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About me

"I am passionate about using the latest international advances and research in order to assist my patients in the most holistic, integrative manner possible. In pursuit of this goal I research and recommend pharmacological as well as personalised non pharmacological routes to recovery. Despite all my reading over the last 30 years my patients have taught me more than any journal or textbook. They have also inspired me to further my interests in Occupational Medicine, Lifestyle Medicine, Ecological Medicine, Nutritional Medicine and Aviation Medicine".

Dr Schenk was appointed as Staff Consultant Psychiatrist at the Priory Hospital Southampton in 2007 and Visiting Consultant Psychiatrist at the Bournemouth Nuffield in 2013.

He is Section 12 Approved and has been appointed as a Medical Scrutineer for patients detained under the Mental Health Act. He provides private outpatient services in Bournemouth and Southampton.

Dr Schenk is a founding member of the European Lifestyle Medicine Organisation and is the Director for Mental Wellbeing at the British Society for Lifestyle Medicine. He is currently a member of the following professional bodies: General Medical Council (Full registration as Specialist Psychiatrist), Royal College of Psychiatrists, British Society for Ecological and Nutritional Medicine. British Society for Lifestyle Medicine.

Although Dr Schenk has trained in and employs a biological/medical model of psychiatry he has experience in advising individuals on non pharmacological methods as well. For those who feel they may benefit from a more holistic approach Dr Schenk can advise on lifestyle interventions, psychotherapy and the utility of other evidence based methods. He strongly believes in tailoring an individual approach suited to your specific needs.

In addition to clinical work Dr Schenk has enjoyed lecturing medical students and MRCPsych candidates. He is also regularly requested to undertake psychiatric assessments for medicolegal purposes, the CAA as well as health professional fitness to practice hearings.

Dr Schenk qualified as a medical doctor in 1992 and as a Specialist in Psychiatry in 1999. He has worked as a Consultant Psychiatrist in South Africa and the Dorset Healthcare Trust for a period of over 7 years before being appointed as a Staff Consultant at the Priory Hospital Southampton.

Dr Schenk’s interests in medicine and psychiatry are numerous and his experience diverse. Prior to specialising he worked as a GP with a special interest in Chronic Fatigue (ME). He has extensive experience working as a Lead Consultant Psychiatrist on an inpatient biological psychiatry unit as well as an inpatient Psychotherapy Unit specialising in the treatment of Personality Disorders. He has worked in liaison psychiatry, forensic psychiatry, community psychiatry and eating disorders in urban as well as rural settings. His work outside of the UK has also afforded him a valuable cross cultural perspective on psychiatry and he has obtained further medical certification by successfully passing the American Medical Licencing exams (USMLE 1&2).

During his speciality training Dr Schenk undertook research in the field of Psychoimmunology. He has maintained a keen interest in reviewing research in Eating Disorders, Occupational Health, Aviation Medicine, Neurophysiology, Functional Medicine and Lifestyle Medicine.

Areas of interest

Occupational Psychiatry; Aviation Psychiatry; Anxiety; Depression; Seasonal Affective Disorder; PTSD; OCD; Phobias; Body Dysmorphic Disorder; Adjustment Disorder; Bulimia; Anorexia Nervosa; Binge Eating Disorder; Bipolar Mood Disorder; Cyclothymia; Personality Disorder; Addictions; Psychosomatic Disorders; Sleep Disorders

Specialist interests and expertise in the following physical conditions

• Cardiac conditions
• Eating disorders
• Gastrointestinal disorders

• Gynaecological disorders
• Musculoskeletal conditions
• Neurological disorders

• Psychophysiological disorders
• Physical disability
• Rheumatological conditions

Medical secretaries

• Debbie Price
• 07501 911576
• debbie.price@southernpsychiatry.com