Eating Disorder Therapy Melbourne

Name: Safe Place Therapy
Price range: $$

Understanding eating disorders (ED)

At Safe Place Therapy, we understand that eating disorders are complex conditions. They affect not only physical health, but emotional and social well-being. And they are often accompanied by other mental health conditions. These can include anxiety, depression, trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

Our team of mental health professionals know how to support individuals and families who are struggling with eating disorders. We offer a compassionate, confidential, and non-judgmental environment.

What are eating disorders?

Eating disorders are serious mental health conditions that involve persistent disturbances in eating behaviours, often driven by an overwhelming preoccupation with body weight, shape, and food. They can significantly impact an individual’s physical and emotional health and may affect people of all genders, ages, and backgrounds.

There are several types of eating disorders, each with its own unique symptoms and challenges. The most common eating disorders include:

Anorexia Nervosa

Characterised by a severe restriction in food intake and engagement in unhealthy behaviours to prevent weight gain

Bulimia Nervosa

This ED is characterised by episodes of binge eating, followed by purging, fasting, or excessive exercise. People with bulimia are also likely to feel intense shame and guilt, and may feel like they have little control over themselves

Binge Eating Disorder (BED)

This disorder involves frequent episodes of binging, accompanied by feelings of guilt and shame. Unlike bulimia, however, people with BED don’t engage in purging.

Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder (OSFED)

This category includes eating disorders that don’t fit into the above disorders, but can still cause significant distress or impairment.

Seeking help for an eating disorder

Your GP clinic is an excellent place to start when seeking help for treating eating disorders. A GP should be able to assess your physical and mental health and provide referrals to the appropriate professionals who will be able to help you recover.

Your GP may also be able to provide you with an Eating Disorder Plan (EDP). This will allow you to access up to 40 Medicare-rebated sessions with a mental health provider annually.

How can mental health therapy help with eating disorders?

Psychological therapy plays a critical role in the treatment of eating disorders. Eating disorders often arise from a combination of emotional distress, negative thought patterns, past trauma, societal pressures, and unhealthy coping mechanisms. By focusing on the mind and emotions, therapy aims to address the root causes of the disorder. It offers strategies to manage triggers and develop healthier patterns of thinking and behaviour.

At Safe Place Therapy, we recognise that each person’s situation is different, and therapy needs to be personalised to be effective.

Our Practitioners use a combination of therapeutic modalities, including:

cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT),
enhanced cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT-E),
dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT), emotion-focused therapy (EFT), and
trauma-informed therapy.

These types of therapies are used to address unhealthy thoughts and behaviours and focus on the underlying mental health issues.

Therapy isn’t a quick fix for eating disorders, but takes time, patience, and commitment. As therapy progresses, you will learn to challenge negative thought patterns, develop healthier coping mechanisms, and cultivate a positive relationship with food and your body. With the right support, recovery is entirely possible.

Do you struggle with an eating disorder or have recognised unhealthy behaviours related to your body image? Contact our friendly admin team today to book an appointment with an experienced Practitioner.

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FEES: Individual Telehealth Counselling (Skype/Zoom or Phone)
please refer to individual clinician fees on the About Us page.

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Eating Disorder Therapy Melbourne