Angela Mcilhagger

Online Services Across the UK 

Available Tuesday to Thursday between 9.30am and 3pm. 

CBT Therapist for PMDD, Emotional Regulation, and Eating Patterns.

Many of the people I work with feel stuck in patterns they understand intellectually but still struggle to change.

I work with women who feel caught between high self-expectations and intense self-criticism, often alongside cyclical mood changes or difficulties with eating.

These patterns may show up as feeling like a different person at certain points in your cycle, moving between trying to stay in control and then feeling out of control with food, or experiencing a persistent sense of not being good enough despite trying very hard to manage things well.

You may recognise yourself if:

鈥� your mood shifts significantly across your cycle

鈥� you move between trying to be 鈥渋n control鈥� and feeling out of control with food

鈥� you hold yourself to very high standards but still feel not good enough

鈥� you understand your patterns intellectually but still struggle to change them

My approach is grounded in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and integrates compassion-based principles and behavioural science. Therapy is structured, collaborative, and focused on helping you understand what maintains the pattern. Together we develop a shared formulation of how the difficulty operates and gradually test new responses between sessions in ways that feel manageable and realistic.

Where clinically appropriate, and within my remit as a nutritional health coach, we may also explore how everyday habits such as sleep, routine, and eating patterns interact with mood and emotional wellbeing. This remains secondary to the psychological work and is introduced carefully to support stability rather than control.

This approach tends to be most helpful for people who are open to exploring patterns in depth and actively testing new ways of responding between sessions.

I work with clients across the UK through secure online therapy, allowing people to access support regardless of location.

I offer individual CBT-based therapy for women experiencing patterns such as:

鈥� cyclical mood changes, including PMDD-related difficulties

鈥� binge eating, bulimia, or cycles of bingeing followed by restriction or excessive exercise

鈥� persistent self-criticism and feelings of not being good enough

鈥� body image distress or body dysmorphic concerns

鈥� anxiety, low mood, or burnout linked to high self-expectations

Often the people I work with are thoughtful, capable individuals who hold themselves to very high standards. Despite insight and strong self-discipline, they may find themselves caught in cycles of control, self-criticism, and emotional overwhelm.

Therapy focuses on understanding the psychological mechanisms that maintain these patterns and developing practical ways to interrupt them.

Sessions are structured, active, and collaborative. We work at a thoughtful pace so that changes feel manageable and sustainable rather than overwhelming.

Clients often tell me they value the balance of clear structure, psychological depth, and a non-judgemental therapeutic relationship.

If you are unsure whether this approach might be helpful, you are welcome to get in touch to discuss whether this work may be a good fit.

Sessions are 50 minutes and typically take place weekly at the beginning of therapy.

I offer online therapy sessions to clients across the UK via secure video.

The first session is an opportunity for us to understand what has brought you to therapy and to consider whether the way I work feels like the right fit for you.

During this session we will explore:

鈥� the difficulties you are currently experiencing

鈥� how these patterns may have developed over time

鈥� what may be maintaining them now

鈥� what you would like to change or move towards through therapy

This conversation helps us begin developing a shared understanding of the pattern and consider whether this approach may be helpful for you.

You are welcome to ask any questions about the therapy process during this session. Beginning therapy is an important step, and it is important that you feel comfortable with both the approach and the pace of the work.

If it feels appropriate to move forward, we can then discuss a plan for ongoing sessions.