When food, control and self-worth get tangled together

Eating Disorder Therapy

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

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Free self-assessment

Free eating disorder test

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DM
Dr Martina Paglia

Clinically reviewed by

Dr Martina Paglia

Founder & CEO of Mind a Porter

HCPC-registered Clinical Psychologist

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

Last reviewed: 13 August 2026

All health information on Mind a Porter is clinically reviewed by our clinical lead. These resources are educational and do not replace professional advice.

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.

Understanding causes

What contributes to eating disorder

Eating disorder rarely has a single cause. It usually builds up from a combination of biological, psychological and environmental factors, and understanding your own pattern is an important part of finding the right support.

Biological factors: Genetics, brain chemistry, physical health and sleep patterns can all play a role in how eating disorder develops and is experienced.

Psychological factors: Thinking styles, past experiences, personality traits and learned coping patterns can maintain or worsen eating disorder over time.

Environmental factors: Stress, relationships, work pressure, life transitions and broader social or cultural factors often contribute to when and how eating disorder surfaces.

Benefits

The benefits of Eating Disorder Therapy

A clearer understanding of what is keeping your eating disorder going and why

Practical tools from cbt-ed to manage triggers and setbacks in daily life

Reduced intensity and frequency of eating disorder symptoms as the work progresses

Better sleep, focus and energy as eating disorder stops dominating your day

More confidence in social, work and relationship situations

A therapeutic relationship you can return to whenever things feel harder

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

When to seek help

When is it time to seek therapy for eating disorder?

It is worth reaching out when eating disorder is starting to affect your daily life, relationships or wellbeing. You do not need to wait until things feel unmanageable. These are the signs that professional support could help.

  • 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

Recognise any of these signs?

You don't have to figure it out alone. A 15-minute £1 discovery call can help you make sense of what's happening and what kind of support might help. Therapy for eating disorder is available online or in person in London.

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.

Learn more

MANTRA and specialist adult approaches

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

Learn more

DBT-informed emotion regulation work

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

Learn more

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.

Learn more

Fees & booking

Transparent pricing for eating disorder therapy

50-minute sessions, online or in person across London
Fees set by each therapist and shown before you book
Private insurance accepted by many clinicians

Clients never pay more with us than going direct, and our therapists offer their best rates.

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.

Ready to take the first step?

Book a £1 discovery call, or browse therapists near you for eating disorder therapy. Online and in-person sessions across London.

Why Choose Us

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
Hasina Sarwari
Easy Booking
Woman London BridgeOnline via Google Meet

Dr Hasina SarwariClinical Psychologist

DClinPsy · EMDR · EFT · BSc17+ years of experience

I am a HCPC-registered Clinical Psychologist with seventeen years of experience supporting teenagers, adults, seniors, and couples across London and beyond. My practice is built upon a foundation of extensive clinical training, including a DClinPsy, and a diverse range of evidence-based modalities. I have cultivated a broad breadth of expertise, assisting clients with challenges ranging from anxiety, burnout, and PTSD to chronic pain, body image concerns, and complex life transitions. By integrating specialist approaches such as EMDR, EFT, IFS, and somatic therapy alongside traditional frameworks like CBT, ACT, and DBT, I provide a sophisticated, bespoke therapeutic experience. Whether working with individuals, couples, or adolescents, my focus remains on fostering deep, enduring change. I offer a professional, empathetic space where we can navigate your specific circumstances with clinical rigour and human understanding, helping you move towards a more grounded and authentic way of living.

English
From £200 /session
Ronak Motlagh
Easy Booking
WomanOnline via Google Meet

Ms Ronak MotlaghPsychotherapist

Masters in Counselling · Psychotherapy · Bachelors in Social…9+ years of experience

I am a registered psychotherapist with nine years of clinical experience, dedicated to providing a secure and reflective space for adults navigating complex personal challenges. Holding a Masters in Counselling and Psychotherapy alongside a Bachelors in Social Work, I integrate a range of modalities including Psychodynamic, Gestalt, Person-Centred, and Attachment-Based therapies. My practice is informed by a deep understanding of how past experiences and relational history shape our present-day behaviours. Throughout my career, I have supported clients through a wide spectrum of concerns, including anxiety, trauma, neurodivergence, and the impact of narcissistic abuse. Whether we are addressing chronic pain, workplace burnout, or the challenges of life transitions, my approach is tailored to your specific needs. I am fully accredited by the BACP and offer sessions in English, Farsi, and German, providing both individual and online therapy to ensure you feel supported throughout your process of change and self-discovery.

