Eating Disorder Therapy

Treatment for Eating Disorders

All Psychologists and Dietitians at Mind Body Well have significant experience and skills in assisting people with concerns about eating behaviours and body image. This can include people anywhere along a continuum from problematic eating behaviours and a concern with weight or shape, to those with formally diagnosed eating disorders.

At Mind Body Well, we use a non-dieting approach to understand the relationships people have with food and with their bodies, prioritising wellbeing and self-care. Our practitioners are aligned with the Health At Every Size Inclusivity movement, focussing on healthy thoughts and behaviours, rather than a particular focus on weight or size. You can read more about the Mind Body Well Philosophy.

Some people come to our practice specifically to focus on eating behaviours or recovery from an eating disorder. In this instance our clients may see one of our psychologists or our dietitian independently, or they may see both practitioners as a team, providing a more comprehensive approach to therapy. Our practitioners also work closely with other health professionals outside our practice to ensure consistency in your care. This may include your doctor, psychiatrist, allied health professionals, and complementary therapy practitioners.

Our Psychologists and Dietitians are highly skilled in providing therapy for people with Eating Disorders, with extensive experience with people experiencing the following conditions:

Anorexia Nervosa
Bulimia Nervosa
Binge Eating Disorder
Other Specific Feeding Feeding and Eating Disorders (OSFED)
Restrictive eating behaviours
Compulsive exercise
Body image concerns
Body dysmorphia
Orthorexia
Concerns with weight loss or gain
Other eating behaviour issues

Therapy Structure

Assessment Phase

All therapy at Mind Body Well begins with an initial Assessment Phase, which may take between 1-3 sessions, depending on the complexity of the issues to be addressed in therapy. At the end of this Assessment Phase, your therapist will negotiate with you a Treatment Plan, which will outline:

the focus and goals of your therapy
the treatment approaches to be used
your treatment team – which along with seeing a psychologist may also include seeing one of the dietitians at Mind Body Well

Treatment Phase

Each ‘Phase’ of therapy will have clear treatment goals, and a timeframe after which the effectiveness of therapy will be measured by you and your therapist. Some clients will have multiple ‘phases’ of treatment, whereas others may have more short term treatment.

MEDICARE AND PRIVATE HEALTH CLAIMS FOR PSYCHOLOGICAL THERAPY

You may be eligible to claim Medicare OR Private Health Insurance rebates for part of your session fees at Mind Body Well.

In order to claim a Medicare rebate you will need:

A current Medicare card, details of which you will have the opportunity to provide us in your initial client forms
A valid written referral and treatment plan from your Doctor (which needs to be provided to our administrative team prior to your appointment). These treatment plans can include the following types: Mental Health Care Plan, Eating Disorder
Management Plan, and Chronic Disease Management Plan
We will process Medicare claims on your behalf, providing the above two have been provided to us prior to your appointment
Please note – this is a partial rebate only, we are not a bulk billing service.

In order to claim a rebate from your Private Health Insurance you will need:

An appropriate level of cover (check with your fund)
A receipt from us which you issue yourself to your private health insurance provider (we are unable to process these on your behalf)
Please note – you are unable to claim from both Medicare and Private Health insurance for the same session

Please contact our administrative team if you need any further information about claiming rebates.

Eating Disorder Psychologist and Dietitian Melbourne

Our team of experienced psychologists and dietitians can work collaboratively to help you make change and achieve your goals. We offer support for people experiencing a range of issues including body image concerns, anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder.

Clinic address: 103 / 34 Queens Road, Melbourne, VIC, 3004.

Telehealth Therapy

We also offer therapy via a secure and confidential online platform for people who are unable to get to our Melbourne office. Feel free to contact us if you would like to discuss online therapy.

Want more details about Psychological Counselling at Mind Body Well? Click the button below to see our Information Form.

Frequently asked questions

What does it mean to have an Eating Disorder?

Eating disorders are serious mental health disorders, which can impact a person’s relationship with food, exercise and their body. There are different types of eating disorders and everyone’s experience can be different. Eating disorders are not a lifestyle choice or vanity, and treatment can effectively help.

What do all Eating Disorders have in common?

