Online Therapy For Eating Disorders & Body Dysmorphia

Counselling is a very effective support resource for a wide range of different mental health conditions - and eating disorders and body dysmorphia are no different, with therapy proving to be particularly effective at helping people recover.

What are eating disorders?

Disordered eating is where food is used as a method of control to help you cope with emotions and life circumstances. Anyone can be affected, but teenagers and young adults are most at risk.

 Types of eating disorders include:

• Anorexia, where weight is controlled through insufficient food intake, exercising too much or both
• Bulimia, where control over food intake is lost and drastic action then taken to avoid putting on weight
• Binge eating disorder, where large portions of food are consumed until uncomfortably full

Symptoms of eating disorders include:

• Constant worrying over weight and body shape
• Avoiding socialising where food may be present
• Eating very little food
• Over-exercising
• Strict habits and routines around food
• Mood changes
• Making yourself sick/taking laxatives after food
• Delayed signs of puberty
• Periods stopping
• Digestive issues
• Feeling faint

What is body dysmorphia?

Body dysmorphic disorder is where someone spends a lot of time worrying about their appearance, finding flaws that are often unnoticeable to other people. It affects both men and women, and is most common among teenagers and young adults.

Symptoms of body dysmorphia include:

• Excessive worrying about specific parts of your body (especially your face)
• Excessive comparison with other people’s appearance
• Looking in mirrors a lot or avoiding mirrors altogether
• Picking at your skin to make it ‘smooth’
• Spending excessive amounts of time trying to conceal flaws

What is psychodynamic therapy and how can it help people with eating disorders?

Mental health conditions such as eating disorders and body dysmorphia can arise through the repression of emotions, emotions that are unconsciously locked away by the mind to protect you from the associated pain.

These emotions can dictate how we think and behave, creating negative cycles and affecting our present and future lives.

As a specialist in psychodynamic therapy, I can equip you with the tools and resources you need to fall back on in times of need, helping you build resilience so that you’re better equipped to deal with problems as they arise.

Psychodynamic therapy itself is influenced by Freudian theory, with particular weight placed on exploring past experiences and how they continue to shape present thoughts, feelings, and relationships. 

Attachment theory is a key aspect of my approach, focusing on early relational patterns, emotional development, and how these can manifest in your relationships today.

This therapeutic practice is reflective and tailored to you as an individual, giving you a safe, compassionate, non-judgemental space in which you can explore your experiences at your own pace.

If you’d like to find out more about how I can help you regain control, get in touch to book an online counselling session.