Dr Mujtaba Husain

Dr. Mujtaba Husain is a senior Consultant Liaison Psychiatrist and Neuropsychiatrist, currently employed as a Clinical Director by South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust. He holds a number of significant leadership positions within the Trust and beyond. Currently, Dr. Husain serves as Co-Clinical Director for Maudsley Private Care, a pioneering NHS Private Practice Unit in the field of mental health. He also leads the Persistent Physical Symptoms Research and Treatment Unit, a nationally recognised centre providing integrated psychological and physical therapy for patients experiencing complex and persistent physical symptoms, including functional disorders. Further expanding his influence on mental health delivery, Dr. Husain functions as Clinical Director for Mental Health at the Health Innovation Network South London, focusing on the implementation and scaling of evidence-based innovations in the field. Dr. Husain’s clinical expertise lies in Liaison Psychiatry, a specialty dedicated to understanding the interplay between mental and physical health, and providing care within general medical settings. He completed his Specialist Training in both Neuropsychiatry and Liaison Psychiatry at the Maudsley Hospital. Notably, he spearheaded the successful transformation of the Maudsley’s Chronic Fatigue Unit, evolving it into a national centre capable of treating the full spectrum of persistent physical symptoms. In addition to his clinical leadership, Dr. Husain was an invited expert witness by the NICE guideline panel for the development of the latest (2021) guideline “Myalgic encephalomyelitis (or encephalopathy)/chronic fatigue syndrome: diagnosis and management.” He also provided expert psychiatric advice to the Centre for Health and Disability Assessments (CHDA) on the development of their Evidence-Based Medicine protocol for Medically Unexplained Symptoms, with CHDA being the organisation contracted by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to deliver health and disability assessments.

Dr. Husain has authored two expert educational articles on the assessment and management of persistent physical symptoms/medically unexplained symptoms, published in the educational journals of the Royal College of Physicians and the Royal College of Psychiatrists. These contributions were tailored for an audience of physicians and psychiatrists, with the aim of improving knowledge, clinical understanding, and practical management of complex presentations at the interface of mind and body. His ongoing interests centre on advancing the care of patients with persistent and unexplained symptoms, integrating psychological and physical models of treatment, and supporting the dissemination of best practice across both specialist and general medical settings.

Dr. Husain’s research center on the complex interplay of physical and psychological health, specifically investigating the mechanisms and effective treatments for persistent physical symptoms and functional disorders. His work aims to translate research findings into improved, integrated care models that address the neurobiological, psychological, and social factors contributing to these challenging conditions.

Dr. Husain is a recognized expert in mind-body psychiatry, actively teaching and disseminating knowledge through national conferences and peer-reviewed publications. His research focuses on persistent physical symptoms and functional disorders, demonstrating the efficacy of interventions like CBT and the importance of system-level care. He contributes to both clinical advancement and educational resources in this growing field.

Dr. Husain’s publications demonstrate a significant focus on persistent physical symptoms (PPS) and functional disorders. His research includes multiple studies evaluating the efficacy of transdiagnostic cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) delivered in both secondary care and primary care settings, with a focus on system-level implementation and evaluation. Key findings include evidence supporting the effectiveness of CBT for PPS, feasibility of integrated GP care, and the importance of system change for improved patient outcomes. He has also contributed to understanding the assessment and management of medically unexplained symptoms and explored the interface between physical and mental health in general hospital settings. Beyond clinical trials, Dr. Husain has published work critically examining guidelines and contributed to texts focused on therapeutic alliance and psychiatric practice. Full references available on request.

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From 2019 to 2022, Dr. Husain served as Associate Medical Director for National and Specialist Services at the Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, the largest provider of such services in the UK. This significant role encompassed clinical and strategic oversight of a broad portfolio, including Neuropsychiatry, the National Affective Disorders Unit, the National Psychosis Unit, and services specialising in Eating Disorders, Perinatal Psychiatry, and highly specialist care for anxiety, trauma, dissociation, and psychosexual health. Dr. Husain continues to demonstrate leadership through his ongoing roles as a Clinical Director within the NHS, further solidifying his commitment to the advancement of mental healthcare.