Kitchen Sessions is a non-profit organisation, promoting the use of food, cooking and eating as a therapeutic arena for all.
We provide training to people working in the welfare professions including counsellors, psychotherapists, coaches, occupational therapists, social workers and mental health professionals.
Our mission is to support, encourage and enable the use of food as an inclusive therapeutic approach to wellbeing, building creative confidence and intrinsic resource. We foster healthy attachment relationships and promote ‘human village’ behaviours through the preparation, pleasure and sharing of food.
Our workshops
Our workshops are designed to equip welfare practitioners with the knowledge, experience and understanding to start using cooking in the support they provide to vulnerable people.
Half-day course
Introduction to the principles of kitchen therapy
Full-day course
Experiential introduction to the principles, practice and philosophy of kitchen therapy
6-week programme
Integrating principles, practice and philosophy of Kitchen Therapy for personal and professional development
For bespoke courses, workshops and collaborations please contact charlotte@therapykitchen.co.uk
All of our activities revolve around four key thematic ingredients:
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Exploring the role of food as an attachment vehicle throughout our lives. Recognising how the nutrition from attention, attunement and appreciation in our early years can be rekindled around the kitchen-campfire today
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As our initial technology, cooking connects to our primal creativity, human potential and purpose. The kitchen-campfire offers an antidote to AI and virtual technologies in a profoundly real, tangible (and edible) sense.
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Recognising the role of food, cooking and eating together as part of our daily need for communication, connection and cooperation. Just as each ingredient in a casserole blends into a whole meal, each member of a community is valued for their unique contribution to the group.
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In an age of secularity, conflict and confusion, the kitchen-campfire offers a space of shared humanity. We use nature as our guide, providing an inclusive spiritual framework, incorporating lessons from neuroscience, philosophy, ecology and psychology into a common language.
Contact Us
Get in touch to find out more about our work and book yourself a spot on our next workshop.
Our team
Charlotte Hastings ~ founder developing theory
A qualified therapist (BACP) and author of ‘Kitchen Therapy’, Charlotte brings over 15 years experience of using the medium of cooking and food to help people reconnect with themselves, and the world around us. A background in anthropology, education, psychotherapy and parenting have combined into ‘kitchen therapy’ - using the food we make, eat and share to re-wild the human spirit. Kitchen Sessions has been established to promote, advance and empower the practice of using food as therapy.
Favourite food: Chocolate (obviously). Learning how to eat this healthily and find ways of bringing people together around the ‘sacred bean’, is at the heart of Charlotte’s personal, professional and spiritual practice.
key focus - Community
Sheila Erskine ~ partner developing practice
A qualified social worker and practice educator with 30 years’ experience, Sheila uses food to connect with children and families , build therapeutic rapport and promote positive attachment behaviours. As a Lecturer in Social Work at Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen, Sheila enjoys using therapeutic and creative practices across the teaching curriculum and the therapeutic use and value of food is included in a module as part of this.
Favourite food: Hummus! It’s the perfect snack for eating on the go, easy to make and is an ideal food for sharing with others.
Key focus - Attachment
Gloria Ayuba ~ partner developing strategy
With a background in Nutrition and Community Leadership, Gloria’s mission is simple: to bring people to the table and remind them they matter. Gloria believes food is so much more than fuel; it’s a force for healing, confidence, inclusion and belonging. Her work reimagines how we eat, connect, and thrive together, with every meal an opportunity to build bridges, spark confidence, and create spaces where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued.
Favourite food: I don’t have one favourite dish, because for me, the magic is less about what’s on the plate and more about who’s at the table. But I’d love to hear yours.
key focus: Nutrition