A common factor across all eating disorders includes a disrupted relationship with food and eating habits. This can present in different behaviours such as food restriction, binge eating, purging, dieting or selective eating habits. Many (though not all) eating disorders also feature a strong emphasis on body image, weight, shape, appearance or ‘health’. All eating disorders are serious, and can benefit from treatment.

What is Orthorexia?

Orthorexia is not formally recognised as an eating disorder diagnosis, but is gaining recognition and understanding. This pattern of disordered eating focuses on ‘clean eating’ or an obsession with ‘health’, including the quality, perceived benefits and morality of particular foods. Orthorexia can involve significant health consequences and disruptions in daily living due to the restrictive and obsessive relationship with food and body.

What is Body Dysmorphia?

Body Dysmorphia, or Body Dysmorphic Disorder involves an intense preoccupation with perceived ‘flaws’ or ‘defects’ in appearance, which is typically not noticeable to others. These perceived concerns typically involve specific facial or body features, and not concerns with overall weight or shape. People with body dysmorphic disorder may use repetitive or compulsive behaviours in an attempt to ‘fix’ or ‘hide’ the area of concern, e.g. make up, cosmetic procedures, mirror checking. Body dysmorphic disorder can have significant impacts on physical and mental health, including social isolation.

What is Muscle Dysmorphia?

Muscle dysmorphia is a subtype of Body Dysmorphic Disorder, where someone has a preoccupation with being insufficiently muscular or lean, which is distorted perception of their appearance. Muscle dysmorphia can involve obsessive thoughts or compulsive behaviours with the purpose of trying to increase muscle mass e.g. compulsive exercise or gym use, substance or steroid abuse, and disordered eating. Muscle dysmorphia most often effects males, due to associations between muscularity and masculinity, although can affect anyone. Muscle dysmorphia can have serious physical and mental health consequences.

How dangerous is an Eating Disorder?

Eating disorders can be very dangerous and potentially life-threatening. This can be due to the serious physical impacts of the disorder, which can affect every organ of the body. The mental health consequences can also be severe, including self-harm and suicide risk. In addition, the impacts on important areas of life are also significant, including on socialising, work/school and hobbies. That said, recovery is possible, and many health impacts can be reversible with appropriate treatment.

Who is most likely to have an Eating Disorder?

Anyone can have an eating disorder, regardless of age, gender identity, body size or shape, sexuality, race, culture, ability, economic status or profession. While eating disorders do not discriminate, some specific experiences put someone at higher risk of developing an eating disorder, such as experiences of trauma, discrimination, or pressure to conform to societal or cultural ideals. Remember that anyone can have an eating disorder, and you can’t tell just by looking at someone.

What are some of the facts about Eating Disorders?

Eating disorders can affect anyone – of any body size, gender identity, sexuality, race, socioeconomic or cultural background, ability or age
You cannot tell if somebody has an eating disorder by looking at them
Eating disorders are not a lifestyle choice, but are serious mental health conditions
Approximately 9% of Australians will experience an eating disorder in their lifetime
Dieting is the biggest risk factor for developing an eating disorder
Early intervention or treatment can help give the best outcome for recovery
Recovery from an eating disorder is possible, and treatment options are available at any stage

Can I clam Medicare rebates for Eating Disorder therapy?

The new Eating Disorder Management Plan was introduced by the Australian Government in November 2019. This plan enables an eligible client to access up to 40 sessions with a psychologist and 20 sessions with a dietitian for eating disorder treatment over a 12 month period. A valid Eating Disorder Management Plan and referral are required from a Doctor in order to access these rebate.

What type of therapy is best for an Eating disorder?

A range of evidence-based treatments are available for eating disorders, depending upon the therapist’s training and experience and preferences of the individual. The evidence-based treatments for eating disorders include:

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
Cognitive behavioural therapy- enhanced (CBT-E)
Dialectal behaviour therapy (DBT)
Interpersonal therapy (IPT)
Specialist supportive clinical management (SSCM)
Family based treatment (FBT; for young people and children)
Maudsley model of Anorexia treatment in adults (MANTRA)
Focal dynamic psychotherapy

Contact the Psychologists and Dietitians at our Melbourne Clinic

Or complete our NEW CLIENTS intake form