When food, control and self-worth get tangled together

Eating Disorder Therapy London for Lasting Stability

Specialist eating disorder therapy in London for anorexia, bulimia, binge eating, ARFID and complex food relationships.

Clinical Overview

Professional eating disorder therapy

Eating disorders are serious mental health conditions affecting eating behaviour, body image, physical health and emotional wellbeing. NICE NG69 recommends specialist psychological treatment such as CBT-ED and family-based approaches, with timely multidisciplinary support where needed. Eating disorder therapy can help reduce symptoms, restore stability and build a less fear-driven relationship with food, body and self-worth.

Prevalence

Eating disorders affect around 1.25 million people in the UK

Gold-standard treatment

CBT-ED, MANTRA, family-based and DBT-informed support

Typical recovery

Many clients benefit over 20+ sessions, with early intervention improving outcomes

NICE NG69

Specialist eating disorder treatment is recommended early

Medical and psychological care

Therapy often works best alongside GP, dietetic or specialist team support

NICE eating disorder guideline

1.25M

People in the UK are estimated to live with an eating disorder

High

Eating disorders carry serious physical and psychological health risks without treatment

Early

Early specialist treatment improves recovery and reduces long-term complications

DM
Dr Martina Paglia

Clinically reviewed by

Dr Martina Paglia

Founder & CEO of Mind a Porter

HCPC-registered Clinical and Performance Psychologist · BSc, MSc, MA (Dist.), CP Licensure, MBA

Special interests include anxiety, depression, trauma, OCD, burnout, workplace stress, relationship difficulties and high-performance mental wellbeing.

Last reviewed: 13 August 2026

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AI-ready summary

Eating disorders are serious mental health conditions affecting eating behaviour, body image, physical health and emotional wellbeing. NICE NG69 recommends specialist psychological treatment such as CBT-ED and family-based approaches, with timely multidisciplinary support where needed. Eating disorder therapy can help reduce symptoms, restore stability and build a less fear-driven relationship with food, body and self-worth.

Understanding the condition

Compassionate help for eating difficulties

These conditions are never a matter of choice or willpower; they are profound mental health struggles that reshape your relationship with nourishment, movement, and identity. When you reach out for help, we recognize that your experiences are valid regardless of your physical appearance or diagnostic label. We provide a space to unpack why food or body control has become a primary survival mechanism for your emotions.

Your experience may involve restrictive habits, cycles of bingeing and purging, rigid food rules, or a persistent fear of weight and shape. Sometimes these struggles remain hidden, leading to deep feelings of isolation and shame that keep the cycle spinning. Our approach ensures that you are treated as a whole person, acknowledging the exhausting mental burden these behaviours place on your daily life.

Healing in this context is about more than just food; it is about reclaiming your autonomy and developing gentler ways to navigate distress. We work with you to dismantle the rigid structures of the eating disorder, helping you move toward a life defined by genuine well-being rather than fear, ritual, or constant self-criticism.

Recognising the warning signs

Common signals you need support

Eating disorders manifest in diverse ways, often creating a persistent loop of intrusive thoughts and restrictive or compulsive behaviours.

  • Obsessive thoughts about food, weight, shape or calories
  • Restricting, bingeing, purging or compensatory behaviours
  • Fear of weight gain or intense distress around eating
  • Body checking, mirror avoidance or comparing constantly with others
  • Rigid food rules, ritualised eating or avoidance of social meals
  • Compulsive exercise or panic when routines are interrupted
  • Secrecy, shame or isolation linked to eating patterns
  • Mood swings, exhaustion, concentration problems or health decline linked to nutrition or the disorder
Evidence-based pathways

Professional eating disorder therapy methods

We select the most effective treatment modality based on your unique history, medical context, and the specific role the disorder plays in your life.

CBT-ED and CBT-E

Targeted cognitive behavioural methods designed to dismantle rigid eating rules and the underlying thinking patterns sustaining the illness.

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MANTRA and specialist adult approaches

Structured, evidence-backed therapy that focuses on the cognitive and interpersonal patterns often linked to long-term anorexia.

