Eating Disorder Treatment and Neurodivergence

Specialist Private Treatment Centre for Eating Disorders

The first steps to recovery

Understanding Neurodivergence and Eating Disorders

Neurodivergence, which encompasses conditions such as autism, ADHD, and sensory processing differences, represents a way of thinking and experiencing the world that differs from the neurotypical norm. Recognising how neurodivergence interacts with eating disorders is crucial for tailoring treatment and providing effective and compassionate care.

Eating disorders are complex and multifaceted, and for neurodivergent individuals, unique challenges can increase their vulnerability to disordered eating.

Sensory Sensitivities

Neurodivergent individuals often experience heightened or reduced sensitivity to sensory stimuli, making the textures, smells, and tastes of food overwhelming. This can lead to food aversions or restrictive eating, potentially causing nutritional imbalances. For example, someone with autism may only tolerate specific textures or colours, which can limit their nutrient intake.

Rigidity and Routine

A strong preference for routine is common in neurodivergent individuals, but it can lead to rigid eating patterns. Eating the same foods daily for comfort and predictability can limit variety and contribute to disordered eating behaviours.

Emotional Regulation Challenges

Intense emotions or emotional dysregulation, common in conditions like ADHD and autism, may drive disordered eating as a way to cope with overwhelming emotions or sensory overload. Food can offer comfort or a sense of control during moments of distress.

Body Image and Self-Perception

Though body image may not always be a primary concern, societal pressures and experiences of bullying or marginalisation can negatively impact self-esteem. Struggling with neurotypical beauty standards may contribute to disordered eating behaviours.

 

Help is Available

Raising awareness of the overlap between neurodivergence and eating disorders is essential for improving outcomes and ensuring that neurodivergent individuals receive the care they need. By acknowledging these unique challenges and adapting treatment approaches, we can provide compassionate, effective support to empower individuals to recover on their terms.

At The London Centre, we specialise in offering inclusive, personalised care to meet the diverse needs of our clients. If you or someone you know is navigating the challenges of neurodivergence and disordered eating, contact us to learn more about how we can help.

For more information

 

The London Centre for Eating Disorders and Body Image is a leading private health clinic offering specialised care for children, adolescents and adults in Central London.

We offer treatments for individuals with different types of eating disorders and body image difficulties, including:

  • Anorexia Nervosa
  • Bulimia Nervosa
  • Binge Eating Disorder
  • Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder (OSFED)
  • Emotional Eating
  • Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)
  • Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD)
  • Other related conditions can often be comorbidities ie depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, OCD, perfectionism, Trauma/PTSD and borderline personality disorder (BPD)


Therapy options available in our Central London clinic include:

  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT and CBT-E) CBT-E is a more enhanced form of generic CBT which focuses more on thoughts and feelings about eating, weight and shape

  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy -Ten (CBT-T)

  • CBT-AR (specific for ARFID)

  • CBT-BDD (specific for Body Dysmorphia)

  • Schema Therapy

  • Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT)

  • Compassion Focussed Therapy (CFT)

  • Cognitive Analytic Therapy (CAT)

  • MANTRA (Maudsley Model of Anorexia Nervosa Treatment for Adults)

  • Eye Movement. Desensitisation Reprocessing (EMDR)

  • Specialist Supportive Clinical Management (SSCM) for severe and enduring anorexia

  • Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET)

  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

  • Dietetic Therapy

  • Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT)

  • 121 Emotional Eating Programme (8 weeks)

  • Psychiatry (medical monitoring and prescription service)

  • Integrative Therapy

  • Psychodynamic Psychotherapy

  • Integrative Psychotherapy

  • Person Centred Therapy

  • Transactional Analysis (TA)

  • Mindfulness Based Therapy

  • Low Cost Psychology with a Trainee Psychologist (this is £75/session) and with one of our Trainees who are in their final years of their Doctorate training
    Systemic Therapy (Family Based Therapy/Family Therapy)

