Frank Aust

Frank Aust is a Systemic and Family Psychotherapist and Eating Disorder Specialist at Nightingale Hospital in London. He has been part of the hospital’s therapeutic team since 2007, bringing decades of experience in supporting individuals, couples, and families facing complex psychological challenges.

After qualifying as a Systemic and Family Psychotherapist at the Institute of Psychiatry in 1998, Frank worked extensively in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) and inpatient psychiatric settings in London. His work has given him deep insight into the range of psychological and psychiatric difficulties that young people and their families may encounter, including those linked to education and family life. He has also worked with individuals across all age groups, providing family therapy and couples therapy with a particular focus on life transitions and their impact on close relationships.

A key area of Frank’s expertise is working with individuals and families affected by eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, and other specified feeding or eating disorders (OSFED). He integrates systemic therapy and family therapy to support those navigating the complex emotional and relational aspects of these conditions.

Frank believes that family therapy creates a safe and constructive space where individuals can express their thoughts and emotions openly. His approach is centred on engaging each family member in the therapeutic process, ensuring that every voice is heard and that no individual is blamed or marginalised. He tailors his work to each family’s unique needs, taking into account cultural backgrounds, life experiences, and personal beliefs. His sessions may involve different groupings of family members or the entire family together, depending on the issues being addressed.

Alongside his clinical practice, Frank is actively involved in supervision and training. He holds an MSc in Systemic Family Therapy from King’s College London and a qualification in supervision and training from the Institute of Psychiatry at the Maudsley. He is a registered supervisor through the Association for Family Therapy and an honorary lecturer at the Institute of Psychiatry, where he contributes to training the next generation of family therapists. He is also a member of the UK Council for Psychotherapy, the Association for Family Therapy, the Institute of Family Therapy, the College of Family, Couple and Systemic Therapy, and the European Family Therapy Association.