HOW DOES COUNSELLING HELP EATING DISORDERS?

2 Feb

Written By OLIP THERAPY - Online and In Person Therapy

How Counselling Can Help with Eating Disorders: Healing Begins with Talking

Eating disorders are complex and often misunderstood conditions that affect individuals of all ages, genders, and backgrounds. In the UK alone, it is estimated that over 1.25 million people are living with an eating disorder, according to Beat, the UK’s leading eating disorder charity. These conditions - such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, and OSFED (Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder)—go far beyond food. They often stem from deep-rooted emotional pain, low self-worth, trauma, or a desire for control.

Counselling plays a critical role in the recovery journey, offering a safe and supportive space to explore the thoughts, emotions, and behaviours that contribute to disordered eating.

Why Talking Therapy Matters

Eating disorders thrive in secrecy, shame, and silence. Counselling helps break that silence. It provides a confidential environment where individuals can speak freely without judgement, begin to untangle their relationship with food, and start to understand what’s driving their behaviour.

Trained counsellors work with clients to:

Explore the emotional root causes of their eating disorder, such as anxiety, perfectionism, low self-esteem, or past trauma.
Develop healthier coping strategies to replace restrictive eating, purging, or bingeing.
Challenge unhelpful thought patterns, including distorted beliefs about body image, self-worth, and control.
Build self-compassion and emotional resilience to help reduce the urge to rely on disordered eating as a coping mechanism.

Whether delivered through person-centred therapy, CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy), Hypnotherapy, or integrative counselling, these approaches help clients reframe their thinking and foster a healthier relationship with food and themselves.

Counselling for Families and Loved Ones

Eating disorders don’t just affect the individual, they ripple out to impact families, relationships, and daily life. Counselling can also provide essential support and education for family members. Understanding the nature of an eating disorder and learning how to offer effective support can significantly enhance the recovery process.

At OLIP Therapy, we work with individuals and their loved ones to ensure a holistic and compassionate approach to healing.

What the Research Says

According to NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) guidelines, psychological therapies, particularly those that focus on behavioural change and emotional regulation, are central to treating eating disorders. Studies show that early intervention and consistent therapy lead to significantly better outcomes, including long-term recovery and reduced relapse rates.

A 2023 report by the Royal College of Psychiatrists noted that with the right treatment and support, recovery is possible for most people with eating disorders, but timely access to counselling is key.

Take the First Step Towards Recovery

If you or someone you love is struggling with disordered eating, you are not alone — and you don’t have to face it without support. Counselling can offer a powerful starting point for healing, helping you rebuild trust in yourself, your body, and your life.

📞 Book a confidential consultation with OLIP Therapy today and start your journey towards a healthier, more compassionate relationship with food and yourself. Recovery is possible and it begins with one courageous conversation.