Dr James Arkell is a managing partner and psychiatry lead at Central Health London. He has worked for almost thirty years in adult psychiatry both in the NHS and private sector. He is known for his compassionate, discreet, and highly personalised approach to mental health care. He offers bespoke psychiatric treatment to a discerning international clientele, including leaders in business, the arts, and public life.

After studying medicine at Cambridge University and University College London Medical School, Dr Arkell completed his psychiatric training at The Maudsley, Royal Free Hospital and St Vincent’s Hospital in Sydney. He was a Consultant Psychiatrist at Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust (CNWL), working in general psychiatry and eating disorders, before transitioning to private practice at The Nightingale Hospital and The Portobello Clinic. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal College of Psychiatrists (FRCPsych), an honour recognising his significant contributions to the field.

Dr Arkell played a key role in developing the mental health services at the Cleveland Clinic London, serving as their expert in psychiatry during the hospital’s planning phase and inaugural year. He has practising privileges at The London Clinic and is a founding member of The Blue Door Practice in Fitzroy Square.

Alongside his clinical work, Dr Arkell is a clinical teacher and examiner at Imperial College Medical School. He also teaches trainee psychologists for the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) programme and leads ethics workshops for medical students.

He works with the Parliamentary Health and Wellbeing Service, assessing and supporting MPs; British Airways Health Services, assessing pilots; and advises on student wellbeing at Jesus College, Cambridge. He holds an honorary contract at the Royal College of Art supporting the student counselling service.

Passionate about the intersection between mental health and the arts, Dr Arkell sits on the Development Board of the Almeida Theatre and advises authors and scriptwriters on the portrayal of mental health in their creative work.