- Clinical THERAPY
Eating Disorders
Eating disorders and body image concerns can significantly affect emotional, physical, and social wellbeing.
Michelle Barratt Psychology Administrative Services (MBP) supports access to coordinated care in Brisbane and online Australia-wide, helping connect individuals and families with psychologists, GPs, dietitians, and allied health professionals as part of a multidisciplinary treatment approach.
Clinically informed Support
Michelle Barratt Psychology provides a neutral, professional hub that connects you with the right clinician — so therapy can stay focused on you.
Table of Contents
Eating Disorder and Body Image Support
Eating disorders are complex mental health conditions that can affect a person’s relationship with food, body image, self-esteem, physical health, and emotional wellbeing. Recovery often requires support from multiple health professionals working together to address both the psychological and physical aspects of care.
Michelle Barratt Psychology Administrative Services (MBP) does not currently provide direct treatment for eating disorders. Instead, our hub supports a compassionate, multidisciplinary approach by helping individuals and families connect with appropriate psychologists, GPs, dietitians, and allied health professionals who can provide specialised care and treatment.
How does MBP support Eating Disorder Care?
Eating disorder recovery often involves collaboration between several healthcare providers. MBP provides the administrative coordination and oversight required to support this process, helping ensure communication pathways, referrals, appointments, and treatment planning remain organised and accessible.
Our role is to assist clients seeking support for eating disorders, disordered eating, body image concerns, or related mental health challenges by helping them access an appropriate network of independent practitioners and healthcare providers.
What support does MBP provide?
Sensitive Intake
Compassionate intake processes help identify appropriate support pathways and referrals.
Care Coordination
Administrative oversight supports communication between practitioners involved in care.
Referral Support
Assistance with referrals to psychologists, GPs, dietitians, and allied health professionals.
Medicare Guidance
Support with referral paperwork and Medicare-related administrative processes.
Multidisciplinary Care
Facilitates access to coordinated treatment across multiple healthcare providers.
Flexible Access
Support is available for individuals and families across Brisbane and Australia-wide.
How do I get started?
If you are concerned about an eating disorder, disordered eating, or body image difficulties, please get in touch.
Email us using the form below, and we will help you find a Brisbane psychologist or allied health practitioner who specialises in borderline personality disorder and long-term recovery.
You may also view our Practitioner Page and select the clinician of your choice.
Important safety note
If you are in immediate danger, experiencing severe distress, or having thoughts of harming yourself, contact emergency services or a crisis service right away. If you are concerned but not in immediate danger, please mention this when you contact us so we can prioritise an appropriate, timely response.
What Are Eating Disorders?
Eating disorders are serious mental health conditions that involve persistent difficulties with eating behaviours, food intake, weight concerns, or body image. These conditions can affect people of all ages, genders, and backgrounds and often impact emotional wellbeing, physical health, relationships, education, and daily functioning.
Early support is important. Seeking help as soon as concerns arise can improve outcomes and provide access to the specialist care needed for recovery.
The Impact of Body Image Concerns
Many people experiencing eating disorders also struggle with body image concerns and low self-esteem. Negative beliefs about appearance, weight, or body shape can influence emotions, behaviour, confidence, and social interactions.
Over time, body image concerns may contribute to anxiety, depression, social withdrawal, perfectionism, and unhealthy coping strategies. Addressing body image and self-worth is often an important component of recovery and long-term wellbeing.
Signs That Additional Support May Be Needed
Everyone’s experience is different, but some common concerns may include:
• Preoccupation with food, weight, or body shape
• Restrictive eating patterns
• Episodes of binge eating
• Excessive exercise
• Intense fear of weight gain
• Low self-esteem linked to appearance
• Anxiety around meals or eating situations
• Social withdrawal and emotional distress
If these concerns are affecting daily life, professional support may be beneficial.
Understanding the Emotional Impact
Eating disorders frequently occur alongside other mental health concerns. Individuals may experience anxiety, depression, perfectionism, obsessive thinking, low self-esteem, or difficulties managing emotions.
These challenges can increase distress and make recovery more complex. Accessing appropriate psychological support can help individuals develop healthier coping strategies, improve emotional wellbeing, and strengthen resilience throughout treatment and recovery.
A Multidisciplinary Approach to Recovery
Recovery from an eating disorder often requires support from multiple healthcare professionals working together. Depending on individual needs, treatment may involve psychologists, GPs, dietitians, psychiatrists, and other allied health practitioners.
A coordinated approach helps ensure that both physical health and psychological wellbeing are supported throughout the recovery process. MBP assists by helping individuals access appropriate care pathways and maintain communication between relevant providers.
Understanding the Emotional Impact
Eating disorders frequently occur alongside other mental health concerns. Individuals may experience anxiety, depression, perfectionism, obsessive thinking, low self-esteem, or difficulties managing emotions.
These challenges can increase distress and make recovery more complex. Accessing appropriate psychological support can help individuals develop healthier coping strategies, improve emotional wellbeing, and strengthen resilience throughout treatment and recovery.
Common Eating Disorders and Related Concerns
MBP can assist individuals seeking support and referral pathways for a range of concerns, including:
• Anorexia Nervosa
• Bulimia Nervosa
• Binge Eating Disorder
• Disordered Eating
• Body Image Difficulties
• Emotional Eating
• Food-Related Anxiety
• Self-Esteem and Confidence Concerns
Please note that treatment is provided by independent practitioners and healthcare providers. MBP’s role is to support access to appropriate multidisciplinary care.
Recovery is rarely a journey taken alone. Families and support networks can make a significant difference by providing encouragement, understanding, and consistency throughout the treatment process.
Supporting a Loved One Through Recovery
Eating disorders can affect the entire family. Parents, partners, carers, and loved ones often experience feelings of worry, uncertainty, frustration, and emotional exhaustion while trying to support someone through recovery.
Understanding how to provide effective support can be challenging, particularly when eating behaviours, body image concerns, or emotional distress begin affecting daily life. Families often play a critical role in encouraging treatment engagement and supporting recovery.
With appropriate guidance and access to professional support, families can develop practical strategies that strengthen communication, reduce conflict, and create a more supportive recovery environment.
1 Understanding Eating Disorders
Learn about eating disorders and the recovery process.
2 Communication Skills
Build supportive and constructive ways to discuss concerns.
3 Emotional Support
Develop strategies to provide support while managing your own wellbeing.
4 Healthy Boundaries
Create balanced and sustainable support within the family.
5 Treatment Collaboration
Understand how multidisciplinary care supports recovery.
Contact Us on the Email Form Below
Please be advised that you’ll receive a response within 24 to 48 hours.
If in crisis, please call 000.
*Your personal information will be handled in the strictest confidence in accordance with the Allied Health Privacy ACT, 1988.