About SEPSIG

Dr Caz Nahman is a Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist originally from Nottingham, now based in Oxford working in a community eating disorders team and providing undergraduate teaching to medical students at Oxford University. She is finance officer/deputy chair of the Sport Psychiatry Special Interest group. She has additional training in sport psychiatry with the ISSP (International Society for Sport Psychiatry) and does some private work with athletes in addition to working with numerous junior athletes who have comorbid eating disorders who she sees in her NHS role.

Her interests include compulsive overexercise; youth sport; eating disorders in athletes, autism spectrum disorders in athletes, life-style psychiatry and medical education. In addition, she is keen to improve standards of care for athletes with mental health problems.

She is a co-editor of the RCPsych book “New to eating disorders” – a supervision guide for staff new to the field and a chapter author of one of the Chapters in Case Studies in Sport Psychiatry.   She has published in  the Sport Psychiatry Journal. In future she is hoping to be involved in research looking at exercise interventions for patient with an eating disorder as well as researching eating difficulties in athletes.

In her free time she enjoys walking/running and cycling along the Thames River.

Dr Claire Gillvray

MBChB MRCPsych MRCGP MScSEM DCh

Dr Gillvray is dual trained in General Practice and Psychiatry and has worked across both disciplines both privately and in the NHS for over 20 years. As a competitive triathlete representing both Great Britain and more recently Ireland, in her age group, at all distances up to Ironman, she became interested in the world of sports psychiatry and completed her MSc in Sports Medicine at Bath University in 2010. Her published research is in the area of sports addiction and eating disorders.

Dr Gillvray founded her own company, Cognitive Sports Therapy, bringing together all aspects of lifestyle medicine, including physical activity and breathwork, to help improve and treat mental health disorders and protect mental wellbeing. Her company provides free training for sports coaches and fitness professionals in mental health and also promotes corporate wellbeing. She also founded Time to Talk CST, a Community Interest Company, supporting free community walking, running and cycling groups, and an educational podcast. She is the team doctor for Cambridge University Boat Club.

Dr Gillvray is the Exercise and Mental Health lead for SEPSIG promoting access to exercise and movement for those with mental health disorders.

Dr Jennifer Keal is a higher trainee specialising in General Adult Psychiatry and is now based in Thames Valley having completed core training in North West London. She has interests in eating disorders, ADHD and autism in adults, and sports psychiatry.

She has published research on the topic of mental health and sports in the journal Sports Psychiatry. She is the SEPSIG Trainee Rep and is keen to promote trainee interest and involvement within the field of sports and exercise psychiatry. 

Dr Thomas McCabe is a consultant psychiatrist based in Greater Glasgow. Following graduating from the University of Aberdeen, he initially trained in general practice before choosing psychiatry as a career and was shortlisted for Royal College of Psychiatrists' trainee of the year in 2017.

He has published research in various leading journals including the British Journal of Sports Medicine on mental health and sport as well as co-authoring the landmark 'Case Studies in Sport Psychiatry.' Dr McCabe has written the Mental Health Chapter for the next edition of the SEM Oxford Clinical Handbook. 

Dr McCabe is an honorary clinical lecturer at the University of Glasgow. He is a researcher and author with the landmark FIELD study (Football's InfluencE on Lifelong health and Dementia risk). He has published guidance on the future of mental health provision in cricket in the BMJ Sports and Exercise Medicine as well as football and weight lifting.

He has presented at international events on the topic and plays a central role in the Royal College of Psychiatrists' SEPSIG with particular interest in development of the specialty for students and trainee psychiatrists. Dr McCabe is a keen Parkrunner and a strong advocate for physical activity as an intervention for prevention and treatment of mental illness.

Consultant Sports Psychiatrist

Dr Lekka (MD, MSc, PhD) is a Consultant in General Adult Psychiatry and Honorary Senior Clinical Teacher in Medical Education. She is involved in patient care, teaching and service development. Her research work has led to many peer-reviewed published papers and conference presentations. She is also a qualified Coach, specialising in work stress and resilience.

Dr Lekka is a member of the International Association for Dance Medicine & Science (IADMS) Dance for Health Committee, a member of the IADMS Mental Health Workgroup, and a reviewer for the Journal of Dance Medicine and Science. She is also a member of the International Society for Sports Psychiatry (ISSP) and One Dance UK, supporting the Healthier Dancer Programme.

In her role as Aesthetic Sports / Dance Liaison in SEPSIG's executive committee, Dr Lekka is developing collaborations between health and dance/sports professionals, exchanging knowledge, advocating for mental health and creating resources. She is particularly interested in athletes' and dancers' safeguarding and a positive culture in sport and dance. She is promoting physical activity for mental health and well-being.

Consultant Sports Psychiatrist: Perform-r

Tim is a sports psychiatrist working across the spectrum of mental health and performance within both elite sport and dance, certified by the International Society for Sport Psychiatry. Tim is also an approved expert on the Football Medicine and Performance Association (FMPA) register.

Tim is one of a very small number of psychiatrists to have also completed postgraduate training in applied sport and exercise psychology. Tim has supported both individuals and teams in elite football, in the Olympic and Paralympic Systems, elite rugby, cricket, tennis, horse racing and major UK ballet/dance companies. Tim offers support to members of the League Managers Association, as well as athletes in disciplinary, sports and civil law proceedings. 

Tim is a specialist member of Sport Resolutions' National Anti-Doping Panel. He was formerly a registered UKAD psychiatrist accredited to undertake therapeutic use exemption assessments.

Part-time, Tim is also clinical director at Togetherall, an anonymous online mental health service that offers a service to all UK Sport coaches and athletes.

Tim was a founding executive member of the College's Sport and exercise psychiatry special interest group (SEPSIG).