EnglishFarsiGerman
From £129 /session
£1 Discovery Call
Leah Hastings
Easy Booking
WomanOnline via Google Meet

Ms Leah HastingsCounsellor

MSc · BA2+ years of experience

I am a qualified counsellor holding an MSc in Counselling and a BA in Psychology, registered with the NCPS. My practice is informed by two years of clinical experience supporting adults and seniors navigating the complexities of their inner worlds. I draw upon a diverse range of evidence-based modalities, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, and Compassion-Focused Therapy, alongside principles of Positive Psychology. I work with clients experiencing a broad spectrum of challenges, such as ADHD, eating disorders, body image issues, OCD, and burnout. My expertise also encompasses depression, social and generalised anxiety, relationship and trust issues, and the impact of life transitions or workplace stress. By integrating these various clinical frameworks, I provide a tailored space where we can examine your unique way of relating to yourself and the world. My goal is to facilitate a professional, insightful environment that honours your individual journey while working towards your personal objectives.

English
From £50 /session
£1 Discovery Call
Deepthi Kanjirathodiyil
Easy Booking
Woman Blackheath Royal StandardOnline via Google Meet

I am a HCPC-registered Clinical Psychologist with 15 years of professional experience across mental health and physical health services in the UK and India. Throughout my career, I have worked in diverse clinical settings, including the NHS, hospital systems, and private practice, where I support adults and seniors navigating complex life challenges. My practice is informed by an integrative framework, incorporating modalities such as CBT, psychodynamic therapy, ACT, and compassion-focused therapy to address issues ranging from ADHD, trauma, and PTSD to perinatal mental health and relationship complexities. I provide a dedicated, inclusive space for clients managing burnout, bereavement, chronic pain, and various identity-based concerns. By drawing on my extensive clinical background, I offer tailored, evidence-based support in English, Hindi, Tamil, Urdu, and Punjabi. I am committed to helping you navigate transitions, deepen your self-awareness, and develop sustainable coping strategies that foster a more meaningful and manageable way of living.

EnglishHindiTamil+2
From £110 /session
£1 Discovery Call
Anastasia Moraiti
Easy Booking
Woman Kings CrossOnline via Google Meet

Ms Anastasia MoraitiPsychotherapist

MA9+ years of experience

I am a UKCP-registered psychotherapist with nine years of clinical experience, offering both in-person and online therapy to adults. My practice is informed by an MA and a diverse integrative framework, including Somatic, Person-Centred, Existential, Narrative, and Art Therapy. Throughout my career, I have worked with a broad spectrum of human experiences, supporting clients navigating complex life transitions, relationship challenges, and the impact of trauma. My clinical focus includes assisting individuals with ADHD, autism, body image concerns, workplace stress, and recovery from domestic or narcissistic abuse. Whether we are exploring the roots of generalised anxiety, perfectionism, or the weight of chronic pain and bereavement, I provide a professional and compassionate space for reflection. I am deeply committed to the integration of mind and body, drawing on my training to help you navigate your unique narrative with clarity, curiosity, and professional rigour, while working in either English or Greek.

EnglishGreek
From £60 /session
£1 Discovery Call
Rasha Yasien Jorany
Easy Booking
Woman MaryleboneOnline via Google Meet

Mrs Rasha Yasien JoranyPsychotherapist

BSc · MSc · PGDip8+ years of experience

I am a qualified psychotherapist with eight years of professional experience, dedicated to supporting adults as they navigate complex emotional challenges. My practice is built upon a strong academic foundation, including a BSc in Physiology and Pharmacology and an MSc in Psychology and Health, complemented by post-graduate training. As an NCPS-registered practitioner, I offer a broad range of evidence-based modalities, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Compassion-Focused Therapy, and Hypnotherapy. I provide inclusive, affirmative support for LGBTQ+ individuals and have developed extensive expertise across diverse areas such as trauma, anxiety disorders, relationship issues, and perinatal health. Whether working in English or Arabic, I provide a confidential, professional space for clients to explore issues like burnout, grief, and self-esteem. My approach is grounded in clinical rigour and a deep commitment to facilitating meaningful, sustainable change for those seeking to improve their wellbeing and navigate life transitions with greater clarity and resilience.

EnglishArabic
From £170 /session

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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 cost in London, and can I use insurance?

Fees for eating disorder 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?

It is worth considering therapy when eating disorder 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.

This page is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you are concerned about eating disorder, please speak with a qualified therapist or your GP. In a crisis, call 999 or Samaritans on 116 123.

The right therapist for Eating Disorder Therapy
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.

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£1 discovery call
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