Alex Howard Group

Our Team

Jessica O’Dwyer

MSc DipCNM mBANT CNHC

With a deep-rooted passion for nutrition that was nurtured from a young age, Jessica embarked on a journey that was inspired by her sister's illness. Her professional journey began in Biopharmaceutical Science, but she quickly realised that her true calling lay in a different direction – one that involved empowering people to manage their health and well-being in a more holistic way.

Jessica firmly believes in putting the client at the centre of their healthcare, and she achieves this by applying integrative medicine philosophies. Her goal is to help individuals uncover the underlying reasons behind their symptoms, leading them to a better understanding of their own bodies and health.

Having accumulated years of valuable clinical experience in some of the busiest medical centres, Jessica's expertise has been recognised and sought after. She has had the privilege of serving as an in-house Nutritionist for Barclays Bank and UBS employees throughout London, making a positive impact on the well-being of numerous individuals.

Specialising in ME/CFS, Jessica's dedication to her field is evident through her commitment to research. She contributed to the Nutritional Psychiatry research team at 'The Food for Mood Centre' under Deakin University, Australia, focusing on the intricate connection between the gut and brain. Additionally, she actively participated in educating practitioners from various disciplines as part of the medical education team at a prominent global Functional Medicine laboratory.

Fuelling her passion for research, Jessica delved into the intriguing link between the gut microbiome and ME/CFS. Her thirst for knowledge and discoveries drove her to seek innovative ways to enhance her clients' well-being.

What sets Jessica apart is her warm, approachable demeanour and her ability to break down complex scientific concepts into everyday language. She aims to bridge the gap between scientific knowledge and practical understanding, making it easier for her clients to implement positive changes in their lives.

Embodying an empathetic and supportive approach, Jessica's clients can count on her to not only offer valuable insights but also to provide the encouragement and guidance needed to make meaningful progress toward their health goals.

Our Team

 Jess Thompson
Clinical Director

Jess completed a psychology degree in 1995 followed by a PGCE in primary education and, after a 10 year career in teaching...

Alex Howard
Founder and Chairman

Alex Howard is Founder & Chairman of The Optimum Health Clinic, which he set up after his own 7 year struggle with ME...

Ana Bárbara Pereira

Ana Bárbara’s interest in integrative health and psychology began while dealing with her own chronic illness...

Bebe Kohlap
Practice Manager

Bebe entered into nutrition quite unexpectedly when she went to an open day at the Institute for Optimum Nutrition, just to...

Charlotte Thomson

Charlotte initially trained as a musician and worked as a performer and teacher for several years before embarking on...

Claire Sehinson
Head of Research and Protocol Development

Claire is an educator, researcher and functional medicine trained nutritional therapist. Claire has over a decade of...

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Our Psychology Department

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