Disordered Eating Therapy in the Sutherland Shire

At Evolving Minds Counselling and Psychology in Menai, our psychologists and counsellors provide evidence-based therapy for disordered eating and eating disorders for people across the Sutherland Shire, including Bangor, Illawong, Engadine, Alfords Point and surrounding suburbs. Sessions are available in person at our Menai practice and via secure online appointments across Australia.

 

Disordered eating describes patterns of eating and food-related behaviours that can disrupt a person’s relationship with food and their body. These patterns can affect emotional and physical health and may include restrictive eating, skipping meals, binge eating, compulsive eating, vomiting, or misuse of laxatives, diuretics or supplements.

 

Diet culture and unrealistic body ideals can reinforce harmful beliefs about body size, food and self-worth. In some cases, disordered eating may precede eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, or binge eating disorder. Repeated cycles of dieting and restriction may also contribute to patterns of binge eating or loss of control around food.

 

Common experiences of disordered eating

 

Disordered eating may present as:​

• Restrictive eating or skipping meals​

• Cycles of dieting and overeating

• Binge eating or compulsive eating patterns

• Anxiety or distress around food

• Strong rules about food or eating

• Shame or guilt related to eating

• Withdrawal from social situations involving food

 

Recognising these patterns early can help prevent escalation and support change.

 

Understanding disordered eating

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For many people, disordered eating is connected to experiences such as anxiety, trauma, perfectionistic traits or difficulties with emotional regulation.

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👉 Learn about anxiety
👉 Learn about trauma therapy

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These patterns may also overlap with body image difficulties.

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👉 Learn about body image and body dysmorphic disorder

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When to consider therapy

 

You may wish to consider therapy if eating patterns are:

• Difficult to manage or becoming more frequent

• Causing distress or impacting emotional wellbeing

• Affecting relationships or daily functioning

• Linked to cycles of restriction, bingeing or loss of control

• Associated with shame, guilt or self-criticism

 

Disordered eating therapy in Menai and the Sutherland Shire

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Our clinicians are registered with AHPRA and AASW and have completed specialised training in eating disorders. Our team includes an ANZAED credentialed clinician.

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Therapy focuses on understanding patterns around eating, developing more flexible ways of responding to food and body image, and strengthening emotional regulation.

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Sessions may include:

• Identifying emotional triggers linked to eating patterns

• Exploring beliefs about food, weight and body image

• Developing alternative coping strategies during stress

• Strengthening emotional regulation

• Rebuilding trust in the body

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Evidence-based approaches

 

Our clinicians use a range of evidence-based approaches tailored to each person’s needs and goals, including:

• Enhanced Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT-E)

• Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT)

• Schema Therapy

• Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT-informed approaches)

• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

 

Related Eating Disorder Information

 

You may also find these pages helpful:

• Anorexia Nervosa

• Bulimia Nervosa

• Binge Eating Disorder

• Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)

• Body Image and Body Dysmorphic Disorder

• Eating Disorder Therapies

• Eating Disorder Counselling

 

Getting started

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Sessions are available in person at our Menai practice in the Sutherland Shire or via secure online appointments across Australia.

 

If you’re unsure where to begin, our Client Care Team can assist.  Call 02 8519 4197 or use the button below to request an appointment.