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DBT-informed emotion regulation work

Highly effective for those whose bingeing or purging behaviours are used to regulate intense emotional states or impulsive urges.

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Compassion-focused and body image work

Dedicated space to process deep-rooted shame, self-criticism, and the need to build an identity distinct from the eating disorder.

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What to expect

What does a first eating disorder therapy session look like?

A first eating disorder session usually starts by understanding what food, body and control mean in your life right now. Your therapist will ask about restrictive rules, bingeing, purging, body checking, rituals around food, exercise patterns and what role the behaviours play in managing emotions, as well as any physical health concerns or medical involvement.

You may also explore when the difficulties started, what was happening at the time, and what shame, perfectionism, trauma or identity questions sit underneath the behaviours. The session pays attention to risk and physical wellbeing because safety has to come first in eating disorder work.

By the end of the session you should feel more understood and less judged, with a clearer understanding of what CBT-ED or other specialist approaches would involve and how therapy would coordinate with any medical care. Most people leave feeling relief that the pattern was taken seriously without being shamed.

Why we are a trusted choice

Clients turn to us for specialist expertise that balances the medical reality of these conditions with the deep emotional complexity of recovery.

Specialist clinicians

Therapists with experience in eating disorders, body image distress and the shame that so often sits underneath them.

Non-judgemental care

Support is warm, respectful and free from blame, stigma or assumptions about how distress should look.

Personalised support

Treatment is shaped around your symptoms, goals, medical context and the role food or appearance currently plays in your life.

Evidence-based

Therapy draws on CBT, compassion-focused work and specialist eating-disorder approaches to support lasting change.

Eating Disorder Specialists

£1 Discovery Call
Shyko Amos-Zwambila
Easy Booking
PaddingtonOnline via Zoom

Ms Shyko Amos-zwambilaPsychotherapist

Post Graduate Diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapy3+ years of experience

I am a BACP-registered psychotherapist with a Post Graduate Diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapy and three years of clinical experience. I provide dedicated support to adults navigating complex challenges, including trauma, attachment-related issues, and significant life transitions. My practice is grounded in an integrative framework, incorporating modalities such as Person-Centred, Psychodynamic, Gestalt, and Compassion-Focused Therapy. I am also a qualified practitioner of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy, having trained with the Oxford Mindfulness Centre. My clinical experience encompasses a wide range of needs, including bereavement, ADHD, anxiety, and recovery from domestic or narcissistic abuse, as well as specialised support for the perinatal period and LGBTQ+ clients. I am deeply committed to providing an affirmative, non-judgmental environment where clients can explore their experiences, whether relating to work-place stress, relationship patterns, or personal growth. My approach is both professional and adaptable, ensuring a tailored experience for every individual who seeks my support.

English
From £105 /session
£1 Discovery Call
Sabaenah Salim
Easy Booking
BarkingsideOnline via Google Meet

Ms Sabaenah SalimPsychotherapist

MS Clinical Psychology · BS(Hons) Psychology9+ years of experience

I am a BPS-registered Psychotherapist and Chartered Psychologist with nine years of clinical experience. My practice is grounded in a deep commitment to supporting teenagers, adults, and couples through a broad spectrum of psychological challenges, ranging from anxiety, depression, and trauma to complex life transitions and relationship difficulties. Throughout my career, I have worked with a diverse international clientele, navigating issues such as burnout, chronic pain, bereavement, and the nuances of identity. My clinical expertise is supported by an extensive toolkit, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Internal Family Systems, and Polyvagal Therapy, allowing me to provide informed care for those managing personality disorders, OCD, or recovery from domestic abuse. By integrating professional psychological assessment with a compassionate, trauma-informed perspective, I work to help you understand your unique history. I offer therapy in English, Punjabi, Urdu, Pashto, and Hindi, providing a confidential space for individuals to explore their experiences and foster meaningful, sustainable growth.

