as CBT, DBT and ACT when indicated along with other evidence-based interventions appropriate to the clients’ needs.

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.

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.

Becky Lyons Coru registered Dietician BSc, MSc in Clinical Nutrition & Dietetics

Becky is a highly motivated, enthusiastic Dietician, interested in helping clients to get the results they require. She is also very interested in research and has participated in several scientific studies. Becky has worked with children and adults and has particular skills in relation to sports, exercise, nutrition and how they can complement each other. She has an approachable manner and is client centred with a particular skill in relating to adolescents and young people.

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