Eating disorder counselling with registered psychologists
Eating disorders are serious mental health conditions, and recovery is possible. Getting support early makes a real difference, whether you have a diagnosis, are worried about your relationship with food, or are concerned about someone you love.
Psychologists and counsellors in attendance at our Centre work with adults and young people experiencing binge eating disorder, bulimia nervosa, anorexia nervosa, other specified feeding and eating disorders (OSFED), and body image distress. Treatment is collaborative and non-judgemental, and works alongside your GP and, where needed, a dietitian.
Please call (07) 3831 4452 to speak with our reception team about your needs.
Written and clinically reviewed by Natascha Madden, Registered Psychologist (AHPRA reg. PSY0000953827), Brisbane Counselling Centre. Last reviewed: October 2026
What is an eating disorder?
An eating disorder is a serious mental illness involving persistent disturbances in eating behaviour, along with distressing thoughts and feelings about food, weight, shape or body image.Eating disorders are not a lifestyle choice, a phase, or a matter of willpower. They are complex conditions with biological, psychological and social causes, and they can affect anyone, of any age, gender, body size or cultural background. You cannot tell whether someone has an eating disorder by looking at them.
The Butterfly Foundation’s Paying the Price report (2024) estimates that around 1.1 million people in Australia are living with an eating disorder, and that fewer than one in three people affected seek help.
What are the signs of an eating disorder?
Eating disorders show up in behaviour, thoughts, emotions and the body. Common signs include:
- being preoccupied with food, eating, weight or body shape
- feeling anxious, guilty or ashamed about eating
- skipping meals, following rigid food rules, or cutting out whole food groups
- eating large amounts of food in a short time and feeling out of control
- vomiting, using laxatives or exercising compulsively to compensate for eating
- eating in secret, or hiding food or eating habits from others
- frequent body checking, weighing, or avoiding mirrors altogether
- withdrawing from social events that involve food
- changes in mood, such as irritability, low mood or anxiety
- tiredness, dizziness, feeling cold, or noticeable changes in weight
If some of this sounds familiar, you do not need to be certain it is an eating disorder before reaching out. A psychologist or counsellor can help you make sense of what is happening.
What types of eating disorders do you treat?
Binge eating disorder (BED)
Binge eating disorder involves regular episodes of eating a large amount of food in a short period while feeling a loss of control, without purging afterwards. Binges are often followed by intense shame, guilt or distress, and are frequently linked to stress, low mood or restrictive dieting. Binge eating disorder is the most common eating disorder in Australia.
Bulimia nervosa
Bulimia nervosa involves repeated cycles of binge eating followed by behaviours to compensate, such as vomiting, laxative use, fasting or excessive exercise. People with bulimia are often within or above a typical weight range, so the condition can go unnoticed for a long time. Self-worth tends to be closely tied to body shape and weight.
Anorexia nervosa
Anorexia nervosa involves restricting food intake, an intense fear of gaining weight, and a disturbed experience of body weight or shape. It has serious physical health effects and the highest mortality rate of any mental illness, so medical monitoring by a GP is an essential part of treatment alongside psychological care.
Other specified feeding or eating disorder (OSFED)
OSFED describes eating disorders that are serious and distressing but do not fit the exact criteria for the conditions above. It is common, and it is just as deserving of treatment.
Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID)
ARFID involves avoiding or restricting food because of sensory sensitivities, fear of choking or vomiting, or a lack of interest in eating, rather than concerns about body shape. It can affect children and adults.
Body image concerns
Many people experience significant distress about their body without meeting criteria for an eating disorder. Body image counselling can help reduce that distress and prevent problems from developing further.
When is medical care needed urgently?
Eating disorders can affect the heart, kidneys, bones and other organs. If you or someone you care about has an eating disorder, regular check-ups with a GP are important.
Seek medical help the same day, through your GP or the nearest emergency department, if there is fainting, chest pain, a very slow or irregular heartbeat, confusion, vomiting blood, or rapid weight loss. In an emergency, call 000.
Psychological counselling at Brisbane Counselling Centre is an outpatient service. It works best alongside medical care and is not a substitute for it.
What does eating disorder treatment involve?
Treatment is tailored to the person, the type of eating disorder and how severe it is. Most people are supported by a small team, usually a GP, a psychologist or counsellor and an accredited practising dietitian, working together.
Sessions at Brisbane Counselling Centre are a safe, confidential place to understand what keeps the eating disorder going and to build new ways of coping. Your psychologist or counsellor will work at a pace that feels manageable for you.
The approaches most often used are:
Enhanced cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT-E) – The most researched psychological treatment for adults with eating disorders. CBT-E targets the patterns of eating, thinking and body checking that keep an eating disorder in place.
Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) skills – For managing intense emotions and urges, particularly where binge eating or purging is used to cope with distress.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) – Building a more flexible relationship with difficult thoughts about food and body, and reconnecting with what matters to you.
Interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) – Focuses on relationships and life changes that may be linked to the eating disorder, and has good evidence for binge eating disorder.
EMDR – Where an eating disorder is connected to trauma or distressing past experiences, EMDR may be used as part of treatment once eating is more stable.
Eating disorders often occur alongside anxiety, depression or trauma, and your psychologist will address these as part of your care.
Supporting a family member with an eating disorder
Watching someone you love struggle with an eating disorder is frightening and exhausting. Parents, partners and family members often feel unsure what to say, or worry about making things worse.
Counselling can help family members understand eating disorders, respond in supportive ways at mealtimes and beyond, and look after their own wellbeing. For young people, parents and families are usually an important part of treatment. See our pages on family therapy and counselling and adolescents and teens.
How do I book an appointment for an eating disorder in Brisbane?
- Please call (07) 3831 4452 or complete our enquiry form. Our reception team will match you with a suitable practitioner. You do not need a referral to book.
- See your GP. Your GP can check your physical health and, if you are eligible, prepare an Eating Disorder Treatment and Management Plan or a Mental Health Treatment Plan for Medicare rebates. You can book with us before or after that appointment.
- Attend your first session. Bring your Medicare card and your plan if you have one. There is nothing else you need to prepare.
Brisbane Counselling Centre is at Level 7, 87 Wickham Terrace, Spring Hill, near the Brisbane CBD, about five minutes’ walk from Central Station. We are open Monday to Friday 7:30am to 5:30pm and Saturday 8:30am to 5:00pm. Online and telephone sessions are also available.
Meet the psychologists and counsellors or see our fees and rebate information.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a referral to see a psychologist for an eating disorder?
What is a Medicare Eating Disorder Plan?
What if I am not eligible for an Eating Disorder Plan?
How much does it cost to see a psychologist for an eating disorder?
How do I know if I have an eating disorder or just disordered eating?
Can you have an eating disorder at a normal weight?
Can men have eating disorders?
How long does eating disorder treatment take?
Do you see teenagers with eating disorders?
Do you offer eating disorder counselling online?
Will what I say stay confidential?
Where are you located?
Help is available
Recovery from an eating disorder is possible, and it rarely happens in a straight line. Reaching out is a brave first step. A caring psychologist or counsellor can help you understand what is happening and support you towards a more peaceful relationship with food and your body.
Please call (07) 3831 4452 to speak with our reception team. The Brisbane psychologists and counsellors are available to help.
For free, confidential support about eating disorders and body image, contact the Butterfly National Helpline on 1800 33 4673. If you need urgent support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14, available 24 hours. In an emergency, call 000.
