Eating Disorder Psychologist Melbourne

An eating disorder is a persistent disturbance in eating behaviour, accompanied by significant distress and impairment in physical health or psychosocial functioning (American Psychiatric Association, 2022). They are not about food — they are about emotions, self-worth, and control.

The main presentations include:

• Anorexia Nervosa — severely restricted intake driven by intense fear of weight gain and distorted body image
• Bulimia Nervosa — cycles of bingeing followed by compensatory behaviours (purging, fasting, excessive exercise)
• Binge Eating Disorder (BED) — recurrent episodes of eating large amounts with a sense of loss of control, without purging
• Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) — restricted intake not driven by body image concerns
• Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorders (OSFED) — clinically significant presentations that do not meet full criteria for the above

Eating disorders are maintained by a complex interplay of psychological, neurobiological, and social factors. The cognitive distortions, emotional avoidance, and rigid behavioural patterns that develop become deeply entrenched — and starvation itself impairs the brain’s capacity to think flexibly.

Effective recovery requires addressing:

• The underlying beliefs about self-worth, control, and body image
• Emotional regulation deficits that drive eating behaviour
• Nutritional restoration to support cognitive function
• Family and interpersonal dynamics that maintain the disorder

Research confirms that psychological treatment produces the best long-term outcomes, especially when begun early (Hay et al., 2019).

Our psychologists use the most evidence-supported approaches for eating disorder treatment:

Enhanced Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT-E)

The leading evidence-based treatment for bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder (Fairburn et al., 2015). CBT-E targets the cognitive and behavioural maintaining factors — including dietary restraint, over-evaluation of shape and weight, and perfectionism — using a structured, time-limited approach.

Family-Based Treatment (FBT / Maudsley Approach)

The gold standard for adolescents with anorexia nervosa (Lock & Le Grange, 2019). FBT involves parents taking an active role in nutritional rehabilitation before gradually returning control to the young person as recovery progresses.

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)

Particularly effective for eating disorders with high emotional dysregulation, impulsivity, or co-occurring BPD. DBT builds distress tolerance, emotional regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness — reducing the emotional drivers of bingeing and purging (Chen et al., 2008).

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Helps clients develop a flexible, non-judgemental relationship with difficult thoughts and feelings about food and body, reducing the experiential avoidance that maintains disordered eating. Particularly useful for ARFID and chronic presentations.

Your psychologist will tailor treatment to your specific presentation, history, and goals.

WorkCover, NDIS or TAC approved? YOU PAY NOTHING.
If your claim has been approved, we bill your funder directly. Zero out-of-pocket cost — no gap, no upfront payment, nothing.

• WorkCover approved — $0 out of pocket, we bill directly
• NDIS plan-managed or self-managed — $0 out of pocket, we bill directly
• TAC claim approved — $0 out of pocket, we bill directly
• DVA — Gold Card holders are fully covered with no session cap (clinically justified). White Card holders covered for accepted conditions, plus all current/former ADF members can access fully-funded psychology for any mental-health condition under NLMHT. GP referral required.
• Medicare rebate (Mental Health Care Plan) — rebates same-day or next day
• Private Health Insurance — itemised invoice provided
• No funding / self-pay — affordable rates from $50 per session, no referral needed

Our psychologists are trained in a wide range of evidence-based approaches across many presentations. Browse our full directory of conditions and therapies we work with.