About
I am a consultant child and adolescent psychiatrist and neuropsychiatrist with over 14 years of experience in psychiatry across the NHS and international healthcare settings, with specialist expertise in eating disorders, neurodevelopmental conditions and complex emotional and behavioural difficulties in children and young people. My approach is warm, collaborative and family-centred, with a strong focus on helping young people feel understood, safe and supported during difficult periods in their lives.
I have extensive experience working across community CAMHS, specialist eating disorder services, tier 4 adolescent inpatient units, neuropsychiatry and paediatric liaison settings. I assess and treat a broad range of child and adolescent mental health conditions including anxiety disorders, depression, OCD, panic disorder, PTSD, autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, tic disorders, Tourette’s syndrome, sleep disorders, school refusal, emotional dysregulation, self-harm, emerging personality difficulties, psychosis and behavioural difficulties.
I also have specialist expertise in eating disorders including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, ARFID, binge eating disorder, rumination and regurgitation, purging disorders and OSFED, alongside medically complex presentations requiring paediatric liaison and risk management.
In addition, I have significant experience in neuropsychiatry, including functional neurological disorder (FND), non-epileptic attack disorder/dissociative seizures, medically unexplained symptoms, somatic symptom disorders, PANS/PANDAS-related presentations and complex mind-body presentations in children and adolescents. I work closely with paediatricians, neurologists, schools and families to support assessment, formulation and recovery.
I strongly believe in the importance of understanding the connection between physical and mental health and in creating a calm, collaborative and non-judgemental treatment environment. I work closely with young people, families, schools and multidisciplinary teams to help improve functioning, restore confidence and support long-term recovery.
I also believe it is important that referrals are appropriate to the level of care that can be safely provided in an outpatient setting. Where a young person requires urgent, intensive or highly specialised multidisciplinary intervention, I will advise families regarding the most appropriate service pathway and onward support.
Position at Priory
Dr Awadhesh Solanki is a consultant child and adolescent psychiatrist and neuropsychiatrist with over 14 years of experience in psychiatry across inpatient, community and liaison settings. He has particular expertise in eating disorders, neuropsychiatry and complex adolescent mental health presentations.