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About Dr Shanaya Rathod
Personal Profile
Dr Shanaya Rathod is an experienced Consultant Psychiatrist offering private consultations at Sarum Road Hospital. She also works part time within the NHS, where she has contributed to national mental health strategy and service development through several senior leadership, teaching and research positions. Her approach is warm and collaborative, with a clear focus on helping people regain confidence, stability, and well-being during difficult periods of their lives.
She began her medical career in 1992 after completing her medical degree (MBBS) and later became a Member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists. She trained and specialised in adult and older adult psychiatry in the Wessex, gaining accreditation with the General Medical Council as a Consultant Psychiatrist. Alongside her clinical training, she completed a Doctorate in Medicine at the University of Southampton and a master's in leadership through the University of Birmingham and the NHS Leadership Academy. She is also a certified coach and mentor, holding a Level 5 Certificate in Coaching and Mentoring from the Chartered Management Institute.
Dr Rathod has held several high profile NHS leadership roles, including Director of Research at Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust and Mental Health Clinical Lead for both the Wessex Academic Health Science Network and the Wessex Clinical Research Network. She was also appointed a Fellow of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) from 2010 to 2013. In these roles, she provided strategic leadership across organisations. She helped shape the development of mental health services at the regional and national levels.
Her academic work is extensive. She is a published author of several books and numerous peer reviewed articles, with a particular interest in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, cultural adaptation of psychotherapy and psychological approaches to severe mental illness. Her titles include Back to Life, Back to Normality, Cultural Adaptation of CBT for Serious Mental Illness and Brief Interventions in Psychosis. She also teaches widely and is regularly invited to speak at national and international conferences.
She works closely with families and carers when needed. She is committed to creating a supportive, calm environment where people feel heard, respected and involved in decisions about their care. Her background in coaching means many patients find her consultations motivating, empowering and confidence building.
She began her medical career in 1992 after completing her medical degree (MBBS) and later became a Member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists. She trained and specialised in adult and older adult psychiatry in the Wessex, gaining accreditation with the General Medical Council as a Consultant Psychiatrist. Alongside her clinical training, she completed a Doctorate in Medicine at the University of Southampton and a master's in leadership through the University of Birmingham and the NHS Leadership Academy. She is also a certified coach and mentor, holding a Level 5 Certificate in Coaching and Mentoring from the Chartered Management Institute.
Dr Rathod has held several high profile NHS leadership roles, including Director of Research at Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust and Mental Health Clinical Lead for both the Wessex Academic Health Science Network and the Wessex Clinical Research Network. She was also appointed a Fellow of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) from 2010 to 2013. In these roles, she provided strategic leadership across organisations. She helped shape the development of mental health services at the regional and national levels.
Her academic work is extensive. She is a published author of several books and numerous peer reviewed articles, with a particular interest in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, cultural adaptation of psychotherapy and psychological approaches to severe mental illness. Her titles include Back to Life, Back to Normality, Cultural Adaptation of CBT for Serious Mental Illness and Brief Interventions in Psychosis. She also teaches widely and is regularly invited to speak at national and international conferences.
Why patients choose Dr Rathod
Patients describe Dr Rathod as warm, compassionate and easy to talk to. Her holistic approach means she listens carefully to each person's experiences and builds a personalised care plan around their goals, lifestyle and challenges. She supports patients in managing distressing symptoms, developing resilience, and improving daily functioning, using therapeutic, coaching, and medication based strategies where appropriate.She works closely with families and carers when needed. She is committed to creating a supportive, calm environment where people feel heard, respected and involved in decisions about their care. Her background in coaching means many patients find her consultations motivating, empowering and confidence building.
What to expect from a consultation
Dr Rathod offers a structured but conversational consultation style. She takes the time to understand a patient's symptoms, history, current stressors, and well-being goals. She provides clear explanations without medical jargon and ensures patients leave with a practical plan and a sense of direction. Whether someone is seeking help for anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, ADHD or trauma, she focuses on collaborative treatment decisions and continuity of support throughout recovery.Special interests and clinical expertise
Dr Rathod offers assessment, diagnosis and management for a wide range of mental health conditions, including common and complex psychiatric disorders.Areas of expertise
- Anxiety and adjustment disorders
- Panic attacks
- Phobias
- Depression
- Coping problems and work-related stress
- Bereavement management
- Bipolar affective disorder
- Adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) assessment
- Psychosis
- Behaviour management and personality disorders
- Chronic pain
- Trauma and post-traumatic stress disorders
- Alcohol and substance misuse
- Autistic spectrum disorder assessments
Useful links
For information on prices and terms and conditions, please visit the website: Fees & Payment - Wessex Psychiatrist
Personal website
Professional Memberships
- Royal College of Psychiatrists
- British Medical Association
- Medical Protection Society
