Dr. Esther Dark, PhD, MSc OT, PGCert Sensory Integration

​Welcome.

My name is Esther, founder of CherishED and a Specialist Occupational Therapist with extensive clinical experience working across NHS mental health services.

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Throughout my career, I have been passionate about supporting people to rediscover hope, purpose and identity beyond mental illness. I have experience supporting adults and young people with complex eating disorders in both community and outpatient settings. Alongside this, I have worked across community mental health, CAMHS and acute inpatient services, giving me a broad understanding of recovery across different stages of life and levels of need.

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My clinical expertise includes occupational therapy for eating disorders, sensory processing, emotional regulation, functional rehabilitation, identity and values-based recovery. I am passionate about helping individuals rebuild their confidence, develop practical life skills and reconnect with the occupations, relationships and their values which make life meaningful.

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I hold a Master's degree in Occupational Therapy with Distinction, a Postgraduate Certificate in Sensory Integration and a doctorate in Health Sciences. My research has explored occupational identity and meaning in eating disorder recovery, reflecting my belief that recovery from an eating disorder extends beyond symptom reduction; but centres upon helping people reconnect with who they are and build lives that feel meaningful and worthwhile.

My approach is compassionate, collaborative and person-centred. I believe every individual has inherent value and the capacity for recovery. Through specialist occupational therapy, I aim to help people develop practical skills, rebuild motivation, reconnect with their values and create a life that is no longer defined by their eating disorder.