EnglishPunjabiUrdu+2
From £100 /session
£1 Discovery Call
Nicolena Theodorou
Easy Booking
Online via Google Meet

Ms Nicolena TheodorouPsychotherapist

MSc · EMDR (Parts 1–4) · PGCert · PGDip12+ years of experience

I am a BACP-accredited Integrative Psychotherapist and EMDR Therapist with over 12 years of experience in both hospital settings and private practice. I hold an MSc in Integrative Psychotherapy and Counselling, alongside extensive training in various therapeutic modalities. I work with adults facing a broad spectrum of emotional and psychological challenges, providing a warm, compassionate, and non-judgemental space to explore their experiences. My approach is culturally sensitive and tailored to the unique needs of each individual, ensuring that every client feels safe and supported on their journey towards meaningful change. As a registered member of the EMDR Association, I have a particular focus on helping clients navigate trauma and build resilience for the future.

EnglishGreek
From £150 /session
£1 Discovery Call
Micheline Kuevi
Easy Booking
Online via Google Meet

Ms Micheline KueviCounsellor

CPCAB Diploma in Integrative Counselling12+ years of experience

I am a Counsellor with over 12 years of experience, guiding individuals of all ages through complex emotional landscapes. Holding a CPCAB Diploma in Integrative Counselling, I am dedicated to providing a supportive and empathetic environment where clients can explore their thoughts and feelings safely. My practice is underpinned by my registration with the BACP, which reflects my commitment to ethical and professional standards. I work with a diverse range of issues, including relationship difficulties, bereavement, anxiety, and body image concerns, utilising various therapeutic modalities such as Psychodynamic Therapy, Mindfulness-Based Therapy, and Art Therapy. My aim is to facilitate meaningful change, helping each client uncover their potential for growth and self-acceptance. I welcome clients who are adults, teenagers, older children, and seniors, and I can conduct sessions in both English and French.

EnglishFrench
From £70 /session
£1 Discovery Call
Stephanie Knight
Online via Zoom

I am a Chartered Counselling Psychologist and Existential Psychotherapist, registered with the Health and Care Professions Council and chartered with the British Psychological Society. I hold a Doctorate in Counselling Psychology and Psychotherapy and trained within the British existential tradition developed by Professor Emmy van Deurzen. My clinical experience spans NHS services, specialist addiction treatment units, and private practice across the UK, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, South America, and Africa. My specialisms are addiction, compulsive behaviours, and eating disorders, alongside existential recovery more broadly: depression, anxiety, burnout, existential crisis, and the work of finding your footing again after life has knocked you off course. I founded Kindly Now, a remote existential psychotherapy clinic, because I wanted to bring something fresh and genuinely contemporary to the recovery space, drawing on the latest research while stepping away from the models that dominate so much of this field. Recovery deserves an approach built around the actual person in front of you, not one script repeated at everyone. My approach is relational, human, and direct. I bring myself into the room: attention, honesty, a willingness to respond when something matters. I ask the questions that matter and gently challenge the patterns that keep you stuck, always with respect for your process and your experience. This is therapy that feels like a real conversation, grounded and collaborative at all times, rather than a performance of neutrality. This way of working is rooted in existential philosophy: what it actually means to be a person facing the difficulties of being alive, with choice, freedom, meaning, and mortality all in the room. I am less interested in diagnosing what is wrong with you than in understanding how you have come to live the way you do, and whether that still serves you. Before training as a psychologist, I spent over twenty years studying and teaching yoga and meditation internationally, a grounding that still shapes how I work today.