  • Family Therapy for Anorexia Nervosa (FT-AN)

  • Family Therapy for Bulimia Nervosa (FT-BN)

  • Family Based Treatment for ARFID (FBT-ARFID)

  • Radically Open Dialectical Behaviour (RO-DBT) Informed Therapy

Specialist Team

The London Centre is a specialist multi-disciplinary team of expert health professionals trained in evidence-based treatments for eating disorders. The team consists of:

  • Psychiatrists

  • Clinical Psychologists

  • Counselling Psychologists

  • Trainee Psychologists

  • Occupational Therapists

  • Dietitians

  • Family/Couple Therapists

Diverse Treatment Options

With our team's expertise, we offer a variety of treatment options tailored to your needs, providing both in-person and remote consultations for your convenience.

Personalised Care

We believe that it's important to align our clients with both the right clinician and the appropriate treatment. While we ensure the use of evidence-based therapies we also ensure taking the time to listen to client preferences. This approach enables us to find the therapist and approach that best suits your needs.
 

Testimonials

Testimonials

“I never thought my disordered eating would be something I'd be able to begin tackling, let alone come out the other side of, but thanks to the staff at The London Centre for Eating Disorders and Body Image I've been able to do both. The team were always judgement-free and supportive through what was a difficult journey at times, but I can safely say that they have immeasurably improved my life for the better.”

January 2024

“I can't thank The London Centre enough for changing my life, when I really thought it wouldn't be possible. I felt heard and understood, and I am now in a place where I can confidently put all the tools I learned into practice.”

January 2024

I would highly recommend The London Centre. The staff were incredible and the treatment really helped. I'm so glad to have my life back on track and really owe it to the excellent quality of therapy.

March 2024

 

How it works

Our team conducts a comprehensive evaluation, leveraging the expertise of multiple specialists, to ensure that our treatment is effective and tailored to your recovery.

 

Step 1

Contact Us

Before making an appointment you can contact us with any questions you might have via phone, email or by using our online contact form. Your first contact will more than likely be with Kerry, our wonderful PA.

Step 2

Assessment

Before the initial session, clients are requested to complete a brief questionnaire regarding their current circumstances, preferences, and availability for appointments. While not mandatory, this information assists us in matching individuals with the most suitable clinician.

Step 3

First Session

Following the assessment, clients will have a session to discuss their recommended treatment plan. A start date will be agreed upon, and arrangements will be made for an initial session.
 

Featured

FAQs

 

  • The fees do vary depending on, which clinician you see. For a full summary of our fees, what health insurance company policies we accept, and details about making payments please click the link. (https://www.thelondoncentre.co.uk/fees)

  • Our Team PA, Kerry, is available to answer any questions you may have prior to booking an assessment. If you would like to discuss treatment options or have a general conversation prior to booking, you are able to schedule a call with Mini Jones, our Clinic Lead who is always happy to discuss any questions or concerns. For further information, or to request a call back, please click the link provided to get in touch via email, phone, or through our online contact form.(https://www.thelondoncentre.co.uk/book-an-appointment)

  • It is important to note that we do have a 24 hour cancellation policy on all booked appointments. Any cancellations received within 24 hours remain fully charged.

    We request payment for an initial assessment appointment in advance of your appointment, which you can make over the phone using a debit or credit card or via the secure payment link sent to you with your invoice. For any further treatment sessions, and unless covered by private health insurance, we will invoice you sessionally which is payable upon receipt, however, we offer a maximum 30-day period in order to receive payment.

    All appointment reminders will be sent to you via our client management system ‘Cliniko’ - notifications@cliniko.com please do add this email address to your inbox contacts to ensure all communications are received promptly.

  • Therapy is most effective when a series of appointments tailored to your individual requirements can be established. The NICE guidelines are between 20-40 appointments but we are guided by our clients depending on their needs, preference, and motivation to adopt change. We will always remain flexible to accommodate your preferences.