Dr Helena Fox

Biography

Dr Helena Fox has worked as a Consultant Psychiatrist on the specialist Eating Disorder Unit at the Capio Nightingale Hospital since 2003. She treats patients suffering from Eating Disorders including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorders, other eating disorders and diagnostic issues. She also treats patients with general psychiatric conditions such as depression, anxiety, stress, obsessive-compulsive disorder, bipolar disorder and psychoses. The eating disorders often co-exist with the latter as a dual diagnosis. Dr Fox is experienced in applying a range of treatments from the psychotherapies to medications and works in conjunction with a specialist multidisciplinary team of expert therapists. This includes psychotherapists (dynamic and cognitive- behavioural), psychologists, dietician, occupational therapist, nursing staff and family therapists. The team offers care at outpatient, day patient and inpatient levels depending on the severity of the disorder.

Dr Fox qualified in medicine at the Royal Free Hospital School of Medicine in 1982. Following this she worked in the fields of Obstetrics & Gynaecology and Casualty then began to specialise in Psychiatry in 1984. She trained at Kings College and the Maudsley Hospitals in London and in 1989 gained Membership of the Royal College of Psychiatrists. She became a Senior Registrar on the Oxford Part time training scheme and gained a CCST in General Adult Psychiatry 1998. During this time, she gained extensive experience in acute general psychiatry and psychological treatment methods including individual and group dynamic psychotherapy In addition, she holds a certificate in Cognitive Therapy (Oxford Post Qualification course 1994). Using this relevant experience, she started to work in the field of Eating Disorders. She worked as an NHS Consultant in Buckinghamshire from 1999 – 2003. This post included acute general psychiatry for adults and Project Leadership for setting up a new adult eating disorder service in Buckinghamshire and appointing an outpatient specialist team for the county. This service is now combined with Oxfordshire. In 2003, she moved into private practice to work with the specialist Eating Disorder team at Capio Nightingale Hospital.

Dr Fox also teaches and lectures. She has recently given a series of educative talks to schools, medical colleagues and allied professions about various aspects of eating disorders including, ‘Anorexia and Bulimia Nervosa: Current Management Menu’, ’The Dangers of Dieting’, and ‘Eating Disorders and Reproduction’.

Talks given and patient information

'Extreme Dieting Can Permanently Wreck Your Health' Interview reported in Mirror 7/4/2008

'Help Yourself with Bibliotherapy: 20 of the best self-help guides for feeling good'. 2008 Patient information leaflet given as a guide in clinic 2008 Dr Helena Fox

'Will I be able to Have a Baby?; The hidden impact of Eating Disorders' 2007. Dr Helena Fox - Summary of lecture given to medical professionals.

'The Dangers of Dieting'. 2004. Dr Helena Fox - Summary of a series of talks given to school pupils and staff