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When food becomes the focus of everything

Eating Disorder Support Across The North East

Specialist therapy to understand the thoughts and patterns that drive disordered eating, and help you build a healthier relationship with yourself.

  • 44 Practitioners
  • 6 North East clinics
  • Free First Pathway call

Understanding eating disorders

It is rarely just about food.

Eating disorders are a group of conditions in which a person's relationship with food becomes a way of managing difficult emotions, low self-worth, anxiety, or a need for control. The behaviours, restricting, bingeing, purging, obsessive checking, are often attempts to cope with something that feels unmanageable. Understanding that is the starting point for change.

There are many forms of eating disorder, from anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa to binge eating disorder, compulsive overeating, and orthorexia. Each has its own pattern, but all share a common thread: the way a person relates to food has become entangled with how they feel about themselves.

Therapy does not focus on food alone. It works with the underlying psychological patterns, the beliefs, the triggers, the emotional habits, so that lasting change becomes possible. With the right support, people do recover.

Common signs

How eating disorders shows up, and what can help

Common signs

  • Restricting food intake or skipping meals
  • Episodes of bingeing followed by guilt or shame
  • Purging, excessive exercise, or use of laxatives
  • Obsessive thoughts about food, weight, or body shape
  • Eating in secret or avoiding eating with others
  • Feeling out of control around food
  • Distorted body image despite being a healthy weight
  • Low mood, anxiety, or irritability linked to eating

Therapies that can help

Different people respond to different approaches. Your therapist agrees a personalised plan with you, which may draw on:

The Pathway Team matches you to a therapist experienced in supporting people with eating disorders, at your chosen location.

A simple first move

Not sure where to start? Talk it through with the Pathway Team.

Request a callback

Who you might work with

Therapists with expertise in supporting people with eating disorders

Browse the full team, or let the Pathway Team match you.

When to reach out

You do not have to reach a crisis point before asking for help.

Many people wait until things feel desperate before seeking support. But the earlier you access therapy, the better the outcomes tend to be. If food, weight, or body image is taking up a significant amount of mental space, or if your eating habits are affecting your health, relationships, or daily life, that is reason enough to reach out.

Our Pathway Team will listen without judgement and help you find the right therapist. You do not need a diagnosis or a referral. A conversation is enough to get started.

Where we offer this

Support for eating disorders across the North East

Select Psychology Tynemouth clinic, coastal view

Tynemouth

1 Tynemouth Road, NE30 4AY

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Select Psychology Newcastle Gosforth clinic

Newcastle

The Grainger Suite, Dobson House, Regent Centre, NE3 3PF

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Questions before you start

What people usually ask

1 What is an eating disorder?

An eating disorder is a mental health condition characterised by an unhealthy relationship with food, body image, and weight. This can involve restricting food, bingeing, purging, or a preoccupation with 'clean' eating that disrupts daily life. Eating disorders are not about vanity or willpower, they are serious conditions with significant psychological and physical effects.

2 What types of eating disorders do you treat?

We support people with a range of presentations including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, compulsive overeating, orthorexia, and eating disorder not otherwise specified (EDNOS). Our therapists tailor their approach to your specific pattern and what is driving it, rather than treating a diagnosis in isolation.

3 Which therapy is recommended for eating disorders?

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is the most well-evidenced treatment for many eating disorders, particularly bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder. For other presentations, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT), and family-based approaches can also be highly effective. Your therapist will recommend the approach best suited to you during your initial assessment.

4 Can I access therapy online for an eating disorder?

Yes. We offer online therapy sessions for eating disorders, which many clients find convenient and comfortable, particularly in the early stages of treatment. We also offer face-to-face sessions at our Tynemouth and Newcastle (Gosforth) clinics. Your Pathway Team will help you decide which format suits you best.

In the meantime

Small steps that can help alongside therapy.

  • Try to eat at regular intervals throughout the day
  • Notice thoughts around food without acting on them immediately
  • Talk to someone you trust about how you are feeling
  • Keep a mood and eating journal to spot patterns
  • Contact Beat Eating Disorders for peer support and resources

From the blog

Helpful reading on this

Get in touch

Ready to feel heard?

Leave your details and a member of our Pathway Team will be in touch, usually within one working day. Or call us directly on 0191 258 0008.

  • Confidential and judgement-free
  • No obligation, no pressure to book
  • No GP referral needed
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How can we help?

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Phone lines open Mon to Thu 8.30am to 5pm, Fri 8.30am to 4.30pm

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