Light of Mind practitioner Jess oozes passion, humour and determination. She also has a gentle vulnerability that means that people tend to immediately warm to her and feel safe in her presence.
Her intention and joy are to support the people she works alongside to move to a place of self-actualisation; where they can be ‘unashamedly them’. Jess graduated from Redlands Counselling school with a diploma in humanistic psychotherapy . She is also trained in low intensity cognitive behavioral therapy for eating disorders. Jess is currently studying to be a MANTRA therapist at the Maudsley as well as this she is in her final year of studying her master’s in counselling and psychotherapy practice (with a specialism in eating disorders).
Jess’s experiences and journey is varied and dynamic she has true empathy for her clients given she journeyed through her own recovery from an eating disorder as a teenager. Her first role was as peer support worker in the eating disorder service where she was treated. Jess has a passion for early intervention and has set up charities, worked within schools and consulted on many national projects. Jess believes that it is possible for all to connect with their innate health and wellbeing.
Jess is so delighted to be joining the Light of Mind team. Jess is on the journey of discovery and loves to grow and learn about others and well as herself. She has a thirst for knowledge and connection with all different types of people. Jess sees beyond someone’s illness or presenting problem and is able to speak directly to their health.
Jess has been married for 18 years, and has three wonderful children. She lives in Dorset alongside the family dog Jarvis and their cats Matty and Hatti.
Credentials
She is a:
- BACP Accredited humanistic psychotherapist
- Low intensity CBT for eating disorders therapist
Jess came to share her Light within the Light of Mind team in 2023. Mary and Jess met when Jess joined one of Marys’ supervision groups on the training programme at Maudsley Learning. Mary instantly recognized their similarities in their therapeutic approach and theoretical ethos. Jess and Mary found a beautiful connection when sharing their views around physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing.
Jess is:
- Lived Experience Lead; Maudsley Learning MANTRA training programme and Eating Disorders Services Training for Adults
- National Co-Lead for FREED (First episode Rapid Early Intervention for Eating Disorders) at the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust
- Parliamentary Health Service Ombudsman’s (PHSO) Delivery Group Co-Chair for NHS-England Adult Eating Disorders Programme
- A soon to be author of Eating Disorders: The Basics (first book being published in December 2023). This book has been written alongside Professor Janet Treasure and Dr Elizabeth McNaught and features lived experiences stories from 25 people who have journeyed through their recovery from an eating disorder.
- Previous clinical lead for the leading UK national charity: BEAT
- A keen musician, runner and reader.
Publications
Davey, E., Bennett, S.D., Bryant-Waugh, R. et al. Low intensity psychological interventions for the treatment of feeding and eating disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Eat Disord 11, 56 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40337-023-00775-2
Muir S, Newell C, Griffiths J, Walker K, Hooper H, Thomas S, Thomas PW, Arcelus J, Day J, Appleton KM. MotivATE: A Pretreatment Web-Based Program to Improve Attendance at UK Outpatient Services Among Adults With Eating Disorders. JMIR Res Protoc. 2017 Jul 26;6(7):e146. doi: 10.2196/resprot.7440. PMID: 28747295; PMCID: PMC5550733.
Jess features within the eating disorders chapter of Stacey Dooley’s book:
https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/442571/are-you-really-ok-by-dooley-stacey/9781785947032
Jess co-chaired the expert reference group that wrote the adult eating disorders commissioning guidance:
https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/aed-guidance.pdf
Media
Netflix information video for ‘the Crown’ https://www.wannatalkaboutit.com/gb/self-harm/?fbclid=IwAR1LJRc5Ot6Gs4DdkpJVOEaJEcMA0ICGs3TxM-WeLTQzlNgDC1NwEOotcd8
BBC Radio 4 Women’s Hour discussing covid-19 and eating disorders https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000h0tr
BBC Breakfast appearance with Sue Grahame on the anniversary of her daughter Nikki Grahame’s death from anorexia nervosa https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpy5QMpabSQ
BBC London appearance discussing the impact of Covid-19 on people with eating disorders https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4TDIL0eDEsk
BBC national news discussing eating disorders training for GPs: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-60560659
ITV – Loose women – discussing men with eating disorders with James Argent https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCHDR7oUDpE&list=PLh1Gra3GIh_EEEBXw9MF7VxRAdhq-PO1H&index=10
Podcasts
Jess Griffiths | Everything you need to know about Binge Eating Disorder
Jess Griffiths joins Emma Guns in this episode of 'The Emma Guns Show' to discuss eating disorders, in particular, binge-eating disorder.
Listen nowBEATing ED's Together
In this episode of 'The Full of Beans Podcast', Han is joined by BEAT's Clinical Lead, Jess Griffiths. BEAT is the UK's leading eating disorder charity which is on a mission to end the pain and suffering associated with eating disorders through support, helplines, and campaigns.
Listen now