Question 1

Who do eating disorders impact?

Accepted Answer

Eating disorders or difficulties with food, eating and body image affect people of every age, weight, race, and gender. In my practice, I work with people of diverse ethnicities, ages, body types, genders, and races.

Question 2

Do I need to have an eating disorder to see you?

Accepted Answer

No. Many people will experience difficulties relating to food, eating and body image distress without having an eating disorder.  I can work with you to best determine your needs and adjust therapy to help you work towards your individual hopes and goals.

Question 3

Can I really get better?

Accepted Answer

Yes, recovery from an eating disorder is absolutely possible. While the journey can be challenging and requires commitment, many individuals have successfully overcome their eating disorders and gone on to lead fulfilling, healthy lives. With the right support, treatment, and resources, you can make significant progress. Therapy can help you develop healthier coping mechanisms, address underlying issues, and build a positive relationship with food and your body. Remember, each step you take towards recovery is a victory, and you don't have to do it alone.

Question 4

really? even if I have had unsuccessful treatment in the past?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely, it is still possible to recover even if past treatments have not been successful. Many factors can influence the effectiveness of treatment, including the timing of therapy, the fit between you and your therapist, and the type of therapy used. Sometimes, it takes finding the right approach and the right therapist who truly understands your unique situation.

Question 5

What if I have other difficulties alongside my eating difficulties?

Accepted Answer

Most people who struggle with eating related difficulties will likely also experience a secondary impact on their mood or anxiety levels. For some people their eating difficulties may have developed as a way of helping them to manage other difficult experiences like low mood or anxiety. Whilst I am an eating disorder and body image specialist, I routinely work with individuals with other difficulties including low mood, anxiety, low self-esteem, perfectionism, and high self-criticism.

Question 6

How many sessions will I need?

Accepted Answer

The number of sessions needed varies greatly from person to person. During our initial session, we will discuss your specific concerns, review your personal history, and identify your therapy goals. Some individuals may benefit from just a few sessions to address their immediate needs, while others may prefer longer-term therapy to explore deeper issues and achieve lasting change. Ultimately, the frequency and duration of sessions will be determined based on your unique circumstances and therapeutic progress. Flexibility and collaboration ensures that the therapy process meets your individual needs and goals.

Question 7

Do you offer support to family members or partners?

Accepted Answer

Yes, abolutely!

It is well established that having a loved one with an eating disorder can negatively impact your wellbeing. I can work with you to help you better understand eating disorders and how to support your loved one, whilst also supporting you to build skills in taking care of yourself and holding healthy boundaries to support your own wellbeing.

Question 8

How would you work with my teenager?

Accepted Answer

Parents play a crucial role in the recovery process for young people with eating disorders as young people will typically struggle to recover without the involved support of their parents. What therapy would look like would depend on the age of your child and their motivation to recover but in most cases there would be a mixture of both individual and family based sessions.

Question 9

What can I expect during my first therapy session?

Accepted Answer

The first 1-2 sessions are more question and answer format as I gather important background information so that I can best understand what’s going on for you. After that, I will spend some time summarizing my understanding of your issues and talk about how I can help moving forward. You will have the opportunity to tell me about the main difficulties you are struggling with and the hopes and goals that you would like help moving towards.

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HCPC registration - PYL35015