Eating Disorder Psychologist

Understanding Eating Disorders

An eating disorder is characterised by an unhealthy relationship with food and, in many cases, body image. 

Eating disorders involve unhelpful and distressing thoughts, feelings, and behaviours relating to food, eating, body weight, and body shape. Their impacts extend well beyond food itself, affecting physical health, mental health, relationships, and daily functioning. If left untreated, eating disorders can become life-threatening.

Eating disorders are more common than many people realise. More than one million Australians are affected, and they can occur in people of any age, gender, background, or body size. Contributing factors may include:

Types of Eating Disorders

Eating disorders can present in a number of ways. Some of the most common include:

Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia nervosa is characterised by severe and persistent food restriction, an intense fear of gaining weight, and a distorted perception of body shape or size. It can have serious medical consequences and requires coordinated clinical care.

Bulimia Nervosa

Bulimia nervosa involves recurrent cycles of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviours such as self-induced vomiting, use of laxatives, or excessive exercise. It is often accompanied by significant shame, guilt, and secrecy.

Binge Eating Disorder

Binge eating disorder involves episodes of consuming large quantities of food in a short period of time, often in an uncontrolled way and without compensatory behaviours. It is frequently associated with feelings of distress, shame, and loss of control.

Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)

ARFID involves significant food restriction or avoidance that is not driven by concerns about body weight or shape. It may be related to sensory sensitivities, fear of choking or vomiting, or a general lack of interest in eating, and can result in nutritional deficiency and functional impairment.

Disordered Eating

Disordered eating describes a spectrum of problematic eating behaviours that may not meet the full diagnostic criteria for a specific eating disorder but still cause distress and impairment. This may include fasting, skipping meals, binge eating, compensatory behaviours, or obsessive thinking about food, calories, or body shape.

Signs of an Eating Disorder

Signs that someone may be experiencing an eating disorder can include:

• Preoccupation or distress about body weight or shape

• Extreme food restriction or avoidance

• Episodes of overeating or binge eating

• Self-induced vomiting or use of laxatives or diet pills

• Excessive or compulsive exercise

• Intrusive or controlling thoughts about food, mealtimes, or calorie counting

• Guilt, anxiety, or shame related to eating

• Withdrawal from social situations involving food

Eating disorders can be difficult to identify, and symptoms are not always visible. Many people experiencing an eating disorder may not recognise it themselves or may feel significant shame about seeking help. 

How Eating Disorders Can Affect Daily Life

Eating disorders can impact multiple areas of functioning, including:

• Persistent preoccupation with food, eating, weight, or body shape

• Significant physical health consequences including nutritional deficiency and fatigue

• Difficulty participating in social situations involving food

• Strained relationships with family, friends, and partners

• Reduced concentration, energy, and ability to work or study

• Co-occurring mental health difficulties including anxiety, depression, and low self-worth

• Shame, secrecy, and social isolation

• Significant distress and reduced quality of life

Without appropriate support, eating disorders can become more severe over time and may have serious long-term consequences for both physical and mental health.

Eating Disorder Treatment: How Evidence-Based Approaches Can Help

Treatment at Reach Psychology is individually tailored and draws on the most current evidence-based approaches for eating disorders. Treatment may include:

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy – Enhanced (CBT-E)

CBT-E is a leading evidence-based treatment specifically developed for eating disorders. It targets the thoughts, feelings, and behaviours that maintain disordered eating, including perfectionism, low self-esteem, and interpersonal difficulties. CBT-E helps individuals develop a more flexible and balanced relationship with food and their body.

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy for Eating Disorders (DBT-ED)

DBT-ED adapts the core skills of DBT — mindfulness, emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness — specifically for eating disorder treatment. It is particularly helpful when disordered eating is connected to difficulties managing intense emotions or distress.

Schema Therapy

Schema Therapy explores deep-seated beliefs and emotional patterns that may be contributing to an eating disorder, such as perfectionism, shame, self-criticism, or unrelenting standards. By addressing these underlying patterns, Schema Therapy supports more lasting change.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

ACT supports individuals to relate more flexibly to difficult thoughts and feelings about food, eating, and body image, reducing the tendency to engage in avoidance or rigid control. It helps people reconnect with their values and take meaningful steps towards recovery.

How Therapy Can Help with Eating Disorders

With appropriate support, many people experience:

• A healthier and more flexible relationship with food and eating

• Reduced frequency and intensity of disordered eating behaviours

• Improved body image and reduced preoccupation with weight or shape

• Greater ability to participate in social situations involving food

• Improved physical health and nutritional wellbeing

• Reduced anxiety, shame, and distress related to eating

• Improved self-esteem, confidence, and quality of life

• Stronger relationships and greater engagement in valued activities

Recovery from an eating disorder is possible at any stage of illness. Reaching out for support — whether at the earliest signs of difficulty or after living with an eating disorder for many years — can make a meaningful difference.

When to Seek Help for an Eating Disorder

It may be helpful to seek support if:

• You are experiencing distressing or controlling thoughts about food, eating, weight, or body shape

• Eating or food-related behaviours feel difficult to manage or out of control

• You are engaging in food restriction, binge eating, purging, or excessive exercise

• Mealtimes feel highly distressing or anxiety-provoking

• You are avoiding social situations because of food or eating

• Eating or body image concerns are affecting your relationships, work, study, or daily life

• You are experiencing physical symptoms such as fatigue, dizziness, or hair loss

• A family member or loved one has expressed concern about your relationship with food

You do not need to be at a particular weight or severity of illness to seek support. Early intervention is associated with better outcomes, and support is available at every stage of an eating disorder.

Eating Disorder Psychologist in Melbourne Bayside and Telehealth Australia-Wide

Eating disorders are treatable. With appropriate, evidence-based support from a clinically trained psychologist, many people are able to develop a healthier relationship with food and their body, reduce distressing symptoms, and significantly improve their quality of life.

Reach Psychology provides evidence-based eating disorder treatment with an ANZEAD-credentialed clinical psychologist. Eating disorder treatment is delivered with warmth, compassion, and clinical expertise. Treatment is carefully tailored to each person’s individual needs, including the type, intensity, and frequency of support required. 

Sessions are available in person in Highett, Melbourne Bayside, and via Telehealth across Australia.