Profile

Dr Chrissy Jayarajah is a Consultant General Adult and Perinatal Psychiatrist and Clinical Lead for NHS Perinatal Mental Health Services at Central and North West London, and joins us as the principal Perinatal Psychiatrist at the Kensington Wing. With extensive expertise in diagnosing and treating mental health conditions, she specialises in the complex care needs during pregnancy and the postpartum period.

Dr Jayarajah is highly regarded for her leadership in the safe prescribing of psychotropic medications during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Her additional qualifications in reproductive and sexual health highlight her focus on family planning and she has written national guidance on preconception for women with mental health concerns. She serves as a scientific advisor for the Maternal OCD Charity and has specialised knowledge in treating severe perinatal OCD, particularly regarding medication safety. Dr Jayarajah’s research interests include perinatal OCD and related disorders, maternal perfectionism, and women’s reproductive health.

Dr Jayarajah also has expertise in parent-infant bonding and attachment, understanding the crucial early interactions that shape long-term emotional health. Known for her warm, holistic approach, with a background in couples, family and compassion-focused therapy, she provides comprehensive and culturally sensitive support for mothers navigating the challenges of motherhood.

Professional expertise

• Medication use for mental health conditions in pregnancy 
• Medication use for mental health conditions in breastfeeding
• Depression – antenatal/postnatal specific and/or general 
• Anxiety related disorders – antenatal/postnatal specific and/or general
• Obsessive compulsive (OCD) and related disorders
• Perfectionism and stress related disorders 
• Bipolar disorder
• Severe mental illness disorders (including postnatal psychosis, schizophrenia, schizo-affective disorder and stress induced psychosis)
• Pre-conception advice and planning for those with moderate to severe mental health needs and/or on medication for mental health needs trying to conceive
• Trauma related conditions (eg. tokophobia – fear of childbirth) 
• Eating disorders (including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder and orthorexia) in the perinatal period
• Gender Disappointment 
• Psychosocial / cultural aspects of fertility and maternity care 
• Compassionate focused therapy 
• Medico-legal expertise for UK Family Court 

Other contributions

Dr Chrissy Jayarajah works for Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and also has a private practice in West and Central London, primarily focused on the management and treatment of OCD and related disorders in women. She is also an active academic as an Honorary Senior Research Fellow at the George Institute for Global Health, Imperial College London where her research is focused on pregnancy planning and the relationship between reproductive and perinatal mental health care.

• Scientific Advisor for the Maternal OCD Charity UK
• Member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists OCARD (Obsessive Compulsive and related disorders) expert working group
• Chair of the Royal College of Psychiatrists Perinatal Subspeciality Committee
• Member of the ORCHARD OCD expertise group
• Educational Supervisor for NW London Core Psychiatry Training Scheme

Professional memberships

• General Medical Council 
• British Medical Association
• Royal College of Psychiatrists 
• Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Health (FSRH) 
• Womens Medical Federation
• International Marce Society for Perinatal Mental Health 
• Medical Defence Union