The BDD Clinic at The Thorndon Centre is run by people who have lived experience of image concerns and BDD.
Adam Penkul Centre Director
Psychotherapist, BDD Recovery Psychotherapist, Accredited Member of NCPS & NCIP. MA Psychology and Dip. Integrative Psychotherapy and CBT. If you are seeking support for yourself (or a loved one) because you suffer with appearance concerns or BDD, probably the most important thing you should know about Adam is that he has lived experience of severe BDD and he has not only survived, he now thrives.
He says: ‘If you struggle with your appearance, I understand, however challenging this may seem right now, there is always hope that things can be better for you, reach out and make contact, I am here to support you. BDD is an anxiety disorder that carries a lot of confusion and often shame. With me you need not feel this, I have been there and you will not be judged, shamed or blamed’.
We hope this offers you hope, Adam’s journey has involved multiple therapies and treatments and this extensive experience informs the way he works with his clients. He is a qualified accredited UK based psychotherapist and coach, working in private practice and for the past decade.
He works with clients across the English speaking world. He has also worked in clinical research, works as a school counsellor, facilitates groups, including a meditation circle and a community wellness project, runs retreats and pilgrimages and is a psychedelic assisted psychotherapist.
The subject of his MA thesis was a psycho-spiritual perspective on Body Dysmorphia. He has subsequently given public talks on the topic and travels widely to speak on the topic, raising awareness and contributing to developing standards of care. He is the main speaker and contributor to the BDD Insight Sunday Live BDD Q&A sessions which are free exclusively to anyone who suffers from BDD.
Adam has a keen interest in spirituality and studied mindfulness and meditation under the Rinzai Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh, whilst living at Plum Village, which was also an important aspect of his own healing journey and informs his work.
He works with Body Image Coach: a team of coaches, therapists, and volunteers who deliver preventative coaching programmes and therapy for teens and excel in a range of skills to support clients in their mental health around body image disorders.
Adam coaches other therapists who are working with clients who suffer from BDD and strives to bring values of authenticity, integrity, kindness and compassion in both his personal life and his work.
Our associates are:
Jennie Penkul: Psychotherapist and Accredited Member of NCPS. Jennie specialises in working with individuals who suffer from BDD and their family members. She says: ‘As the parent of someone who had severe BDD, I have real and intense, lived experience of BDD and of some of the more obscure aspects of the disorder, also, the ways in which family members can hinder or help recovery.
I’ve been a therapist working in private practice for more than twenty five years and I work as a school counsellor in London. I run support groups for family members of people who suffer with BDD and I write and facilitate workshops for parents on topics such as ‘How to talk with my teen about appearance anxiety’, Getting to grips with reassurance seeking’, ‘Help, I think my child may be developing BDD – steps you can take today’, ‘Making Sense of Family Dynamics and Trauma’, and What can I do to help my child’. You can find some of these on the shop page on this website. I also take part in the free BDD Insight Live Q&A zoom sessions.
I have contributed to The Parents' Guide to Body Dysmorphic Disorder- How to Support Your Child, Teen or Young Adult by Nicole Schnackenberg, Amita Jassi and Benedetta Monzani and have written many features on the topic. I give talks on BDD and have co-written and present the BDD Insight Programme. I’m part of the team at Body Image Coach: a team of coaches, therapists, and volunteers who deliver preventative coaching programmes for teens and excel in a range of skills to support clients in their mental health around body image disorders.
I have been a mental health advocate and I continue to work as a supervisor for therapists who work with clients who suffer with appearance anxiety and BDD.
Over recent years, my therapy work has increasingly focused on anxiety disorders including appearance concerns and BDD, this is challenging work which feels extremely important: too many individuals and families struggle with this without support and guidance. Having supported my son whilst he was suffering, and subsequently working with clients who are caught up in the beliefs and behaviours of BDD, I know that there is always more to learn about this challenging disorder: as a result my way of working is continually evolving. I am hugely grateful to my clients who trust me and bring their unique story to our sessions.’
Olivia Bowen is a coach and content creator. Accredited by the (NCIP), Olivia holds a coaching foundation degree, has ongoing eating disorders and BDD training, diplomas in counselling and MBSR, and EFT, PTLLS, PQ coaching and IFS. Olivia has authored several self-help books and has over a decade of experience working with GPs, hospitals (CMHT), Mind, and IAPT services. Olivia's expertise lies in providing and delivering exceptional psycho-educational content for schools and young people dealing with body image disorders and other mental health difficulties.