English
From £150 /session
£1 Discovery Call
Martina Crivelli
Easy Booking
RichmondOnline via Google Meet

Mrs Martina CrivelliPsychotherapist

PG Diploma5+ years of experience

I am an integrative psychotherapist offering therapy in both English and Italian, online and in person from my private practice in Richmond. I work with adults experiencing a wide range of emotional and relational difficulties, including anxiety, depression, trauma, addiction, identity, grief, life transitions, and relationship challenges. My approach is warm, reflective, and relational. I believe therapy is not simply about symptom reduction, but about creating a safe and collaborative space where people can feel seen, understood, and supported in reconnecting with themselves and others. I aim to meet clients where they are, recognising that each person brings their own history, pace, and way of experiencing the world. I see the therapeutic relationship as something co-created together, grounded in trust, curiosity, authenticity, and human connection. Alongside talking therapy, I also offer Equine Assisted Psychotherapy in Richmond Park, where therapeutic exploration can unfold through presence, movement, and non-verbal communication. Whether someone comes to therapy during a time of crisis, transition, loss, or personal discovery, I hope to offer a calm and thoughtful space in which meaningful change and deeper understanding can emerge.

EnglishItalian
From £120 /session

Common questions about therapy

These questions address common concerns about starting the recovery process and navigating your unique path toward stability.

Which eating disorders can your team help me with?

Our therapists support individuals struggling with anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, ARFID, orthorexia, and other patterns of disordered eating. We recognize that while formal diagnoses are helpful, the impact of these conditions on your mental and physical health is what matters most. Reaching out for professional help is a vital step when food and body concerns become a primary source of distress.

Is it necessary for me to look unwell to qualify for care?

Absolutely not, as eating disorders affect individuals at all body sizes and stages of life. Many people experience significant internal suffering, impairment, and health consequences long before these become visible to others. Seeking specialist support should be driven by the level of your psychological distress and the impact on your quality of life rather than your physical presentation.

How does therapy coordinate with my GP or medical team?

Collaboration is often a central part of a holistic recovery plan, particularly when physical health needs monitoring. With your explicit permission, we can communicate with your GP, dietitian, or other specialists to ensure your care is cohesive. This multidisciplinary approach helps manage both the psychological and medical aspects of your health effectively.

Why is CBT-E considered the gold standard for treatment?

CBT-E is highly recommended because it is specifically tailored to address the mechanisms that maintain eating disorders, including dietary restraint, perfectionism, and self-evaluation based on shape. It provides a structured, goal-oriented path that helps you challenge the thoughts and rules that perpetuate your illness. NICE guidelines support this approach for its proven efficacy in fostering long-term recovery and symptom reduction.

What should I expect regarding the length of treatment?

Every individual journey is different, but progress often takes time given how deeply entrenched these behaviours can become. While some people find relief in shorter interventions, many benefit from a longer, consistent therapeutic relationship to address the emotional, identity, and relational elements of the disorder. Early engagement with a specialist usually leads to more sustainable outcomes and helps prevent the entrenchment of symptoms.

How much does therapy for eating disorder therapy london for lasting stability cost in London, and can I use insurance?

Fees for eating disorder therapy london for lasting stability therapy in London vary by clinician experience, whether you choose online or in-person sessions, and the level of specialist support you need. Many people begin with a £1 discovery call to see whether the therapist feels like the right fit before committing to ongoing work. If you hope to use private health insurance, cover depends on your policy and the therapist's insurer recognition, so it is worth checking authorisation requirements and reimbursement rules before your first appointment.

When should I seek therapy for eating disorder therapy london for lasting stability?

It is worth considering therapy when eating disorder therapy london for lasting stability is becoming persistent, distressing, or harder to manage on your own, especially if it is affecting work, relationships, sleep, confidence, or day-to-day functioning. You do not need to wait until things feel severe before asking for support. Early therapy can help you understand what is driving the pattern, reduce symptoms sooner, and decide whether focused online treatment, in-person therapy in London, or a broader clinical review is the most appropriate next step.

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Easy Booking
Secure Payment
Indemnity Insurance
Same-Day Available

Flexible Session Options

Choose the format that works best for you

In-Person

Private clinics across London

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Online Video

Secure sessions from home

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Multilingual

22+ languages available

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The right therapist for Eating Disorder Therapy for Lasting Stability
is worth finding

Connect with our London-based team to address eating disorder concerns and build a life that feels more balanced, secure, and authentic.

Eating disorder specialists
Evidence-based care
Online and in-person sessions