Through working in both the private sector and NHS I have experience in treating the full range of mental health problems from mild stress through to severe and enduring mental illness. I endeavour to combine an informal style with rigorous diagnostics and use an integrated approach addressing the biological, psychological and social aspects of illness. I work with both pharmacological and psychotherapeutic approaches using my background in Mindfulness, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and working with families. I work closely alongside psychotherapists and GPs valuing the containment that this golden triangle of team work can achieve.

I take an interest in the interface between mental health and the arts, setting up a series of events involving The Royal College of Psychiatrists and The Almeida.

“There is a great deal of unmapped country within us which would have to be taken into account in an explanation of our gusts and storms.”

“All meanings, we know, depend on the key of interpretation.”

“It is never too late to be what you might have been.”

“Great things are not done by impulse, but by a series of small things brought together.”

“…for the growing good of the world is partly dependent on unhistoric acts; and that things are not so ill with you and me as they might have been, is half owing to the number who lived faithfully a hidden life”

George Eliot

I studied medicine at Cambridge University and University College London. I trained in psychiatry at The Maudsley and Royal Free Hospitals and have worked in Sydney, Hong Kong and London. Until 2014 I worked as an NHS consultant psychiatrist in Kensington and Chelsea, and had been there since 2007. I have worked both in general psychiatry and in eating disorders.

I support occupational health at The House of Commons and also British Airways seeing pilots and MPs. I also hold an honorary contract at the Royal College of Art where I support the student counselling service. I am an honorary lecturer at Imperial College Medical School. I teach psychologists and medical students, supervise trainee psychiatrists and have mentored for newly appointed NHS consultants.

I provide consultation liaison support for Cleveland Clinic London.

“Animals are such agreeable friends―they ask no questions, they pass no criticisms.”
George Eliot

“Dogs love their friends and bite their enemies, quite unlike people, who are incapable of pure love and always have to mix love and hate.”
Sigmund Freud

Arkell J: Book Review ‘All I Ever Wanted to Know About Treating Pilots’. Aviation Psychology and Applied Human Factors (2018) 8(1), 54-57

I have contributed a chapter ‘Prescribing in Pilots’ for a forthcoming book ‘Pilot Selection’ edited by Professor Bor, to be published by Taylor & Francis Group (2020).

Robinson, P. (2009) Severe and Enduring Eating Disorders. Wiley (Contributor)

Arkell, J., Robinson, P. (2008) A pilot case series using qualitative and quantitative methods: Biological, psychological and social outcome in severe and enduring eating disorder (anorexia nervosa). International Journal of Eating Disorders. Volume 41, No 7, pp. 650-656.

Shoenberg, P. (2007) “Psychosomatics. The Uses of Psychotherapy.” Palgrave. (Contributor)

Arkell. J., Osborn D.P.J., King, M.B. (2006) Factors associated with anxiety in those attending an STI clinic, a qualitative study. International Journal of STD and AIDS, Volume 17, No 5, pp. 299-303.

King, M.B., Green, J., Osborn, D.P.J., Arkell, J., Hetherton, J., Pereira, E. (2005) Family size in gay men, a cross-sectional survey. Archives of Sexual Behavior, Volume 34, No 1, pp. 119-124.

Wright, S., Shanks, J., Scott, H., Arkell. J., Thornicroft, G., Glover, G. (1998) “Second Croydon Acute Psychiatric Bed Study.” Croydon Health Authority / Institute of Psychiatry.

Shanks, J. et al (1998) “The Annual Report of The Director of Public Health 1998.” Croydon Health Authority. (Contributor)

“1998 Croydon Mental Health Strategy” Croydon Health Authority. (Contributor)

Robertson. M., Katona, C. (1995) “Psychiatry at a Glance.” Blackwell.  (Assistant Editor)

Co-author: ‘Service Providers’ Perceptions of the Strengths and Prospective Improvements in UK Eating Disorder Services: Findings from a Royal College Survey’. European Eating Disorders Review 2012 May;20(3):225-31

Co-author of Eating Disorders in the UK. Service distribution, service development and training. Report from the Section of Eating Disorders Council report CR 87 – revised Jan 2011 Royal College of Psychiatrists, London

‘More Needs She the Divine Than the Doctor’ Article on narrative in psychiatry for 2009 London Division Newsletter

‘Front of House psychiatrist’ Article on theatre in psychiatry 2010 London Division Newsletter

The Times – Dogs helping us through lockdown

The Guardian – Me and my quarter life crisis

Unherd – What’s bugging the millenials

Huffington Post – How mindfulness improves mental health

MDedge – Mental health patients flocking to emergency departments

The Telegraph – I discovered I was a ‘dry drunk’. Could you be one too?

The Hippocratic Post – Does my child have an eating disorder?

Mirror – TV presenter Joan Bakewell claims anorexia in young people is ‘self indulgent’

The Times – Oxford branded ‘toxic’ after student suicides

Managing your Mental Health – Carlie Tufnell Exhibition